Guest post from Connie Scheel, our favorite writer on the awesome potential of Young Living Essential Oils.
My 4 year old towheaded sweethearted nephew is staring into the refrigerator as I walk into the kitchen. “What are you looking for, Georgie Boy?” (his nickname), I ask. He replies, “the purple bottle. I have a bug bite.” Since he was very young he’s been sensitive, possibly allergic, to mosquito bites. Thankfully my family discovered Young Living’s therapeutic grade Lavender essential oil a few years ago. It works like magic on those bug bites, for Georgie Boy, and the rest of my family.
The multifaceted power and natural magic of lavender never ceases to amaze me. It soothes and heal bug bitten skin while taking away the itchiness as it’s a natural antiinflammatory. And at the same time minimizes the risk of infection thanks to it’s natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. And lavender eases the emotional frustration of bug bites thanks to it’s natural sedative properties. All of this without any harmful chemicals so it’s safe for children and adults. It often only takes a drop or two so it’s cost effective too.
Do you know what’s even better than treating bug bites with lavender, though? Preventing them, along with the protecting ourselves from the possible diseases that bugs can carry, with lavender! Here’s how:
1. Rub 1 drop of therapeutic grade lavender onto each of your pulse points (your wrists, your neck, behind your knees and insides of your ankles) Reapply every couple of hours. This method worked beautifully for me on a recent hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I didn’t get a single bug bite.
2. Using an 8 ounce spray bottle (preferably dark colored glass) pour in 4 ounces of witch hazel and 4 ounces of distilled water or boiled then cooled filtered water. Add 15 drops of therapeutic grade lavender. Shake gently to mix and spray on. This will need to be reapplied about every 2 hours.
3. Bathe using a lavender soap before and after being outdoors. You can make your own by mixing 10-15 drops of Young Living’s lavender into a 32 ounce bottle of castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s). Or you can purchase Young Living’s Lavender Bath and Shower Gel.
As fabulous as lavender is Mother Nature has more essential oil choices for us to protect ourselves from bugs and sunburn as we enjoy summertime. Peppermint (a personal favorite), geranium which works especially well against ticks; Idaho tansy, coriander, and citronella essentials oils also work well. Here’s a recipe that you can use a mix of essentials oils in to repel insects:
Small glass jar
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (olive, almond or jojoba are best)
1 Tablespoon pure aloe vera (if you have it, if you don’t that’s okay)
10-25 total drops of lavender, peppermint, geranium, Idaho tansy, coriander and citronella (I recommend using at least 5 drops of each essential oil). Cover and shake gently to mix.
Using your fingers dab this mixture on your skin. Reapply every couple of hours. This can also go directly on your clothing and will last longer. Test a small hidden spot your clothes first!
Would you rather not mix your own bug spray, but would like the benefit of a mixture of essential oils? That’s totally okay!! Though I have made a couple of mix-my-own bug sprays I find it easier to reach for Lavender and the Young Living essential oil blend called Purification. It can be used to prevent bites as well as healing and soothing after bug bites, cuts and bruises.
I recently went to an outdoor movie with all 5 of my young nieces and nephews and used a few drops of Purification directly onto each of them to prevent bug bites (it probably would have been a bit gentler to dilute it ahead of time 50/50 with almond or olive oil). Only the tow headed boy came home with 2 bug bites. It was amazing!
Want something even easier? I also like to just leave an open bottle of Purification, lavender or peppermint out on a table if I’m hanging outside with family and friends to repel bugs. It really does work better if there is at least a couple drops on each person’s pulse points though. It’s pretty easy to pass the essential oil bottle around if you’re already sitting around a campfire or bottle of wine together anyway.
Bug repellent is a sure sign of summer. Another one for many of us is sunburn. This brings us back to Lavender. Surprised? Is there anything that this Swiss Army knife of essential oils can’t do? Shake 2-4 drops of lavender oil directly onto the sunburn and gently, oh so gently, spread out. You can apply this multiple times a day! Or you could mix 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil with water and spray onto the whole affected area. If you’d rather buy a mix, I highly recommend Young Living’s LavaDerm Cooling Mist. Not only do all of these options feel soothing and relaxing, the lavender prevents peeling because it’s actually healing (corny rhyme!).
I invite you to my Young Living Essential Oils page to explore more about essential oils and place your order for these powerful gifts of nature and Heaven. And if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you! I welcome your email at cms1274@gmail.com.
May your summer be bug bite and burn free courtesy of essential oils!
