AROMATHERAPY INSECT BITES

Features » Health and Beauty

Contributor / 2009-06-19 10:46:50

We are all too familiar here in Spain with mosquitoes, midges and sand flies etc but there are essential oils you can use to help keep them at bay and also to reduce the severity of their bites.

As a general rule, use Lemongrass or Citronella to keep insects away. Use these oils in a burner or dilute them in water then using a plant spray, spray the fragrance around the room. Alternatively, fill containers with very hot, add a couple of drops of essential oil, then place them near windows, doors or any places where unwelcome visitors may enter the house.

The following blend is very effective – 8 drops of Lemongrass and Peppermint mixed with 4 drops of Thyme and Lavender.

Before going out in the evening, make up a massage blend of 30ml carrier oil and 30 drops of Lavender oil and rub a little of that on the exposed skin. You could also do this before you go to bed to protect yourself during the night.

For wasp stings, mix 2 drops of Lavender and Chamomile oil with 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar and dab onto the bitten area 3 times a day.

For bee stings, try to remove the sting and apply a cold compress of Chamomile to the area. Leave it for several hours if possible. If the sting is in an awkward place just hold the compress against it for as long as possible. Apply 1 drop of neat Chamomile 3 times a day for 2 days.

The small, common jellyfish can give a slight sting. If you tread on one, wash the area as soon as you can then apply 1 drop of Lavender or Chamomile oil followed by ice.

If you tread on a sea urchin, the most important thing to do is to remove all the spikes. Once you have removed these, wash the area thoroughly then apply 1 drop of neat Thyme every 3 hours for 12 hours.

Oil Safety

Lemongrass – use with care, possible skin sensitization in some people; Citronella – may cause dermatitis in some people, avoid using during pregnancy; Peppermint – do not use with homeopathic remedies; Thyme – use in moderation and in low dilution, avoid during pregnancy; Chamomile – can cause dermatitis in some people.

Tags: Jellyfish