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There are some essential oils that can keep insects away in summer. Instead of DEET to deter bug, use an essential oil blended insect repellent to protect your family.
Here are five best essential oils that helps for preventing and soothing insect bites.
Five Essential Oils to Repel Insects
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella essential oil is obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of lemongrass. It is used as a natural insect repellent, which qualities have been verified by research. Citronella oil is effective against mosquitoes and other flying insects. It is suggested to reapplied to the skin every 30-60 minutes. However, it can cause allergic reactions to those who have sensitive sin if used directly on bare skin.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of lavender. It is well known for its positive effects for aromatherapy. Its healing properties help for preventing and soothing insect bites and stings. Moreover, the distinct lavender scent can be used as an mothballs to keep moths and insects away.
These particular healing properties of lavender are suitable in both preventing insect bites and soothing insect bites and stings.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is derived from the leaves of tea tree. Its strong and distinctive scent contains terpenes that repel insects away from your skin. It can also soothe itchy bites from mosquitoes and bugs.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of selected Eucalyptus species. It has a history of wild application including mosquitoes repellent. In the U.S., eucalyptus oil was approved in 1958 as an insecticide and miticide.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops of the plant. It is widely used as culinary herb. However, rosemary oil has been shown to be an effective repellent.
While rosemary can be beneficial to your health, it’s not for everyone to use. The herb should only be taken in small doses. Avoid rosemary if you’re pregnant or nursing, as it can be an abortifacient, a product that could stimulate an abortion. Patients with high blood pressure should also avoid taking rosemary as a supplement.
5 Essential Oils to Repel Insects and Soothe Bites
Looking for natural ways to keep insects away this summer? In conclusion, here are five essential oils that are great for preventing and soothing insect bites:
- Citronella Essential Oil: Effective against mosquitoes and other flying insects, but can cause allergic reactions to sensitive skin.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Known for its positive effects for aromatherapy and its healing properties for preventing and soothing insect bites and stings.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil: Contains terpenes that repel insects away from your skin and can soothe itchy bites from mosquitoes and bugs.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Has a history of wild application including mosquitoes repellent and was approved in 1958 as an insecticide and miticide in the U.S.
- Rosemary Essential Oil: Shown to be an effective repellent, but should only be taken in small doses and avoided by pregnant or nursing women and patients with high blood pressure.
Try using these essential oils to repel insects and enjoy a bug-free summer!
Our range of natural insect repellents are based on above essential oils. These products smell pleasant to us but keep bugs away.
We are a lavender herb farm in New Zealand, we grow lavender and rosemary, produce essential oils and design skincare and body products. If you would like to learn more about our farm click here to discover our farm.
Health Warning
Though essential oils can be beneficial to your health, you should always consult with your doctor before trying them directly to your skin. Check to see if essential oils will interfere with your diabetes or blood thinner medication.