Elizabeth Johnson Summer is on and that means bug bites are on the rise. As a mother, I worry about the chemicals in insect sprays and pain medicine. Using essential oil for bug bites is a more natural solution to these itchy annoying pests.
I feel comfortable using essential oil for bug bites, rashes, cuts, and other topical skin issues. As with anything you need to use safety measures, which in the case with essential oils is diluting with carrier oils and doing a little research.
There are essential oils that are “hotter” than others, so it is important to understand what you are using and how to use it.
Keep reading for my best tips on how to use essential oils for itching. These 7 essential oil for bug bites are what I have found to be the best oils to treat your irritated skin.
How to Use Essential Oils for Itching
Like I said, safety is very important when using essential oils. The only time you hear negative comments about essential oil is usually allergic reactions. But the notion that essential oils are not safe because you may have a reaction is nonsense.
I mean, think about it, would you use any other medicine without following the directions?
Essential oils have dosing rules too. The most important aspect when using essential oil for bug bites is to understand that some oils may be used directly on the bite in a small amount with a Qtip or finger. But for treating larger areas like a rash you will want to use them diluted.
I refer to the Tisserand Institute for safety guidelines and their super helpful essential oil dilution chart. Robert Tisserand is a world-renowned leading expert in aromatherapy and essential oils.
I’ve been using essential oils for years now, and even use them on my children. So, I totally feel comfortable using them. Just be sure to dilute in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil and if you ever have any doubt refer to an expert essential oil site or consult your doctor.
You can use the oils diluted topically, directly on the affected area, or in baths, tinctures, or hydrosol.
Now, that you have a better understanding of how to use essential oils for itching lets get into which oils work the best.
Best Essential Oil for Bug Bites
1. Lavender Aspic Essential Oil (the Anti-Sting Reflex)
Lavender Aspic Essential Oil, you may also find it as Aspic Lavender, quickly relieves insect bites. It has analgesic and calming properties due to the linalool it contains. It is also healing.
Use: Apply 1 drop of pure Aspic Lavender Essential Oil on the bite every 15 min. for 2 hours.
Precautions for Use: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under 6 years, and asthmatic people should not use it.
2. Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Excellent Anti-Inflammatory)
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil is the best essential oil for bug bites with anti-inflammatory properties due to the citronellal it contains. It is derived from a lemon-scented blue gum eucalypti plant and makes a great mosquito repellent.
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil reduces inflammation. It also has anti-infectious properties that prevent the development of bacteria in the bite.
Use: Mix 1 drop of Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil in 4 drops of St. John’s Wort vegetable oil. Apply on the bite, 2 to 3 times a day.
Precautions for Use: Spot test this oil on your skin before using it. It is not suitable for pregnant women in their first trimester and children under 3 years old.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil (Pain-Relieving)
Peppermint Essential Oil has excellent pain-relieving, anesthetic, and refreshing properties. Renowned for its analgesic action, it is one of the best essential oils you need in case of a painful bite.
Peppermint Essential Oil has so many uses that is has become one of my favorite essential oils to have on hand.
Use: Apply 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil on the bite.
Precautions for Use: Breastfeeding women, children under 6 years, and hormone-dependent people should not use this essential oil.
4. Lavender Angustifolia Essential Oil (the Anti-Itch Specialist)
The Lavender Angustifolia Essential Oil, also known as True Lavender Essential Oil, is considered to be one of the best essential oil for bug bites due to its excellent calming, analgesic, and healing properties because of the linalool it contains. Therefore, it’s specialty is relieving pain, itching, and healing the skin after an insect bite.
It is one of the most versatile essential oils of all, and I highly recommend that you always have some on hand.
Use: Apply 1 drop of pure Lavender Essential Oil on the sting every 15 min for 2 hours.
Precautions for Use: It is not suitable for infants under 3 months.
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil is great for preventing all kinds of bug bites and it fights against itching and scarring of insect bite bumps. I recommend Tea Tree Essential Oil for anyone to have in his or her natural medicine cabinet.
Use: Dilute a drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil in a carrier oil or carfully apply it directly on the bite using a cotton swab.
Precautions for Use: Everyone can use Tea Tree essential oil, only pregnant women and people with epilepsy should abstain. Like all essential oils, Tea Tree Essential Oil is very concentrated, so be sure to review its precautions before use.
6. Bourbon Geranium Essential Oil (Good Pain Reliever)
Bourbon Geranium Essential Oil has anti-infectious and healing properties. It is also analgesic and anti-pruritic: it relieves pain and itching.
Use: Mix 2 drops of Bourbon Geranium Essential Oil in 2 drops of St. John’s Wort vegetable oil. Apply on the bite, 2 to 3 times a day.
Precautions for use: Do not apply it directly to the skin.
7. Lemongrass Essential Oil (Best Essential Oil for Bug Bites)
Lemongrass Essential Oil is a superior essential oil for bug bites due to its powerful anti-microbial properties. It helps to reduce pain and itching by reducing the inflammation.
Use: Mix 6 drops of lemongrass essential oil with 1 tbs. of carrier oil and massage into skin.
Precaution for Use: Always use it with carrier oil and try on a small patch of your skin before using it on a larger area of the skin.
Final Thoughts on Essential Oil for Mosquito Bites
We use essential oil for mosquito bites primarily, but you can use it for any bites that itch or cause irritation, inflammation, or pain. I honestly think everyone should try essential oils for their minor injuries and illness before using the big guns—over the counter medicine.
More research is being done everyday to substantiate the effectiveness of essential oils. And though more research is still needed it has become evident that doctors are now wary of over-medicating.
The side effects of medicine now outweigh the benefits. So, natural medicines like essential oils is growing in appeal.
If you are trying to explore alternative medicine and the benefits of essential oil I think you may also enjoy these posts on Essential Oils for Headaches You Need to Try and the 9 Best Essential Oils for Detox.
Let me know how well the essential oil for bug bites work for you and your family in the comments below.
