http://www.care2.com/greenliving/mosquito-free-naturally.html
Mosquito-Free Naturally
Before you head for the hills or enjoy an outdoor evening BBQ, think twice about using DEET-based mosquito repellents. DEET, or diethyl-meta-toluamide, as its known in chemistry circles, has recently been linked to brain cell damage. Duke University research shows that regular use of chemical repellents like DEET may damage brain cells and interact with medications. The pharmacologist conducting the study observed brain cell death and behavioral changes in animals exposed to DEET after frequent and prolonged use. Another study showed that up to fifteen percent of DEET is absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream.
After more than 30 years of research on the effects of chemicals on the brains of rats, Mohamed Abou-Donia, Ph.D, discovered, in two separate studies, that the frequent and prolonged applications of DEET cause neurons to die in regions of the brain that control muscle movement, learning, memory and concentration. Moreover, rats treated with a comparable human dose of DEET (40 mg/kg body weight) performed far worse than control rats when challenged with physical tasks requiring muscle control, strength and coordination. Such effects are consistent with physical symptoms in humans reported in medical literature, especially by Persian Gulf War veterans, claims Abou-Donia.
Even U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) toxicologist Michael Watson noted an instance “where exposure to DEET caused six cases of brain damage in girls aged one through six–and three of them died.”
So what do you do if you wish to avoid the potentially dangerous effects of DEET while still keeping the mosquitoes at bay? While Mother Nature offers dozens of different options, here are some of my top natural mosquito repellents:
Citronella: the old standby–use only pure essential oil of citronella–not fragrance oil. Oils purchased in bulk for burning are not adequate for applying topically to your skin. For your skin it is best to get a high quality citronella essential oil from a natural food store.
Soy oil: The New England Journal of Medicine reported that natural repellents made of soybean oil are just as effective as DEET-containing repellents. Soy oil is inexpensive and easy to find, making it an excellent choice. Plus, it is an excellent body moisturizer. As an aside, research shows that an ingredient in soy can slow the growth of body hair when applied topically.
Catnip: an Iowa State University research group showed that the essential oil found in the herb catnip is about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes in the laboratory.
NEEM seed oil: or “neem oil” is extracted from a plant that grows in India. An ingredient in Neem seed oil has also been found to be more effective than DEET by researchers at the Malaria Institute in India. Both the US National Research Council and the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association have confirmed this finding.
Lavender essential oil: smells great and is a commonly used and effective mosquito repellent.
Garlic: eat lots of fresh garlic-mosquitoes can’t stand the stuff.
Choose a natural mosquito repellent to ward off both mosquitoes and the nasty effects of DEET.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc, RNCP, ROHP, is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.
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81 comments
add your comment »having just returned from the West Indies, this is what did and didn't work:
mosquito net: barely
EO citronella: not at all
EO lavender and geranium were the best combination on the bed under the mosquito net (dripped onto edge of bed)
fresh habanero sauce eaten daily (at least 1/4C each, aka 3T)
On the days we were diving, I used EO geranium, as it was going to be washed off anyway in the water but would help on land; back at the resort, I had to resort to DEET on my shoes (my ankles were being bitten on the first night and morning to the point of not being able to sit without swatting at the no-see-ums and sand fleas).
My husband, alas, refused to use anything until his wrists, arms, and legs were covered with bites, which were then scratched all night until I was able to get some EO tea tree onto them.
In conclusion, habaneros don't work (we started eating them earlier from our planters). Rose Geranium is very good, but doesn't ward off everything and has to be reapplied every 2 hours or less. Deet worked better than the rose geranium, and lasted longer (ie in order for one of us to sleep through the night). It's one of those choose your poison scenarios--venom from hundreds of bugs and infection and scarring from scratching or something seriously toxic.
At home, citronella also hasn't worked very well for me (ditto vanilla and Listerine); rose geranium may make me smell like someone from the 30s, but works well in the northeast.
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Mentholatum or Vicks work well on keeping mosquito bites away..1
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I have been trying the natural repellent soy bean oil. I wish I could say it worked for me. I am one huge mosquito bite!
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I heard that quinine (what they use to make tonic water) also prevents them from biting you...and it's a great excuse to have a gin & tonic!
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1 Tablespoon of Pure Vanilla extract & 1 cup water, mix and spray on skin. Smells great and works unbelievably well!!
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I tried the soy oil and it works very well. Also, good for dry skin after the beach. Thanks
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Caroline, I think you're right. I have many customers who use my Buzz-Off Natural Insect Repellent on their horses and it contains citronella. I'm even offering a 15% rebate to anyone who orders anything from my web site, www.godscountrybotanicals.com and mentions they heard about me on Care2. I love how Care2 readers care about using healthier, natural products. Let's send a message to companies who are slowing poisoning us with their products that we won't take it anymore!
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I have actually found that citronella works better that DEET when it comes to midges at least. I rarely used repellents of myself as I am one of the lucky people who rarely gets bitten, but my horse has sweet itch (an allergy to midge bites which causes them to get horribly itchy to the point of rubbing themselves bare) and she barely rubbed at all when I used a citronella based repellent, but when I used a DEET based one (before learning of the dangers) she rubbed herself worse than she had in years, but pretty much stopped again when I went back to citronella.
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Specifically it's vitamin B1 that repels the insect bites. 500 mg will give about 5 bite-free hours. Give it 45 minutes to get in your bloodstream first though.
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I have taken vitamin B-complex for years, 80mg of each and I still get bitten by mosquitos. However I do have a natural product called BUG OFF that has geraniums and other herbs and it works quite well! Can get it at Fred Meyer Natural foods section or I got mine at the Co-op.
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