Mosquitos love me. Even at the beach a few weeks ago, while sitting outside one night around the campfire—when I least expected it—the little stinkers started biting me. And within a couple of minutes those bites were puffy and super itchy.
Do you ever have this problem?
I don’t usually have mosquito issues at the beach, so I hadn’t anticipated or really prepared for it! But of course that’s when it usually hits…or in this case, bites. 😜
So what’s the best natural solution for bug bites that actually works?
My #1 go-to is this Bug Bite Roller Blend.
With a combo of four essential oils— the OnGuard “Protective” blend, Tea Tree (aka Melaleuca), Lavender, and Lemongrass—it’s an all-around great blend for soothing any kind of bite!
Why It Works:
✔ OnGuard delivers the numbing powers of Clove and Cinnamon essential oils, and the protective properties of Wild Orange, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary; ✔ Tea Tree provides both cleansing and cooling properties; ✔ Lavender functions as a natural agent for calming and soothing the immune response; ✔ Lemongrass provides an additional boost, purifying and regenerating the skin.
DIY Recipe:
✔ To a 10-mL roller bottle, add 10 drops of each of the following essential oils--OnGuard, Tea Tree, Lavender, and Lemongrass.
✔ Top off with FCO (fractionated coconut oil).
✔ Insert roller top and shake to blend.
✔ Roll onto affected area as needed.
Two More Effective Options
So here’s the thing--maybe you're already familiar with this concept--everyone has his/her own unique body chemistry, and what works really great for one person may not be as effective for another. So while the above option works great for me, it may not necessarily deliver you the same results, depending on your signature chemical makeup.
Which is why I always like to give you other recommendations! If my bug bite blend just isn't cutting it for you, try one of these:
Normally this is our go-to for head and neck tension (after all, it is the “tension blend"), but we’ve found it’s also extremely effective for bug bites!
It’s a blend of the essential oils of Wintergreen, Lavender, Peppermint, Frankincense, Cilantro, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Basil, and Rosemary.
Why It Works:
✔ Wintergreen and Peppermint are powerful agents for cooling, minimizing itchy discomfort, and supporting healthy circulation.
✔ Lavender and Frankincense are universally soothing, calming, and balancing to the skin and immune system.
✔ Basil also supports a healthy inflammatory response and is a popular choice for soothing a variety of bug bites.
How to Use:
✔ PastTense comes undiluted in a 10-mL roller bottle, convenient for applying as-is to affected areas.
✔ For more sensitive skin or to extend the life of your bottle, you can dilute it by adding about 20-30 drops PastTense to an empty 10-mL roller bottle and topping off with fractionated coconut oil (or your preferred carrier oil). Easiest way to transfer your essential oil is by using a pipette or dropper.
This is dōTERRA’s “cleansing blend” that's a key ingredient in my DIY household cleaners and that, incidentally, is also awesome for bug bites, particularly wasp or bee stings.
It’s a blend of the essential oils of Lemon peel, Siberian Fir, Citronella grass, Lime peel, Tea Tree leaf, and Cilantro herb.
Why it Works:
✔ It harnesses the cleansing powers of Lemon, Lime, and Tea Tree (aka, Melaleuca) to flush out toxins and support a healthy histamine response.
✔ Cilantro essential oil, with its antioxidant and cleansing chemical properties, also promotes a gentle detox and healthy immune response.
How to Use:
✔ Apply 1 drop neat (as-is, without dilution) to affected area.
✔ Alternatively, make up a roller bottle with 20-30 drops Purify in a 10mL roller bottle, OR repurpose an empty 15-ml essential oil bottle. Top off with FCO (fractionated coconut oil) and add a roller insert or spray top. Roll or spray onto affected area(s).
These are all great options in the event of a bug bite! But as they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” To buzz off bugs and prevent their pesky attentions in the first place, I highly recommend the DIY Bug Repellent Spray below---it's DEET-free, nontoxic, and highly effective at warding off pesky bugs! (Image shown is my travel-sized version. Recipe given is the family-size bottle. 😉)
DIY Bug Repellent Spray
Ingredients & Supplies:
✔ 4-oz. spray bottle
✔ 25-30 drops Purify Blend
✔ Water (or witch hazel) to fill
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in spray bottle and secure spray top.
2. Shake well to blend.
3. Spray directly onto exposed skin before going outside.
Of course, if you're not into the DIY thing, you can always grab some of dōTERRA's ready-made, nontoxic bug repellent spray here.
Was this helpful to you? Which of these are you most likely to try? Share in the comments below or send me an email! I'd love to hear from you. 😊