Don’t Bug Your Mom on Mother’s Day!
Mother's Day is this Sunday. If you're venturing out to an art festival, picnic, or just gathering outdoors, here's a gift you can make for her. It's quick, easy, and all natural. Be sure to make some for yourself.
It's a DIY Natural Insect Repellent! Please stop using those nasty, toxic over-the-counter repellents that contain DEET. I use a combo of Essential Oil of Eucalyptus and Witch Hazel. A glass spray bottle is recommended for use with the oils.
FYI: Lavender is a potent estrogenic compound so if you've had breast cancer that's on the positive estrogen receptor, you might want to steer clear of this herb. But there are many to use in it's place
A Grateful Shout-Out to Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., for compiling this list of options with her how-to-use.
Natural Insect Repellent Ingredients
Different insects are repelled by different chemicals, so you'll get a more effective repellent if you combine a few different insect-repelling natural oils. If you are making large amounts of insect repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil. Miix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:
10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol
The essential oils that work well against biting insects (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas) are:
cinnamon oil (mosquitoes)
lemon eucalyptus or regular eucalyptus oil (mosquitoes, ticks, and lice)
citronella oil (mosquitoes and biting flies)
castor oil (mosquitoes)
orange oil (fleas)
rose geranium (ticks and lice)
Safe carrier oils and alcohols include:
olive oil
sunflower oil
any other cooking oil
witch hazel
vodka
Natural Insect Repellent Recipe
Mix the essential oil with the carrier oil or alcohol. Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive eye area. You'll need to re-apply the natural product after about an hour or after swimming or exercise. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight. If you wish, you may combine the oil with aloe vera gel to change the consistency of the product.
*Some skins are even sensitive to natural essential oils so use with care.
Enjoy and stay enchanted!
DISCLAIMER: Information on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.