NATURAL WAY TO KEEP PESKY MOSSIES AND OTHER BUGS AT BAY
NOBODY enjoys the way insect repellent feels on their skin, especially when bugs are such a big part of life in the Far North.
North Cairns wellness advocate Courtney Pitcher has developed a way to ward off mosquitoes – without using chemicals.
“When I moved here with my son I was really concerned about using insect repellents, because I know that can be very bad for the central nervous system if used frequently,” Ms Pitcher said.
“We were just being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
“I played around with a few different essential oils to ward off any insects.”
Ms Pitcher said the secret was in creating an all-natural citronella.
“You can make a blend of oils with lemongrass, which is really good at keeping the bugs away, tea-tree oil, and I mix some lavender with mine so that it took the smell of the citronella,” she said.
“You can add that to a fractionated coconut oil to apply it or just use a couple of drops straight on the skin. That will last for a couple of hours. It feels so much nicer on the skin than repellent.”
Ms Pitcher said tea-tree oil also doubled as a natural treatment for fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
“Tea tree is one of my favourites. This can be applied topically to any cuts or wounds, infections such as athlete’s foot, and it’s also really good for acne to clear away bacteria,” she said.
Tea tree oil, taken from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree native to Queensland and NSW, is exported from Australia as a natural treatment for cuts.
Director of wound management consultancy Jan Rice Woundcare Services, Jan Rice, said tea-tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, could be used on cuts, stings, minor burns and grazes.
“We know that many Australians prefer to use natural treatments whenever possible,” she said.
“We also know the healing properties of melaleuca oil are well established in treating wounds. Melaleuca oil has been traditionally used to support healing in wound care and burns.”
She said the benefits of the oil would keep people from Australia and around the world using tea-tree oil as a topical treatment for sores and fungal infections. Ms Pitcher will present a series of workshops, starting tomorrow, teaching people to blend their own oils, make signature scents and reduce toxins in the home.
Entry to the scent workshops is $30, while the others cost $15.