Enjoy making your own homemade natural mosquito repellant

If you have been bitten by an insect, dab 1 drop of lavender oil or tea-tree oil on the bite. This helps alleviate the itching, minimizes swelling and keeps the insect bite from becoming inflamed and infected.

Every spring we look forward to the arrival of warmer weather, mild breezes and thoughts of long summer days. But with spring also comes the invasion of the pesky creature, the mosquito, biting and causing itchy, painful welts. Mosquito repellents sold in stores often contain poisonous chemicals that can cause skin and nerve problems. Although mosquito bites are not considered a health risk in most latitudes, a growing number of people have become allergic to them, and encephalitis is a serious threat in some areas of the U.S. One mosquito bite can transmit West Nile virus or other diseases... Make your own homemade natural mosquito repellent, which is safer, gentler and just as effective.

Tip: Natural mosquito repellent keeps for about 2 months. To extend its shelf life to 3 months, store it in the refrigerator whenever you aren't using it.

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Mosquito Repellent Recipe

Natural Repellents

For normal skin

2 1/2 tbsp. grape-seed oil
1 tsp. shea butter
1 tsp beeswax
2 1/2 tbsp. distilled water
or lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax powder
8 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops sage essential oil

For sensitive skin

2 1/2 tbsp. grape seed oil
1 tsp. shea butter
2 1/2 tbsp lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax
5 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops lemongrass essential oil
3 drops tea-tree essential oil
2 drops sage essential oil

For oily skin

2 1/2 tbsp. evening-primrose oil
1 tsp. shea butter
1 tsp. beeswax
2 1/2 tbsp. lavender hydrosol
1/4 tsp. borax powder
8 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops sage essential oil
2 drops tea-tree essential oil

1. In a double boiler, heat the grape-seed or evening-primrose oil, shea butter and beeswax to about 140ºF or until all of the ingredients have melted. Remove from heat.
2. In a separate pot, heat the distilled water or lavender hydrosol to about 140ºF and stir in the borax powder until dissolved. Remove from heat.
3. Stir the water or hydrosol solution into the hot-oil blend to make an emulsion.
4. Allow to cool until slightly warm; then mix in the essential oils. Store in a clean plastic squeeze bottle in a cool place.

Application:

Shortly before you go outside, apply mosquito repellent that's appropriate for your skin type to all the exposed parts of your body. Reapply after about two to three hours. If you will be perspiring heavily, be sure to reapply the mosquito repellent more frequently, for greater protection.

Ingredient Benefits:

Grape-seed oil for nourishing the skin: This oil has a nourishing and protective effect on normal and sensitive skin types. Grape-seed oil's fine, thin consistency does not clog pores.

Evening-primrose oil for easing inflammation: A natural anti-inflammatory, evening primrose oil aids in healing irritated skin, making it good for people with blemishes or skin problems.

Lavender hydrosol for sensitive skin: Lavender hydrosol, a thin, watery liquid that is a by-product of lavender oil production, can help heal sensitive, slightly chapped skin and protect it against environmental irritants.

Essential oils to ward off biting insects: The essential oils in natural mosquito repellent are the active constituents that help to ward off bugs and insects. Tea-tree oil, which is a potent antiseptic and anti-bacterial essential oil, has a slightly medicinal scent. The light flora aroma of lavender oil has a refreshing, soothing effect, while the citrus like fragrance of both citronella and lemongrass oils is a mood lifter. Finally, sage oil acts as an antiseptic and skin toner.

Natural ingredients for better consistency: The thin consistency of mosquito repellent can be thickened by adding a little bit of beeswax and shea butter, which makes it easier to apply. The addition of borax powder helps to stabilize the water-oil emulsion.

Hydrosol - The condensed water that is left behind when plants are steam distilled to make essential oil. A little like waters made from roses and lavenders and other herbs, except more pure and a little more concentrated. You can make your own waters, just by steeping an herb in warm water and straining. Or, you can purchase hydrosols. See below. What is a hydrosol?

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