Make Your Own Insect Repellant
Try these time tested ingredients to naturally repel insects this summer.
Like other health and herbal minded folk, chances are that you are tired of using chemicals and deet to repel insects during the summertime. Making your own insect repellant is easy, and much more natural than the insect repellants commercially available. We have compiled the following recipes for you, the ingredients and oils used in the following recipes have been used for years as natural methods of repelling insects. Here’s to a healthy and insect-free summer!
HERBAL INSECT REPELLANT
1/2 teaspoon citronella essential oil
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
4 ounces distilled witch hazel
Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray bottle. Shake well. Spray onto exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes. Reapply every 2 hours, or as needed.
Recipe courtesy of Laurel Vukovic.
August 2004
Herbs for Health
NATURAL INSECT REPELLANT
2 ounces vegetable oil or vodka
1/4 teaspoon each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 teaspoon each cedar and rose geranium essential oils
Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil away from your eyes and mouth, and be careful not to rub your eyes right away after applying the repellent with your fingers.
Source: Keville, Kathi. Herbs for Health and Healing. Rodale, 1996.
March/April 2004
Herbs for Health
Articles reprinted with permission from Herbs for Health magazine, a division of Ogden publications.
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