Going Buggy...essential oil insect repellants

Ahhh, Summer is straining at its seasonal leash and ready to burst full blown onto the

"Asian Tiger Mosquito" By James Gathany, CDC [Public domain],
 via Wikimedia Commons

scene. For many of us, summer weather has already descended, regardless of the calendar date, along with those most unwelcome of guests: biting flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. My research into essential oils as natural insect repellants unearthed a treasure trove of possibilities. If you try any of these, I'd love your comments!

For horse flies:
Lavender
Lemongrass
Cedarwood
Rosemary

"Freshly cut Lavender Flowers" by Lexipexi via Wikimedia Commons

Peppermint 
Lemon
Tansey*
Thyme (Vulgaris)
Tea Tree

For gnats:
Rose Geranium*
Spearmint
Peppermint
Globulus
Eucalyptus*

For mosquitoes:
Lavender
Lemongrass
Peppermint 
Lemon
Tansey
Thyme (Vulgaris)

"Lemongrass" via Wikimedia Commons

Clove
Cinnamon
Globulus
Blue Cypress
Sage
Eucalyptus

(* also good against ticks)

You can mix several drops of the oils of your choice into your favorite unscented body lotion or make into a spritzer spray:

Into a 2 oz spray bottle mix:

• 4 tablespoons of distilled water
• 2 teaspoons of vodka
• 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil or try a combination such as sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint.

So bring it on, Summer. Give it all you've got and we'll be ready for your blood sucking posse!

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (And yes I know, despite my post title, bugs are not insects but "going insecty" just doesn't work somehow!)

(As always: this post is for information only for adult use and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.) 

Spring- when a young man's fancy lightly turns to...Ylang Ylang!

Cananga Flower (Ylang Ylang Flowers) by Ks.mini via Wikimedia Commons 

Back in 1835, Alfred Lord Tennyson pronounced, "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." One might add that the warmth and promise of Spring turns all our thoughts to love! And the essential oil to help encourage such thoughts to move into desired channels of attention or just keep our own minds and hearts focused on the emotion of the season? According to aromatherapists, that would be Ylang Ylang. From my own experience with this essential oil in aromatherapy blends, I heartily agree. It has the most luscious, sensual fragrance you can imagine. No wonder it is often used in perfumes. And its fragrance is so concentrated, just a little bit goes a long way. Too much is overpowering.

Ylang Ylang is utilized as an:

Ylang
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil in clear glass vial
by Iteneranttrader via Wikimedia Commons

Antidepressant- its fragrance has qualities that lift the spirit, ease stress, and relax the body and mind

Antiseborrhoeic- helps regulate the natural sebum production in the skin, aiding in relief of seborrhoeic eczema

Antiseptic- acts as a disinfectant and inhibits microbial growth in wounds

Aphrodisiac- used in many cultures to stimulate those thoughts and feelings that arise come Springtime! (Also attributed to balancing hormone levels)

Hypotensive- its stress-lowering qualities contribute to a lower blood pressure

Nervine- boosts the nervous system and reduces emotional strain on nerves

Sedative- its ability to lower stress levels and calm the mind helps induce a good night's sleep (of course, if you are thinking all those "love thoughts" it encourages, that might keep you awake at night!)

Cananga Odorata in Maui, Hawaii by Forest and Kim Starr
via Wikimedia Commons

The essential oil of Ylang Ylang is steam distillation extracted from the fresh flowers of the Ylang Ylang tree, (Cananga Odorata,) commonly found in the rain forests of Asian and South Pacific Islands like Indonesia, Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Comoro and Polynesia. Its chief components are benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate linalool, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, methyl benzoate, p-cresyl methyl ether and other components known as Sesquiterpenes, all of which contribute to its fragrance and medicinal properties.

So inhale it, soak in a bath infused with it, massage it in with your carrier oil of choice, or lightly dab it on your skin, and lose yourself in Ylang Ylang's sensual, joyous cloud of Springlike goodness. 

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (And inhale deeply...)

Kate

(As always: this post is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.)