Honey research and Catnip as mosquito repellent

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Came across these today and thought that I would pass them along. Amazing that medical science is just learning (validating) things that have been known for years.

August 19 - Scientists may finally have found a sweet substance that is good for you - honey, it was announced today. The darker the honey the better - and early laboratory studies suggest it may even have heart health properties. Researchers told a conference of the American Chemical Society that they had identified a range of "anti-oxidants" in honey that could be as powerful as those found in apples, oranges and other health-boosting fruit.

Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm CHICAGO, August 27 — Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

The finding was reported today at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, by the same Iowa State University research group that two years ago discovered that catnip also repels cockroaches

-- BC (desertdweller@yahoo.com), August 20, 2002

Answers

Gee Stan has the market on both honey & catnip. Now if he comes up with a good formula I'd be the first to try it. The mosquitos have finally arrived at my place, up until last week I had no problems but now I seem to get bit everytime I go outside.:( I won't use Deet products & the Skin So Soft doesn't seem to deter them either.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), August 20, 2002.

In the Pacific Northwest, penny royal grows wild. I remember just picking some and rubbing it on my arms , neck and head. The mosquitos didn't bother me afterwards.I know they sell the extract, for lots of $$, but I've never used it.Too expensive to be practical, for me it is anyway.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 21, 2002.

Today I'm going to mix up a batch of my own bug repellant using my essential oils. I've dug out some of my books and started making a list of oils that are effective against bugs but won't burn my skin. We'll see what happens. I've used most of the oils for spiritual purposes; so singly they don't bother my skin but I'm not sure if there will be some sort of allergy factor when I combine them.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), August 21, 2002.

I've used the penny royal extracts and it seems to work very well, they still light but don't bite. Another is the use of lemon grass roots to repel them and keep them away from an area where it is growing.

-- BC (desertdewller@yahoo.com), August 21, 2002.

BC , you probably know about " Back to Eden " , a book by Jethro Kloss . That book has a lot of info on medicinal plants.and How to use them .I mentioned it just in case others haven't heard of it. I've used a pultice recommended from that book on a kitten that was bit by a dog and had a large boil on it's belly from the attack. The boil came to a head within 24 hours.This was back in the 70's. Because the book isn't made too strong, my copy has fallen apart.I need to get a new one.The new copies are also revised with added information.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 21, 2002.


Kathy , you have me wondering what you mean by :"I've used most of the oils for spiritual purposes ". This is something I haven't heard of and would like to know about , if it's something you'll share.I know about the sage smudge sticks ,that are burned in drum circles I've attened.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 21, 2002.

Steve, I use the oils for purification during different rituals as well as during meditation. Way back we had a thread that dealt with religion/faith/spirituality. I follow a spiritual path that is eclectic but mainly my religious practices follow those of a Green/Gaian Witch. Green witches use herbs,oils & natural substances much more (than other groups) in their lives & religious practices. The oils are used before full moon rituals,prayer/meditation,sabbats (holidays), for special events like hand fastings(our version of a religious wedding),to center our minds & bring ourselves in closer unity to the earth & it's inhabitants and to bless the candles we use. If you're interested I will gladly supply a couple of links that better explain what we believe and what we do & Don't do, there is much mis-information regarding our path and practices. Many homesteaders follow the many pagan paths; I know there are a few others on this board, it just seems natural when you spend so much time in nature & see the complete circle of life daily. I started my life as a Catholic just in case you were wondering. :) If you have any questions just ask, that's the only way to learn. Although I don't push my views & faith on others I am always glad to discuss them with others. The more we know about the things that seem like major differences the more we'll see just how much we are all alike-IMO. Have a great day!! KA

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), August 21, 2002.

Put the links here I want to check them out.....I base my faith on the teachings of the one whose name was changed to Jesus ,which I believe was done to disassociate him from what he was, a Hebrew .I also believe many parts are missing from his teachings, maybe they got lost, Maybe somebody didn't want the rest of the story told or the main stream public to know the full truth. I also know reincarnation exsist ,which I've been dammed to the devil by some preaches here for my beliefs. I just tell them, I'm a born again Christian , and born again and again . Being in a catholic school for 7 years, the nun thought us to respect other religions.Not all the nuns were this way. It was a special few , who had good hearts and were kind people.I've read parts of the koran ( muslim ) read some buddist beliefs , Hare Krishnas taught me to eat natural foods and in the early 70's ...I was exposed to some of their eating habits at rock-n-roll concerts where they gave out free natural snacks to hungry teenagers, and had a consession where they sold vegetarian foods. I still like to hear or read about other cultures and religions and sometimes incoropate others beliefs and customs into my own.You might know this , alot of American Presidents and even some of the wealthiest people in the world have, had tarrot card readings done, that they believe has help them get or maintain their power.Their are tarrot card readers that are world recognized and have a vow of silence of who their customers are. Some Presidents who claim to be , and are supported by right wing consevative Christians organizations, are secretely having these highly reputatble tarrot card readers help their careers.I believe they could help one achieve power. But I also believe wanting power ,keeps one stuck in the illusion of the material world.I 'm trying to break loose from the illusion to achieve true freedom. So I have no desire for power in the material world. I have a real funny story of a tarrot card reader who I knew, and she did readings over the phone one day when I was sitting in the next chair close to her.The person on the phone kept telling her , nothing she told them realated to what was happening in their life. She looked real frustrated. I never told her, but everything she told the person on the phone that the tarrot cards indicated , related to things that were currently going on in my life that this women didn't know about. It's was unbelievable accurate....Since I never wanted my life read with tarrot cards, I didn't want to tell her.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@home.com), August 21, 2002.

Here you go Steve. I'm glad to hear you keep an open mind regarding others beliefs. So much of the worlds troubles are over this very issue-religious beliefs and who's are right. I don't believe that any one faith/religion is right or wrong, if you follow it with a pure heart I believe you will be judged on your intentions-not denomination. As I said, I'm eclectic in my beliefs having studied many different cultures & religions. Even some of the things on these sites I do not follow but overall they do a much better job of explaining in a condensed version what I believe & practice. You may want to try some of the herbal recipes on the recipe goddess site-they're mighty tasty.:) I have a Tarot deck but it's not something I find useable for me. I didn't know about the Presidents & tarot but I do remember Nancy Reagan & the astrologer-that caused quite a flap during President Reagans term. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask-I'll do my best to give you an intelligent,honest answer.

http://www.geocities.com/greenwitchcraft/greenwitchcraft.html

http://poppy121.tripod.com/shamaness/id12.html

http://www.feri.com/frand/Wicca4.html

http://www.angelfire.com/on/wicca/MainPage.html

http://www.recipegoddess.com/witchery.html

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), August 21, 2002.


I found another copy of BACK to EDEN at a good will store,, a hard copy !!>So, now I have the soft cover, and hard cover,,, those soft covers just dont last long when you use them alot. I love that book, though I dont think the hard cover is updated, so there is alot of info that is missing from it

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), August 24, 2002.


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