Essential Oils - Guest Blogger

Today’s blog is going to be a bit different, all the oils I talk about are for diffusing only. Now there are oils and blends of oils that can be put on the skin for a different effect.  I don’t know much about the topical essential oils or topical blends of essential oils, but today’s guest blogger does. So without further delay here is 

Lys and her blog on topical essential oils.

Mosquito season is fast approaching. For people with young children, pets, or just a general dislike for toxic and/or harmful insect repellants, fear not! There are TONS of natural, non-toxic, and even beneficial ways to repel these pesky bloodsuckers as well as several other pests. In this article I'll break down some of the most effective ways to repel mosquitos, ticks, and flies WITHOUT using potentially harmful substances such as deet and citronella. There are many different mixtures you can use, so mix and match these ingredients to find out which one works best for you!

First off, we need a base, also known as a carrier oil, for our bug-repelling mixture. Basically, you want a base that is high in fat but low in sugars, so there are many options to choose from. The higher the fat content, the better the results. The idea here is to provide a covering layer to stop the essential oils from simply being absorbed into the skin or evaporating away. Be careful, though, because some of these are more 'oily' than others and may leave an extremely greasy residue on your skin. I've found that soybean oil works the best and leaves the least amount of residue, and has the added benefit of being an excellent moisturizer!

Next, we need several essential oils. The most effective oil is catnip oil. The active component of catnip (nepeta cataria) repels insects by triggering a chemical receptor that spurs sensations such as pain or itch, giving mosquitoes a taste of their own medicine. If you have any questions about why these oils are effective and just how they affect mosquitos and other pests, drop a comment below and I'll be more than happy to throw some science at you! There are hundreds of oils that are effective, but here are some of the ones that have been scientifically proven to yield the best results both in and out of lab settings.

Once you have decided which base oil you would like to use, you can refer to this handy list below to determine the amount of essential oils to use in your recipe. Depending on your preference of scent, you can mix and match any of the essential oils listed below! I recommend using catnip oil in the largest quantity, and then adding any of the other oils to create your desired scent.

Materials needed:

-Container able to hold 2 cups of liquid

-Spoon or whisk to mix

-Funnel

-A bottle to hold the mixture for application. (I recommend a bottle with a spray or pump top.)

Bases: (Carrier Oil)

-Soybean Oil (Maximum coverage with minimum greasy residue.)

-Coconut Oil (Also has insect repelling components of its own, but rubs off easier than other oils)

-Olive Oil (Very greasy, but lasts the longest on your skin.)

-Jojoba Oil (Moderately greasy, long lasting, and smells amazing.)

Repelling Essential Oils:

-Catnip Oil                          -Lemongrass Oil                -Cinnamon Oil

-Geranium Oil                     -Eucalyptus Oil

-Rosemary Oil                    -Peppermint Oil

-Lavender Oil                     -Cedarwood Oil

-Tea tree Oil                        -Thyme Oil

The Recipes:

-Soybean oil: 40 drops of essential oil per half-cup of base

-Coconut oil: 50 drops of essential oil per half-cup of base

-Olive oil: 30 drops of essential oil per half-cup of base

-Jojoba oil: 50 drops of essential oil per half-cup of base

PLEASE NOTE! Essential oils should never be put on the skin directly. They should ALWAYS be diluted in a carrier oil.

Essential oils aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s possible to buy a faulty product, so always buy from a reputable source.

If you are going to be traveling in an area where mosquitos are known to carry diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, or the Zika virus, doctors advise using a chemical mosquito repellent to reduce the odds of contracting a dangerous illness.

It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the active ingredients in essential oils. Before using a new product, spot test the product on a small section of your skin and wait an hour or two to make sure that hives or burning sensations do not occur.

Please stay tuned for more posts involving safe, natural ways to remedy the many problems life throws at you.- Lys

 

Thank you Lys! 

I hope you enjoyed having a guest blogger today.  See you on Monday where I will continue with diffusing essential oils about focus. - Christel

Disclaimer

The information on Essential Oils by Christel is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional.