Bugs, Bites and Summer Challenges

The first day of summer is just a week away and the delights of summer vacation, sitting on a beach, hiking, camping or just having a picnic in the backyard are soon to be enjoyed.

Along with our anticipation of family time, warm sunshine and relaxation, come thoughts of keeping bugs away, as well as treating bug bites when they do occur. Essential oils can help.

There are several reasons why I prefer to avoid traditional bug repellents. First, they stink and make me feel gross. Secondly, bug repellents usually contain chemicals that can be toxic to the body, specifically DEET and pyrethrins. According to the National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus), some of the side effects of DEET include hives, skin rashes, blistering, mood changes, insomnia, neurological problems and others. Some of the side effects of pyrethrins are breathing difficulties, coughing, loss of alertness, tremors, stomach issues and more.

Anything we put on the skin will eventually be absorbed into the body to some degree. Thankfully there are natural remedies with no negative side effects that work very well for these challenges.

Some DIY ["do it yourself"] bug repellents can be found online (see Wellness Mama), but many of these take a bit of preparation. A super simple recipe that I use involves just water and some drops of an essential oil blend from Young Living called Purification. Just shake and mist the body. The mixture will not stain clothing either. You can also use Purification oil straight from the bottle by putting a few drops in your palm, rubbing your hands together and then rubbing the oil onto your limbs, face and neck. Reapply every 2-3 hours for best results.

Young Living's essential oil bottles are small enough to keep in your pocket. Dabbing a drop of Purification or Lavender oil on a bite is a great remedy too. I have experienced the benefits of Purification oil many times and as recently as yesterday. I even took pictures so you can see the results, in just 10 minutes.

A small bite on my knuckle is swelling.

10 minutes later, only a red mark remains.

When my son got married in southern Texas, in June, near swampy areas of the coast, mosquitoes were a big problem. The day of the wedding, photos had to be taken before the church service took place. Many photos were taken outside, and everyone was getting bit, including the bride. She had many bites that were swelling to the size of quarters.  My daughter called me in a panic asking me to "bring the oil" to the back of the church, where the bride was dabbed with Purification. 10-15 minutes later when she walked down the aisle, you would never have known she had gotten bit. The oils neutralized the bites and the red spots were gone.

You can also use Purification on poison ivy and other itchy rashes. Use your spray bottle with Purification as an odor reducer too. Just mist into a stinky bathroom or after cooking fish or onions. The smell is gone within minutes. And the oil is healthy to breath in too. Inconceivable!

I am so grateful for such simple remedies and would be happy to help you make this a regular part of your summer fun. Just contact me by email to s.weiss.yl@gmail.com. I'm confident you'll love these oils as much as I do.