Buzz Off

It’s that time of year: schools nearly out, we have longer days, plans for BBQs and fun in the sun. Along with the fun come the little tiny critters that tend to zap the fun away.  I HATE bugs,… with a passion.  Having lived in many different climates, from the mountains to the bayou, from the ocean to the big open sky country, I have had close encounters with all kinds of insects and I can honestly say, I dislike them all. Unfortunately, they seem to LOVE me.  In a group of 10 people, I will be the only one that gets “kissed” by a dozen mosquitoes.  While living in Louisiana, I developed “Skeeter Syndrome” (yes, it’s a real thing).  My body now hyper-reacts to mosquito bites.  The bites become hot, hard and painful, the area around it is severely swollen & red and the maddening itch continues for weeks; absolute misery. Finding an effective repellent is a MUST for me. I’m sharing this information with you, so you can also be prepared against these vicious, hungry bugs. 

PREVENTION

Avoiding getting bitten is the best course of action. Here is an essential oil synergistic bug repellent blend that really works:

• 10 drops lavender
• 10 drops peppermint
• 10 drops thyme
• 15 drops lemongrass
• 2 Tablespoons carrier oil.  I use sweet almond oil.

Mix these together and store in a small glass container.  To prevent getting bitten, you can apply this blend directly onto your skin.  To prevent getting pestered while you sleep, apply 2-3 drops on cotton ball or tissue and leave it by your bed at night.  You can also place 1-2 drops in a cup of hot water and place it by an open window to discourage invaders from coming in.

When we lived in Florida, we had wolf spiders that loved to come in the house.  Some other time, I’ll tell you about the momma wolf spider that I found right by my bed carrying all her little babies on her back.  Needless to say, I HAD to find a way to keep them out of my living space – I hate spiders almost as much as mosquitoes.  I did find a solution – peppermint essential oil.  I made a mixture of 20 drops peppermint oil  mixed with 3 oz. rubbing alcohol and put it in a spray bottle.  I would spray around the inside and outside of all the doors that lead to the outside and around all the windows. Because the smell dissipates, I made it a weekly “ritual” and re-sprayed every Monday.

If you don’t have essential oils, do not despair. I found product from US Organics – Organic Anti Bug Spray – that works beautifully. It’s 100% natural, safe for kids and long lasting.  I went through 2 bottles of it last summer.

TREATMENT

Once bitten or stung, there is still something that can be done.  Here are some recommendations on how to use essential oils if bitten by an insect, stung by bee or wasp, or of you find a tick. 

Bees: Create a paste with water and baking soda and cover the sting area. Apply 1 drop of chamomile neat to the sting area. 

Wasps: Being that the wasp's poison is alkaline, apply either Apple Cider Vinegar or wine vinegar with 2 drops lavender & 2 drops chamomile 3 times a day. 

Spiders:  Combined 3 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile with 1 tsp rubbing alcohol and apply to the bite. 

Ticks: Use 1 drop of thyme essential oil to remove the tick’s head. After the tick is removed, apply 1 drop of lavender oil every 5 minutes till redness subsides.

Mosquitoes:  If bitten once or twice, apply lavender neat to the bites.  If bitten several places over the body, prepare the following:
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar or juice 2 lemons
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops thyme essential oil
Pour this into bath water and soak for 15 minutes. Afterwards, apply lavender oil to each bite.

HOMEOPATHIC OPTIONS

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that medicines be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the medicine work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient. If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different medicine.

Apis: This medicine is used if there is considerable swelling, itching, burning skin and redness. Any heat makes the pain worse and it will be better for cold applications. 
Dosage: Give Apis 30 every 10-15 minutes until the swelling is reduced, and then 3 times a day until symptoms subside. Note: This is the medicine to use in conjunction with the patient’s medication if the patient is known to be allergic to bee stings.

Ledum: Use Ledum after any insect bite or sting, and it can also be given after an animal bite to help prevent sepsis. It helps relieve swelling and itching of mosquito bites, especially when taken during times of exposure (dawn and dusk).  This remedy works best for bites/stings which feel better with cold applications such as a cool compress or cold water.
Dosage: Give Ledum 30,three times a day until symptoms subside

Histaminum:  Relieves symptoms of allergies such as hay fever, hives or reactions to insect bites.

Urtica Uren: Relieves blotches that burn and itch intensely (like nettle sting). It also provides relief for hives that sting and itch.

I love summer, the sunshine, and get-to-gethers with friends. Now, I can confidently enjoy the time outdoors without constantly being fearful of being bit or stung.  With these natural solutions in hand, may your summer also be buzz free and filled with fun memories.

"Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;" ~Ecclesiastes 11:7