Try it, you'll like it, your own homemade natural mosquito repellant
If you have been bitten by an insect, dab 1 drop of lavender oil or
tea-tree oil on the bite. This helps alleviate the itching, minimizes
swelling and keeps the insect bite from becoming inflamed and infected.
Every spring we look forward to the arrival of warmer weather, mild
breezes and thoughts of long summer days. But with spring also comes the
invasion of the pesky creature, the mosquito, biting and causing itchy,
painful welts. Mosquito repellents sold in stores often contain poisonous
chemicals that can cause skin and nerve problems. Although mosquito
bites are not considered a health risk in most latitudes, a growing
number of people have become allergic to them, and encephalitis is a
serious threat in some areas of the U.S.
One mosquito bite can transmit West
Nile virus or other diseases... Make your own homemade natural
mosquito repellent, which is safer, gentler and just as effective.
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Tip:
Natural mosquito repellent keeps for about 2 months. To extend its
shelf life to 3 months, store it in the refrigerator whenever you
aren't using it. |
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Mosquito
Repellent Recipe
Natural Repellents
For normal skin 2 1/2 tbsp. grape-seed oil
1 tsp. shea butter
1 tsp beeswax
2 1/2 tbsp. distilled water
or lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax powder
8 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops sage essential oil For sensitive skin 2 1/2 tbsp. grape seed oil
1 tsp. shea butter
2 1/2 tbsp lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax
5 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops lemongrass essential oil
3 drops tea-tree essential oil
2 drops sage essential oil |
For oily skin 2 1/2 tbsp. evening-primrose oil
1 tsp. shea butter
1 tsp. beeswax
2 1/2 tbsp. lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax powder
8 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops sage essential oil
2 drops tea-tree essential oil
- In a double boiler, heat the grape-seed or evening-primrose oil, shea butter and beeswax to about 140ºF or until all of the
ingredients have melted. Remove from heat.
- In a separate pot, heat the distilled water or lavender hydrosol
to about 140ºF and stir in the borax powder until dissolved. Remove
from heat.
- Stir the water or hydrosol solution into the hot-oil blend to
make an emulsion.
- Allow to cool until slightly warm; then mix in the essential oils.
Store in a clean plastic squeeze bottle in a cool place.
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Application:
Shortly before you go outside, apply mosquito
repellent that's appropriate for your skin type to all the exposed
parts of your body. Reapply after about two to three hours. If you
will be perspiring heavily, be sure, be sure to reapply the mosquito
repellent more frequently, for greater protection. |
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Ingredient
Benefits:
Grape-seed oil for nourishing the skin:
This oil has a nourishing and protective effect on normal and
sensitive skin types. Grape-seed oil's fine, thin consistency does
not clog pores.
Evening-primrose oil for easing inflammation:
A natural anti-inflammatory, evening primrose oil aids in healing
irritated skin, making it good for people with blemishes or skin
problems.
 Lavender hydrosol for sensitive skin:
Lavender hydrosol, a thin, watery liquid that is a by-product of
lavender oil production, can help heal sensitive, slightly chapped
skin and protect it against environmental irritants.
Essential oils to ward off biting insects: The essential oils in natural mosquito repellent are the active
constituents that help to ward off bugs and insects. Tea-tree oil,
which is a potent antiseptic and anti-bacterial essential oil, has a
slightly medicinal scent. The light flora aroma of lavender oil has
a refreshing, soothing effect, while the citrus like fragrance of
both citronella and lemongrass oils is a mood lifter. Finally, sage
oil acts as an antiseptic and skin toner.
Natural ingredients for better consistency:
The thin consistency of mosquito repellent can be thickened by
adding a little bit of beeswax and shea butter, which makes it
easier to apply. The addition of borax powder helps to stabilize the
water-oil emulsion.
Hydrosol - The condensed water that is left
behind when plants are steam distilled to make essential oil. A
little like waters made from roses and lavenders and other herbs,
except more pure and a little more concentrated. You can make your
own waters, just by steeping an herb in warm water and straining.
Or, you can purchase hydrosols. See below.
What is a hydrosol?
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Shop For Your Supplies Here
Since 1987 Mountain
Rose Herbs has become the Leading Organic Supplier in not only
the finest organic botanical products, but the freshest as well.
From their bulk organic herbs and spices, to their essential
oils and herbal teas, the quality and integrity of what they
offer is unparalleled. In fact, we firmly believe nobody can
deliver a better product. |
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