Natural Insect Repellents

Now that the summer has arrived, so have mosquitos. Here are some natural ways to protect you from these bugs and the possibility of disease 

Citronella 
The oils from this plant are used in many products including candles, lotions and various sprays. 
A University of Guelph study assessed the effectiveness of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense in protecting subjects from bites. 

They found that subjects who were positioned near the citronella candles had 42.3% less bites and those near the citronella incense had 24.2% fewer bites. 

Based on these results, citronella candles shouldn't be used as a stand-alone repellent, all though they may help in combination with topical repellents. 
•Thyme 
- In one study, carvacrol and alpha-terpinene, two compounds derived from the essential oil of thyme, were found to have significantly greater repellency than a commercial DEET repellent. The researchers suggest that a spray made with 2% alpha terpinene is a promising natural mosquito repellent. However, don't try to make a thyme oil repellent at home- it is too irritating and strong-smelling to be used at effective concentrations above 25%. 
•Celery extract - 
A Thai study compared 15 mosquito repellents with a topical extract from celery. The researchers found that the extract did not irritate the skin or cause a burning sensation. It was found to be active against a wide range of mosquito species comparable to a 25% DEET formula. 
•Clove oil - 
Two studies have found that undiluted topical clove oil is active against mosquitoes. However, like thyme oil, clove oil should not be applied undiluted to skin as a homemade repellent 
Essential Oil Caution 
When using any essential oil, mix a small amount first and test it on your wrist. If you have a bad reaction, don't use it! 

If you are unsure or uncomfortable creating your own natural repellent, Let it Heal Cambridge carries our very own line of all natural bug repellents created by Shannon Burnett through her Sacred Garden products! Contact us today to place your order!