It's summer and the heatwave is in full swing! Result: we make the most of it by being outside and exposing ourselves to bites of all kinds. Fortunately, aromatherapy has more than one trick up its sleeve to help protect us from insect bites or any bite from an animal secreting venom. The Essential Oils most renowned for their soothing action following an insect bite are Spike Lavender , Lemon Eucalyptus and Rose Geranium .
They soothe pain and can reduce redness very effectively if applied pure to the bite, diluted to 50% for young children. For example, we find an ideal recipe in the practical aromatherapy guide by Dominique Baudoux. This recipe is recommended by the author for bites from small snakes as well as for the more common stings of wasps, bees, horseflies, jellyfish, snakes and even scorpions, in short anything that secretes venom.
Venom ?
Immediately after the sting, the book advises applying 2 to 3 drops of a mixture of pure essential oils to the affected area. We repeat the application every 5 minutes for half an hour! Then 3 times a day for 24 hours until clear improvement. The formula :
- HECT essential oil of aspic lavender ( lavandula spica ): 30 drops
- HECT essential oil of Immortelle ( hélichrysum italicum ): 10 drops
- HECT essential oil of lemon eucalyptus ( citriodora ): 10 drops
A stunning mix of urgency according to the author…
What about mosquitoes?
The mosquito bite causes an inflammatory and allergic reaction and can be soothed with essential oils dosed at 50% in calendula vegetable oil. Choose essential oils known to be anti-inflammatory: noble chamomile, lemon eucalyptus and to a lesser extent geranium again. You can also keep mosquitoes away by diffusing the synergy of Essential Oils to diffuse "Peaceful summer evening" from the Aromapic range or, pure Java lemongrass but the smell is quite overpowering.
