faith4tots.com » Insect bites

Battle Mosquitos With A Natural Repellant

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:17:13 +0000

I have been waiting for warmer weather all winter long. Of course, warm weather often brings mosquitos. With a little planning, you’ll be able to avoid the sting of these little pests with the use of some natural methods. History has shown us that mosquito and bug repellents are filled with controversial ingredients, some like DDT and DEET found to be harmful only after thousands of people have used them for extensive periods of time. While DDT is no longer used by the general public, DEET continues to be found in many products. Some studies have even found mosquitos becoming desensitized to DEET. Ingredients in DEET are classified as a neurotoxins with the potential to cause brain injury. In addition, some studies have found DEET to be dangerous when combined with common insecticides used in agriculture. Science is proving that essential oils and some other natural ingredients are just as effective, some more powerful than harsh chemicals at deterring mosquitos. In our family I tend to err on the conservative side, especially with my children when selecting methods to avoid insect bites.

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.

First Aid the Natural Way

Mon, 30 May 2011 21:32:52 +0000

I knew summer was almost here when my four-year old came in the house with two scraped knees, his brother an hour later with a sliver . The biggest change I make in first aid supplies this time of year is simply buying more band-aids for my portable oils case. I also stock up on those instant ice packs from a local sporting goods store. You’re probably mindful of the foods you eat, creating a natural first aid kit is just an extension of what you are already doing to be healthy. You can build your own compact first aid kit that is not only more natural, but kid friendly and even helpful in dealing with the stress that mishaps of life may bring. This natural first aid kit is compact and perfect for taking on trips camping , driving or flying. The 5 & 15ml (equal to 1/2 ounce) bottles of essential oils should be no problem to carry on a flight, although you can verify carry on restrictions with individual airlines before traveling. My first aid kit is not much more than my Everyday Oils collection - enough to treat most non-emergency situations in a natural way, some bandaids, antibiotic ointment and an instant ice pack. When you add essential oils to your first aid kit, make sure you are using quality therapeutic grade oils, preferably food-grade oils that are guaranteed to have no additives or chemicals in them which could actually be harmful if used for first aid. Here are some common first aid ailments and how we handle them with the Everyday Essential Oils Collection:

Cuts & scrapes - cleanse first with water & soap if available. Apply 1 drop of lavender or Purification oil to wound before covering with a bandaid. Lavender disinfects and speeds healing.

Bumps & bruises – apply PanAway to bump, only to unbroken skin for adults and older children. If there is a scrape on the bump, use Frankincense. Frankincense is gentle enough for newborns and toddlers, Young Living Frankincense can be applied undiluted directly on location to bump or wound.

Burns – apply lavender undiluted directly to the burn as soon as possible. Lavender stops the inflammation and can immediately start the healing. I’ve used this countless times, every time I apply right after injury, a blister never forms. Continue applying lavender (even every 5-10 minutes) until pain subsides. For sunburn, make your own lavender spray. Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil to a 4 ounce glass spray bottle, fill with water and keep in the fridge for cooling relief when sprayed directly on skin.

Cramps, muscle & PMS – apply 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil directly to sore muscle, to the abdomen for PMS.

Digestive issues - including nausea, diarrhea, travel sickness and IBS. Apply 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil directly to the abdomen, for children under 3 use Peace & Calming or Lavender essential oils. If using Young Living’s food grade peppermint oil, add a drop to a 16 ounce glass of water and take small sips every 10 minutes until symptoms subside. Even just applying a drop on the vent of the car as you travel can help ease motion sickness for everyone.

Fever – Lavender is cooling and especially effective for children and infants. Peppermint is helpful for those over 3 years of age. Apply 1-2 drops of your oil of choice to the soles of the feet or along the spine, massaging into the back. Frankincense can also be added to the lavender or peppermint to enhance the cooling effect. Repeat every hour if needed.

Headache – apply lemon essential oil to the big toe. Peppermint and Thieves may also be helpful. PanAway is another option, applying 1-2 drops to the temples or back of the neck. Check out my drug-free headache relief post for specifics on techniques for applying the oils.

Insect bites – apply Purification blend directly to mosquito, spider bites and bee stings.

Itching – apply lavender undiluted directly to area of irritation.

Muscle injury – apply PanAway essential oil directly to point of injury. Layer peppermint oil on top to drive Panaway deeper into tissue. Repeat every hour until pain subsides.

Sinus Congestion – apply peppermint essential oil to bridge of nose. For congestion from allergies, apply lavender essential oil to the bridge of the nose.

Stress – apply lavender essential oil or Peace & Calming blend to the back of the neck, breath aroma in deeply to calm nerves. Frankincense is especially helpful in chaotic situations when you need to focus and relax. Apply frankincense to the temples, back of the neck or simply breath in the aroma. Any of these oils as well as Valor blend are also helpful in severe injury situations and can be inhaled or rubbed on to the soles of the feet on the way to seek medical treatment to calm those involved.

Essential oils are an easy, compact and effective way to deal with non-emergency situations in a natural way. Add them to your existing first aid kit for natural options that do not expire. For more information on specific usage in these and other situations, refer to an essential oil desk reference or other aromatherapy guide. Watch for my next post June 4th, with recipes for using essential oils for chemical free sunscreen and bug repellant!

This information is for educational use only and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Ants Steer Clear of Essential Oils

Mon, 09 May 2011 01:53:44 +0000

It’s been a long winter and I’ve looked forward to Spring. I admit that this year more than ever I’ve anticipated the bloom of daffodils and tulips, the green grass and the budding trees. Then the ants appeared, in my breakfast room. I had forgotten how they had gotten comfortable in my dining area last year. I did make a feeble attempt last summer to deter their pathways to a single crumb under one of our chairs. I now realize my error and am pleased to say I have no ants now. A few weeks ago a few ants appeared, looking for food. My first attemps included only pure peppermint oil wiped along the baseboards, which worked for a few minutes but the ants found another route – unfortunately further into my kitchen. This year I was bolder in my application and choice of oils and it appears the ants have found a detour, one that does not not go through my home. I have even left crumbs from time to time on the floor after dinner, satisfied in the mornings to still be ant-free.

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.