Bugs BewareNatural Lifestyle © Natural Lifestyle Magazine in connection with Natural Health Week Boot out the bugs, the natural way...
Essential oils offer a number of bug-beating alternatives to the conventional sprays on offer. Try citronella to ward off insects - you can add a few drops to a fragrance-free cream then use on your skin, for example knees, elbows, neck and ankles, or apply several drops to a handkerchief or your clothes.
You can use candles scented with citronella to keep beasties away during barbecues, picnics and parties outdoors or add the essential oil to an aromatherapy burner in your hotel room.
Lavender oil also repels insects so dab a few drops on your skin - it's one of the few essential oils that can be applied neat to the skin. Having said that, for children always mix the oil into a cream or lotion first before applying. Again, lavender in an aromatherapy burner will help keep insects at bay as well as spreading fragrance through your room. Other useful essential oils here include thyme, cedarwood, lemon, mint, eucalyptusand basil.
Mosquitoes don't like neem, which comes from the East Indian neem tree. It's anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-malarial and is found as an ingredient in many natural insect repellents. It can also lessen the severity of bite reactions.
Many natural repellents are gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and on babies from a few months old, some are even formulated for different areas of the world with higher strength formulations for tropical climes.
If you are unfortunate enough to be bitten or stung, then herbs and essential oils can help soothe the pain and reduce inflammation. Try witch hazel or cider vinegar for wasp stings and insect bites, arnica tincture to reduce redness and help stop bruising, or lavender. Tea tree essential oil is antiseptic so cleanses as well as soothes itchy insect bites and irritated skin.
Finally, garlic repels insects - so eat lots of it and take a supplement of B Complex as vitamin B2 is thought to be insect-repellent in the blood. | Key ArticlesFresh Organic Foods - the popular choice
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