DIY Essential Oil Stick for Itchy Bug Bites
Have you ever held a piece of ice to an itchy bug bite and felt the itch calm down?
That’s because cooling creates a numbing effect. It also reduces swelling and inflammation around the itchy bug bite.
But while the cold can feel super-relieving, you don’t want to hold a piece of ice on your skin for too long. That could go from “Ahh, relief!” to “Brr, too cold!” pretty quickly. (And the melting ice would drip all over everything and make a mess!)
Try this cooling, comforting essential oil itch stick instead.
Cooling essential oils for itchy bug bites
This recipe is made with Peppermint oil. Peppermint contains plenty over 35% menthol, a natural component that creates a cooling sensation on the skin by activating cold-sensing nerves. This leads to a soothing, numb feeling where the oil is applied. That’s what helps soothe those itchy bug bites!
I’m blending Peppermint with Eucalyptus, another cooling oil that can help relieve pain thanks to its 1,8-cineole content.
The third oil in this recipe is Cape Chamomile, a strong skin-soother. Cape Chamomile is rich in skin-loving esters, which can calm irritation and help skin repair itself after damage—like a bug bite or exposure to something that makes you scratch-scratch-scratch!
Cooling Chamomile Itch Stick
½ oz (14 g) Beeswax (Cera flava)
½ oz (15 ml) Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
1 oz (28 g) Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
12 drops Cape Chamomile essential oil (Eriocephalus punctulatus)
10 drops Peppermint essential oil (Mentha × piperita)
8 drops Eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
Directions
You can make this blend in two 1 oz (30 ml) push-up tubes. (Look for the types of tubes that often hold lotion bars or small deodorant sticks.) You can also make this recipe in lip balm tubes. It will fill 12 of those.
Set up a stovetop melting method. Try a glass measuring cup in a soup pot that’s about ¼ full of gently boiling water. Make sure the water won’t splash up into the measuring cup.
TIP: Leave the handle of the measuring cup hanging over the side of the pot. It won’t get as hot and will be easier to pick up.
Melt the beeswax in the measuring cup.
Add the coconut oil and melt, stirring gently with a glass stirring rod or stainless steel spoon.
Add the jojoba oil and melt.
Remove the blend from the heat and add the essential oils, stirring gently.
Pour your melted blend into the tubes and allow it to cool.
(If you don't have Cape Chamomile, German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) makes an excellent substitution!)
To use it, just rub the stick over an itchy bug bite, sting, or another irritating skin issue. Try storing it in the fridge for extra cooling comfort!
This recipe is best for adults.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus oils are a little too strong for children (under five years old).
To make a version for kids, try this No-More-Itch Stick for Bug Bites from our blog. It’s made with Lavender and a few other ultra-gentle oils. These oils can also settle anxious feelings, which kids might be dealing with if they’ve gotten a few bites.
REFERENCES
Davies, S.J., Harding, L.M. and Baranowski A.P. (2002) A novel treatment for postherpetic neuralgia using peppermint oil. Clinical Journal of Pain 18, 200-202.
Guimarães, A.G., Quintans, J.S.S. and Quintans-Júnior, L.J. (2013) Monoterpenes with analgesic activity – a systematic review. Phytotherapy Research 27, 1-15.
Silva, J., Abebe, W., Sousa, S.M., Duarte, V.G., Machado, M.I.L. and Matos, F.J.A. (2003) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of eucalyptus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 89, 277-83.
