Hearing the buzzing of a mosquito while you're lying by the pool is definitely one of the biggest downsides of a summer holiday.
It's even worse if you get bitten by one.
So, what can you do to make sure those pesky mozzies stay well away from you? And how can your cure that constant scratching that comes with insect bites? Investing in a few essential oils can do wonders...
"Essential oils are really effective against mosquito bites both as a deterrent and to treat the nasty itchy swelling they leave behind," Neal's Yard Remedies told us. And there are a few oils in particular that are brilliant at both treating and repelling.
Neal's Yard recommends using the following two blends...
To treat bites, you will need:
Lavender
German camomile
Tea tree
Neem/almond oil or aloe vera gel
Dilute equal quantities of lavender, camomile and tea tree in a base oil such as neem oil (it has a distinctive smell and is great for calming skin and repelling mosquitos) or aloe vera gel (to reduce inflammation.) Using one of these as a base is important as it will prevent the oils from causing any irritation to the skin.
To make a repellent, you will need:
Citronella
Lemongrass
Eucalyptus citriadora
Neem/almond oil
Dilute equal quantities of citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus in neem or almond oil and dab onto the skin to deter insects.
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