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Lyme Disease: Protect Your Family Against the Scourge of the Countryside Without Using Chemicals

An unusual bounty of acorns a couple of years ago attracted lots of rodent-carrying ticks.  Winter’s deep freeze never happened where I live, allowing ticks to abound. Looks like we’re already experiencing a nasty tick season.

While my specialty is successfully addressing Lyme Disease with natural remedies, it’s better if you don’t need my services! As we move into outdoor activities, we should know how to protect ourselves from hosting them.

Dogs and cats are often the carriers of Lyme infected ticks. To fully protect one’s self and fami1y from being bitten, the family pet must also be protected. A successful program for preventing any tick from attaching itself to your pet includes building health and immune function because the healthier pet will be more resistant to ticks. A good health promoter is garlic powder and Brewer’s yeast sprinkled liberally on their food every day (found in a convenient powdered combination in health food stores called PetGuard).

The essential oil of Eucalyptus, derived from the leaf of the tree, contains naturally occurring chemicals repellent to ticks and fleas. See below for the most effective way of using it.

Our cocker spaniel roamed my property for 16 years along with the fertile deer.  She always wore her Eucalyptus bandana and never brought ticks into the house.  By protecting her, I protected myself and my family.

But why save all the good protection for your pets? Before gardening or hiking, I scent myself with “eau de Eucalyptus.” The Eucalyptus/water combination can be sprayed on skin and/or clothing before an outdoor excursion, gardening, or romp in the grass. Eucalyptus diluted in a vegetable carrier oil (like almond, grape seed, sunflower seed oil) can safely be applied to the skin for longer lasting effect. This is a non-toxic alternative to chemical repellents which are hazardous to the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream. Keep in mind that your pet is exposed to the same dangers when exposed to chemical repellents.

Below are the exact directions for using Eucalyptus. The strong but pleasant smell seems to effectively repel the ticks.  There are three ways to use this aromatic oil.

 

  1. In a spray bottle, add 16oz water to 1oz Eucalyptus oil.  Spray on the skin before an outdoor activity, like gardening.  The bottled mixture remains potent for many months.
  2. For longer protection, as in a hike in the woods, mix 10 drops Eucalyptus into ½ ounce almond or sunflower seed oil and apply to skin and clothing.  A larger amount can be pre-mixed for a camping trip or for sending off with a child to summer camp.
  3. Protect your dog and cats from ticks and you will also be protecting yourself!  Some people never touch a blade of grass yet get Lyme disease and wonder why.  Your pet may be transporting the ticks into the house.  Dip a thin rope into the Eucalyptus oil and wrap in a bandana.  Tie the bandana around your pet’s neck, refreshing the rope twice a week.  Your pet will look fashionable and be protected at the same time!  It is best not to tie the Eucalyptus rope directly onto your pet’s skin as it may cause irritation.  The spray bottle of Eucalyptus and water may also be used to spray your pet’s coat before an outdoor romp in the grass or in the woods.

 

Choosing the pleasures of country life over city life means we must learn to cohabit with nature harmoniously.  The fewer chemicals we use internally and externally will mean safer groundwater and air, and healthier bodies.

Do share these important findings with everyone you know. It’s a blessing to be able to help one another.

Until next time…stay healthy, think peace, be love and see love in everyone!

Andrea 

Andrea Candee is a master herbalist for over 25 years with a consultation practice in South Salem, NY. She lectures throughout the country and at corporate wellness centers about taking charge of your health naturally. Media expert and author, her award-winning book, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster), received The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. Andrea is noted nationally for her unique and successful approach to Lyme Disease and works with clients and their pets anywhere in the country. Also available in hard copy or in PDF format are her booklets: Herbs, Recipes & Guidance to Winter WellnessSparkling Home, Healthy Planet, Clean Green, and The Cell Phone Dilemma…options for wellness in an unseen world. Her DVD, The Healing Kitchen, brings the enthusiastically received workshop to you.

 

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