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10 Best Essential Oils For Ticks

Pamela Nylander PhD — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 12:06:29 +0000

You will find the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs in this article.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are natural compounds formed by aromatic plants that have a strong odor and evaporate easily^1,2.

All plant parts can produce essential oils, including leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots^1,2.

Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation².

Besides, they are known for their antimicrobial and medicinal properties².

In nature, essential oils play an important role in protecting plants against microbes, insects, and herbivores².

What are ticks?

Ticks are external parasites of animals and occasionally humans, which are accidental hosts^3,4.

They must ingest blood in between each development stage to induce molting^3,4.

Furthermore, adult female ticks feed on blood before producing eggs^3,4.

When ticks bite their host for a blood meal, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis^3,5.

How do essential oils work?

A tick repellent is a substance that diverts a tick from its original destination, reducing tick bite exposure¹.

Essential oils repel ticks thanks to their strong odor and volatility⁶.

They obstruct the tick’s olfactory system, reducing its ability to detect attractant compounds⁶.

Ticks are attracted to odors that mammals give off, such as butyric acid, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and ammonia^1,4,7.

Advantages of essential oils

Natural products, such as essential oils, are an excellent alternative to pesticides for humans and dogs⁸.

They are also safer for the environment than non-degradable compounds, such as DEET¹.

What are the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks?

Here are the 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs:

1. Cedar oil

The Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a large conifer tree native to the Atlas Mountains, a mountain range in North Africa.

Atlas cedar oil, also known as atlas cedarwood oil, is rich in sesquiterpenes, primarily α-himachalenes⁹.

It has insecticidal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-leukemic properties^9,10.

Cedar oil eliminates ticks

Cedar oil is one of the best essential oils for ticks.

A 1% dilution of this oil completely suppresses tick reproduction¹⁰.

A reduction in the number of eggs can be linked to the destruction of mature ticks.

2. Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant native to Sri Lanka and South Asia¹¹.

The essential oil of lemongrass has a strong scent of citrus.

The primary compound identified in lemongrass is geranial¹⁰.

In addition to its acaricidal and larvicidal effects, lemongrass oil possesses a variety of therapeutic properties, including¹¹:

Antibacterial
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-protozoan
Antioxidant
Sedative and anxiolytic

Lemongrass oil eradicates ticks

Lemongrass oil is also amongst the best essential oils for ticks.

Research has reported that a 1% dilution of lemongrass oil entirely eradicated the reproduction of ticks¹⁰.

3. Palmarosa oil

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) is a grass native to India and Indochina.

The essential oil of this plant has a scent similar to roses.

Besides, palmarosa oil shows insecticidal and antifungal effects¹⁰.

The main component of this oil is component is geraniol¹⁰.

Palmarosa oil for ticks

A study revealed that a 5% dilution of palmarosa oil completely suppressed tick reproduction¹⁰.

4. Sweet wormwood oil

Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) is a plant native to China belonging to the Asteraceae family^12,13.

Research has shown that this medicinal herb has anti-malarial activities owing to its content of artemisinin^13,14.

Moreover, Artemisia annua essential oil has insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties^15,16,17.

Sweet wormwood kills ticks

A study reported that Artemisia annua oil killed 100% of ticks at an 8% concentration¹⁴.

The primary compound present in sweet wormwood oil is artemisia ketone^15,17.

5. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is a tall, evergreen tree native to Australia.

The essential oil of eucalyptus is well known for its effects against respiratory bacteria and viruses, in addition to its antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity⁸.

Moreover, it demonstrates insecticidal and repellent action⁸.

Eucalyptus oil for ticks

A study reported that a 10% dilution of eucalyptus oil caused a 97% mortality of ticks¹⁸.

The major constituents of eucalyptol oil are menthol and menthone¹⁸.

6. Geranium oil

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a flowering plant native to South Africa.

This plant is traditionally used for its anti-dysenteric, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects¹⁹.

Geranium oil eliminates ticks

Research has revealed that a 10% dilution of geranium essential oil reduces by 97% the reproductive efficiency of ticks¹⁰.

The main component found in the essential oil of geranium is citronellol¹⁰.

7. Juniper oil

Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a small evergreen conifer tree.

The essential oil of juniper has insecticidal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anthelmintic effects¹⁰.

Juniper oil for ticks

A study indicated that a 10% concentration of juniper essential oil diminished tick reproductive efficiency by 96%¹⁰.

Furthermore, juniper is comparable to DEET (a synthetic acaricide) in its effectiveness in repelling ticks²⁰.

The primary constituent of juniper essential oil is linalool¹⁰.

8. Clove oil

Clove buds are the dried flower buds of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), a medium-sized tree native to Indonesia²¹.

Eugenol is the main compound in clove essential oil²².

Clove essential oil has a wide range of biological activities relevant to human health, including²²

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Insecticidal
Antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-cancer

Clove oil repels ticks

A study has shown that a 3% dilution of clove essential oil repelled 83% of ticks²³.

9. Ginger oil

Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a flowering plant native to India²⁴.

Since ancient times, it has been used as a spice and traditional remedy²⁴.

The ginger essential oil has therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitussive, and anti-cancer properties²⁵.

Ginger oil for ticks

A study showed that a 10% dilution of ginger essential oil reduced tick reproductive efficiency by 94%¹⁰.

The predominant compound in ginger essential oil is zingiberene²⁶.

10. Turmeric oil

Turmeric is a flowering plant (Curcuma longa) native to tropical South Asia²⁷.

Its rhizome is widely used as a spice, especially in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine²⁷.

Furthermore, turmeric has a very long history of medicinal use in India²⁷.

Turmeric oil repels ticks

A study revealed that turmeric essential oil had a stronger repellent action against ticks than DEET, a synthetic acaricide²⁸.

Furthermore, dogs sprayed with turmeric essential oil had about five times fewer ticks than unsprayed dogs²⁸.

The main compound in turmeric oil is curcumin²⁷.

Warning

It is noteworthy that essential oils should neither be ingested nor applied directly on the skin or in the eyes.

Summary: 10 Best essential oils for ticks

Essential oils are natural compounds formed by aromatic plants.

In nature, essential oils play an important role in protecting plants against microbes, insects, and herbivores.

Essential oils repel ticks by diminishing their ability to detect attractant compounds that mammals give off, reducing tick bites.

The 10 best essential oils for repelling ticks on humans and dogs are the following:

Cedar oil
Lemongrass oil
Palmarosa oil
Sweet wormwood oil
Eucalyptus oil
Geranium oil
Juniper oil
Clove oil
Ginger oil
Turmeric oil

The post 10 Best Essential Oils For Ticks appeared first on Cilantro News.

DIY Homemade Tick Repellent Spray Recipe

Pamela Nylander PhD — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 07:59:07 +0000

You will find the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs in this article.

What is a tick?

A tick is a several millimeters long arachnid.

Arachnids are distinguished from insects by their four pairs of legs (instead of three) and two body segments (instead of three).

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans¹.

They feed on their host’s blood before falling off to molt into a different development stage or lay eggs².

Can ticks transmit diseases?

When the tick bites its host, it may (through its saliva) transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause diseases.

Tick-borne diseases in humans include^2,3:

Tick-borne encephalitis
Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease)
Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever
Tick-borne lymphadenopathy

How do ticks locate their host?

Ticks move up on blades of grass or bushes and wait for a suitable host to pass by^1,4.

Being almost blind, they rely on their olfactory system to identify and locate hosts for a successful blood meal^5,6.

The odor of butyric acid, a component of sweat that mammals give off, stimulates the tick to drop onto and attach to a host^6,7.

Ticks that hunt also respond to stimuli, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and ammonia^1,7.

What is a tick repellent?

A tick repellent is a natural or synthetic substance that causes a tick to go away from its initial target⁷.

It works by reducing the tick’s olfactory system⁵.

Tick repellents are either topical, such as sprays, or systemic, like oral remedies.

Topical tick repellent (spray)

Oral tick repellents work by influencing skin metabolism when they are excreted through the pores along with perspiration⁸.

On the other hand, topical tick repellents are applied to the skin or onto clothes⁷.

Oral versus topical repellents

Oral remedies for ticks have a long-lasting effect and can sometimes treat tick-borne diseases.

They are helpful when you are repeatedly exposed to ticks.

However, oral remedies have to be taken regularly for several days or weeks.

On the other hand, topical repellents based on essential oils have a short duration of action⁹.

Yet, tick repellent sprays are a good solution for a walk in the woods or other risk areas.

Synthetic versus natural tick repellents

Tick repellents can be classified into two categories: synthetic and natural products⁷.

Synthetic tick repellent sprays typically contain insecticides, such as^2,7:

DEET
PMD
IR3535
Picaridin

On the other hand, natural tick repellents sprays based on essential oils are safer for humans and dogs⁷.

They also provide an ecological advantage compared to non-degradable products such as DEET⁷.

Moreover, natural tick repellents have similar efficacy to synthetic products⁷.

What is the best oil to repel ticks?

The best essential oils to repel ticks are the following:

Cedar oil
Lemongrass oil
Palmarosa oil

Cedar wood essential oil for ticks.

Cedar oil, lemongrass oil, and palmarosa oil have been shown to completely suppress tick reproduction.

DIY homemade tick repellent spray recipe

Here is the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs.

Utensils

Amber glass empty spray bottle (16 oz)
Measuring cup
Small funnel (optional)

Ingredients

8 oz of water
8 oz of white vinegar
20 drops of cedar oil
20 drops of lemongrass oil
20 drops of palmarosa oil

Recipe

1. Start by filling the measuring cup with 8 oz of water.

2. Add 8 oz of white vinegar and stir.

3. Add 20 drops of each anti-ticks essential oils and stir.

4. Poor the mix into a 16 oz spray bottle.

And voilà! Your DIY homemade tick repellent spray is ready for use.

How to apply a DIY homemade tick repellent spray

For humans

Topical repellents require total coverage of all exposed skin. Wear long sleeves and tuck your trousers into your socks.
Shake the spray bottle to mix up all the ingredients.
Hold the bottle 6 inches away from the target area.
Spray for two to three seconds on your clothes.

Avoid spraying on the skin. Essential oils can cause allergic reactions upon oxidation when used directly on the skin⁹.

For dogs

Shake the spray bottle to mix up all the ingredients.
Hold the bottle 6 inches away from the target area.
Spray for two to three seconds on your dog’s coat.

Avoid spraying on your dog’s skin, eyes, or mouth.

Summary: DIY Homemade tick repellent spray recipe

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans.

They may transmit diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme disease.

Natural tick repellent sprays cause ticks to go away from their initial target, preventing tick bites.

They work by reducing the tick’s olfactory system.

This article gave you the recipe to make a DIY homemade tick repellent spray for humans and dogs based on essential oils, including cedar oil.

The post DIY Homemade Tick Repellent Spray Recipe appeared first on Cilantro News.

3 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ticks

Pamela Nylander PhD — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:04:22 +0000

You will find the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs in this article.

What are ticks?

Ticks are several millimeters long arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida that also includes spiders, scorpions, and mites.

They are present worldwide and can be found in various habitats, from the driest to the most humid¹.

Ticks are external parasites of animals and humans².

They feed on their host’s blood before falling off to molt into a different development stage or lay eggs¹.

What symptoms do ticks cause?

When ticks bite their host, they secrete cement-like saliva that keeps them attached to the skin¹.

This saliva can cause allergic reactions or paralysis in some individuals¹.

It can also transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites to the host¹.

Tick-borne diseases in humans include^1,3:

Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease)
Tick-borne encephalitis
Babesiosis
Anaplasmosis

Percentage of disease transmission

Ticks carrying infectious agents may not necessarily transmit them to humans following a tick bite.

A French study revealed that the risk of transmission from Ixodes, one of the main types of ticks, is inferior to 3%¹.

Furthermore, a Swedish study reported that only 2% of the individuals bitten by ticks carrying Borrelia bacteria were diagnosed with Lyme disease³.

What are tick repellents?

Ticks move up on blades of grass and wait for a suitable host to pass by².

The odor of butyric acid, a component of sweat that mammals give off, stimulates the tick to drop onto and attach to a host.

Tick repellents are substances whose odor reduce the tick’s olfactory system⁴.

Topical versus oral tick repellents

Topical tick repellents, such as sprays, are often perceived as unpleasant by humans or animals⁵.

Also, essential oils used for natural tick sprays have a short duration of action and can cause allergic reactions upon oxidation when used directly on the skin⁶.

As such, topical repellents require total coverage of all exposed skin.

On the other hand, oral natural home remedies for ticks influence the skin metabolism and are therefore more sustainable⁵.

3 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ticks On Humans, Cats, and Dogs

Here are the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs to be taken internally.

They prevent tick bites and prompt ticks to fall off if you have already been bitten.

1. Brewer’s yeast

Brewer’s yeast is a microorganism used for the fermentation of beer.

It is made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of single-celled fungus.

Brewer’s yeast is also used as a dietary supplement given its probiotic properties and high B vitamins and minerals content.

Vitamin B1 repels ticks

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) in brewer’s yeast acts as a tick repellent.

Studies have shown that oral thiamine is excreted through the pores along with perspiration and repels insects and arachnids, including ticks⁵, mosquitoes⁶, and fleas⁷.

Therefore, brewer’s yeast, as a natural source of vitamin B1, represents one of the best natural home remedies for ticks without side effects.

Dosage of brewer’s yeast

Humans: 10 mg/day⁷

Cats and dogs: 170 mg/day per kg⁵

2. Anti-parasitic herbal tincture

A blend of medicinal herbs well known for killing parasites is a tincture called “Green Black Walnut Wormwood Complex”.

It consists of the following herb extracts:

Green walnut (Juglans nigra) hulls
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

Walnut hulls eliminate tick larvae

The walnut hull is the green or black outer walnut husk covering.

A laboratory study has revealed that walnut (Juglans nigra) hull extract killed tick larvae⁸.

The green walnut hull contains methyl palmitate, a plant-borne fatty acid ester with strong acaricidal activity⁸.

Moreover, researchers have found that black walnut could treat some tick-transmitted diseases, such as Lyme disease⁹ and cat-scratch disease¹⁰.

Wormwood kills adult ticks, larvae, and eggs

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a shrubby plant native to Eurasia and North Africa.

Research has reported that wormwood eliminated adult ticks, larvae, and eggs^11,12.

The main active constituents of wormwood include artemisinin, linalool, and camphor¹³.

Clove eradicates adult ticks, larvae, and eggs

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of the tree Syzygium aromaticum native to Indonesia.

Studies have shown that clove essential oil eliminates ticks (adults, larvae, and eggs)^14,15,16.

The bioactive substance is eugenol, an aromatic compound representing up to 95% of the oil’s content^14,16.

Eugenol blocks nerve impulses of arthropods, resulting in paralysis of the tick¹⁶.

In addition, research has reported that clove eliminated tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis¹⁷.

Dosage of the herbal tincture

Humans: take the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle mixed with water.

Big dogs: take half of the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle mixed with water daily.

Cats and small dogs: take 1/4 of the dosage recommended on the label of the dropper bottle.

3. Neem seed oil

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a hardy tree native to India and Africa that grows in deserts and harsh climates¹⁸.

Does neem seed oil kill ticks?

Researchers have found that neem seed oil has activity against adult ticks, larvae, and eggs^18,19,20.

The main active ingredient of this natural home remedy is azadirachtin, a compound that disrupts the development of arthropods^19,21.

Besides, neem seed oil has antifungal and antibacterial effects, making it potentially beneficial for tick-borne disease treatment¹⁸.

Dosage of neem seed oil

Humans: take five drops of neem seed oil mixed with water daily.

Big dogs: take three drops of neem seed oil mixed with water daily.

Cats and small dogs: take one drop of neem oil mixed with water daily.

Side effects of home remedies for ticks

It is noteworthy that neem seed oil has anti-fertility and abortive effects^22,23.

Men and women should therefore not take this oil when trying to conceive.

Summary: 3 Best natural home remedies for ticks

Ticks are small external parasites that can bite animals and humans.

Their saliva may transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, to their host.

Oral natural home remedies for ticks prevent ticks from falling off on mammals due to their repellent properties.

They also prompt ticks to detach from their host.

Here are the 3 best natural home remedies for ticks on humans, cats, and dogs:

Brewer’s yeast
Black green walnut wormwood complex
Neem seed oil

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