Natural Help for Bug Bites

I love the summer time, but I hate bug bites! I often use all natural, aromatherapy insect repellents, which prevent most bites. However, I don’t use them daily, and sometimes I will get an insect bite doing simple outdoor tasks, like getting the mail! So when I get bug bites I use my soothing insect bite gel or oil to reduce itchiness, redness, and inflammation.

Ingredients:

1 oz of carrier oil or aloe gel

9 drops of lavender essential oil

9 drops of german chamomile essential oil

Directions:

Add the carrier oil or aloe gel to a 1 oz bottle. Add the essential oils, cap, and shake well before use.

Notes:

Aloe is a soothing ingredient that is great for irritated, red skin. It makes an excellent base for insect bites. Be sure to use organic aloe gel, since most brands of organic aloe have minimal additives. They usually only contain organic aloe and small amounts of potassium sorbate, citric acid, and a thickener.

You can use your favorite carrier oil for this recipe. Almond or apricot oils are good choices for all skin types. Or you could use a herb infused oil for its extra properties, such as calendula oil. Calendula helps irritated skin.

In this blend, I used lavender and German chamomile essential oils, since they are both anti-inflammatory, and they are available from most essential oil companies including brands found at local health food stores. If you don’t have one of these essential oils, just use 18 drops of the essential oil you have. For example, if you don’t have german chamomile essential oil, use 18 drops of lavender essential oil. And vice versa.

This formula makes approximately a 3% dilution, which is suitable for teenagers and adults. For older children, cut the amount of essential oils and use only a 1% concentration: 3 drops each of lavender and german chamomile essential oils (for a total of 6 drops of essential oils in the blend). For younger kids, reduce the amount of essential oils even more, and use only ½% concentration. Try using 1 drop of lavender essential oil, and 2 drops of German chamomile essential oil, for a total of 3 drops of essential oils in the product.

Please note: this is a strong 3% concentration. This particular recipe is only meant for application to small areas of the skin (in this case, the insect bites), for short term use (a few days to a week or so, during the duration of the bites). Do not use a dilution this high for daily, long term use (weeks or months), on large areas of the skin. If using it every day, for long periods of time, on large areas of the skin use only a 1-2% concentration for teens and adults, and ½% to 1% dilution for children (depending on their age).

Li Wong ContributorPrivateContent
Owner , Expert Plant Alkemie
Li has over two decades of plant knowledge and experience! She is an aromatherapist (trained in clinical aromatherapy and advanced aromatic medicine), herbalist (trained in family, community, and clinical herbalism), natural perfumer, natural formulator, eco living writer, and environmental scientist/biologist.
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Li Wong ContributorPrivateContent
Owner , Expert Plant Alkemie
Li has over two decades of plant knowledge and experience! She is an aromatherapist (trained in clinical aromatherapy and advanced aromatic medicine), herbalist (trained in family, community, and clinical herbalism), natural perfumer, natural formulator, eco living writer, and environmental scientist/biologist.
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