As summer begins, people will be spending more time outdoors. While getting outside has health benefits, concerns are raised about hazards in the natural world, and whether modern treatments are safe. What is worse, DEET or West Nile? Sunburn or toxic chemicals in sunscreens? With so much confusing and often contradicting information, it's hard to know what to believe. We will discuss natural mosquito and bug repellents, treatments for bites and stings, natural ways to protect yourself in the sun, and natural treatments for Lyme disease.
 
Many products work well to deter mosquitoes and other insects but are full of harsh chemicals, including DEET. Studies have shown that DEET has been linked to negative health effects such as rashes, numb or burning lips, headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Children absorb more DEET due to a larger skin-to-body ratio and by constantly putting their hands in their mouth. Mosquito coil smoke contains about 70 different volatile organic compounds including allethrin, phenol, benzene, toluene and xylene.
 
You can make your own safe and effective bug repellents at home, without harsh chemicals. Essential oils have powerful anti-bug properties. The most common ones are eucalyptus, cedarwood, citronella, lemongrass, pennyroyal, tea tree, geranium, catnip, clove, lavender, thyme, yarrow, garlic and peppermint. Neem oil is also an effective bug repellent on its own. Mix and match to see what combination works best for you. Try it in a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol, witch hazel or vodka. Use an oil such as olive, almond, or jojoba, and rub on skin. Mix 20-50 drops with 2 oz carrier oil.
 
Mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a spray bottle and spray on exposed body parts. Strips of cloth can be soaked and hung on a patio as a deterrent. Other deterrents include marigolds, rosemary or sage thrown into hot coals when grilling out, and tansy or basil plants. Thai lemongrass, which contains natural citronella, works great too. Break off a chunk of the plant, rub together between hands until pulpy and juicy, and rub over exposed areas. You can also eat less sugar and a lot more garlic, and avoid all kinds of perfumes-shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, etc.
 
If you do get bites, try these natural remedies to reduce redness and itching. Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread it over bites and let dry. Natural aloe vera will reduce swelling and itching. Soap with German chamomile, Echinacea or ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary and capsicum are anti-inflammatory herbs. Make a cold compress with water and lavender essential oil, chill in the freezer and apply to skin.
 
Many essential oils work well for repelling bees as well. Try a combination of tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint and citronella, diluted in a carrier oil. Dab on hair, collars, wrists, and sock tops. To ease bee stings, chopped basil leaves applied to skin, a drop of lavender on the area, cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar rubbed over stings, or papaya slices work well.
 
Lyme Disease is a serious disease that affects more Americans than originally thought. It is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried on deer ticks. Lyme disease can cause a number of debilitating symptoms, including rash, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, paralysis, confusion, meningitis and death. Antibiotics may help if caught early enough, but many people don't realize a tick bit them right away. Plus, the early stage mimics other conditions and many are misdiagnosed initially.
 
For this disease, the best medicine really is prevention. Eating and wearing garlic while out in the woods can help deter ticks. A mixture with 10-25 drops of rose geranium or pennyroyal (tickweed) in either almond oil or witch hazel can protect people and pets. All Terrain Herbal Armour Natural Insect and Tick Repellent can also be used. Make sure to wear light colored clothes so you can spot ticks and tuck pants into socks.
 
If you do have Lyme disease or the symptoms without a definitive diagnosis, there are some alternatives you can do. Take probiotics to help build up your immune system, fish oil and borage oil to decrease inflammation, Co Q 10, avoid sugars and eat a very healthy diet with organic produce. Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as acupuncture and herbs, can also help. Chiropractic care boosts your immune system and helps fight the infection, while also offering some relief from the discomforts associated with the disease. The herb cat's claw has also been shown to help with Lyme disease symptoms.
 
Our skin is our largest organ, and everything we apply to it enters our body.Sunscreens often contain dangerous chemicals linked to cancer, abnormal sexual development, infertility, free radical damage and decreased ability to detoxify. Some chemicals that are bad for our health include benzophenones, PABA, cinnamates, salicylates, menthyl anthranilate, and avobenzone. According to the American Journal of Public Health, "Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted."
 
Researchers feel it is a combination of the chemicals used being absorbed directly in the skin, and the fact that sunscreens also block Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is produced by direct sun-to-skin contact and has many important functions in the body, including preventing cancer. Beznophenone and other chemicals actually generate free radicals that cause cancer because they break down in the presence of UV light. Why would anyone want to put something on that becomes more toxic in sunlight, and also blocks our bodies own cancer defense mechanism?
 
Natural ways to protect yourself include making your own sunscreen with plain zinc oxide mixed with your favorite all-natural lotion. Zinc oxide acts as a mechanical, not a chemical barrier, so it is much safer. Eat lots of red, deep green and yellow foods for sun-protective benefits. Avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as sugar, processed and refined grains, and non-organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. Take a fish oil supplement to decrease inflammation. Drink lots of water. Wear sun protective clothing. Slowly develop a base tan that will allow you to stay in the sun longer. Tan skin is thicker and more protective.
 
If you do find yourself with a burn, real organic aloe vera, coconut oil, vitamin C serum, or sliced cucumbers can help soothe the area and decrease inflammation. A mixture of peppermint oil or lavender oil with vinegar or witch hazel can also be sprayed over the body. Just be sure to avoid butter, petroleum jelly, or anything drying.
 
As with anything, it's important to look for natural and safer remedies if the ones available are full of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to you, your children, or your pets. Mother nature always gives us what we need to protect ourselves, we just need to know where to look for it.