Buzz Off Bug Spray - A Deeper Dive

Did you know in ancient Hebrew the word for light, אוֹר, also means herbs? Jesus is the light of the world, and herbs are a mirror image of God’s light in the world. Let me explain! I had this revelation when I was harvesting these herbs for this insect repellent blend. If Jesus is our only hope against the parasitic evils of this world that wish to destroy us and our destiny, it would make sense that these leaves that are for healing would also repel parasitic insects. I don’t go to the garden for squash to repel bugs, just like I wouldn’t go to false gods (demons) to save me from my sins. Certain herbs repel insects just as Jesus is the one true God that demons flee from. "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Cor. 2:15-16, ESV). NOT TODAY SATAN AND NOT TODAY BUGS! Buzz Off is an all-natural, non-aerosol insect repellent packed with high-quality locally grown ingredients. We cultivate, grow, harvest and distill the citronella, vicks herb, oregano, rosemary, cedarwood, peppermint, and lavender here on our farm in Pennsylvania. We never spray chemicals on any of our plants, and we sustainably source our organic lemongrass and cinnamon to make our own oils. 

Here is a deeper dive into the ingredients of our Buzz Off Bug Spray:

Citronella

Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus) is a medicinal plant with powerful insect-repellent properties, derived from its high concentration of citronella oil, which deters mosquitoes and other pests. The oil, containing compounds like citronellal, also has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Medicinal uses include relief from muscle or joint pain when diluted and massaged, potential use in aromatherapy for relaxation and mood enhancement, and as a topical disinfectant for minor cuts and wounds.

Vicks Herb

Vicks Herb or Vicks plant (Plectranthus tomentosa), has been used in traditional medicine for its menthol-like scent to relieve respiratory issues like congestion, headaches, and colds, and its leaves can be applied as a poultice for skin irritations, muscle aches, and bruising. The leaves contain essential oils with potential antibacterial and antifungal properties, and they can be crushed and inhaled, steeped in hot water to create a vapor, or incorporated into ointments. The vicks plant contains camphor and menthol-like compounds in its aromatic leaves, which give off a scent that naturally repels mosquitoes and other insects, making it perfect for this herbal blend.

Oregano

Oregano is an herb that has demonstrated potent antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and insect-repellent properties in many studies, largely due to its high concentration of active compounds like carvacrol and thymol. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Anthropod-Borne Diseases found that 40% oregano concentrate was more effective at repelling bed bugs over a 24-hour period than a commercial repellent containing 33% DEET, making oregano more powerful than DEET. Because we make our oregano oil in house, we are able to properly dilute the concentrate for safe use, preventing skin irritation.

Rosemary

Rosemary has scientifically supported medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing effects. As a bug repellent, rosemary oil is effective against mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects when concentrated. Rosemary is known to boost memory, improve cognition, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, aid in digestion, and support hair growth. Furthermore, rosemary is antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood's medicinal properties include potential antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, with traditional uses for skin conditions and stress relief. As a bug repellent, cedarwood oil can deter various pests, including ticks, fleas, and moths, by disrupting their bodily functions and can be applied to skin, clothes, or in diffusers. It's a natural, non-toxic alternative to chemical pesticides. Although an arduous process to extract its oils, its potency is well worth the effort.

Peppermint

Peppermint has established medicinal properties, such as helping with digestive issues and muscle pain, primarily through its menthol compound. It also acts as a potent bug repellent, effective against insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches, ticks, and mosquitoes, due to menthol disrupting their sensory receptors and causing disorientation and avoidance. High concentrates of peppermint oils have been known to repel and in extreme cases even kill various pests such as ants, spiders, ticks, mosquitos, cockroaches, mites, beetles, fleas, flies, mice and rats. 

Lavender

Lavender has medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects to soothe bug bites and minor burns, while also promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep. As a natural bug repellent, it deters mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and moths due to the compound linalool found in its oil. Lavender is especially ideal for repelling ticks, great for wooded regions of the world where ticks are abundant. By placing dried sachets of lavender in closets, or even planting it in your garden, it can further assist in repelling pests.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass possesses medicinal properties as an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, an antiseptic, and a muscle relaxant. It functions as an effective natural bug repellent, particularly for mosquitoes, due to its high concentration of citral and citronella, which many insects find unpleasant. You can use lemongrass as a repellent by rubbing crushed fresh stalks on your skin, planting some in your yard, using our Buzz Off Bug Spray, or using it in a diffuser for an indoor atmosphere.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, another compound with documented insect-repelling properties that disrupts pests' nervous systems. It's also a natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal agent. In addition to Buzz Off Bug Spray, you can use cinnamon to repel pests by sprinkling ground cinnamon in trash cans, placing sticks in fruit bowls, which can deter mosquitoes, ants, fruit flies, and other crawling insects. Research is ongoing, but cinnamon is also being studied for its potential anti-diabetic and anticancer properties.