I don’t know about your area of the world, but here in Coastal North Carolina the season of bugs is upon us. There are times when it seems that nothing can be done except pull out the chemical bug spray. Unfortunately, the chemicals in most bug sprays are far more hazardous than some annoying biting and itching. DEET, for example, can cause skin rashes, lethargy, muscle spasms, nausea, and irritability. An extreme reaction can cause seizures and even death. This is because approximately 56% of the chemicals sprayed on your skin enter the blood stream. There are natural ways to reduce the annoyance and biting caused by insects. There are essential oils that are good at repelling those nasty critters. These oils are citronella, eucalyptus, cedar wood, lemongrass, peppermint and lavender. They are all aromatic essential oils that are all natural and will diminish the biting and stinging. Fortunately, Glynne’s Soaps has a soap that contains all these essential oils plus ravensara, which has been shown to be a natural antihistamine and can reduce the itching caused by bug bites. This soap also has a very pleasant aroma, in fact the different scents are more pronounced to different people. Some really smell the peppermint, others the eucalyptus, and others smell different aspects. Another soap to consider is the Misty Mountain. This soap contains a refreshing blend of Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oils. The Eucalyptus properties help keep the bugs at bay, and the Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic which can keep down the itching and reduce any swelling and inflammation. Both of these soaps are available on our website at www.glynnesoaps.com *The all natural essential oils are not as powerful as the chemical bug sprays. If you have a condition where receiving a bite can be life threatening, please use what is recommended by your physician.