Natural Insect Repellent
Beauty,  Headline,  Lifestyle,  Skincare

Natural Insect Repellent + After Bite

June 16, 2013 /

Natural Insect Repellent

This week is my exam for a course in aromatherapy that I have been taking over the past 9 months. I have absolutely loved learning about essential oils and how to use them to help and heal. It’s unbelievable to me that these oils are capable of helping out with so many problems from jet lag, skin problems, digestive problems, headaches, sore muscles and joints, and so on. The list is really endless, and when I say “problems”, I’m using such a broad term because essential oils can cover the most specific of problems and it would really be too much to list. In a time where the use of antibiotics for every little problem is the normal thing, it’s just so confusing to me that people wouldn’t want to try something like essential oils first.  Natural is better!

Koko

Rhys

Summer is almost here and I do quite a bit of camping with Rhys. One thing I cannot stand about camping is the bugs…and maybe even worse is the bug spray to go along with it. The toxic smell of it is just awful, and I know it can’t be healthy to be breathing in and putting on my skin. Quite a few essential oils are natural insect repellants, so I wanted to put together a little spray to take a long with me this summer.

You can select from quite a few different essential oils, so feel free to use any listed. I’ll also provide the exact mix that I did. Essential oils should be stored in dark, glass bottles in a cool place. Like…a cold place…not just a funky space 😉

You can purchase essential oils online through places like Mountain Rose Herbs, or you can find them at your local health and wellness store.

Check with your doctor first to see if essential oils are okay for you, or your family to use. Some essential oils should not be used while pregnant, and different concentrations may need to be used for elderly people.

After-bite care is simple. Just mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of witch hazel with either a drop of tea tree oil or lavender oil directly to the sting or bite.

Natural Insect Repellent

Use any of the following oils: citronella, clove, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, sandalwood. I used lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon.
Ingredients:
Witch Hazel – scant 1/2 cup
Distilled Water – scant 1/2 cup
30-60 – drops of essential oils
Instructions:
Combine the witch hazel and water in an 8oz spray bottle. Add the essential oils. The easiest way is to add an equal number of drops of each different oil. You can use 30-60 drops total in this recipe. I recommend starting with 30. See how you react to this amount, add more if necessary.

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10 Comments

  • Kelly @ Inspired Edibles

    June 18, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Oh m’gosh. You two are so cute… love the camping photos and you’ve got me dreaming about a camp fire (that smell…), pristine waters and blue skies right now…

    How cool about your aromatherapy course — I’m excited to learn more from you. Now my question is… do the essential oils (which I also love and prefer over slathering chemicals on my skin) actually work to repel said bugs? ;-). I’m very curious to get your feedback this following your summer travels. Smooches to you!

  • Thess@greenattraction

    June 18, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    Wow, this is so inspiring! I could not agree more – natural really is better. I have never thought of making my own insect repellent, but this summer I will definitely try it! Aromatherapy sounds amazing, and definitely something I would love to learn more about! Great post 🙂

  • Koko

    June 20, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    Thanks Miliany!

    Haha thanks Angie!

    Thanks Kelly!! Well on that particular camping trip both Rhys and I did not get ONE bug bite!! I’m curious to try it out again on our road trip when we’re a bit more into the prime of mosquito season. I’ll keep ya posted!

    Thanks Thess! I’m looking forward to doing more of these posts!

    Thanks Pamela!!

  • rika@veganmiam.com

    August 6, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    Oh my goodness. When I was traveling in Asia, I get bit by mosquitoes instantly, and my bites looked like a golf ball! It was so painful and horrible! It must be my blood type or my heritage. Anyway, I’ve tried several natural insect repellents before, few are pretty good, but I should try yours since it’s homemade! 🙂