'Natural' Insect Repellent

Citriodiol and Citrepel are trade names for the compound that is derived from Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and used as the active ingredient in several diferent insect repellents. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus Citriodora tree - it is a natural product and it works very well as an effective alternative to DEET.

Herbs have been used for making insect repellents since the dawn of time when man first discovered they could be used to reduce the ferocity of insect attack. In some cases the active ingredients have now been identified and synthesised in the laboratory, but there is still a place for some of the simpler formulations using traditional ingredients. It should be remembered though that whilst they can be quite effective they should never be relied upon where there is a serious risk of insect bourne disease.

Pyrethrin is the name given to an extract derived from the Pyrethrum plant, which is better known as the Chrysanthemum. Pyrethrin is a natural product and it works well as an insecticide and insect repellent. It is not the same as Permethrin - a synthetic, man-made form of Pyrethrin.

Citronella Oil has been used as a natural insect repellent for thousands of years. It is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon - a type of grass originating in tropical Asia - and it can be used as a repellent in various different ways.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is said to have insect repellent properties if taken in large doses. People used to take it orally in tablet form, but nowadays it's more usual for it to be absorbed through the skin via a patch. Most independent studies seem to conclude that it doesn't actually work very well as an insect repellent so it should never be relied upon when there is any risk of catching an insect bourne disease, but in less hazardous environments if it works for you then that's just fine!