It's summertime. That means it's ti...

It's summertime. That means it's time to head for the great outdoors -- right? permanent if you don't mind sharing the great outdoors with mosquitoes and other buzzing, biting bug If you do mind sharing, you have a brace of choices. You could devote the rest of your summer indoors with the windows close and the air conditioner forward Or, you could do something to preserve yourself from those pesky life-current suckers.

When searching for protection, it's important to hold in mind that many of the insect repulsives available contain a substance called DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) which, while an effective insect repulsive can also be toxic if used excessively, particularly upon children. Regarding DEET, Dr. Michael Watson, a board-certified toxicologist with the Environmental Protection Agency, told Better Nutrition that while reasonable application of DEET-containing produces on adults is not generally a question extra caution should be exercised if so products are used on children.

He explained, "The liver tries to metabolize DEET and realize it out of the corpse but the metabolism isn't surpassingly rapid and after significant, repeated aspect the DEET may remain lodg and stored in the skin. In small children, there's dooms of skin relative to material part size, so if DEET is offer on them everyday, there's a accident of possible loading going upon [Inappropriately excessive] overuse of [DEET-containing products] each day can result in as it is an effect."

Natural alternatives to the rescue

Fortunately, there are alternatives to DEET which feature a variety of herbs that act as natural repulsives In her book, Herbs for Health and Healing, Kathi Keville, says, "While I can't make good that herbal insect repellents work any better than the standard drugstore variety, they do existing some stiff competition.... Because insects have an amazing perception of smell, odor is used as the basic constituent in most repellents."

Here are a certain herbs which have been shown to act as natural insect repulsives when applied to the skin (when applying, be firm to keep away from the judgments and mucous membranes). Your health nutriment store carries a variety of repulsive products featuring these and other herbs.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): In their work The Nutrition Almanac, the Kirschmanns say, "The leaves and oil from the eucalyptus tree are an extremely physically strong (but safe) antiseptic, which springs from the antimicrobial properties of single in kind of their constituents, eucalyptol." Eucalyptus is also said to be useful for repelling fleas.

Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium): A minty herb which has a protracted history of use as an insect repelling It is a common ingredient in many herbal repulsives This herb is also sometimes referr to as Pudding Grass or European Pennyroyal.

Citronella: This volatile oil which is distilled from Cymbopogon (Andropogon) nardus, may self-same well be the most well-known natural insect repulsive Not only is it a belonging to all ingredient in natural topical repulsives many of us light citronella candles to continue insects away, too. Interestingly, it contains citronellal, a lemon-odored aldehyde, which is construct in the oils of eucalyptus and orange pare both of which also repulse insects.

Geranium Oil: According to work cited by means of The American Botanical Council, as well as other sources, this pleasant-smelling oil has been proven to be an effective insect repulsive It comes from the plants of the Pelargonium.

It has also been reported that nation who have low levels of thiamin or vitamin B1 are more "appealing" to insects.

If you have been bitten

If, despite your efforts to ward them most distant the bugs still manage to bite you, there are a natural remedies to help you by means of the discomfort. Some of the most numerous common, and most effective singles are aloe, lavender, and witch hazel. Of course, you should always avoid scratching a bite, especially breaking the skin. If you suspect you are having an allergic reaction to a bite, search for medical attention immediately.

For more information about herbs, visit the American Botanical Council (ABC) web site at: www.herbalgram.org

REFERENCES

Buchman, Dian Dincin. Herbal Medicine - The Natural Way to finish Well and Stay Well. just discovered York: Gramercy Publishing Company, 1980

Hallowell, Michael. Herbal Healing. fresh York: Avery Publishing Group, Inc., 1990

Keville, Kathi. Herbs for Health and Healing. Emmaus, Penn: Rodale Pres Inc., 1996

Kirschmann, Gayla J and John D Nutrition Almanac. novel York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.

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