Are Struggling To Find An Effective, Yet Natural Insect Repellent?
Our natural bug repellent is awesome (don’t take my word for it, you can read what people are saying HERE), but when you can make a product even more awesome, you do it.
How, you ask?
Good question.
I’ve added beauty berry to our formula.
That’s all well and good, but what exactly is beauty berry and how is it even remotely helpful.
Well, dear friend, I am glad you asked cause now I get to tell you about this awesome native plant.
You can find beauty berry growing in moist shady areas along wooded edges and paths. You are going to want to get to know this little “beauty-of-the-forest,” because of what it can do for you, especially if you are hiking and the path is swarming with mosquitoes or deer flies. I don’t actually go forage for it, I have it right here on the farm!
The roots, leaves, and branches were used by various Native American tribes for medicinal purposes to treat malarial fevers and rheumatism. The roots were used to treat dizziness, stomachaches and dysentery. Roots and berries were boiled and drunk to treat colic.
The berries (white or purple) can also be made into jams and jellies, although I have never done this. Raw berries can be eaten, but some individuals have reported that it causes stomach upset, so it is probably best to cook them.
It is the leaves, however, that we are most interested in.
Compounds found in beautyberry leaves have shown amazing natural insect repellent properties. In fact, in the 20th century farmers would put crushed leaves under the harnesses of the mules and horses to deter pests.
In 2006, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Products Utilization Research Unit in Oxford, MS, found that extracts from beautyberry leaves could match DEET for repelling mosquitoes. Three compounds were identified, callicarpenal, intermedeol and spathulenol. The research concluded that all three chemicals repulse mosquitoes known to transmit yellow fever and malaria. Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were not tested as part of the study.
So if you are hiking in the woods, all you have to do is crush the leaves and rub it on your skin. When I was working as a naturalist, I would help kids identify this plant and then we would crush the leaves and rub them on as we walked along. They thought this was great!
These same compounds have been shown to work well for fire ants, at least in laboratory situations. I haven’t tired this yet, but we all (at least those in Southeast Texas) know that fire ants can reek havoc around here.
Just a quick note, beauty berry is as effective as DEET, however, it should be noted that it doesn’t last as long and may require more applications. It also is better at flying insects rather than ticks.
Want to give our natural insect repellent a try?
Reply below and let me know OR you can email me at thechosenweeds@gmail.com or call 409-749-0184
Stop buy and grab your family a bottle or even pick a few leaves to make your own tincture. It’s not hard and I can teach you how to do it.
