How to Use Rosemary Oil as an Insect Repellent

Rosemary oil is extracted from the fragrant, woody plant that grows throughout much of the world. Rosemary oil, when used in conjunction with other oils, can form an effective insect repellent that is safe to use for everyone.

Things You'll Need

• Rosemary oil
• Rosemary plant
• Other natural oils, such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus, geranium, cinnamon, cedar and peppermint oils
• Rubbing alcohol
• Soap
• Hot water
• Catnip oil
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Apply pure rosemary oil to exposed areas of your skin before you go outdoors. Test the rosemary oil on a small patch of skin on your forearm to ensure that there is no allergic reaction. Smooth the rosemary oil on your skin sparingly, re-applying the oil every 1 to 2 hours for the best protection against insects.

2. Use rosemary oil as an insect repellent by mixing it with other types of natural oils, such as citronella, peppermint, geranium, cinnamon and cedar oils. Mixing the rosemary oil with other natural oils will help to prolong your protection against insects, and repel a greater variety of pests as well. Lemon eucalyptus oil in particular can provide up to 6 hours of protection when mixed with rosemary oil.

3. Dilute 1 part of rosemary oil to 10 parts of rubbing alcohol and put it in a spray bottle to use as an all-purpose insect repellent. Chop up a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for a more fragrant and effective solution. Spray the solution freely on clothing, skin and pets.

4. Grow rosemary plants in your yard, concentrating on areas such as patios and barbecues, or other locations where your family and guests congregate. The fragrant qualities of live rosemary plants can deter the progress of most insects, and these fast-growing bushes will yield large amounts of the very useful herb.

5. Mix rosemary oil with catnip oil for an unusually effective insect repellent that is also safe for use on children and pets. Studies have shown this mixture to be as effective as DEET, the chemical most widely used as an insect repellent.

6. Wash the rosemary oil off your skin when you return indoors, using soap and hot water. Prolonged exposure to rosemary oil may cause skin irritations in some individuals, such as acne and dermatitis.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use rosemary oil to treat dandruff, acne, poor circulation and varicose veins. Rosemary oil can also produce a calming effect when used in aromatherapy.