Insect Repellent

[covenrochester]

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria)

There have been past scientific studies that have concluded that both the Oil and the Tincture of either Catnip (Nepeta cataria) or Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) will outperform products containing DEET as an insect repellent, i.e., against fleas, ticks, mosquitos. The Yarrow was not as strong as the Catnip, but it still outperformed DEET. And wild Yarrow (white flowers) outperforms the cultivars (yellow, pink, red, etc.).

The trade-off, however, is that the Catnip or Yarrow (in either Oil or Tincture form) must be reapplied about every 30 minutes, whereas DEET products may last up to 12 hours.

Still, if you want to go out simply for an hour or two without being bitten, the tincture or oil of Catnip or Yarrow is a viable option, and not too troublesome.

Making your own is best of course. If you choose to go with the tincture, you can dilute it with distilled water by half and put it in a spray bottle. And, if you choose to go the route of the Oil, you might consider turning it into an Ointment or Lotion.

If you need help, ask your local medicine woman or witch doctor. One hint: all aerial parts of the Catnip may be used when the plant is in flower. Yarrow medicines of this nature are made only with the flowering tops, i.e., about the top 1/3 of the plant. Other medicines can be made from Yarrow (the root, for instance, has uses for toothache), but we are not concerned with them here.

Yarrow has so many uses that the Coven makes at least two quarts of the tincture every year. We grew Catnip in a pot a couple of years ago, and got sufficient material to make at least 8 oz. of tincture.

If you would like to try your hand at growing some friends in the Green Kingdom this year, now is the time to start thinking about seeds and pre-planting.

*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester