Treatment - Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal mentha pulegium has been used for centuries for repelling fleas and other insects.

Pennyroyal Spray
A spray made up of the crushed leaves of the pennyroyal plant or pennyroyal oil.

Requirements

 * One handful of pennyroyal leaves or 10 drops of pennyroyal essential oil
 * Water
 * Sprayer
 * Filter or mesh (optional)

Method

 * 1) Add one handful of crushed dried or fresh pennyroyal leaves to two cups of water.
 * 2) Mix the leaves in well then drain.
 * 3) Alternatively, use 10 drops of pennyroyal oil
 * 4) Add the resulting mixture to a 500ml sprayer and fill it up with water
 * 5) Spray areas with insects

This spray can also be used sparingly on skin and clothes. It must not be used if any person present is pregnant.

Pennyroyal flowers can be dried to produce pennyroyal oil. This is a highly toxic substance for which can cause kill humans at a dose of 10ml. This oil can be highly effective against insects but must never be allowed to touch the skin directly unless diluted.

Up to 5 drops of eucalyptus oil, and/or up to 5 drops of lemongrass oil can be added to the spray.

Requirements

 * Fresh pennyroyal leaves

Method

 * 1) Rub the pennyroyal leaves on the skin to repel
 * 2) Hold a pennyroyal leaf against insect bites in the skin