Barbeques, campfires, picnics and magical walks in the moonlight are some of the joys of summer we all look forward to during the hot summer months. But spending time outdoors can be ruined by buzzing, biting mosquitoes, which are most active from dusk to dawn. If you hate to cover exposed skin with sticky, commercial insect repellents, which are often chock-full of DEET and other toxic chemicals that have been found to be harmful to humans, turn to Mother Nature. Plantlife’s 100% pure, therapeutic grade Neem and Karanja carrier oils are all-natural insect repellents that keep the bugs at bay so you can play.
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a multitalented oil that has been used for millennia by practitioners of Ayurvedic (Indian) and holistic medicine. Its antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiseptic and antiviral properties make it an effective treatment for many skin, scalp and dental disorders. It’s also a highly effective insect repellent. Mosquitoes absolutely hate neem’s pungent, musky scent, and it reportedly has a bitter taste (we recommend it as a topical treatment; people should not take it internally).
If, like mosquitoes, you find it hard to stomach Neem oil’s smell — you wouldn’t be the first! — try Karanja oil. The two oils are related botanically, so Karanja offers all the same bug-banning benefits but with a less intense, slightly nutty scent. Plantlife’s Neem and Karanja carrier oils can be mixed with your favorite essential oils. Keep a bottle of all-natural bug spray on your deck or pack it with your camping gear. Or try Plantlife’s Herbal Insect! We have taken the best ingredients to ward off insects and make the products smell great and be safe for kids and pets.
All-Natural Bug Spray Recipe
Fill a 8 oz spray bottle with 5.5 ounces of water and top it off with 2 oz witch hazel. Mix in 30 drops of Neem or Karanja carrier oil — the more you add, the stronger the scent. To make it smell good without diluting its benefits, blend in 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. We like to use 10 to 15 drops of Citronella (also a natural insect repellant) or Lemon Eucalyptus oil, followed by 5 to 10 drops of Lavender or Rosemary essential oil.