all-natural insect repellent recipe

---

Photo credit: Image by mozo190 from Pixabay

bugs be-gone

We've had a somewhat cold start in Connecticut this year. Here we are nearing the end of June, right on the cusp of the equinox, and there have been very (very) few pleasantly warm and sunshiny days. I haven't minded as much as I typically do because my work this spring has been largely focused inside (like on this blog post, making soap, or my new long-form adventure!), but I make sure to let my skin drink up some healing sunshine every chance Mother Nature gives me.

And even though she's been a little stingy with it, I forgive her. Because I love her. But also because there's been one definite perk to this chilly start, and that has been the delightful absence of bugs. No mosquitoes. No black flies. No super irritating gnats. It's been delightful, actually, but in an unexpected burst the heat has suddenly descended upon us. And so have the biting insects.

Consequently, today I thought it fitting to share my all-natural insect repellent recipe, mostly because it works—really well. My dad still loves to coat himself with DEET before heading outside, but why douse yourself in chemicals when the alternative works? (And smells so much better!) My girls swear to its efficacy and apply it generously before heading out to the garden or the backyard, so I make sure to always keep a bottle at the ready. Personally, I think it smells like a combination of summertime and the earthy woods captured in a bottle. Lovely to me, but repulsive to the bugs. Which is perfect.

all-natural insect repellent recipe

Ingredients

• 5 teaspoons aloe vera gel

• 1 teaspoon tamanu oil

• 10 drops atlas cedarwood essential oil (Cedrus atlantica)

• 5 drops patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)

• 6 drops citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus)

• 2 drops vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanioides)

Supplies

• 1 oz glass dropper bottle (here)

Directions

1. Drop all of the essential oils into the 1 oz bottle

2. Add in the tamanu oil and swish gently to mix with the essential oils

3. Top off the bottle with the aloe vera gel and shake well to combine

4. Apply as needed, taking care to keep out of the eyes when applying to the face

general notes

I had quite a bit of trouble finding a clean aloe vera gel with minimal added ingredients. After a long hunt, I settled on this one and have been very happy with it.

I use tamanu oil in this recipe because it can help to calm down irritated skin (like bug bites!), but I realize that not everyone will have this oil on hand. You can replace it with another carrier oil like almond, sesame, sunflower, or even olive oil instead.

Many of these essential oils have also proven themselves to be helpful when it comes to repelling ticks, so apply it as needed to help keep them (and the nasty diseases they can carry) at bay as well.

pregnancy

The dilution rate in this recipe is within the recommended dilution rate for pregnant mamas, but check with your doctor on the use of aloe vera gel (I've seen differing opinions on this). If it's a problem, you can always make this into a body oil instead, using either sweet almond or sunflower oil as the base carrier oil.

Additionally, omit the citronella essential oil and replace it with equal drops of either patchouli, cedarwood, or vetiver (keep your total essential oils drops at or below 21 drops).

children

Both the essential oils and the dilution rate in this recipe are safe for children over the age of 6. Make sure to always test a small skin spot prior to using, and take care to keep away from the eyes!

suggestions

It is of the utmost importance that you use only 100% pure and undiluted essential oils in your products. Sadly, many oils on the market today are truly garbage. Not only will synthetic fragrance and/or adulterated oils offer potentially no health benefits, but they greatly increase your risk of allergic reaction. The companies that I trust and rely on are:

• Original Swiss Aromatics

• Plant Therapy

• Mountain Rose Herbs

And that's what I have to share today! I hope you give this recipe a try and love it just as much as we do! Wishing you a bug-free summer (as if that's possible ;).

Much love,

Melinda

Level 3 Holistic Aromatherapist