The first step in battling mosquitos is to lessen your exposure: Remove standing water from your yard where they will lay their eggs.  If you have small ponds or bird baths keep the water treated or empty containers and clean weekly to keep larvae from hatching.  Check out some natural insect control products from an organic garden supply for your yard.  Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants in particular after dusk or when walking in wooded areas.  Check your window and door screens for holes or spots mosquitos could invade your home.  Consider replacing outdoor lights with a yellow bug light that does not attract mosquitos like traditional lighting.

Essential Oils are some of the most powerful mosquito deterrants available.  Fragranced oils will not be any help against pests like mosquitos so make sure you are using a Therapeutic Grade Oil that will offer the best defense.  Essential oils are pure plant extracts that protect the plants and trees from natural pests.  These same plant extracts can offer protection to people as well.  For the best results use a combination of oils to create a powerful blend.  Here is a list of the most powerful oils mosquitos hate, followed by recipes I’ve used as natural mosquito repellent.  Many of these oils are safe for use on everyone, including children and pets. 

• Lavender - safe for everyone, young and old including infants. Simply apply therapeutic grade lavender (I only recommend Young Living food grade lavender) directly to exposed skin (Neat).
• Peppermint – safe for children over 4 diluted with a carrier oil.  Peppermint is stimulating so avoid using right before going to bed.  Also has a cooling effect on the skin, good for hot days.
• Lemongrass – powerful oil that should be diluted before applying to the skin.  Effective when applied to clothing from a spray bottle. Do not apply to the face.
• Citronella – make sure you use pure therapeutic grade citronella oil, not just a fragranced oil which will not repel mosquitos.  Dilute before applying to skin. 
• Cedarwood- adds a woodsy fragrance to a mosquito repellent, helps repel other insects in addition to mosquitos such as sand flies.
• Thyme – anti-parasitic oil, has a very strong aroma that may be softened when blended with other oils.
• Purification Essential Oil blend – Young Living exclusive blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca & myrtleessential oils.  This is a powerful blend that mosquitos and other flying insects dislike.  We mix 8-10 drops of  purification blend with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply to exposed skin.  This blend is also excellent for bringing relief to any insect bites and stings.  Apply undiluted 1-2 drops directly to the location as soon as possible after a bite or sting to lessen itching & swelling. (test first on a small area for sensitive skin).
• Thieves  Essential Oil blend - Young Living’s exclusive blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata & rosemary essential oils.  Helpful when mixed in a spray bottle and misted on the skin.  Also a good option for treating an insect bite when applied topically.  Dilute Thieves 1:1 with a carrier oil or witch hazel and apply on location as needed.
• Melrose Essential Oil blend – Young Living’s exclusive blend of melaleuca alternifolia and rosemary essential oils.  Apply neat or diluted 1:1 onto location to relieve pain and itching from stings and mosquito bites.  Mix in a spray bottle and apply to clothing or exposed areas of skin.

Here are a couple of mosquito blends we’ve used in our family.  You can mix up your own combination of essential oils to have on hand.  Add the essential oils to a glass spray bottle, the same method as making your own air freshener.   You can also add the essential oil blend to a vegetable oil and apply to the skin before exposure to mosquitos.   Making your own mosquito repellent makes sense if you want to live a life with less toxins.  These combinations are quick and easy to mix and you’ll know what ingredients you are putting on your body.

Mosquito Blend #1, mix together in a 4 ounce spray bottle and shake before each use, or add 1 drop castille soap or bath gel base to emulsify the oil

• 15 drops Purification essential oil blend
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
• enough purified water to fill the bottle

Mosquito blend #2, mix in a 4 ounce spray bottle, shaking before each use, or adding 1 drop of catille soap or bath gel base to emulsify oil:

• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 10 drops melaleuca essential oil
• enough water to fill bottle

Alternatively, apply lavender or purification oil directly to exposed skin, mixing with a vegetable oil if desired to extend the time between applications.  The oils in these blends may also be used for pets. 

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

My recipe?  A combination of peppermint essential oil and Young Living’s Purification oil blend.  I added 2 drops of peppermint and 2 drops of the Purification blend to 2 teaspoons of olive oil.  You could use any vegetable oil, I just happened to have olive oil on hand.  Blend the mixture well, then simply apply the oil along the floor and baseboard of any potential ant entry.  I did this once and this application worked for at least 3 weeks.  A couple of ants started to return, I repeated this and they are still gone.  Peppermint oil is a strong pest deterrant, the Purification blend contains some other oils little critters dislike, like citronella and lemon.  I’m glad I found this natural combination to repel these ants and have once again avoided the use of a harmful chemical in my home.

Lavender – spray your pillow at bedtime, freshen your bathroom, spray on sun-burned skin

Purification essential oil blend – neutralizes odors from shoes, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.  Kills bacteria in the air and on soft surfaces like furniture.  Spray on the skin to soothe insect bites.

Thieves essential oil blend – Create your own disinfecting spray powerful enough to kill bacteria in the kitchen and bathroom.  Replace harmful bleach (linked to cancer) with this spray.Use this spray to disinfect sinks, toilets, countertops and produce.

Watch this video to see how quick it is to make your own spray with ingredients you trust:

Essential oils make a great  addition to your own homemade cleaning solutions.  Many oils are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.   Quality is essential in choosing oils to use for cleaning and personal use because many oils on the market are diluted, altered or may only be a synthetic reproduction which smells like a true oil.  Reproductions and diluted oils should not be relied on for cleaning and bacteria control because they do not have the natural antimicrobial qualities of a pure essential oil.  Young Living is currently the only essential oil company that rigorously tests all the oils it sells for purity and potency.  They have several powerful anti-bacterial blends University tested for effectiveness against bacteria.  There is even research showing therapeutic grade oils are effective against antibiotic resistance staph infection (MRSA).    Thieves and Purification are two potent blends recommended specifically for cleaning and bacteria/infection control.  Thieves contains cinnamon, clove, rosemary and lemon essential oils.  This is a patented blend of oils created by Gary Young.  Young Living carries a full line of products infused with the Thieves blend including a household cleaner, alcohol free hand sanitizer, toothpaste, mouthwash and hand soap to name a few.  Young Living essential oils are currently used in over 50 hospitals across the U.S.
 
Further, most Young Living essential oils are certified safe as food additives, so you can have full confidence in their safety around everyone, including children and pets.  Currently, the FDA does not have guidelines for essential oil labeling and inferior brands may contain synthetic additives or chemicals not listed on the labels - the exact things individuals like yourself are trying to avoid by looking to natural materials for safe solutions.  I used health store brand oils for 12 years with mixed results.  When I found Young Living Essential Oils, I regained my confidence in using therapeutic grade essential oils to keep my family healthy and our home greener.  Adding Young Living essential oils to your natural cleaning products will help you  have a cleaner home, and you will feel better when you limit your exposure to unknown chemicals.

Here are some practical and economical green cleaning tips and recipes:

1. Remove clutter which collects dust.
2. Institute a no shoes indoors policy. Shoes are a great source of dirt in the home including bacteria and pesticide residue from lawns.  We practice this in our yoga studio and many cultures do this as a sign of respect.  It makes perfect sense in maintaining a green home, leave the dirt at the door!
3. Avoid “antibacterial” sponges and soaps, especially products with “Triclosan” a substance known to disrupt the endocrine system. Know anyone on thyroid medication?
4. Avoid cleaners with ammonium and chloride derivatives including Bleach,  known to irritate the respiratory tract.  Anyone with asthma?
5. Avoid any products with petroleum and solvents which are absorbed into the skin and wreak havoc on your system.
6. Keep home-made solutions well labeled. Better yet, mix up only what you will use.
7. Baking soda and salt act as natural non-abrasive cleanser.  Use up your iodized salt for cleaning and treat your body to Celtic Sea Salt for consumption.
8. Oxygen bleach is a safe whitening alternative to chlorine bleach which is harmful to the respiratory tract and breaks down into dioxin, a carcinogen.
9. Lemon juice and vinegar disinfect and dissolve hard water deposits.
10. Borax disinfects and cleans many surfaces.

All Purpose Cleanser:  mix equal parts of water and baking soda to form a paste, add lemon juice or essential oil of choice to clean surfaces

Drain Cleaner:  Pour 1 C baking soda down drain, follow with 1 C vinegar, wait about 30 minutes until bubbling subsides. Rinse drain with hot water

Oven Cleaner: make a paste with 3/4 C baking soda, 1/4 C salt & 1/4C water. Spread on interior of oven and let sit overnight. Remove with a spatual in the morning using steel wool for tough spots.

Stainless Steel cleaner:  wipe area with undiluted vinegar

Sinks – use natural cleanser or oxygen bleach adding a drop or two of essential oils (Thieves, clove, cinnamon or lemon) to disinfect

Mold & Mildew – Thieves household cleaner and Thieves spray directly on surfaces. Diffuse Thieves essential oil to kill airborne mold spores.

Dusting -  A damp cloth is all you need to remove dust, even from wood furniture.  Traditional polishes only spray chemicals into the air and may add a waxy build up.

If you’d like a place to start “greening” up your home, sign up for my Newsletter to the right and you’ll get your PureHOMEandBODY  Healthy Home Checklist.  

For more natural cleaning recipes check out ClearSimpleLiving.

Thieves Household Spray 1 oz:   wholesale  $8.00     Retail $10.53

Thieves Household Cleaner 14.4oz:  wholesale $21.50    Retail $28.29       = to 50 bottles of 409 cleaning spray!

Thieves Essential Oil 15ml     wholesale   $31.75         Retail   $41.78

You can order Young Living essential oils at Wholesale (select independent distributor and add a $40 Start Living Kit, your wholesale membership is for a lifetime and does not require monthly orders) or Retail prices as a customer.

Step one is to identify toxins in your life.     This includes the things we put into, on and around our bodies.   First, and foremost is food.   We are creatures of habit and like our food & beverages.   This is where cleansing involves our physical and emotional being.  Real cleansing involves letting go of the unhealthy and embracing the alternative for improved vitality and life.   I have plenty  of my own healthy favorites,  which have evolved over time.  I have replaced all the worst processed food in my life (yes, I used to drink caffeinated diet soda and eat  packaged foods) with healthy alternatives that I love even more because I feel much better eating them.  I can honestly say I am free of processed food and  have more energy than when I relied on caffeine to keep me going.

The next step in beginning to cleanse is identifying toxins in your our environment.  Cleansing your body includes taking  inventory of your surroundings.   We are chemical beings and our bodies absorb chemicals from our surroundings.  Household cleaners, health & beauty products, clothing, furniture and cookware are common sources of chemicals.  Even perfumes and artificial fragrance have been found to accumulate in your tissues and affect endocrine functions.  If you need a place to start, sign up for my newsletter and you can get a Healthy Home Checklist  I’ve put together.   Environmental toxins, whether from plastics, fabric finishes, cleaning products or pesticide sprays on fruits & vegetables, are absorbed in our bodies and often stored in major organs like our liver & kidneys – and in our fatty tissue.  If you are still not convinced, you can read more about some studies done on newborns.  Scientists are finding toxic chemicals from our environment in the cord blood of newborns.  One study found 232 different chemicals in the cord blood of one baby, many of them everyday chemicals found in shampoos, cosmetics, plastics and electronics.  Once toxins take up residence in your fatty tissue and organs your body will not  eliminate fat until you lose the toxins.

For those of you unfamiliar with this line of thinking, there are currently over 80,000 chemicals registered with the EPA.  About 2,000 of them have been tested for safety.   You can do the math pretty easily and figure there must be at least several thousand  toxic chemicals in our environment.  The FDA and EPA are constantly finding chemicals once thought safe as being harmful in the long run.  You’ll probably even find them in your home.  A famous disinfectant wipe  _ysol says right on the bottle “keep out of reach of children”.   Does this mean don’t let them eat the wipes? Wipe their hands with them?  Touch surfaces cleaned with the wipes?   These guidelines are not clearly defined on the label.  I tend to err on the conservative side and avoid products like this all together.   The FDA allows these products to be sold so consumers can make their own choices, just like cigarettes.  So be informed, read labels and know what your are buying and putting in your home.

There are so many toxin-free options from household supplies to health & beauty products it’s pretty easy to transfer most of your buying to healthier options.  Better yet,  eliminate some things altogether and simplify your life.  This is the last step in this phase of cleansing, adjusting your thinking and perceptions about your environment.  There is something freeing  about letting go of material things – whether it’s extra clothing, toys or 20 different cleaning products under your kitchen sink.   Take time now to look at your environment and see what you can eliminate that may be exposing you and your family to toxins.

Home furnishings, fabrics, window treatments, bedding and carpeting are just some of the top offenders of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).  This is actually an industrial term defining how much toxin a material is producing.  You’ve probably smelled it in  “new carpeting” or “fresh paint”.  Someone in my yoga class got a new mat for Christmas.   Minutes after unrolling it she  detected the strong PVC (that’s polyvinyl chloride, an odorous toxic plastic) and she had to continue class with the mat covered with a thick wool blanket because the smell was making her sick.    Usually the stronger the smell the more toxic it can be causing symptoms like nausea, headache, vertigo, itchy eyes and throat.  All these airborne toxins can be absorbed into your skin and bloodstream and make their way to your fatty tissue where they won’t let go.  Unfortunately, odor is not always detectable and once the symptoms of exposure occur it is too late.  So it’s safest to avoid any products that might be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Cleansing your internal body begins with cleansing your environment.  You can do all the cleansing regimens in the world, but unless you reduce the toxins in your surroundings, your body will continue to absorb the chemicals- and store them in fatty tissue.   If this is new information to you, don’t panic about what toxins you might have been exposed to.  Change happens over time and the first step is awareness.   From there, take baby steps and make changes for a lifetime.  For the time being, you can keep eating your cake.  I’ll be getting to some  food elimination articles soon enough.

The Aria diffuser is one of the newest diffusers. This piece is not only beautiful, but functional as well. Young Living’s Aria diffuser has a solid hardwood maple base and glass dome top. This is an ultrasonic diffuser combining essential oils with a light mist of water to infuse your air with oils. This diffuser also has a built in music system that is compatible with most MP3 players or you can play the music included with this unit offering 12 minutes of relaxing music. The remote control is also accented with hardwood and can adjust the music and diffusion rate.
The TheraPro Premium Diffuser is another new diffuser offered exclusively by Young Living. This compact unit is more contemporary looking. It is appealing to college kids, young adults and anyone looking for convenience and functionality in a diffuser. An essential oil bottle can attach directly to the back of the unit for continuous dispersal. The rate and intensity of diffusion is adjustable by the controls on the front of the unit.

The Home diffuser is a compact unit in light gray that complements most decor. This unit disperses essential oils with a fine mist of water. The lights on the unit gently change color as it operates for a soft light. Diffusers dispersing oils with water are a gently way to diffuse oils around children, pets and those with sensitive respiratory systems.
Young Living offers a cold mist diffuser with a glass nebulizer top. This unit diffuses oil without water which turns the oil into micro-sized particles that enter the air quickly for immediate therapeutic benefits. This is an ideal diffuser as  the TheraPro for diffusing oils after flooding or water damage in your home. These cold mist diffusers distribute oils into the air quickly and efficiently. It is best to diffuse stronger oils like cinnamon, clove and rosemary when a room is vacant.

When you enroll for wholesale pricing with Young Living, your Start Living Kit includes a 50% off coupon for any diffuser.  The Aria and TheraPro units are offered at 40% off.

Photo credit: www.uas1.com/mold_assessment.php

The latest reports this morning indicated at least 8 inches of rainfall in Milwaukee last night. The amount of flood damaged homes is still unknown, and I am reminded of our previous home’s flooding years ago. Back then I didn’t use a diffuser for essential oils, and used bleach (as I was told by many) to clean up the mold that followed. I know now that bleach is so harmful even aggravating asthma and the respiratory tract.  It’s full impact on the environment is not fully known. Essential oils can take care of the job effectively without harming the individuals using them. Whether you have a musty basement or fresh water damage, it is never too late to start diffusing essential oils into your home to purify the air. There are many studies showing that mold and bacteria cannot stand up to the power of essential oils which are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial.
Clove, cinnamon, peppermint and rosemary are some of the most powerful essential oils against mold and bacteria. One study from the Internet Journal of Microbiology found clove oil to be powerful against such bacteria as Staphylococcus and Aspergillus.  Melaleuca, lavender, peppermint and thyme showed the strongest killing power against MRSA antibiotic resistant bacteria according to studies at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Mold spores are everywhere, but they multiply quickly when exposed to water. Keeping mold in check first begins with getting your home dried out and keeping it that way. For any flood damage, contact a professional first for clean up. Mold and mildew breed anywhere there is moisture, so it is important to have your home cleaned up quickly and properly. In the mean time, diffuse your essential oils to start killing the existing mold spores and keep them from growing to large numbers. If you have a damp basement or crawl space, run a dehumidifier in the moistest weather and clean up excess water as soon as possible, using fans to keep air circulated. Studies show when ventilating air it is more effective to blow air out of the house, rather than bring outside air into the house.

Unchecked, mold growth can cause serious physical symptoms including nausea, rashes, bloody noses, diarrhea, headaches and more. If you suspect serious mold problems in your home, do not attempt to fix it yourself. There are many qualified mold experts trained in properly cleaning dangerous levels of bacteria.
The best oils to diffuse to prevent mold growth are blends. Synergistic blends of oils are more powerful than the individual oils. Young Living Essential Oils company has created some powerful blends to purify your air: Thieves, Christmas Spirit, Abundance and Exodus II. Many of the Biblical Oils are powerful against mold as well in particular Cassia which is in the Cinnamon family. For the best effect, use a cold-air diffuser which does not heat the oils and destroy the anti-microbial properties. Completely avoid chemical air fresheners that are just masking mold and mildew odors. These are not killing bacteria and are filling your air with more harmful toxins in the form of chemicals. Diffusing essential oils can be the start to cleaning up your air after water damage or in a damp area. But the most important goal is to correct the cause of water damage. If you have serious mold damage, make sure you have a professional mold remediation service take care of the clean-up. You can, however, use essential oils in addition to keep your air healthy and pure.
If you need to clean up mold or mildew on contact, mix up a 1/2 gallon of water, 1/3 C vinegar and 10-15  drops of essential oils of your choice. Wipe on surfaces and allow it to sit for a minute before wiping off. Repeat as needed. If you have tough mold, mix up a 4 ounce spray bottle with 2 drops of castille soap (to emulsify the oils), 15 drops of essential oils (cinnamon, clove, tea tree, rosemary are good choices) and the remainder with alcohol (rubbing alcohol or a high proof Vodka). Shake gently, then spray on location and let this sit a minute, then wipe surface clean. Repeat if needed. Just remember that many essential oils are solvents, cinnamon and clove can be irritating to the skin when used in larger amounts so wear gloves and wipe thoroughly from your surface. Test a small area first to make sure surface doesn’t get damaged, although you’d be worse off having mold in your home! This method is much gentler on the respiratory tract and better for the environment. So whether you have a mold issue or not, essential oils are a great natural alternative to bleach when you need to disinfect areas of your home.

These statements have not been evaluated by the EPA or FDA and are not meant as a replacement for professional mold remediation.

There are many diffusers made specifically for dispersing essential oils into the air.  Traditional oil burners/pot pourri pots and plug in type units are not safe for use with essential oils. (There are a few plug in units made specifically for essential oils that use a cotton pad to absorb the oils).  If essential oils are heated too high, the chemical structure of the oil can be altered, lessening the therapeutic effects and possibly producing toxic fumes.

Since many essential oils are anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, diffusing them helps purify the air.  We diffuse oils like Thieves and Purification when someone has a cold to prevent the spreading of infection.  Thieves is a powerful blend and can irritate the respiratory tract so it’s best to diffuse Thieves in an empty room for 15-20 minutes at a time.  I know a teacher who diffused Thieves in her classroom each day for 15 minutes before the kids came and she had significantly less sick children than previous years.

Purification is a blend that neutralizes odors without leaving a lingering scent.  I diffuse this in my kid’s rooms when they leave for school – it neutralizes the boy’s “locker room” odor and they don’t detect any fragrance when they get home.  Frankincense is also highly anti-microbial and safe even for babies.  I diffuse Frankincense in my kid’s rooms during cold season to keep their immune systems strong, and I don’t have to worry about it irritating their repiratory tract.   Lemon essential oil is also highly anti-bacterial, yet gentle and is still diffused in hospitals today in England to fight infection.  Diffusing Peppermint while you are studying can help with memory recall.

Fragrance is a powerful sensory tool and can affect our moods and emotions. Many oils can alleviate anxiety simply by inhaling them or diffusing in a room. Different oils have varying effects on the psyche.  Citrus oils for example are uplifting and may combat depression.  Peppermint is stimulating, chamomile and lavender can be relaxing.  Peace and Calming is one of my favorite blends for relaxing.- the tangerine essential oil in this blend is appealing even to children.  Cinnamon and spruce can be festive when diffused at Christmas time, and will keep your air pure.

Make sure any essential oil you diffuse is only a pure oil, therapeutic grade essential oil with no chemicals or fillers added.  If these are used, they are simply dispersing chemicals and toxins into the air and can be harmful.

Young Living carries several high quality diffusers.  When you enroll for wholesale pricing you can save quite a bit of money on your first diffuser.

Diffusing essential oils into your home or office can not only improve your mood and concentration, they are cleansing the air without harmful chemicals.

Get rid of air fresheners, traditional perfumes and any products with “fragrance”.   Substances in all of these products have no health benefit and a lot of research is showing how harmful these chemicals are to adults and growing babies, more and more research is finding these chemicals are hormone disruptors, endocrine disruptors, are detrimental to reproductive systems and are stored in fatty tissue.  Essential oils offer fragrance that can actually help you be healthier -

Eliminate artificial sweeteners According to the U.S News World Report in March 2003, the average Americans were consuming 142 pounds of sugar each year, a number that has continued to rise since the 1950′s.   Use more natural sweeteners like Agave nectar to your diet and eliminate artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet and Splenda.  Adding flavorful herbs and food safe essential oils to your cooking and beverages can help satisfy your taste buds while lessening your intake of harmful artificial ingredients.

Replace harmful household cleaners with healthy ones  Essential oils are great natural alternatives to harsh cleaning supplies.  Young Living also offers some great personal care products and nutritional supplements to replace harmful ones.

Eat whole organic foods when you can.  Essential oils can help you have less toxins in your life if you eliminate the chemicals, but they will not solve problems on their own without the help of  some serious lifestyle changes.  Processed foods should be a small if any portion of your food intake.  Candy,  junk food and any products with corn syrup NutraSweet or monosodium glutamate (MSG) should not be consumed at all.   Raw fruits and vegetables and plant sources of protein will offer a multitude of nutrients that your body can best absorb and assimilate.

Detox your body Using essential oils will help your body gently eliminate toxins.  Just drinking Young Living lemon or peppermint essential oils in your water each day is an easy way to start cleansing your body of toxins that have built up in your system.  Be careful to avoid any beauty products with petroleum products in them like mineral  oil as therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living draw out toxins when they are applied to the skin.  If any skin irritation occurs it could be from toxins being pulled out of the skin.  Some oils like citrus oils will cause photosensitivity and may result in sunburn if applied within 12 hours of sun exposure.

The main thing to remember is to make small changes over time that you can maintain.  You want your healthier lifestyle to be choices for a lifetime.