Health/Natural: Repelling Mosquitos Naturally

Q. There's been a lot of talk in the news recently about the Blue Nile virus that's carried by mosquitos. All of the TV newspeople are suggesting that people use chemical repellants when outdoors during the times of days when mosquitos are present, but I've always avoided using any kind of chemical on my body. Do you know of any natural, organic ways to repel biting insects like mosquitos?

A. It is probably no coincidence that some of the most common and popular herbs which we grow in our summer gardens contain just what we need to fight those pesty bugs. Nature does provide the most effective and gentle remedies, and we just need to be reminded of the little jewels we may have in our own herb gardens this time of year. (For those of you who don't have the space for an herb garden, you can grow some of these in pots in a bright sunny window or on a balcony. You can also purchase essential oils extracted from certain herbs and flowers from your favorite health food store and learn to make your own blends.)

Using essential oils for beauty, health and household purposes can be a lot of fun. My favorite book on aromatherapy, the art of using essential oils, is The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. I have found this book to have almost all the answers to questions I have had about making my own essential oil formulas. I have also discovered some excellent pre-formulated blends ready to use for keeping insects at bay.

The following is a basic list of some wonderful single oils to use as natural insect repellents. I will also include some formulas which I have found work very well.

• Lavender

• Peppermint

• Thyme

• Citronella

• Lemongrass

• Chamomile

• Eucalyptus

• Garlic

• Rosemary

• Basil

If you wish, you can make an herbal tea of fresh or dried herbs to use topically (I wouldn't recommend the garlic tea!). Make the tea fairly strong and let it cool, of course, before applying it to the skin. The tea will not be nearly as concentrated as using essential oils, but it is a way to start with whatever herbs you may have at home. You can put the mixture in a spray bottle and store in the refrigerator. Refresh your batch every few days. One of my favorite herbal sprays is lavender tea, which is very refreshing to spray chilled on your face and body on those hot summer days.

Mosquitoes especially dislike lavender and red thyme oils, and applying a couple drops on a tissue or cotton ball and placing at your bedside can really help keep them off of you while you sleep. To use the pure essential oil, it is common to dilute the oil in a base of either water or a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil or safflower oil, to mention a few. I will usually dilute 2-6 drops of an essential oil into 1 teaspoon of a base oil to use topically. (When you first start working with essential oils, always dilute them first because some will cause skin sensitivities in some people if used straight on the skin. The more experienced you get, the more you will know in what situations you can use certain oils straight on the skin.)

To make a water-based splash, add 5-6 drops of an oil to 1 tablespoon witch hazel, and then add 4 tablespoons filtered or spring water to the mixture. Shake it all good and spray on the skin. The following is one of the best formulas I have found to keep mosquitoes (and actually most bothersome insects) away:

• Thyme oil, 4 drops

• Lemongrass, 8 drops

• Lavender, 4 drops

• Peppermint, 4 drops

Add this blend of oils to the above mixture of witch hazel and water to make a great splash. Re-apply as needed when outdoors. This is a good blend for children, also.

If you do get bitten, there are several topical essential oils you can use straight (neat) on the affected area. Tea tree oil is always a good first choice since it offers antiseptic properties, reduces inflammation and promotes skin healing. Lavender applied neat to a mosquito bite can also be soothing, antiseptic and anti-bacterial. Lavender oil itself is so versatile, offering not only calming and relaxing emotional benefits from the fragrance, but it is also a fine mosquito repellent. Mix 30 drops into 2 tablespoons of one of the carrier oils listed above, (my favorite is sweet almond oil), and apply on exposed areas before going outside. Your skin will be moisturized in a really wonderful way and the fragrance of the lavender is pleasing, even though bugs absolutely hate it. No harsh chemicals, no nasty smells of repellents, and a much better option than using those awful sprays which are on the market.

I hope you enjoy exploring essential oils and aromatherapy, and that you get good relief during the rest of the summer season!

Susie

Bibliography/Source Materials:

• The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood

• The Art of Aromatherapy, by Robert Tisserand

• Common Herbs for Natural Health, by Juliette de Bairacli Levy

©Copyright 2001 by AlternativeApproaches.com

Susie Cooper, a community herbalist and homeopathic educator, has worked in the natural foods business since 1991 and has been teaching workshops on herbal and homeopathic medicine since 1993. In addition to presenting numerous talks, she has also appeared on radio programs pertaining to natural health. With her husband, Paul, she owns and operates Blue Mountain Herbs, a small health food store in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, where she also teaches workshops in herbal and homeopathic medicine. “Offering a proper base of education for people interested in maintaining health the natural way is of utmost importance to me,” she says. “So many options exist in the world around us, and it’s important to me to offer the best traditional educational support I can to people wanting a healthy alternative for prevention and wellness.”

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.