Bugs The Natural Way To Keep Them At Bay
Andrea Candee, MH, MS
Bugs! Do I respect them aspart of Nature’s miraculous
design…yes. Do I like them…
not really. Despite daily intake of supplements
reputed to be bug deterrents (i.e.
garlic, B vitamins), many of us are
still sweet meat for the little critters.
Acknowledging the skin’s ability to
absorb substances into the bloodstream
(modern medicine’s
example of this biological
fact is the invention of
skin patches for delivering
pharmaceutical drugs into
the body) encourages us
to seek out natural alternatives
to chemical insect
repellents.
eucalyptus oil repels
ticks and fleas. Ticks and Lyme Disease
Dogs and cats are often the
carriers of Lyme infected ticks.
To fully protect one’s self and family
from being bitten, the family pet
must also be protected. A successful
program for preventing any tick
from attaching itself to your pet
includes garlic powder and brewers
yeast sprinkled liberally on their
food every day (found in a convenient
powdered combination in
health food stores) and oil of eucalyptus.
The essential oil of eucalyptus,
derived from the leaf of the
tree, contains naturally occurring
chemicals repellent to ticks and
fleas. A most effective method is
to dip a thin rope into the undiluted
oil, wrap it in a bandanna and tie
it around your pet’s neck (fashionable,
as well). The rope can be
refreshed twice a week or more
often, if necessary. The oil is quite
potent and should not be applied
directly to the skin as it may cause
irritation. Mixing 1oz oil of eucalyptus
into one pint of water in a spray
bottle also enables you to spray
your pet’s coat on a daily basis.
But why save all the good protection
for your pets? Before gardening or
hiking, scent yourself with “eau de
eucalyptus.” The oil/water combination
can be sprayed on skin
and/or clothing before an outdoor
excursion, gardening, or romp in
the grass. Eucalyptus diluted in a
vegetable oil (e.g. almond, sesame,
sunflower) can safely be applied to
the skin for longer lasting protection.
Mosquitoes and black fly
take wing! mashed banana can
be used to remove
embedded stingers.
Dilute 1oz essential oil of pennyroyal
in 16oz vegetable oil to effectively
repel mosquitoes. Keep a vial of
this dilution with you when headed
for a picnic, swing in the hammock
or anywhere mosquitoes
hang out. Oil of Pennyroyal has
protected campers in the swampiest
of areas by directly applying it to
exposed areas of skin.
Black flies ruining a relaxing day in
the park? Check out the surrounding
area for aromatic evergreen trees,
break off a branch, mash it with a
rock and apply to arms and legs.
The released essential oils will
repel those bothersome bugs.
Don’t be the local attraction
for stinging insects.
Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets
are attracted by sweet smells and
bright colors. If you don’t want
them to think you are a delectable
flower to explore, avoid wearing
perfumes and scented hair and
body care products, as well as
brightly colored clothing. Neutral
colors such as tan and white are
least likely to attract unwelcome
visitors. Cover sugary food and
drink at picnic sites. The easiest, most non-invasive way
to remove embedded stingers or
body parts of insects (splinters and
thorns, too!) is to apply ripened,
mashed banana covered with gauze,
or tape on a piece of overripe banana
skin overnight (pulp side to skin).
The enzymes in the banana will
painlessly draw to the surface any
foreign object.
Stopping the itch
and swelling.
If you ventured out into the great
outdoors without protection and got
bitten or stung, safe, non-chemical
solutions can prevail. The oil of a
vitamin E capsule punctured with
a pin and applied to a bee sting can
relieve pain and swelling. A juicy
slice of onion rubbed on or taped
into place will relieve the itch and
swelling of an insect bite.
The common weed, plaintain, when
mashed with a rock or chewed to
break down its capillary walls (only
chew if you are certain it has not
been chemically treated) and poulticed
directly on the affected area,
pulls out the toxins of an insect
sting or bite and relieves swelling.
A paste of baking soda and water
or mud and water will calm the area.
It all depends upon where you are
and what’s available. Usually, what
you need is right at hand. You just
need to be able to recognize its
healing benefits. Keep in mind that
more than one application may be
necessary so use what is convenient
for the moment and follow up a
few more times that day with what
seems to provide the most comfort.
House moths,
the unwelcome guests.
Those bothersome moths moved
right into your clothes closets and
food pantry without invitation—
or did you unwittingly invite them?
Residues of odors and stains on
clothing attract moths to your closets.
Open bags of cereals, grains
and flours are comparable to putting
out the welcome mat. The easiest
way to deal with the food items is
to refrigerate them during summer
months. Clean clothing before
storing. Additional protection can
be provided by placing muslin bags
in your closets filled with combinations
of dried, aromatic herbs and
essential oils such as tansy, peppermint,
rosemary, eucalyptus, cedar,
sage, thyme, cinnamon and clove.
Keeping houseplants
bug-free.
Infected houseplants
often respond well to a
strained spray of water
blended with a few
fresh cloves of garlic.
The eucalyptus/water
spray described
above can also
be applied
to houseplants. soothe an insect bite
with an onion slice. protect houseplants with
a spray of garlic water.
In centuries past, aromatic herbs
were strewn on the floors of homes
to repel insects. Instead, branches
of herbs can be hung in doorways,
arranged creatively in containers
or crumbled into potpourris creating
pleasant pest-repellent aromas.
Essential oils can waft throughout
the home in electric or candle
diffusers. Cotton balls infused with
essential oils can be strategically
placed.
Let us peacefully co-exist with the
insect world without polluting ourselves
and our fragile environment
by using Nature’s bountiful gifts.
Andrea Candee, MH, MSC is a
Master Herbalist with over 30 years
experience in the natural health field.
She is the award winning author of
“Gentle Healing for Baby and Child
(Simon and Schuster),” available for
sale on her resource filled web site:
www.andreacandee.com
