Mosquitoes suck.
Those invisible kamikaze vampires go straight for my ankles every time!
You are watching: Make your own natural bug repellant
While mosquitoes will forever remain on the list of things that perpetually perturb me, lately I find them a subtle reminder of how ancient and deeply interconnected we are as living creatures.
Cue the Jurassic Park intro…
Our blood — the earth makeup — of you, me, the dog, a random squirrel and anything else with a pulse, is being passed around through microscopic blood transfusion via the mosquito.
I just find this act of nature utterly fascinating and terrifying all at the same time.
Naturally, it would seem in our best interest to repel them, saving ourselves from Zika and itchy skin all in one go.
In the West, DEET is by far the most preferred bug repellent ingredient. But the truth about DEET (read the research) is intensely more frightening than contracting mosquito carried diseases, for many which we have a cure.
Thus, I’ve tried all the folklore: Eat raw garlic. Take B-12. Rub a slice of onion all over your skin and repel ALL living creatures.
Though a fun experiment, none of those methods actually worked, for me at least.
Until this one.
Inspired by India’s holistic medicine wisdom, this natural bug spray remedy is safe, easy to make and an effective alternative to drugstore repellents.
The research subjects of this concoction include myself, my friends and family, a journey across India and two summer seasons of fewer bug bites.
Read more : Remineralizing Mouth Rinse: Easy DIY Recipe
Unique active ingredients include need oil and cedarwood essential oil.
A tropical Old World tree native to India, neem yields timber, oil and medicinal products. A 1995 study at the Malaria Research Centre in Ranipur, India, showed that applying neem to the skin provided significant protection from various mosquitoes, including those that carry deadly disease.
Similar to Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility, cedarwood’s deep woody essence masks other scents that attract mosquitoes but won’t repel your date.
Enjoy your summer, Nashville and don’t forget to re-apply!
Homemade Natural Bug Spray
Recipe from Jenna wolf of The Lotus Room
Witch hazel
2 teaspoons carrier oil (such as olive, jojoba or avocado)
2 tablespoons neem oil
50+ drops cedarwood essential oil
4- to 8-ounce spray bottle
1. Fill bottle halfway with witch hazel.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of carrier oil plus 2 tablespoons of neem oil. Make sure to leave enough room to shake the mixture.
3. Add approximately 50 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Substitute lavender essential oil if you are pregnant, nursing or using on a child under age 2.
4. Shake well before each application.
Enjoy more of The Good Life journey here:
Cool tips to beat the heat this summer
Why you should try SUP yoga this summer
How to find your tribe in Nashville
7 subtle ways to unlock financial abundance
The power of positive self talk
3 edible wildflowers from your own backyard
10 yoga poses for injury-free running
How to become a morning person
Jenna Wolf is a licensed massage therapist, yoga instructor, reiki master, ayurvedic practitioner, Belmont grad and owner of Nashville’s
leading healing studio, The Lotus Room. A native Southern Californian, Jenna is inspired by nature and the art of ancient living through the practice of yoga and ayurveda. She believes in the power of positive thinking, the freedom of artistic expression and is a forever advocate of peace and love. For more information on massage, yoga, ayurveda and upcoming workshops, visit thelotusroomnashville.com. Like The Lotus Room on Facebook and follow Jenna’s personal journey into living The Good Life on Instagram @jennawolf.
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Categories: Recipe
