Witch Hazel to Take the Sting Out
As the end of summer approaches and football season begins, many of us will be spending a lot of time outside. Last-minute family reunions, Labor Day barbecues, and evening football practice will have us and our loved ones out and about. Sadly, as we catch the sun before it’s gone, there are a few pesky bugs following us around chasing us back inside. The main one being the infamous mosquito.
Mosquitos come around heavily during this time a year as if they want to enjoy the end of summer as much as we do! It’s as If they know fall is around the corner, and with the beginning of that season, theirs will come to an end. Though most people don’t enjoy mosquitos, they are nice enough to leave a thank you gift behind. Ever notice the small bump that mosquitos leave behind after they bite? You know, the one that leaves you with a terrible urge to scratch that seems to last a few days? Mosquito bites are almost a rite of passage for those in the south. Most mosquito bites are harmless, but some can cause illness. Mosquitos are known for spreading diseases, which is unfortunate for us as they are naturally attracted to human blood. So, even though we can’t stop them from biting you, we have a great recipe to help with the itch that happens after the bite!
Did you know that witch hazel can help with bug bites? With its anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel is great for treating bug bites. Witch hazel contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to the skin. Witch hazel can calm skin irritations by soothing the burning a bite causes and can speed up healing!
You will need:
- 4 oz witch hazel
- 4 oz boiled water
- Lavender oil (for smell)
- 1 spray bottle (8 oz)
- ½ tsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
How you’ll make it:
1) Fill your spray bottle with the witch hazel and then fill nearly to the tip with water.
2) Add glycerin, if using.
3) Add 40-50 drops of lavender essential oil.
4) Shake well to mix, and you’re ready to go!
There you have it! Your own mosquito spray that you can make at any time! However, if that mosquito bite begins to look a little abnormal, check into a Healthcare Express near you!
Check with us tomorrow for other great tips and life hacks!
