The weather is heating up and enjoying dinner outdoors is one of those things we enjoy during a warm summer night. However, uninvited guests such as mosquitos and other insects who have come out of hibernation can really ruin a good get together outdoors.

I for one do not like using chemical sprays, especially around food. We encountered an insect problem while entertaining outdoors and I quickly turned to my aromatherapy oils to prepare my insect repellent blend. Within 20 minutes of diffusing the insect repellent blend most of the unwelcome bugs had disappeared.

I placed the following blend in my Ultrasonic Diffuser. You can also use this same blend in an Oil Burner.

• 4 drops Geranium Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops Lavender Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops Peppermint Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops Orange Pure Essential Oil

You can also make your own insect repellent to apply to your skin by mixing this blend with the Value or Luxury Carrier Oil to prevent mosquito bites.

If you’re unlucky enough to have been bitten by a mosquito you can also use pure essential oils to treat the insect bite. One of the keys to their effectiveness is applying the oil blend as soon after an insect bite as possible. The following oils used in massage may be helpful: Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree.

See the online aromatherapy Recipe Finder for further information and useful recipes here

Austine, LeRêve customer of Marcela Giraldo, VIC