Essential Oils for Bug Bites

June 5, 2014

Written by Traci

Essential Oils for Bug Bites

Tis the season for mosquitos, no-see-ums, fire ants and a barrage of biting insects. There are several essential oils that can take the itch and sting out of a bug bite helping to heal it quicker without the red welts from incessant itching.  Some essential oils, like lavender, are anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and cicatrisant, healing skin on a cellular level.  The perfect combination for healing bug bites.

Top 3 Essential Oils for Bug Bites

• Lavender
• Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
• Blue Tansy

Lavender, cedarwood and blue tansy can be used on adult skin undiluted for occasional bug bites.  Put one drop on a cotton ball and apply to bug bites.  I don’t recommend using essential oils undiluted on children and elderly people with thin skin.  Creating a blend in a carrier base such as aloe gel is optimal for them.  Blending essential oils together creates a synergistic effect, often yielding higher results than using one essential oil on it’s own.  Here is an aromatherapy recipe for creating your own bug bite relief to have on hand this summer.

Bug Bite Relief Recipe

• 1 ounce glass or PET plastic bottle with spray cap
• 1 ounce aloe gel
• 5 drops blue tansy essential oil
• 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 7 drops lavender essential oil

Add essential oil drops to container. Add aloe gel. Cap and shake. Spray on bug bites as needed. Store in a cool, dark location for optimal shelf life. You can store in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life longer. The bug bite relief blend will last about 1 year if stored in a cool location.

What essential oils do you use for bugs?