10 natural ways to keep your home mosquito-free
Linked to diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, elephantiasis
and many more vector borne diseases, mosquitoes are a big menace to
humanity. While most of us turn to chemical insecticides to kill
mosquitoes, these chemical agents have been known to cause allergic
reactions in some and are simply harmful for others. So, if you are
looking for all natural ways to get rid of those pesky critters, then
here are 10 ways to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Neem
oil: Neem has a number of great benefits for the human body, but apart
from being an elixir for your health, neem is also a great
mosquito-repellent. A study published in the Journal of the American
Mosquito Control Association {1} found that mixing neem oil with coconut
oil in a 1:1 ratio is a really effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Being a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-protozoal
agent, neem lends your skin a particular smell that wards off
mosquitoes. To make an effective insecticide mix neem oil and coconut
oil in equal portions and rub it on your body (all exposed parts). This
will protect you from mosquito bites for at least eight hours.
Eucalyptus
and lemon oil: Recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) as
an effective insect-repellent the mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus
oil is extremely effective in repelling mosquitoes – naturally. The way
lemon oil and eucalyptus oil works is due to its active component
cineole, which has both antiseptic and insect-repellent properties when
applied to the skin. The best part about this mixture is that it is
natural and does not come with all the ill effects of chemical mosquito
repellents. To use this mixture, mix lemon oil and eucalyptus oil in
equal proportions and use it on your body.
Camphor:
Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Made from the extract
of a tree, this compound has been found to have the longest mosquito
repellent activity when compared to other natural products. {2}Light
camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way
for about fifteen to twenty minutes and go back to a mosquito free
environment.
Tulsi: According to data published
in the Parasitology Research Journal {3} tulsi was extremely effective
in killing mosquito larvae and helped keep mosquitoes away. Moreover,
according Ayurveda simply planting a tulsi shrub near your window is all
you need to keep mosquitoes away. The plant has properties that do not
allow mosquitoes to breed and will prevent them from entering your
house.
Garlic: Is a great way to keep
mosquitoes at bay. It might smell bad, but that is exactly why
mosquitoes stay away. The strong and pungent odour of garlic is known to
prevent mosquito bites and even prevents them from entering your home.
So to use this remedy you could crush up a few pods of garlic, boil it
in water and use the water to spray around the room you want to keep
mosquito free. If you are the adventurous type (or really hate
mosquitoes), you could also spray it on yourself to avoid being bitten.
Tea
tree oil: It has numerous benefits for your skin and hair and is a very
powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent as well, but did you know
that tea tree oil is also perfect to drive mosquitoes away? Well, the
odour and its antifungal and antibacterial properties help prevent
mosquitoes from biting you and drive them away. So if you want to use
this remedy you could either rub some tea tree oil on your skin or add a
few drops of it to a vaporizer. This way the scent of tea tree oil
permeates the air keeping mosquitoes at bay.
Mint
: If the scent of mint relaxes you then this remedy is for you.
According to a study published in the Journal of Bioresource Technology
{4} found that mint oil and mint extract is as effective as any other
insect repellent. You can use mint leaves and essence in a number of
ways. You can choose to use it in a vaporizer to help fill the room with
the scent of mint, apply the oil on your body or plant the shrub
outside your rooms window. Alternatively you could mix a bit of
mint-flavoured mouthwash with water and spray it around your home.
Lavender:
Not only does it smell absolutely divine but it is also a great way to
keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay. The scent of this flower is often
quite strong for mosquitoes making them unable to bite. So to use this
home remedy, use lavender oil as a natural room freshener or apply it on
your skin (you can mix it with your cream) for best results.
Citronella:
Citronella oil is an essential oil extracted from citronella grass.
This oil has been known to prevent mosquito bites extremely efficiently.
So much so, that many people resort to using this extract instead of
chemical agents. All you need to do is infuse this extract in a candle
or use it in a vaporizer to help you stay mosquito bite free.
Plant
trees: If you thought that trees and shrubs led the breeding of more
mosquitoes, you are wrong. Planting the right kind of shrubs and trees
can go a long way in keeping your home mosquito free. Shrubs of tulsi,
mint, marigold, trees of lemon and neem and planting citronella grass
are all extremely effective in preventing the breeding of mosquitoes –
keeping you safe from dreaded vector borne diseases; naturally.
Source : http://health.india.com/
Kadara (corn) is initially painless in condition but with
its progress it may become painful. In modern science, corn is being
treated by using anti inflammatory drugs, corn cap, saliciylic acid and
excision. But even today there is no satisfactory and permanent
treatment available for corn because of its high recurrence tendency.
According to Ayurveda, 'Kadara' can be correlated with the condition of
'corn'. Aacharya Sushrut has advised Agnikarma (cauterization) for
Kadara. Hence, in this study corn (Kadara) was treated by Agnikarma with
Panchadhatu Shalaka (instrument made of 5 metals) in a systematic
manner for a duration of 15 days with intervals of 5 days in 3 sittings.
Here, we have applied two types of Agnikarma. i.e. Pratisaran (flat
type of cauterization) and Bindu (dotted type of cauterization) which
were used in combination with application of Tilatailam (sesame oil) for
better results. This combination therapy provided cured management
which is observed in the present case study. The patient was followed
upto 6 months for observation of recurrence.
