A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 herbal insect repellents

thought id share these.[ never tried these just found it in my herb book ]

INSECT REPELLENT FOR PEOPLE SKIN.
1 teaspoon each of; essential oils of pennyroyal, citronella, eucalypt, rosemary, and tansy.
1 cup vegetable oil.
shake ingredients together and store away from light. to repel outdoor insect pests, rub small amount on hands, then apply to exposed skin. avoid face to prevent contact with youe eyes. if rash developes, discontinue use.

INSECT REPELLENT FOR PETS {HERBAL DIP}
2 cups packed fresh peppermint, pennyroyal, or rosemary.
1 quart boiling water.
4 quarts warm water.
prepare an infusion by pouring the boiling water over the herbs, and allow it to steep for 30 minutes. strain the liquid and dilute with the warm water. saturate the animals coat thoroughly with solution, allow it to air dry. use at first sign of flea activity.

For the pet dip,would it be possible to use oils instead of fresh herbs and if so,what would the conversion rate be?

Karen

It may be the mixture of all the herbs that works, I know one time we went mushroom hunting and didn't have any type of repellant, so we rubbed pieces of pennyroyal plant on our skin...it didn't work!

Karen
says 2 cups [ 3oz--90g ] packed fresh herbs.
hope this may help.

new member, just joined today. my primary interest is herbs. fyi; just because you read something in a herb book doesn't necessarily make it so. That's what the disclaimers in the front of the book are for. The author takes no responsibility for what he or she writes. Be careful. Essential oils are super consentrated and some like pennyroyal oil, can even be dangerous in some instances and should never be used by pregnant women. And I think the proportions are way to high. Maybe a few drops of each at the most, not teaspoons.
Hope this helps--thorns

Herbal Remedy Precautions
Use all herbal remrdies cautiously & follow these guidelines;

• ALWAYS consult a physician before taking herbs.
• Always consult a physician if you have painful or chronic symptoms.
• Dont mix herbal medicines with medical prescriptions.
• Always identify plants accurately & be aware of their properties & dangers.
• Avoid large doses of any herb.
• Grow your own herbal medications for the best purity & quality, label & store them, and refresh the supply each season.
• Make shure you follow the instructions for harvesting & storing herbs properly.
• STOP using ANY herbal medicine if you notice any side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, or an upset stomach.
• Avoid using herbal medicines if you are pregnant, or nursing, unless you have the consent & supervision of an obstetrician.
• DO NOT give herbal medicines to children less than 2 years old without the consent of your pediatrician.

Thorns
ya may want to go to new members & sighn in so we can all give ya a welcome & say hi
WELCOME

I don't know if any one else has them around but (stag horn)sumacs the leaves repel most flesh eating bugs. Sometimes I foolishly go into the golf course in the morning and I go to far so I might as well go through the paths in the bush and I always get atacked. Best way I've found is to crush the leaves up in my hand role them together untill the oil all comes out and my hands kind of green I only do it once and awhile, like once a month at most so it's just a tip incase your stuck in the bush with whords of bugs and those trees are around. I also find that it doesn't work right away but after some investigation they seem to leave you alone. Under a forest of them you can find refuge from bugs also but a sole tree and you'll be eaten alive!

Apples,
Go to this site and read the last paragraph part that says "CAUTION"
staghorn sumac


Weezie