This year there is an atypical manifestation of dengue before the normal season of greatest transmission, reaching epidemic alerts in several Latin American countries.
In the fight against mosquitoes, transmitters of this disease, more and more people are turning alternatively to natural repellents. These home remedies, such as eucalyptus oil and lavender oil, have gained popularity for their supposed effectiveness and for being considered safer for health and the environment.
“Interestingly, it is known that the first repellent that humans used against mosquitoes was the smoke that resulted from lighting a fire to cook food and to protect themselves from the adversities of the climate,” says Ramiro Heredia (MN 117882), a specialist in clinical doctor at the José de San Martín Hospital de Clínicas, Buenos Aires.
The doctor states that although what is recommended by health professionals is to opt for repellents approved by medical societies, if you do not have or need an immediate solution, it may be practical to use home remedies.
“Its effectiveness is less than that of commercial repellents, but they can get you out of trouble,” he says.
Subsequently, he adds that along with natural alternatives, other mosquito control measures should be taken, such as the use of mosquito nets and the elimination of containers that can accumulate stagnant water, to obtain better results in protection against mosquito bites.
lemon eucalyptus oil
It is one of the best-known and recommended natural repellents due to its citrus component. In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved eucalyptus oil as an effective ingredient for repelling mosquitoes.
A research titled “Comparative laboratory and field evaluation of repellent formulations containing Deet and oil of lemon eucalyptus against mosquitoes in Queensland, Australia” confirmed that as an alternative to commercial repellents, a mixture with 32% oil of eucalyptus with lemon It provided more than 95% protection against mosquitoes for 3 hours to citizens who were on the beach.
In the book “Adoptez la slow cosmétique” by biologist Julien Kaibeck, it is stated that this oil is a good travel companion, especially for mountain activities, since if it is mixed with beauty products for hair or face, Skin moisturizer will help keep insects away.
In addition to the possibility of mixing it with beauty products, the preparation to achieve a “homemade” insecticide consists of diluting drops of eucalyptus essential oil in approximately 200 milliliters of warm water and spraying the preparation in the areas of the home where insects usually enter. mosquitoes.
Pour 250 grams of eucalyptus leaves into a liter of water and boil for about 45 minutes. With the mixture still hot, spray it on the areas of the house where you do not want mosquitoes to enter.
Contraindications: “It can cause bronchospasm phenomena in people with previous susceptibility. Furthermore, it is not recommended in children under 3 years of age or in concentrations greater than 30% above that age,” said Dr. Francisco Dadic, medical toxicologist and director of Toxicologia Hoy.
Cinnamon
Known for its sweet and spicy aroma, cinnamon is promoted as another possible natural mosquito repellent. According to some scientific studies, this spice could have repellent properties that help prevent mosquito bites.
A report on insect repellents carried out by the National University of Córdoba delved into the potential of natural alternatives to protect against mosquitoes and highlighted the use of cinnamon as a defense agent; However, the same publication emphasizes that its effectiveness is temporarily limited.
The use of cinnamon as a protector can be useful after boiling the spice in water for a few minutes, letting it cool, then straining the resulting liquid and mixing it with a ‘drip’ of baby oil. If placed in a spray bottle, Heredia advises spreading it around the environment before applying it to the skin.
Contraindications: “As it is a natural product, it is not toxic, but if applied topically it could cause irritation in cases of people with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Heredia.
Lavender
With the crushed flowers of the lavender plant you can produce an oil that has the ability to repel mosquitoes.
“Its topical application provides a certain degree of protection against bites, although its duration of action is probably limited,” says Dr. Heredia.
A study called “Repellent activities of essential oils and monoterpenes against Culex pipiens pallens” found that, when testing four types of essential oils (including lavender oil) in laboratory rats, lavender oil demonstrated its protective capacity against trumpeter mosquitoes. adults (known as the most common).
Likewise, lavender has analgesic, antifungal and antiseptic qualities, which means that in addition to keeping mosquitoes away, it helps soothe the skin if it has been bitten. To corroborate its effects, two possible uses can be used: 1) incorporate a few drops of lavender essential oil in the body cream that is used daily and reapply when it is perceived that the protective effect has ceased; 2) boil water with lavender flowers, let it cool, strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle along with a small dose of alcohol to obtain a repellent that can be spread throughout the home.
Contraindications: The United States National Library of Medicine reports that lavender oil can cause a reaction in children who ingest small amounts, but that the greatest effects are linked to allergic skin reactions in previously exposed subjects.
Finally, Dr. Dadic adds, at a general level, other advice to keep in mind: “Bracelets with chemical repellents, garlic or vitamin B1 ingested by mouth, ultrasound devices designed to keep away insects and those for the garden that ‘electrocute’ insects (in fact, they can attract them).”