Having been inundated with questions this week from readers who raise
concerns over the long term use of DEET, I decided to dedicate an entire
column for those seeking a more natural way to ward off mosquitoes this
summer. Mosquitoes can indeed ruin a summer evening in the garden
however there are several essential oils which provide alternatives to
DEET-based sprays. These oils are best used where bites are more of a
nuisance than a health threat. According to the American Mosquito
Control Association, there are more than 2,500 species of mosquitoes
which exist throughout the world. It would therefore be impossible to
escape being bitten - at least occasionally. The good news is however,
that there are endless herbs and natural remedies effective at keeping
mosquitoes at bay, should they fail to do so, read below for vitamins
which can also help soothe sore, itchy bites.
Q.
Dear Natalie, I have recently bought an oil burner in preparation for
the summer bugs. Can you recommend any essential oils which ward off
mosquitoes?A. There
was a study recorded at the University of Mahidol in Bangkok, Thailand
in 2005 which compared 38 essential oils against mosquito bites and
clove oil came out on top, providing up to 2 hours of protection against
all three mosquito species. I recommend not applying undiluted clove
oil directly to the skin since it may cause irritation, but you can find
sprays containing concentrations of 10 percent or more.
A close
second was Patchouli oil. This oil also provides up to two hours of
complete protection. If the earthy scent is too strong you can try
blending it with a carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil. Another
very effective and more pleasant-smelling option is oil of lemon
eucalyptus. This comes from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora
tree, which naturally repels insects.
A very common essential
oil found in many natural insect repellents is Citronella. Oil of
Citronella has been used as early as the 1960s as an insect repellent.
Insect repellents containing 5% to 10% citronella oil may provide
anywhere from less than 20 minutes to as much as five hours of
protection.
Q. Dear Natalie, Are there any foods that I can be eating which will repel mosquitoes?A.
While what you eat isn't likely to provide the best protection from
mosquitoes, the foods below will provide simple ways to repel mosquitoes
naturally. Keep your diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables
and make sure you consume less processed and sugary foods. Mosquitoes
exhibit greater or lesser attraction to particular people due to
individual differences in chemical emanations.
As well as all
its other fantastic properties, garlic consumption has long been touted
as a natural mosquito repellent. Try to include a daily dose of vitamin
B-1, or thiamine, to your diet. Vitamin B-1 alters your scent, thereby
reducing your attractiveness to mosquitoes. Vitamin B-1 can be found in
foods such as rice, black strap molasses and whole grains. Celery seed
can also act as a mosquito repellent consumed either fresh, dried or in
supplement form.
Try adding Sage to your dishes and in areas
where you are trying to repel mosquitoes. Adding sage to the barbeque
will certainly fill the aroma with a smell strong enough to keep the
bugs away.
Q. Dear Natalie, can you please advise on which vitamins are good for treating itchy red mosquito bites?A.
To help combat mosquito bites, there are several nutritional substances
you can incorporate into your daily diet that are efficient. Vitamin E
is an antioxidant vitamin and one of the best treatments for mosquito
bites. Vitamin E works to make red blood cells and promote the
development of new skin cells by enhancing our blood circulation.
Vitamin E will help to reduce swelling from mosquito bites and I
recommend taking 200 international units of Vitamin E every day until
you see an improvement.
Vitamin C also works to reduce the
inflammation and pain as a result of insect bites. In "Prescription for
Nutritional Healing" Balch recommends taking around 5,000 mg of vitamin C
daily to help prevent mosquito bites. Vitamin C is also important for
the healing of wounds on the skin, including mosquito bites that have
been scratched until very red and sore. You can find Vitamin C in kiwi,
blueberries, cooked greens, cranberries and tomatoes.
Natalie
runs a clinic both in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem offering a wide range of
natural treatment, including a women’s clinic every Wednesday. Healing
is achieved using homeopathy, reflexology, massage, flower remedies and
nutritional wisdom.To make an appointment please email nateopath@gmail.com.Ask Natalie: If you have a health query and would like an alternative answer then email Natalie with your question at nateopath@gmail.com.This column is brought to you as general information only and unless stated otherwise is not medical advice nor is it based on medical experiments. This column is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. For more information about specific problems, please contact a doctor.