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Essential oils are the perfect non-toxic bug repellant

The problem with bug spray

Not only is an alternative vector control notably needed for African food crops, one is desperately called for in the States where people regularly apply carcinogenic compounds on their skin to ward off bugs, especially in the summer months. According to Medline Plus, A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, people expose themselves to a number of potential hazards from applying bug spray to their body:

For sprays including DEET, the list looks like:

• Bradycardia (low heart rate)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Moderate to severe stomach irritation
• Nausea
• Neurological damage including disorientation, clumsiness when walking, seizures, coma or even death.
• Vomiting

For sprays including pyrethrins, the list looks like:

• Breathing difficulty
• Coughing
• Loss of alertness due to imbalance in oxygen level
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

It’s quite unfortunate that people willing subject themselves to these poisons; especially because natural remedies like essential oils have been found to be quite effective.

Essential oils as human bug repellant

Natural remedies have been used for thousands of years as people have struggled to keep bugs at bay. One particularly useful solution to the insect problem has traditionally been essential oils.

An Israeli study published last year compared how seven different commercial mosquito repellants performed. The leading two – OFF! (well-known to be loaded with toxic chemicals like DEET) and Terminix ALLCLEARR Sidekick Mosquito Repeller (an “all-natural” mixture of cinnamon, eugenol, lemongrass, geranium, and peppermint oils) – were almost identical in their ability to ward off the bugs. This is an interesting study for two reasons. One, it proves that essential oils are a worthy alternative to the mainstream chemical approach. Two, it points out how effective non-therapeutic grade essential oils are. Just imagine what the results would have been if Terminix used a medicinal grade!

More than just mosquito repellant, research has found that most bugs hate essential oils:

• Ants
• Cockroaches
• Flies
• Lice
• Mice
• Ticks

They all will steer clear of a mixture of peppermint with other essential oils!

Essential oils as botanical bug repellant

This past year, the journal Parasites & Vectors published a study highlighting the ability cinnamon essential oil has to act an an insecticide in food crops. In addition to discovering that the composition of Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf essential oil has been found to have 11 active compounds, larvicidal activity was found to be upwards of 100 percent effective in both both in laboratory and semi-field environments. Studies like this are suggesting more than ever that harmful insecticides are not only useless, but they aren’t even as effective as age-old folk remedies!

Mama Z’s bug repellent floor cleaner

For many people, bug problems in the house start on the ground and work themselves up. Stop the issue before these critters take over with this powerful remedy:

• 1 gallon hot water
• 1/4 cup castile or Murphy’s oil soap
• 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 10 Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops Orange essential oil
• 5 drops Cedarwood essential oil
• 5 drops Lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 10 drops Pine essential oil

In addition to using this recipe as an effective bug repellent for your floor, use a cotton swab to place the solution around your windows, doors and base boards for extra protection.

Treatment for Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Facts

• Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants than can cause an itchy rash upon contact.
• A substance called urushiol, found in these plants, causes the rash.
• The rash is not contagious.
• The rash usually disappears in one to three weeks.
• The majority of cases can be treated at home.

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a rash if individuals come in contact with the oily resin found in them.

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans — eastern poison ivy/Toxicodendron rydbergii — western poison ivy) typically grows as a vine or shrub, and it can be found throughout much of North America (except in the desert, Alaska, and Hawaii). It grows in open fields, wooded areas, on the roadside, and along riverbanks. It can also be found in urban areas, such as parks or backyards. Poison ivy plants typically have leaf arrangements that are clustered in groups of three leaflets, though this can vary. The color and shape of the leaves may also vary depending upon the exact species, the local environment, and the time of year. The plant may have yellow or green flowers, and white to green-yellow berries, depending on the season.

Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) grows as a vine or shrub, and it is found in the western United States and British Columbia. It also has a leaf arrangement similar to poison ivy, with clusters of three leaflets. The leaves may sometimes resemble true oak leaves.

Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) grows as a shrub or small tree, and it is found in the eastern/southeastern United States. It grows in very wet areas, and it can be found along the banks of the Mississippi River. Each stem contains seven to 13 leaves arranged in pairs. It has the potential to cause a more severe rash than either poison ivy or poison oak. 

Natural Remedies

1. Baking Soda Baths & Pastes

Found in most kitchens, common baking soda is a great natural remedy for the itchiness associated with a poison ivy rash. To help relieve itching, place 1/2 a cup of baking soda in a bath tub filled with warm water. You can also mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water and mix until it forms a paste. Apply this paste to the infected area to relieve itching and irritation that’s associated with a poison ivy rash.

2. Oatmeal Paste

Cook a small amount of oatmeal and apply it directly to the skin as a paste. Make sure to cook it very thick so that the paste will stick to the skin. Some sources recommend putting the oatmeal on the skin while it is very warm, as the heat from the oatmeal will eventually cool, leaving the skin dry and relieved. Make sure not to apply the oatmeal when it is too hot, as this can easily burn the skin. You may also try mixing in a teaspoon of baking soda, for an extra itch-relieving effect.

3. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apply a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar directly to the infected skin. Apple Cider Vinegar has a toxin-pulling action that helps suck the poison out of the pores. You can also create a warm vinegar compress using a thin cotton towel. Reapply to the skin as needed.

4. Aloe Vera Gel

An ancient curative remedy for the skin, aloe vera can be used directly on the infected area. You can buy a high-quality organic version at most health-food stores, or even better, buy a plant and use the gel from inner flesh of the leaves. External use of organic aloe vera juice may also help, but is not as effective as the gel.

5. Organic Goldenseal

Mix a small amount of powdered goldenseal root with a small amount of hot water. Rub this paste on the affected skin to help reduce the chances of infection. For quickest results, try drinking goldenseal tea or taking a goldenseal supplement. This remedy can also help with poison oak.

6. Himalayan Crystal Salt

Remember, poison ivy is a condition that causes the skin to become wet and red. Salt is an excellent natural remedy, as it is drying for the skin, and will pull both the excess water and the poison from the body. Make a paste using purified water and Himalayan Salt. You can also take a warm salt bath. I’d recommend putting a cup of Himalayan Crystal Salt into the bath tub and soak in it for at least 20 minutes.

7. Organic Witch Hazel

Dabbing a small amount of witch hazel tonic on the infected area offers both cleansing and itch-relief. Witch hazel can be found at most drugstores.

8. Banana Peel

It may sound strange, but many old-wives tales swear by the power of a banana peal for poison ivy. Simply rub the inside of a banana peel on the affected area. This is possibly related to the cooling effect the banana peel has on the rash.

9. Organic Cucumber

This green veggie is very cooling. Making a cucumber paste and applying it to the skin helps bring soothing relief to heated itching. For easy itch relief, slice a piece of a cucumber off and let it dry on the affected area.

10. Watermelon Rind

Similar to the cooling cucumber, watermelon is also cold on the skin and can help provide itch relief for the poison ivy rash.

Summertime Blues – Sand Fleas

Being that it is summer many of us are going to the beach for vacation. Beware of those pesky sand fleas for both you and your 4 legged companions if the beaches are pet friendly.

If you suspect that you’ve been bitten by sand fleas and want to know what sand flea bites on humans look like, this is the place. You will also learn how to treat and prevent the bites to avoid this problem in the future. People that have already experienced these bites know that they can be quite painful. If left untreated, they can cause a lot of suffering for several months to come, before they usually disappear by themselves. Sand fleas can carry diseases and transmit viruses, so you should always see a doctor if you experience severe symptoms after getting bitten. This article will help cure most sand flea bites on humans.

What do sand flea bites on humans look like?

Even though the sand fleas are quite small they can cause severe skin problems. They typically bite the feet, ankles and legs because they are closest to the ground. Sand fleas can only jump around 20-40 cm, so there’s much less chance of getting bitten on the upper body unless you’re lying down in the sand. When you do get bitten, it’s most likely to happen during the evening, night or at dawn. This is when the sand fleas are most active, so be on guard if you’re on the beach at this time.

There are two types of sand flea bites on humans. The first one looks like a mosquito bite and happens when the fleas suck your blood and then moves on to another host. They inject saliva to prevent blood clotting as they are feeding, and this saliva is what irritates the skin and may cause allergic reactions. The second one is a little worse and is caused by breeding female sand fleas. The fleas burrow themselves into the skin and stay there until their eggs hatch. Look out for swollen areas with black spots in the middle because these may be breeding sand fleas.

Both bite types will cause symptoms like itching, pain and unpleasantness. If you’re allergic to sand flea bites, then more severe reactions can be expected. When the breeding fleas burrow into the skin, you may also experience fever and infections in the area and it can develop into a condition called tungiasis, which is an inflammatory skin disease that needs to be treated to prevent secondary infections.

How to treat sand flea bites

If you’ve been bitten by these bloodsucking parasites, this is how you treat sand flea bites on humans:

• First of all don’t scratch the bites. It increases the chance of getting infections in the wound.
• Check the bite for breeding sand fleas. They can live under your skin and suck your blood for weeks.
• Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream on the bites to control the itching, and take some painkillers to reduce the pain and swelling. You should see a doctor if this doesn’t help or if the symptoms get worse. He or she may also advise you to treat your bites with an antihistamine cream.
• Baking soda mixed with water may give you some relief. Just put it on the affected area and let it work.
• Make yourself an oatmeal bath and soak in it to reduce the itching. The water must not be too hot.
• Aloe Vera is great for all kinds of wounds and it also has a soothing effect on sand flea bites.
• Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree and cedar wood may also help you get rid of the discomfort.

Prevent the fleas from attacking you again

I have always been a great fan of preventing flea bites rather than treating them. If you want to avoid getting bitten, just follow these tips and you will have greatly decreased the chance of that happening:

• Don’t visit the beach when it has been raining. Sand fleas seem to be more aggressive when the air is cool and moist. You should stay away from the beach in the morning and in the evening for that same reason. Most people go to the beach when it’s warm and dry outside anyway, so that’s good.
• If you do go to the beach when it’s cool outside, please remember to pack your insect repellant.
• Cover yourself up when sitting or lying down to avoid getting bitten on your back, legs and feet.

DIY Patriotic Luminaries for 4th of July!

With 4th of July fast approaching here at Hottrends4u we wanted to give you some cute DIY tips for decorating. Here is one that is soooo easy and inexpensive!  Grab the kids and you can do all together as a family.

Find some empty jars (old pickle jars work great). To remove the labels you can soak them in some dish soap and warm water. The labels peel right off.

Buy some small American flags (you can find in a dollar store). Then put the jars on top of the flags to flatten them out. They get a little curled up from being in the package.

Remove the wooden sticks from the flag and be careful to not rip the flag when taking out the staples. Then  roll on adhesive tape (it can be found just about anywhere that sells crafts) to the back of flag. Make sure to line up the flag with the jar. You can’t really mess this part up because the flag fits perfectly on pickle jars.

Tape the flag onto the jar using a few coats of Mod Podge to make it stick to the jar better.

Add a little twine to the top of the jar to make it look less like a pickle jar. You can use gorilla glue and a clothespin to keep the twine in place until the glue dries.

You can add some tea lights and or citronella candles (killing 2 birds with one stone – light and mosquito repellent) to the jars and you have created the perfect 4th of July ambiance. It’s amazing what you can make with the stuff you already have on hand. Happy 4th of July everyone!

What is an Herb?

Herbs have so many uses and play such a vital role in our lives, but how exactly do we define what an herb is? According to one dictionary, an herb can be defined as “a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season.” Furthermore, we can define an herb as “a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.”

Savory, aromatic, and medicinal, these are the basic properties we speak of when we talk about herbs. We can also think of the joy of using herbs as ornamentals. So let’s move on and begin exploring this wonderful, healthy, and exotic world of organic herbal gardening!

Planning your Herb Garden — Where to Begin?

Your herb garden can take many forms—from a couple of potted herbs in your kitchen, to a large and diverse plot in your yard. The most challenging part of growing herbs can actually be deciding which to plant! You can check out our list of Popular Garden Herbs to help you generate ideas.

Answering the following questions may also be helpful:

•  Do you want herbs mostly for culinary, ornamental or medicinal purposes?
•  How much room do you have to plant your herbs?
• Will you plant them with vegetables or flowers? If so, you may want to consider texture, height, color, fragrance, and any other factors that affect the appearance and attractiveness of your garden.
• Where do you plan or planting your herbs? Is it a sunny or shady place? Note that most herbs need at least six hours of light, and others like shade.
• Do you plan on growing herbs in containers or in the ground?

Top Herbs to Grow for medicinal purposes:

Basil

This medicinal herb can help with flatulence, lack of appetite, cuts, and scrapes. Harvest the young leaves of this annual plant as needed.

Chamomile

Use the flower heads of this medicinal herb for infusions and salves to relieve indigestion and colic, anxiety and tension, and skin inflammations and irritations.

Echinacea

If you suffer from a cold or the flu, try this medicinal herb to ease the severity of your symptoms. It also helps provide relief to your immune system.

Feverfew

Use the leaves and flowers of this medicinal herb for teas; chew leaves to ease headache pain (including migraines). It’s also been shown to provide relief for arthritis, and skin conditions.

Johnny-jump-up

With anti-inflammatory properties, this medicinal herb is good for eczema and skin blemishes as well as to help loosen phlegm.

Lavender

Even smelling this medicinal herb has been shown to calm and relax. It also eases pain, and when applied to cuts and bruises functions as an antiseptic.

Lemon Balm

A relative of mint, lemon balm is a versatile medicinal herb that helps relieve anxiety, insomnia, wounds, herpes, insect bites, flatulence, and an upset stomach. It also speeds the healing of cold sores.

Marigold

Good for sunburn, acne, and blemishes, this medicinal herb also soothes ulcers and digestive problems.

Parsley

Don’t think of it as decorative on your plate; this medicinal herb is loaded with nutrients as well as healing powers to help with flatulence and bad breath.