Herbal Insect Repellents

One of the most effective herbal insect repellents is oil of citronella. The oil is applied to the whole body and will protect you from insect bites. Oil of citronella is an essential oil obtained from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon citratus or, as it is more commonly known, lemon grass. It has strong anti-fungal properties as well as being used extensively as an insect repellent. In the United States it has been registered for this use since 1948. Citronella is considered by the environmental protection agency in the United States as a biopesticide with a non toxic mode of action.

Another herbal insect repellent, but used to a lesser extent is Common Rue (Ruta graveolens). It is  a strongly scented evergreen shrub which  has many uses, ranging from relieving stomach cramps to inducing miscarriages. However, it is perhaps best known as an insect repellent and is especially effective against fleas.  Long time ago Judges in the United Kingdom customarily would hold courts having sprigs of rue on the bench to allegedly help combat spread of pestilence and the the possibility of goal fever. While the jury is still out on such uses of common rue, its use as an insect repellent is not in dispute but substances containing rue should never be applied directly to the skin because they can cause burning and blisters especially in hot weather.