Some people get excited about the warmer summer months, while others dread the inevitable presence of mosquitos. If you live in a humid area, you can bank on mosquitos arriving if they haven’t already. Those pesky mosquitos attack some more than others, but nobody should suffer from the red, swollen bites. That’s why we found an all-natural balm that provides relief from itchy bug bites.
The ingredients in this balm help to take that irritating itch away from bug bites, while simultaneously accelerating recovery time. The last thing you want in the summer is the persistent itch from a mosquito bite. You may wash the area, apply aloe vera, or use a concoction of lotions and creams to soothe the itch, but seldom do these efforts provide long-term relief. You don’t deserve that; rather, you deserve to be soothed by the following natural ingredients.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most famous essential oils because it has a wide range of health benefits. The antiseptic, anti-itching, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties help to reduce swelling and pain, in addition to reducing your risk of bacterial infection. Whether you get bit by mosquitos, bees, fleas, bed bugs, spiders, fire ants, or ticks, tea tree oil is your go-to bug bite relief essential oil. Keep in mind that you should mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil before applying it on the skin.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy to help promote a calmer mind and healthier sleep. One of the more unknown abilities of lavender is that it can help relieve the pain and itchiness of bug bites. Unlike most essential oils, lavender essential oil can be applied directly to bug bites. One 2012 study found that lavender essential oil had anti-inflammatory effects at a cellular level. This helps accelerate the healing of spider bites, bee stings, and mosquito bites.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Note that you should not apply peppermint essential oil directly to the skin. Please use a carrier oil with this essential oil. According to a 2013 review, peppermint essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the pain and itchiness of intense bug bites, like the ones from fire ants. Another benefit is that peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect on the skin. Finally, the scent of the oil helps repel insects, which can help you avoid future bug bites.
DIY Bug Bite Balm
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons beeswax, grated
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons Shea butter
- 20 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 7 drops peppermint essential oil
- 7 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 3 empty lip balm tubes, or 2 (1 oz.) tins with lids
Instructions:
- Put a 16-ounce mason jar in a medium saucepan and pour about two inches of water into the pot. Turn the flame on to medium heat and allow the water to come to a subtle boil.
- When the water begins to bubble, reduce the heat to a simmer and add the beeswax, coconut oil, and Shea butter to the mason jar. Once these items have liquefied, give the mixture a stir and remove from heat.
- Remove the jar form the water with a potholder or oven mitts and place it on a heat-resistant surface.
- Add the essential oils to the jar and stir to combine.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the lip balm tubes or tins and let it solidify for about an hour and a half. Place caps on and store in a cool, dry place.
- Apply the balm to bug bites to relieve itchiness.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
