It’s Getting Buggy Out

by Henri Roca, MD, Clinical Functional Medicine Specialist

The summer season has finally arrived. With all the spring rain come lots of lush summer greenery and colorful flowers… and insects.

Ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, and a host of other organisms that colonize our insect pests like West Nile virus and Lyme Disease thrive in environments with lots of moisture. We can work to decrease opportunities for these pests to thrive by draining puddles, emptying containers with standing water, keeping disease carriers away from where we live,  and keeping the grass mowed low to the ground. We can use toxic pesticides to kill the pests but these pesticides can overwhelm our natural detoxification systems and contribute to attention issues in children, memory or neurological issues in adults, and drive allergies, asthma, and DNA damage in general.

Fortunately, there are many non-toxic options available to protect ourselves from these organisms. For people at very high risk, covering exposed areas of the skin can be very helpful, but in very hot weather it’s not very practical.

Recent data indicates that mosquitoes are attracted to molecules produced by the bacteria on our skin. They are attracted to carboxylic acids including butyric acid. Guess what - no amount of washing or scrubbing your skin can prevent a mosquito from being attracted to your skin microbiome. On a hopeful note, mosquitoes are repelled by eucalyptol.

Bug Band spray and bracelets contain Geraniol, a powerful alternative to toxic insect repellents. Studies done by the University of Florida, both in the field and in the laboratory, indicate that Geraniol effectively repels a whole host of pests including ticks, houseflies, gnats, fire ants, cockroaches and mosquitoes. Citronella, lemon grass and lavender contain Geraniol and may help keep insects at bay when sitting outdoors.

Quantum’s 100% Natural Flea and Tick Spray contains a powerful combination of extracts, including rose geranium, that can be used on pets and people. This all-natural formula uses herbs that are extracted with pure organic alcohol or pure organic apple cider vinegar. The extracts are concentrated to a 1:1 ratio (as opposed to other products diluted to a 4:1 ratio). Remember that dogs carry ticks and fleas, so treating your pets can be helpful for both you and them. Animals are just as prone to these problem organisms as we are. The spray vehicle makes this product convenient to apply. Remember that in hot weather, perspiration may wash these formulas off, so reapplication may be necessary for extended time outside.

Of course once you leave the great outdoors, a careful inspection of your children, pets and self is necessary. Lyme disease can have long lasting effects, so this precaution should not be overlooked. If a tick is found, you should be seen by a physician immediately for medical assessment. AND you should bring the tick to your local health department for testing.

In the case of bites that are red and swollen, the homeopathic remedy “Apis mellifica” can be used to reduce the inflammation and the heat. If the sting causes bruising than the remedy “Ledum Palustre” can be added.

Natural antihistamines can be very effective alternatives to traditional chemical-based antihistamines, with far fewer possible side effects.

Disclaimer: Bug bracelets may not be as effective as conventional, chemical insecticides such as Deet.

Interested In Working Together?

OneMedicine Wellness Services seeks to help you achieve the best & healthiest version of yourself. If you would like to get started on your journey to restoring health, set up a consultation here.

If you would like to learn more about our service offerings, click here.

For questions & comments, please contact us here.