Several years ago I purchased the book The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood  and several essential oils from www.Beeyoutiful.com  and started my journey of natural healing.  Valerie’s book really helped by giving me practical advice about how to use the essential oils.  I started with the Lavender oil, Eucalyptus oil, Peppermint oil, and Lemon oil in looking for the oils that I needed at first.  I used them for cleaning and air fresheners and practical uses.

Then as I was reading more about the chemicals in bug spray I started looking for a remedy both as a repellant and to rub on when we did get bit.  Lavender oil was wonderful to put on after we got bit if we forgot to put any spray on, but the bug spray I made was wonderful in keeping us from getting bit.   I purchased a small blue glass spray bottle from www.mountainroseherbs.com

My recipe for bug repellant is to make a blend of these oils then add 5 drops of this blend to every 4 T of water.

Lavender 10 drops

Thyme 20 drops

Eucalyptus 10 drops

Spray on as needed (especially the ankles and neck!)   

This book, The Aromatherapy Handbook I got as a free kindle edition this week and have really enjoyed reading more about the oils and their uses.  I would recommend either of these books when you want to get started!