Protect yourself from bugs NATURALLY

Now that we are well into summer there is always something in the forefront of my mind whenever we are outside: BUGS!  Because I have the  AG Allergy I can get a little psycho about keeping the ticks off of me and my loved ones.  The allergy can actually get even worse with each bite and I definitely don’t want that!

One of the ingredients I always make sure I include in my preparations is Lemon Eucalyptus. Lemon Eucalyptus has been used for many years in China but has just recently been utilized in the U.S. for botanical use.  It has been found to be more effective then DEET according to the CDC, and doesn’t have any of the adverse side effects!  Most preparations use high concentrations for effectiveness of up to 6 or 7  hours. So  no matter what you use try to include this gem in your recipe

There are other essential  oils that have been found to repel insects but they don’t last as long as the Lemon Eucalyptus.  They will still offer some protection though!  Some of them include Rosemary, Tea Tree, Clove oil, Lavender and Citronella. Here is the recipe I used:

Witch hazel  (you will want this to be about 80% of your preparation)

Water (About 20% of your container )

1 tsp. of vegetable glycerin

30 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus

15 drops of Tea Tree

15  drops of Rosemary

You may want to test this scent in a little bowl to make sure you like it by adding a drop of each.  It can be strong and you can omit one of the scents if it is to much for you.  I would not omit the Lemon Eucalyptus though for its efficacy.  You can also play around with this recipe and substitute some of the other mentioned oils as well.  Beware some of these scents when mixed can smell pretty bad so do some experimenting!

I can’t stress enough to protect yourself from ticks.  When going into a woody area wear long pants and wear protective shoes.  Spray yourself down good with a bug repellant and do a check of your clothing and yourself when returning from the outdoors.  One thing we’ve learned and that is to remove clothing and either shake them out good outside or put them in the laundry area away from where you sleep! Somehow ticks will find their way to you at night if they are in your clothing near where you are sleeping.  Lyme disease and other tick related illnesses are on the rise unfortunately.  It’s best to take preventative measures so we can all have fun enjoying God’s playground!