Cinnamon for Insect Bites

Health Tip of the Day

Cinnamon is a well-known spice used for desserts, breads, specialty coffees, teas, and many other foods. However, Cinnamon is also an excellent substitute for the harmful chemical DEET found in many insect repellents.

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties so it can be used to give relief from insect bites. Just make a paste of cinnamon and water, apply to the irritated bite-mark, and leave for about an hour. It will flake off and the bite will be all but forgotten.

Honey can be added to the cinnamon and water paste to provide an antiseptic quality. The itching will stop within 2 minutes.

Mosquitoes, as well as numerous other insects, dislike cinnamon and herbs. Cinnamon oil can be worn as one wears perfume and mosquitoes will be repelled.

Cinnamon oil can be added to any standing water in flower pots and other outdoor water containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water. The cinnamon oil will also kill any mosquito eggs that do get laid. Just add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon oil to every 8 ounces of water.

Lastly, use caution with the first application of cinnamon as some people are allergic to cinnamon.