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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Natural Repellents to Mosquitos

Re-blogged from "care2"

8 Natural Mosquito Repellents

8 Natural Mosquito Repellents

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Before you grab that DEET-based mosquito repellent, consider using a natural option instead. DEET, also known as diethyl-meta-toluamide, by any other name still stinks. And research proves that the main ingredient in commercial mosquito repellents leaves more than a bad odor.  According to a Duke University study, it damages brain cells, can cause behavioural changes, and can have harmful interactions with some medications.  The scientists also observed that it caused brain cell death in animals frequently exposed to or after prolonged use of DEET.

Additional research found that up to 15 percent of DEET is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream.  According to safety data sheets on diethyl-meta-toluaminde, the toxic effects of this chemical include: reproductive disturbances, genetic material mutations, and central nervous system disorders.

There's no need to suffer long-term and serious health consequences to ward off pesky mosquitoes.  Choose a natural alternative that's proven to work as effectively as DEET or in some case, MORE effectively than DEET.

Here are some natural options:

1. Catnip—You can drive cats wild and make mosquitoes run in terror, according to research at Iowa State University which found that the essential oil found in the herb catnip is about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes.

2. Citronella—the old standby. Use only pure essential oil of citronella—not fragrance oil.  Oils purchased in bulk for burning are not adequate for applying topically to your skin.  For your skin it is best to get a high quality citronella essential oil from a natural food store.  While it's not as effective as catnip, it's still a good option.

3. Garlic—eat lots of fresh garlic—mosquitoes can't stand the stuff.

4. Lavender essential oil smells great and is a commonly used and effective mosquito repellent.  It's best diluted in a carrier oil like apricot kernel, sweet almond, or coconut oil.  If you can find organic soy oil, it is also a good option since it also keeps mosquitoes at bay.

5. Neem oil or neem seed oil:  According to a study by the US National Research Council neem oil is more effective than DEET.  The results were confirmed by scientists at the Malaria Institute in India and in research cited in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. Neem is a plant that grows in India.

6. Organic soy oil—Research cited in The New England Journal of Medicine found that repellents made of soybean oil are just as effective as DEET-containing repellents. Soy oil is inexpensive and easy to find, making it an excellent choice. Plus, it is an excellent body moisturizer. As an aside, research shows that an ingredient in soy can slow the growth of body hair when applied topically.  Choose organic soy oil if possible since many soy crops are now genetically-modified.

7. Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)—New research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine shows that lotus is an effective mosquito repellent and also helps kill mosquito larvae.  Since lotus grows in water it is a good option as a natural repellent in backyard ponds and water features rather than something that is applied topically.

8. Black pepper (Piper nigrum)—New research from the same study shows that an extract (the study used an alcohol extract but black pepper essential oil would probably work too) of black pepper is effective in repelling mosquitoes.

I mix about 30 drops of the essential oils of catnip, citronella, lavender, neem, and black pepper (total, so about 6 drops of each essential oil) into about 30 mL of an unscented and natural oil or moisturizer, which I keep handy in a jar. I rub a bit onto my skin prior to heading outdoors. You can also mix 30 drops of these essential oils into organic soy oil for extra protection. Always do a 24-hour skin test to be sure you don't have sensitivities to any of the oils.

Subscribe to my free e-magazine World's Healthiest News to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more. Follow me on my site HealthySurvivalist.com, Twitter @mschoffrocook and Facebook.

Related:
Homemade Herbal Antibacterial Spray
8 Yummy Vegetarian Grilling Recipes

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"Free Food Forest built in Seattle"

Re-blogged from "DailyGood"

Seattle's Free Food Experiment

Posted by Dan Stone of National Geographic Magazine in Change Reaction on April 29, 2013
Photo by Olivia Blackman / Your Shot

Can food be free, fresh and easily accessible? That's the bold question that the city of Seattle is hoping to answer with a new experimental farm not far from the city's downtown that will have fruits and vegetables for anyone to harvest this fall.

On Beacon Hill, just south of central Seattle, landscape developers and a few affordable-food advocates are building an edible food forest. Everything grown in the area, from the tree canopies to the roots, will be edible. And it'll be open around the clock to anyone who wants to come and pick some fresh blueberries or pears. In its first phase, the farm will be 1.5 acres. But if it's successful, the public land it'll sit on—currently owned by Seattle Public Utilities—will be able to accommodate 5.5 more acres of growth.

Photo by Beacon Food Forest

Photo by Beacon Food Forest

One thing that's striking about the idea (other than the idea in itself to have essentially a public farm that anyone can use—or abuse) is how the selection came together. Organizers shared with National Geographic a list of the crop offerings. Many are expected: apples, berries, row vegetables like lettuce or tomatoes. But others are pretty far out. A large Asian community in the area suggested things like Asian pears and honeyberries. A European influence led to the planting of medlar trees.

The concept is modeled on permaculture, a design system and school of thought aimed at returning some land to its own devices. Offering people free, fresh food is one motivation, but making the land useful and ecologically enriched is the larger goal.

That all said, some potential problems come to mind. What if all of one fruit is gone the first weekend its ripe? What if people pick things too early and spoil the potential for everyone? Or even worse: what if a colony of squirrels moves in and gorges while the rest of us are sleeping?

Organizers aren't concerned about those first two questions (the third is a problem, of course, anywhere organic food is grown). "We've had many discussions about what would happen if someone comes and picks all the blueberries?" says Margarett Harrison, the landscape architect designing the project. "But that's been perceived as a good thing. We'll just plant more."

As with anything related to agriculture and good food—in large quantities—take time. Most of the trees won't be mature enough for a few more years. But a few decades could turn the area impressively productive.

Idealistic? Perhaps. But it's the kind of idealism that anyone who likes to eat fresh things from time to time can get behind. And that's the type of motivation that organizers hope will keep it going. After it's finished, organizers will offer classes on things like canning fruit or pruning trees. All they'll ask for in exchange are a few hours volunteering at the farm.


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"Food Forest in Seattle" Another New Idea of Manifesting the New Matrix of Golden Age"

  Re-blogged via  DailyGood

Seattle's Free Food Experiment

Posted by Dan Stone of National Geographic Magazine in Change Reaction on April 29, 2013
Photo by Olivia Blackman / Your Shot

Can food be free, fresh and easily accessible? That's the bold question that the city of Seattle is hoping to answer with a new experimental farm not far from the city's downtown that will have fruits and vegetables for anyone to harvest this fall.

On Beacon Hill, just south of central Seattle, landscape developers and a few affordable-food advocates are building an edible food forest. Everything grown in the area, from the tree canopies to the roots, will be edible. And it'll be open around the clock to anyone who wants to come and pick some fresh blueberries or pears. In its first phase, the farm will be 1.5 acres. But if it's successful, the public land it'll sit on—currently owned by Seattle Public Utilities—will be able to accommodate 5.5 more acres of growth.

Photo by Beacon Food Forest

Photo by Beacon Food Forest

One thing that's striking about the idea (other than the idea in itself to have essentially a public farm that anyone can use—or abuse) is how the selection came together. Organizers shared with National Geographic a list of the crop offerings. Many are expected: apples, berries, row vegetables like lettuce or tomatoes. But others are pretty far out. A large Asian community in the area suggested things like Asian pears and honeyberries. A European influence led to the planting of medlar trees.

The concept is modeled on permaculture, a design system and school of thought aimed at returning some land to its own devices. Offering people free, fresh food is one motivation, but making the land useful and ecologically enriched is the larger goal.

That all said, some potential problems come to mind. What if all of one fruit is gone the first weekend its ripe? What if people pick things too early and spoil the potential for everyone? Or even worse: what if a colony of squirrels moves in and gorges while the rest of us are sleeping?

Organizers aren't concerned about those first two questions (the third is a problem, of course, anywhere organic food is grown). "We've had many discussions about what would happen if someone comes and picks all the blueberries?" says Margarett Harrison, the landscape architect designing the project. "But that's been perceived as a good thing. We'll just plant more."

As with anything related to agriculture and good food—in large quantities—take time. Most of the trees won't be mature enough for a few more years. But a few decades could turn the area impressively productive.

Idealistic? Perhaps. But it's the kind of idealism that anyone who likes to eat fresh things from time to time can get behind. And that's the type of motivation that organizers hope will keep it going. After it's finished, organizers will offer classes on things like canning fruit or pruning trees. All they'll ask for in exchange are a few hours volunteering at the farm.

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The "Alchemical Egg"

The Alchemical Egg

The "Ovum Philosophicum," which can be translated as the Philosophical or Alchemical Egg, is the principal vessel used in alchemical operations. During the alchemical process, the material, Hermetically sealed in the Egg, is put through a symbolic death and rebirth. When the Egg was cracked, a new mystical substance emerged which was an elixir that prolonged life and acted as a catalyst capable of improving any substance that it came in contact with. This substance, called the Philosopher's Stone, could change lead into gold and change an ordinary person into an enlightened master.


Robert M Place

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the web site of
Robert M. Place
world renowned Tarot scholar, illustrator, and author,

 

the designer and author of

The Alchemical Tarot
The Angels Tarot
The Tarot of the Saints
The Buddha Tarot
The Vampire Tarot

and his newest deck

The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery

The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery

 

Place is also the author of

The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination,
Astrology and Divination
 Shamanism
Magic and Alchemy

The Fool's Journey:

The History, Art, & Symbolism of the Tarot

and

Alchemy and the Tarot

 

 

The guest of honor at the Grand Opening of the 2007 Museo dei Tarocchi, Riloa, Italy

 

The curator of

"The Fool's Journey: the History and Symbolism of the Tarot,"

the 2010 exhibition, at the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angles, California  

 

And a frequent guest on television, radio, and the Internet


 

To receive The Restored Temple of Hermes, the free newsletter of the Alchemical Egg, e-mailed every other month or so, with articles and news about up-coming lectures, workshops, and publications, send an e-mail to me with The Restored Temple of Hermes in the subject line. Also, please let me know what state or country you live in.

robroseplac@aol.com

Issue 31 of the Restored Temple of Hermes was sent out on February 24, 2013. If you did not receive it you may need to send me an updated email address.

 

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Your Garden will not green-grow
-if you do not water it properly-