How to Make Insect Repellent with Essential Oil

Essential oils are highly concentrated essences, drawn from various flowers, plants and trees. They come in tiny bottles and if applied full-strength to the skin, they can irritate. However, essential oils, when combined with a carrier oil make wonderful insect repellent. Get rid of those mosquitoes without using harmful chemical repellents.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carrier oil
• One or more essential oils
• Dark blue glass bottle
• Spray top

1. Choose a carrier oil that is light and unobtrusive on your skin. Jojoba makes a great base oil. It absorbs easily without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Other carrier oils include grapeseed oil, almond oil and peanut oil. Avoid using plain vegetable oil which can be very heavy.

2. Select one or more essential oils that have proven insect repellent properties. These include geranium, catnip, cedar, frankincense, eucalyptus, rosemary, ylang ylang and verbena. You may use one or a combination of these oils to make your own custom scent.

3. Measure out 1-ounce of carrier oil and use a small funnel, if necessary, to pour it into the dark blue glass bottle. If you have a large bottle, you may double the amount.

4. Add 20 drops of your choice of essential oil to the bottle. Essential oils come in small bottles with drop dispenser tips. All you need do is turn the bottle upside down and the drops will come out slowly so you can count them.

5. Put the spray top on and shake your insect repellent oil well before spraying on exposed skin. Reapply the oil every three hours, or as needed, when you're outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't buy essential oils from a bulk dealer or a coop. Choose quality oils from a health food store.
• Do not allow essential oil insect repellent to get into the eyes.

[kal30314]

on 7/14/2009 i am adding this to my favorites, what a good ideal, i will give it a try