All articles tagged with #essential oils
Research suggests that inhaling rosemary essential oil, particularly its active compound 1,8-cineole, can improve memory and mental alertness by affecting neurotransmitter activity, making it a natural and accessible option for cognitive enhancement.
Aromatherapy, the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefits, is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for enhancing physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils, extracted from plants, are used in various ways such as inhalation or topical application to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mood. This holistic approach is being embraced by those seeking alternative health solutions.
While many essential oils lack convincing clinical evidence for their health claims, some, like peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome, lavender oil for sleep and anxiety, and tea tree oil for acne, have shown reasonable medical benefits. Essential oils should be used with caution, avoiding ingestion of pure oils and diluting them before topical application. It's important to consult healthcare providers before use, especially for those with specific health conditions.
Pest control expert Pat Joiner from Pest Gnome shares a natural homemade mosquito repellent recipe using lavender essential oil, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. These ingredients mask human scents that attract mosquitoes, making it easier to keep them away during the summer. The mixture is safe for most pets but should be used cautiously around children and animals.
As summer brings out mosquitoes across the United States, it is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, which can transmit harmful diseases. Mosquito repellents are an effective way to prevent bites, with DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus being the most recommended options. Essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, geraniol, and citronella can also provide some protection. However, bracelets, ultrasonic devices, dietary supplements, and light-based repellents have been found to be ineffective. It is crucial to choose the right repellent based on the risk of vector-borne diseases in your area and to reapply as needed.
Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes, like black or navy blue items, as they like to hang out in dark areas. To repel mosquitoes, wearing white or other light or pastel colours is wise as they are cooling to the skin and make you less appealing to mosquitoes. Other tips include using mosquito repellent, essential oils, a fan, removing standing water, and covering up with long-sleeved clothing and trousers.
Keeping mosquitoes away from your family this summer can start with your landscaping. Plants such as citronella, lemongrass, bee balm, catnip, lavender, rosemary, basil, and French marigolds have strong scents that mosquitoes want to stay away from. Adding incense sticks like Skeeter Screen in plants surrounding the patio can also repel the insects. Additionally, getting rid of standing water around your yard where mosquitoes lay eggs and using essential oils such as citronella, patchouli, clove, peppermint, geranium, and thyme can help ward off the bugs.
To repel horse flies, it's important to understand their behavior and what attracts them. They are attracted to motion, carbon dioxide, heat, and shiny objects, and tend to bite during the day. To keep them away, you can make a homemade trap using a dark-colored bucket filled with water and a sweet substance, or use essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint to make a homemade horse fly spray. Store-bought solutions like fly traps and insecticide sprays are also available. Keeping areas around your property well-drained can reduce breeding sites, and positioning fans around outdoor areas can create continual airflow to deter horse flies.
An expert from Fantastic Pest Control has shared natural methods to get rid of mosquitoes in homes and gardens. The best way to get rid of mosquitoes in the house is to fix gaps in screens and doors, while citronella or lavender-scented candles are effective at repelling mosquitoes. Essential oils made from lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus can also be used as a spray to repel mosquitoes. Households should invest in a mosquito net for better sleep, and remove standing water in gardens as it is essential to mosquitoes.
Experts recommend removing standing water, keeping the kitchen clean, using a dehumidifier and fan, preventing mosquitoes from entering, placing a bowl of soapy water, using mosquito-repellent plants, and burning essential oils to get rid of mosquitoes in the kitchen. They advise against using chemical-based mosquito repellents in the kitchen to avoid contaminating food and drink. Spiders are natural predators of mosquitoes, so leaving them and their webs alone can also help control mosquito populations.