How to Make a Natural Homemade Bug Repellent Cream

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According to Green Your Body:

“ One of the most widely used ingredients in store-bought conventional bug sprays for personal use is N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide, or DEET, as it’s commonly known. DEET, which is designed to repel, rather than kill, insects. DEET is used by an estimated one-third of the US population each year. Although DEET is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is a known eye irritant and can cause rashes, soreness, or blistering when applied to the skin. Additionally, DEET has been linked to neurological problems; according to the EPA, at least 18 different cases of children suffering adverse neurological effects, as well as the deaths of two adults, have been associated with DEET. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that DEET causes diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats.

DEET has been shown to have a negative impact on wildlife and water sources in production and during use. DEET is toxic to birds and aquatic life. DEET has been found in approximately 75 percent of U.S. water sources, including the Mississippi River.

As with practically every household item, natural bug spray can be made inexpensively and naturally at home, check these DIY spray recipes in my previous post. And today we will talk about making the bug repellent in the form of cream, you can try it as a nice alternative:

What you have to prepare:

  • ¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp stearic acid powder or beeswax pellets
  • ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ cup distilled water
  •  1 Vitamin E capsule
  • 10 drops each of two of the following: citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender (if you’d like to repel ticks), pennyroyal

Directions

  • Melt the beeswax and/or stearic acid, Vitamin E, and coconut oil over low heat.
  • Heat the distilled water to almost boiling, remove from heat, and stir in the baking soda.
  • This next part is the tricky part. Just like you are making homemade mayonnaise, pour water slowly into oil while mixing with a hand blender. It can be helpful to have a partner for this step. You will see the oil turn white immediately if you have successfully achieved emulsification.
  •  Immediately place pan in an ice water bath in the sink.
  • Add essential oils. I prefer a combination of citronella and eucalyptus for general insect repellent. Mix occasionally until evenly and completely cooled.
  • Place into the jar of your choice and label jar well.

(source: diynatural.com)

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Liu Jiao
I have written articles on various physical and mental health related conditions, including diabetes/ heart disease/ autism/depression/Nutrition/fitness/diets/fad diets/herbs/alternative therapies/weight loss/obesity in children and adults/smoking risks/alcohol risks/fast foods/disease....

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