Corymbia citriodora, commonly known as lemon-scented gum or spotted gum, is a species of tall tree that is endemic to north-eastern Australia. It has smooth white to pink bark, narrow lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and urn-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.

Corymbia citriodora is a tree that typically grows to a height of 25–40 m (82–131 ft), sometimes to 50 m (160 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has smooth, pale, uniform or slightly mottled, white to ...

corymbia citriodora

_-1_0

Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

_-1_1

_-1_2

Nothing spoils the mood in spring and summer as annoying biting insects - which seem to fly on swarms to draw on our blood. However, itching is our smallest problem - mosquitoes and ticks are insidious in that they transmit dangerous diseases.

_-1_3

Ticks carry the following dangerous (deadly) diseases:

_-1_4

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lyme disease;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tick encephalitis;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Q-fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemorrhagic fever with kidney syndrome;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marseilles fever and others.</li>
</ul>

_-1_5

Mosquitoes carry very dangerous diseases such as:

_-1_6

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Malaria;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">West Nile fever;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dengue;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Yellow fever.</li>
</ul>

_-1_7

Among the most effective repellents against these insects are chemical ones containing the substances DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, formerly known as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or icaridin (picaridin), but they are not always suitable for use.

_-1_8

DEET may show neurotoxicity in its use in combination with sunscreen and is not recommended in pregnant women unless it is extremely necessary and the risks of infection are greater than the risk of the chemical's effects on the foetus. It cannot be used in children under 2 years of age.

_-1_9

_-1_10

Plant-based repellents are the alternative to chemical repellents (although their action, of course, is also due to chemicals ;) ). In the following lines we will consider which plants and substances from them offer protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and in some cases flies and biting midges. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Chemical_and_Plant_Based_Insect_Repellents_Efficacy_Safety_and_Toxicity_26827259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

Lemon-scented-Gum-Tree-or-Lemon-Eucalyptus-Oil

Lemon-scented Gum Tree or Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Lemon-scented-Gum-Tree-or-Lemon-Eucalyptus-Oil_0_0

The effect of lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora or Eucalyptus citriodora) is due to the substance p-mint-3,8-diol. It offers good protection against mosquitoes and ticks, which lasts up to 2 hours, protecting better from ticks compared to DEET. Also protects against biting midges.

Lemon-scented-Gum-Tree-or-Lemon-Eucalyptus-Oil_0_1

At home, a mixture of 1 part lemon eucalyptus oil and 10 parts of sunflower oil can be prepared. Apply as a spray.

Lemon-scented-Gum-Tree-or-Lemon-Eucalyptus-Oil_0_2

Not suitable for children under 3 years and sufferers of atopic dermatitis.

Permethrin

Permethrin_1_0

The substance is derived from crushed dried colors of Dalmatian chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium). It is highly effective against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and biting midges, but it is applied to clothes, nets, sleeping bags, and not on the skin. It does not damage the fabrics of clothes and plastics. It is necessary to re-apply it only after 5-10 or more laundry cycles.

Permethrin_1_1

It is even more effective when used in combination with other repellents that are put on the skin. In direct contact, it causes insect paralysis, leading to its death.

Permethrin_1_2

Unfortunately, mosquito resistance to permethrin has been observed in recent years.

Permethrin_1_3

Citronella

Citronella_2_0

It is extracted from lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) and offers weak protection only against mosquitoes for up to 2 hours. Its activity is due to the substance 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-al. It is used in the form of candles, oil or lotion.

Citronella_2_1

It can damage clothes and cause irritation on the skin, eyes or cause an allergy.

Essential-Oils

Essential Oils

Essential-Oils_3_0

The most effective essential oils against mosquitoes are [ <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Plant_based_insect_repellents_a_review_of_their_efficacy_development_and_testing_21411012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]:

Essential-Oils_3_1

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">geraniol,</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">mint oil</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">cedar oil,</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">patchouli (Pogostemon cablin),</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">cloves (Syzygium aromaticum).</li>
</ul>

Essential-Oils_3_2

Their activity varies between 60 and 180 minutes, since most of these essential oils are highly volatile and soon evaporate. This problem can be solved by using fixatives or careful formulation to improve durability.

Essential-Oils_3_3

It should be considered that essential oils can irritate the skin and their repellent effect is variable depending on the formulation and concentration. The combination of essential oil and sun can lead to further irritation of the skin. Essential oils are never used directly on the skin undiluted, but always in combination with a carrier oil.

Essential-Oils_3_4

How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites

How To Relieve Itching From Bites

How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites_4_0

Besides hydrocortisone cream from the pharmacy or calamine lotion, there are several homemade remedies that you can try to relieve unpleasant itching from bites:

How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites_4_1

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put a piece of raw onions on the site of the bite;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put freshly chopped garlic on the bite;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rub apple cider vinegar on the affected skin;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with a paste of baking soda and water;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Put on a cold compress;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Place a chilled used bag of chamomile tea on the spot;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with thyme tea;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smear the bite with a pre-prepared extract of St. John's wort in olive oil.</li>
</ul>

How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites_4_2

If nothing helps, just try to focus your attention on something else and avoid scratching, because it will lead to skin damage and potential infection, as well as slower resolution of itching and discomfort.

How-To-Relieve-Itching-From-Bites_4_3

Nature offers several effective means to prevent attacks by mosquitoes, ticks and other bloodsuckers carrying severe diseases. However, in areas with a high prevalence of these infections, it is advisable to use chemical repellents such as DEET, which give greater certainty and long-lasting effect. This is especially true when travelling in some more exotic destinations.