Some essential oils repel mosquitoes. That of geranium is among the best known, but there are others that are just as effective (and whose scent you may appreciate more).
Mosquitoes are back? For avoid their bites, nothing better than essential oils renowned for their repellent properties: that of lemongrass of course (probably the best known) but also those of geranium Or eucalyptus zesty. how the to use ? On the skin ? In diffusion in the air ? On the clothes ? Recipes and easy instructions!
HE of ceylon lemongrass East mosquito repellent : “To file 6 drops of this essential oil and 4 drops of rose geranium essential oil in a diffuser taken, and let it diffuse 10 minutes per hour, 2 to 4 times during the night (use a diffuser with a timer)” advises Françoise Couic-Marinier, aromatherapist. Except in the nursery and not before 6 years.
► On clothes: put a few drops of Citronella essential oil on your clothes. If you have very light or fragile clothes, you can apply a few drops of Ceylon Lemongrass essential oil diluted in vegetable oil to your wrists and ankles. “Dilute 2ml of Citronella EO oil from Ceylon (or Bourbon Geranium) or 40 drops in 20ml of vegetable oil, for example sweet almond oil” says Dr. Patrick Aubé, general practitioner. “For a child between 7 and 10 years old, the dosage is about fifteen drops to be diluted in 20ml of vegetable oil.”
HE of rose geranium is a repellent to diffuse : “Put equal parts with lemon eucalyptus HE on a compress or in the reservoir of a diffuser to perfume the air and repel unwanted biting insects, during 5 minutes every half hour at an outdoor party“advises Françoise Couic-Marinier.
► On clothes: put a few drops of bourbon geranium essential oil on your clothes. If you have very light or fragile clothes, you can apply a few drops of bourbon geranium essential oil diluted in vegetable oil to your wrists and ankles. “Dilute 2ml of Bourbon Geranium HE oil, i.e. 40 drops, in 20ml of vegetable oil, for example sweet almond oil” says Dr. Patrick Aubé, general practitioner. “For a child between 7 and 10 years old, the dosage is about fifteen drops to be diluted in 20ml of vegetable oil.”
HE oflemon eucalyptus can be diffused in all rooms, including that of the Babe (without his presence and airing the room afterwards): “3 drops of this EO and 3 drops of rose geranium EO in a nebulizer diffuser to run for 5 minutes before bedtime” recommends Françoise Couic-Marinier.
To make a repellent spray, you need:
- Spike lavender essential oil
- Rose geranium essential oil
- Lemon eucalyptus EO
Pour into a bottle : “10 drops of spike lavender HE, 15 drops of rose geranium, 30 drops of lemon eucalyptus HE, add 15 ml of a dispersant (Tween 20 or a neutral bath base, or Disper), check that the HE are well dissolved and add 30 ml of distilled water. To be used as a spray on the parts of the body exposed to bites. The preparation will keep for 3 months. It is best to keep it in the refrigerator between uses.“advises Françoise Couic-Marinier.
Essential oils are to be diffused in the interiors always “sparingly, during 15 minutes no more, windows open, without the presence of peopleno children, no pets.”
► HE of ceylon lemongrass : not recommended before the age of 6 and necessarily diluted for an application on the skin (including for the elderly), and only in the evening because this HE is photosensitizing. Not recommended for sensitive skin and prohibited for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
► HE of rose geranium can be used by the whole family, from baby to sensitive person, and in pregnant women after 3 months of pregnancy. It is to be diffused in a baby’s room for example, without his presence, then ventilate the room well (without turning on the light to avoid attracting mosquitoes). For cutaneous use: only diluted.
► HE of lavender asp can be used in diffusion and on the skin, from 6 years old, but its diffusion is “not recommended for people with epilepsy and asthma due to the presence of camphor (risk of convulsions)”, warns the expert.
Thanks to Françoise Couic-Marinier, doctor of pharmacy and aromatherapist, author of “The Living Earth Guide to Essential Oils” Editions Terre Vivante.