Summer is a welcome change of season for most people, but it comes with some drawbacks – specifically, it’s bug season in most parts of the world.
In addition to sunscreen, most people take to slathering on insect repellent for the long hours spent enjoying the outdoors.
But insect repellent can have serious drawbacks – one of the most commonly used repellents, DEET, is a known neurotoxin (especially in children)(1) which can cause severe allergic reactions – even in people with no history of allergic reactions to insect repellents(2).
Fortunately, people who want to avoid troublesome insect bites this summer have a friend in yarrow herb, which can be used as a natural insect repellent when properly prepared.
Natural Insect Repellent Recipe
Ingredients
- Enough fresh yarrow to fill a medium-sized jar, roughly 2 cups
- Enough 100-proof vodka to fill the same jar
Instructions
Go through the yarrow plant and discard any damaged plant material. Do not wash the yarrow. Chop the yarrow plant coarsely, leaving the flowers and buds intact. Fill the jar with the chopped yarrow plant, then cover the plant with 100 proof vodka. Fill the jar to the top, then cap the jar and label it. Leave it overnight, then top it up with vodka again the next day – the vodka levels will go down as the plant absorbs it.
Let the tincture steep for at least six weeks, then strain it into a spray bottle for use.