After a long, cold winter and the sometimes dreary penetrating cold of spring, you are absolutely ready to get outside when the sun starts shining warm and bright, right?? But, sadly, what else wakes up at about the same time?? Yup – the bugs…the black flies, the mosquitoes, the ticks...
And get this…according to the World Health Organization, the mosquito is the deadliest of all animals...
For centuries, plants or smoke from fires have been used to naturally repel insects. But, over the last 100 years or so, these were replaced with toxic chemicals. Is anyone surprised by that yet??
DDT was the first modern synthetic insecticide. Introduced in the 40’s, there was a jingle to go along with it – DDT is good for me-e-e!! Anything that has a jingle must be good for us, right? 😉
But the EPA issued a cancellation order for DDT in 1972 because of its adverse environmental effects to wildlife and people. Go figure.
Then came DEET and other toxic chemicals and even chemical coated clothing. Now think about your skin being porous… DEET has been associated with seizures, numbness and behavioral changes, nasal cancers, compromised immune systems, cardiovascular toxicity, respiratory distress, and severe allergic reactions. DEET brought on a change in the brain of after just a brief exposure to it…and mosquitoes and other insects can develop an insensitivity to it…
38 essential oils were studied in 2005 to look at their ability to repel mosquitos. Let’s take a look at a few.
Citronella with vanillin provided 3 hours of protection, is calming, and helps you think about those things that “bug you”…and you might just find that those “pesky annoyances” are just the things you need to be more accepting of in others...so you can accept them in yourself…
Lemongrass along with citrus or tree oils with vanillin was superior to DEET and also releases resentment, regret from those “should haves”, and pessimism, turning those negative energies into positive ones, so optimism, courage and hope can return.
Cedarwood oil protects against a variety of insects including ants, fire ants, ticks and moths. It helps you feel safe and secure with yourself as well as in your environment, kind of an energetic feeling of a safe warm blanket…so it’s a double blessing for supporting annoyance free sleep for those overnight adventures in the great outdoors…it also has skin cleansing properties and is a natural deodorizer…all great benefits for that active, outside lifestyle.
You can blend it with citronella, rosemary, tea tree, myrtle, clove or lemongrass. Sounds like a win in any situation, right??
Other great oil options are Cinnamon Bark, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Peppermint, Sage, Spearmint, Tea Tree and Thyme.
If you aren’t a fan of DIY’s, I’ve got you! Have you tried YL’s insect repellant?? It repels mosquitoes, ticks and fleas with no DEET, or any of the other toxic crap we talk about, is safe for children and for those with sensitive skin.
We tried this out on a walk one day…Delaney and I put it on. Dana did not. Normally the bugs don’t bother him, so he wasn’t worried. It was pretty hysterical when just a little bit into our walk, he is swatting at the bugs that had congregated around him, while Delaney and I are walking along, bug free…he tried to out run them, he swatted at them with his hat, he spun around…nothing worked. That was proof enough for me! LOL We put ours in a roller bottle or a spray bottle for easiest application and one bottle lasted us for a couple of years! Still effective!
There you go, my friends! A little help with that bug free late spring and summer.
What's on your summer bucket list??
Whether you were around for any of these decades or are simply appreciating all they brought to our current culture, these blends will take you back to the best of the years. Diffuse it, roll it, spray it - no matter how you use these combinations you're gonna love them!
You can use these same recipes as a diffuser blend, a 10mL roller blend (https://amzn.to/3rE96Gt) or a 2oz spray (https://amzn.to/3L9Jb0M). To use in the diffuser, follow the recipes as is or simply add a total of up to 12 drops in most diffusers (up to 20 for the Aria!)
For the rollers, add a total of 30-50 drops of oil and carrier to a 10mL roller bottle.
For the spray add a total of about 25 drops to the bottle. If you want a larger spray bottle, simply double the amounts. To use the sprays, add the ingredients to a bottle, invert to mix and spray onto surfaces or skin as desired.
50's Recipes
Sock hops and swing dancing and all things happy and wholesome.
60's Recipes
The era of nostalgic music and the beginning of many modern technologies!
70's Recipes
Bell bottoms, braids and big social change, this era was one to remember.
80's Recipes
Cue the big hair and leotard cause we're blasting it back to the 80s with these blends!
90's Recipes
This era might be the most nostalgic of all…
What's your favorite era??
