By Hillary Arrieta, Certified Aromatherapist

It’s summer and that means longer days and fun outdoor activities. Like many yogis, I love walking and hiking in nature and if it were up to me, I’d probably spend most of my time outdoors. However, mosquitoes are a problem pretty much everywhere you go.

A few years back, I was at an outdoor meditation retreat where I forgot about these pesky and unrelenting creatures. I came away with welts that were so itchy and miserable that I decided to blend something that could take the sting out and give me some relief. This aromatherapy recipe worked like a charm! I make sure to always have some of it handy for the summertime.

For this recipe, you will need to gather essential oils of:

4 drops Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

4 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

2 drops of Tulsi (holy basil) (Ocimum sanctum ct eugenol)

3 drops of Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

(1) One ounce PET plastic flip top bottle.

Carrier options:

One ounce of any of the following: Organic, unscented lotion, aloe vera juice (a nice and cooling option), or your choice of organic, cold pressed seed or vegetable oil.

Fill the bottle almost to the top with your carrier product. Drop by drop, add your essential oils. Shake to mix and apply to the itchy bites as needed. Avoid the area if the skin is broken and/or bleeding.

Pro tip: Add your blend to a glass roller bottle for on-the-go convenience.

Hillary Arrieta owns Gaia Bodywork, a wellness studio in Richardson that specializes in holistic bodywork. Hillary is a certified aromatherapist and offers custom blends for her clients.

Find out more by contacting her at www.gaiabodywork.com or 214-709-6394