I recently taught an essential oils class at a local library in New Hampshire. Since it is the month of May, I kept it themed towards the approaching summer. Attendees made two sprays to support them in the warmer months: A Pest Deterrent Spray and an After Sun Spray.
Make-and-Takes are my preferred choice of in-person classes. It’s easier to get talking about the benefits of essential oils when guests are right there using them. And then I talk too much and forget to take pictures! These are the only few that I captured.
The following is the write-up, including project instructions, that I gave to the participants.
It’s tempting to reach for the classic store-bought insect repellant, but before you do that, flip over the bottle to see if DEET is an active ingredient. DEET is a registered pesticide that was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for protection of soldiers in insect-infested areas. Then, since 1957, insect repellents containing DEET have been used by the general public in the United States. DEET is a colorless liquid that has a faint odor and does not dissolve easily in water. It is a member of the toluene chemical family. Toluene is an organic solvent used in rubber, plastic cements, and paint removers. (Um, on my skin? No thank you!) When products containing DEET get into the eyes, they may cause irritation, pain and watering. People that have left DEET products on their skin for extended periods of time have experienced irritation, redness, a rash, and swelling. People that have swallowed products containing DEET have experienced stomach upset, vomiting, and nausea. Very rarely, exposure to DEET has been associated with seizures in people.
One amazing thing about using essential oils to protect ourselves from insects is that it they don’t work the same way that conventional bug spray does. DEET only works on-contact, which means until a bug lands on the DEET, nothing will happen. With oils, insects are actually deterred from the scent altogether, so you don’t have to cover your whole entire body in oils for it to be effective. Isn’t that incredible?!? And once you apply oils to your skin topically, within 20 minutes they are in your blood stream and affecting every system in your body. Have you ever heard how people with certain blood types don’t attract bugs as much as others? Well, what do you think happens when your blood contains essential oils that bugs don’t like?
I love making my own outdoor spray! You can whip up a bottle super quick, and it smells so much better too! I use essential oils that are fresh, summer-y, and yes, work to keep the annoying bugs away. The 5 Essential Oils and Oil Blends that I use are Citronella, Purification, Thieves, Peppermint, and Geranium.
This may seem like a lot of oils to use/purchase for making your own outdoor spray. But there are many other uses for each bottle of essential oil! You can refer to www.lifestepsapp.com for more information on each oil. Or download the Life Steps App to your phone for quick references.
- Purification: blend of citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, melaleuca (similar to tea tree), lavandin (lavender hybrid), myrtle. Purification is a bright, clean scent that I use for many projects around the house that need a little “freshening up.” Great for spraying sports equipment and fabrics. Diffuse to cleanse the air in any room.
- Peppermint: Also great to use for digestion issues (rub over tummy), head tension, muscle aches. Add a drop or two to brownie batter. Diffuse for a fresh pick me up scent.
- Thieves: blend of cinnamon, clove, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus. Thieves is very supportive of the immune system. Great to use all winter in the diffuse or rub along the spine/bottoms of the feet.
- Citronella: The classic summer scent. Also use this on dryer balls for your laundry. It’s lemony scent smells wonderful in a diffuser.
- Geranium: Floral aroma. Combine geranium with citronella in your diffuser for an outdoor scent instead of burning a candle. Geranium is wonderful for hormonal support.
An optional recipe instead of using the special blends listed above is a combination of citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, clove, and geranium.
Outdoor Pest Spray
In a 2-ounce bottle, add the following oils:
- 5 drops citronella
- 3 drops peppermint
- 3 drops Thieves
- 3 drops Purification
- 3 drops Geranium (optional, for wooded areas)
Top with half water and half vodka (or witch hazel)
After Sun Spray
In a 2-ounce bottle, add the following oils:
- 10 drops Lavender
- 10 drops
Top with aloe vera liquid and lavender tincture (or witch hazel)
Lavender is very soothing to skin over-exposed to the sun. Lavender is the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils and can be used for so many things! Copaiba (pronounce Co-pie-ee-ba) is very calming to reddened skin. It is also great for over-used muscles and head tension.
My favorite brand of essential oils is from Young Living. I get my other supplies from Your Oil Tools (local place in Hooksett, NH and you can order online) or Amazon if needed.
The Pink Lily Pad and Two Tadpoles 