A day out with
nature can leave you refreshed and exhilarated. But without proper preparation
you may face a sleepless night of scratching bug bites afterward. In last
month’s issue I featured information on soothing poison ivy rash, so this month
we will deal with another pitfall of enjoying the great outdoors. BUGS!
The most
unpleasant creature I have ever encountered is the chigger. Or I should say chiggers
because they seem to attack in armies of 20 or more and attach larvae to the
skin on the legs, beltline and any fold of skin they find. They cause an itch
and rash, which may be confused with poison ivy (due to its intensity) that
lasts up to two weeks. If you bathe within a few hours after exposure in very
hot water it lessens the chance of the larvae attaching and causing irritation.
The larvae only stay attached for a few days but the itching and swelling from
the bites can last for weeks. A chigger infestation makes poison ivy seem like a
mild malady for most.
James Duke, Ph.D., in his
book “The Green Pharmacy” says that rubbing mountain mint (Pycnanthemum sp.) on
your legs prior to going in tall grass or woods will repel chiggers. You can see
pictures of mountain mint at
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/index.html. Oil of Pennyroyal would have
the same effect and is used in some commercial preparations. Neither should ever
be used by any women who may be pregnant, as they may cause uncomfortable
uterine contractions. I have also heard it said that putting sulfur powder in
your socks and shoes as well as pant cuffs would deter chiggers.
Mountain Mint picture
copyright Karen Bergeron
Many other herbs have
insect repellant properties. Citronella is said to repel mosquitoes but must be
applied every hour or to remain effective. Eucalyptus is also effective, use a
teaspoon of oil in a cup of warm water and smooth over the skin. More herbs with
insecticide properties include wormwood, perilla, and mints. feverfew, lavender
leaves and of course garlic. It is said that bugs don’t bite people who eat a
lot of garlic. But they don’t get kissed a lot either!
Try making some natural
insect repellant sachets from the recipes at this web site:
Here is a natural insect
repellant recipe that was sent to me.
Vinegar of the Four Thieves
One part each {all plants are
dry] Rosemary, Wormwood, Lavender, Sage, Mint
Place in a jar and cover with
vinegar let set 7 days
Put on cloth and exposed skin
repels ticks, fleas, and chiggers
From Mike the Hillwizard :)>
OK what if it’s too
late and they’ve already got you? A tea made from a teaspoon of dried chickweed,
(or a handful fresh) drunk three times a day acts as a natural antihistamine.
This can also be applied externally to help with itch. A tiny dab of peppermint
oil on bites is very cooling. For stings apply a wet aspirin to ease pain, you
may also want to try this on chiggers. A cup of oatmeal tied in a cloth and
added under running bath water is a great skin soother. You can add a cup of
Epsom salt or baking soda to your bath and soak for 20 minutes. A few drops of
lavender essential oil with calm your nerves from all that itching, as well as
sooth irritation. Other bug bite soothers include Aloe Vera, Plantain, Witch
Hazel, Comfrey and of course my favorite Jewelweed. (See jewelweed link at
http://www.altnature.com/jewelweed.htm
)
Here is a generous addition
to this page sent in by a reader.
I wanted to share my bug repellant
recipe........please share with anyone. I do a huge amount of outdoor
gardening........I have 1 1/2 acres, partly woodland. This is my
recipe, and it works. It works on mosquitoes, chiggers, and a host of
unknown other little biting things.
Base: 4 oz. aloe vera gel
4 oz. very
light skin lotion.......I like Coconut Skin Trip
Active:
2 drams oil
of Citronella
1/2 dram oil
of eucalyptus
1/2 dram
patchouli oil
Pour in a bottle and shake Use liberally all over the body except on the face
