Grow your own pest repellent and save a bundle on commercial sprays with a small patch of pennyroyal. Plant this pest-repelling herb near your garden or back door. When you head out to do gardening or yard work, grab a handful of leaves, crush them, and rub them on your skin. The oil from the foliage will leave a pleasant minty fragrance on your skin while keeping away flies, mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, and chiggers. It really does work at keeping pests at bay; in fact, many commercial repellents contain pennyroyal oil.
“Gardeners and hikers need powerful insect protection up in these hills”, says Tina W., head gardener, Arkansas. “So before heading outdoors, I douse myself with an incredible repellent that my friend Marion S. and I concocted,” Tina says. “It renders me almost invincible to both insects and poison ivy!”
Ingredients and supplies
Large handful fresh jewelweed
Large glass jar with plastic lid (vinegar corrodes metal)
Strainer
- 1 quart apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon pennyroyal oil
- 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil
- 1 teaspoon orange oil
- 1 teaspoon citronella oil
Plastic spray bottle
Directions
1. Crush jewelweed in the jar and cover with vinegar.
2. Let steep for several days.
3. Strain out the jewelweed and mix essential oils into the vinegar.
4. Before applying all over, spray a small amount on the inside of your arm and monitor for 15 minutes for any allergic reaction.
5. To use, spray thoroughly on clothing and lightly on any exposed skin except your face. Reapply every 1/2 hour or so. (To keep insects away from your face, spray your hat or bandanna.)
Yield: About 1 quart of invincible spray
Note: This formula will keep indefinitely.
Caution: If you are pregnant, don’t use pennyroyal, even topically, as it may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Author Resource:-
For more tips on drying herbs , visit HerbGardeningClub.com
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