Unfortunately, with the warmer weather come a few uninvited guests: mosquitoes, black flies, spiders and other creatures whose bites and stings can be very irritating. All over the country mosquitoes are running rampant at BBQs, baseball games, and outdoor concerts. Mowing the lawn is almost considered hazardous when black flies are at their worst. And a simple walk in the woods must be followed up with a thorough inspection for ticks that carry Lyme disease.
Avoiding Chemicals on Your Skin
Each day more conclusions are being drawn that harsh chemicals can be linked to physical illness. If you were to read the precautionary statements found of the labels of popular, commercially available chemical-based bug sprays you may think twice about using these products on your skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of non-toxic or less harmful alterntatives. There even simple and inexpensive to make.
Natural Insect Repellent Recipe
For your own, easy-to-make formula to keep the bugs at bay try this recipe found in Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles (Storey, 2007):
“Fend Off” Herbal Oil Insect Repellent
This recipe can act as a gentle all-purpose body moisturizing oil. because the ingredients are so soothing to the skin. It's best to use it twice a day when bugs are at their worst. Mountain Rose Herbs is a great resource for the ingredients in this recipe. Your local health food store can be a reliable option as well. And, of course, if you'd rather buy a pre-made product there are plenty of options on the market.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup soybean base oil (Note: This oil has natural bug-repellant properties.)
- 15 drops each of the following essential oils: lemongrass; geranium; catnip
- 10 drops basil or eucalyptus radiata essential oil
Directions:
- Add all ingredients directly to a storage container.
- Shake the mixture vigorously to blend.
- Allow the oil to synergize, for 1 hour.
- No refrigeration is required, but for maximum bug-repelling freshness and potency, please use within 6 to 12 months.
Another tip to consider when heading outdoors is fragrance: insects are particularly attracted to perfumes, lotions, scented deodorant, shampoo, conditioner or aftershaves so it’s best to avoid these products if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside.
Natural Itch and Sting Relief
Insects may be small, but their bites can deliver a big dose of itchy, inflamed misery! To counteract this discomfort, there are many natural remedies that work amazingly well.
- Apply a simple baking soda and water paste directly to bites and leave on for at least an hour.
- For an anti-itch bath, add ½ to 1 cup baking soda to running lukewarm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Apply a drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil directly onto each bite to reduce inflammation and help prevent infection.
- Make a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water, and rinse the irritated area. Repeat this procedure several times until the itching decreases in intensity.
- Apply a drop of neem base oil to each bite. Neem is a naturally cooling oil with antibacterial properties. It relieves many types of skin irritations.
Choose a Healthier Option
When you take into consideration that 65% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream, it's important to stop and think before you spray yourself with harsh chemicals. Especially when there are healthier options.
Jayme Hummer - Jayme is excited to join the Contributing Writers for Suite 101 where she can touch on all of her passions at once. She is a certified ...
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