Now that the summer season is heating up and the bugs are already out there and multiplying. The scents that repel insects are also the ones humans find more attractive! They can smell the sugar, so avoid any sweets and alcohols!!
Here are some suggestions to prevent the bite or help the sting of the bite!
Basil or Holy basil of India, is used by traditional healers by rubbing the skin with fresh leaves to repel bugs, it is temporary but will work for short periods of time.
Garlic both repels and treats, it can be used both topically or ingested. Garlic oil, in an Italian study, worked well to protect against bites or you can crush garlic cloves and apply directly to a sting or bite.
Lemongrass, a close relative to citronella, contains the same bug repellent compounds. Crush fresh herb and rub it on skin before going outside. You could also use a lemongrass essential oil.
Meat tenderizer, a tried and true remedy to treat a bite because it contains the enzyme, Papain, it breaks down insect venom. Papaya has the same Papain enzyme so just place a fresh piece of the fruit on the bite!
Mint is both a repellent and a cooling feeling, decreasing the sting flushing out the venom. All members of the mint family can be potent repellents.
Cinnamon besides preventing the bite; helps to kill mosquito larvae! Add cinnamon oil to your lotion or sunscreen and the benefits will be appealing to you but repel those bugs!
Cloves is one of the most effective insect repellants even for fleas besides the other biting and stinging kind. Mix clove oil with water a 1:10 ratio to spray outdoors and in planters etc. Dilute the oil with rubbing alcohol, olive oil or vodka, use 5-10 drops of clove essential oil to 10 mls diluting substance mix and shake well. Spray directly on skin when going outside, wash off when you are done working or playing outside!
Remember before going outside that bugs are attracted to sugar and alcohol and so avoid eating or drinking any sugary food or drinking alcohol before playing or working in the garden and yard. Also, on my travels, I was told that mosquitos are attracted to dark colored clothes; so as an added prevention wear white or light colors!
References:
The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods by James Duke
Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.
Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.
Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.
Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.
She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.
Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.
