Teach Soap

Try mixing it with some eucalyptus and use the blend in a small % in soap.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Mixing it with anything will work. I use it for my dogs, and the smell is fine. You can try lavender, citronella, cedarwood, even a tad of lemon or litsea will cut it and make the scent better. Just remember to watch your percentage of total eo's.

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I haven't tried these combinations myself yet but was just reading these bug repellent EO recipes this afternoon (going camping in a couple weeks and DREADING the skeeters). The blends look like they smell great and they all use citronella.

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/fragr ... blends.htm

PS: I have a citronella (just citronella) natural bug repellant that I bought at the drugstore, and sadly, it hardly did a thing to repel the mosquitoes (we're in Alberta). So I'm hoping that additional EOs will help me come up with a more effective alternative.

HTH,
Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I'm researching anti-mozzie stuff, as someone requested a citronella shampoo from me. From what I've read so far, citronella works on some species really well and on others not so much. It seems like pine oil and eucalyptus are pretty good on the ones citronella isn't so great on though!

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

Thanks Irena and Magia! That's good info ... the mosquitoes are really bad some days this summer because we've had so much precipitation over the past year.

I always hear that catnip EO works really well but the teeny tiny issue I have with that one is, uh, attracting wild cats! LOL. We're going camping in Montana in a couple weeks ... I have to come up with something or I'll be living in the trailer the entire time ...

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

See... now I'd love to see a wild cat... alas there aren't so many in the UK...!

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

Well they're gorgeous ... from the view of your car

They've been known to get a little agressive in the west/midwest so I'd rather *not* attract one! LOL.
Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

The amount of catnip used is such a low concentration (1% gives you the 10x better than DEET effectl) that I doubt it would attract a wild cat. Plus, if you use it in a mix, the other scents will really alter the cat nip scent, so problem gone or at least greatly reduced in my estimation.
You can try mixing 6% Geranium or Rose Geranium, 2% Citronella and 1% Catnip, in a base oil of your choice, or it can be put in 4oz of Vodka plus 8oz of water, or in 4 oz of unscented cream/lotion.

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Then if the big cat does come prowling, you can dig into the leftover vodka to help you cope!

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

See if you can find IFRA guidelines online. That would give you a better idea if/when to use pennyroyal safely. I would not use it in soap, but that's me.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Actually the HERB pennyroyal is a known and proven (and considered safe) abortificant, which cause uterine contractions. However, the essential oil of pennyroyal is a deadly poison when taken internally. In fact, several women have died very painful deaths from ingesting just very small amounts of this eo, trying to get the abortive effect that the herb offers.

Pennyroyal is a known skin irritant. If you want a blend to repel insects, it should be diffused, not applied topically. Also, pennyroyal is not recommended for use in aromatherapy either.

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Tammy - you are my new EO Sage! LOL. Such good information. Thank you!!!

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.