Many people have concerns about using DEET with the unpronounceable chemical formula N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. It has been used as an insect repellent since it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946.
But is there a better, safer way?
Dangers of DEET
Studies say when it’s applied with common sense, avoiding exposed skin, for short periods of time, that DEET can be used as an effective to avoid insect-borne diseases. (source) Problem today is people aren’t just exposed to DEET alone, but to a cumulative toxic body burden which might include dozens of different synthetic chemicals on a daily basis.
Duke University scientists found that frequent DEET exposure led to diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes. The conclusion: REAL LIFE DOSES produce significant neurobehavioral deficits and neuronal degeneration in the brain, but there are NO outward signs.
My thoughts on the situation? Many man-made, synthetic (hence toxic) chemicals come with side-effects both known and unknown, and DEET is no exception.
Why chance it — especially when all-natural herbal methods are available.
Update: Look into Cedarcide Extra-Strength Tickshield & Mosquito Repellent. Kills & Repels Ticks, Fleas, Chiggers and Mosquitoes for People & Pets. We really like it!
Cistus Incanus: A Life-Giving, Non-Chemical Alternative to DEET?
German scientist, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt discusses medical discovery of the multi-property Mediterranean plant Cistus incanus —how it is, in the opinion of a number of top scientists, more successful than any antibiotic treatment —making it a top treatment for chronic Lyme, mold, Epstein-Barr, Herpes-viruses, and also human-endogenous retroviruses (HIV).
11 minutes. Turn up sound..
Although there’s limited human clinical research on Cistus, it has been traditionally used for thousands of years.
Natural Insect Repellent That Works
One reported health benefit of the Cistus incanus plant is that regular Cistus tea drinkers are found to suffer fewer mosquito bites and tick bites. Functional medical practitioners and osteopathic doctors have recommended drinking cistus tea to their patients for years.
Studies show that Cistus tea has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and biofilm-breaking qualities (here, here, here, here). It also showed activity against Borrelia bergdorferi, one of the tick-borne co-infections. And drinking Cistus also helps the body deal with retro-viruses like HIV.”
“Cistus tea may be more potent than any other agent known for biofilms. Crosses the blood-brain barrier and is 100% absorbed in the gut. It is antiviral. You can rebrew the tea 3 times. It whitens teeth (breaks down biofilm which causes yellow teeth).” ~Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt
“Ready to stop using DEET? Then start drinking 2 cups a day of Cistus tea for at least a week in order to realize its natural insect repellent effects.” (source)
How to Prepare the Tea:
• Using one teaspoon of cistus tea leaves (in a tea ball a tea diffuser or teabag) per 1 1/2 cups of filtered water. Bring water to a boil.
• Add the boiling water to the cup with tea and let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
• COVER continuously with a lid to preserve the valuable essential oils manoyloxides and labdanum, which are powerful anti-Lyme components.
• The color of the water will turn a deep amber. You can drink a cup immediately or ice it and store the rest in the fridge.
• Start slowly with 2 cups per day. Increase to 6- 8 cups per day as tolerated for acute conditions, less for general health purposes.
• It’s best to drink on an empty stomach.
•Tea can also be given to pets. Simply mix a little in with their food to keep them healthy.
You can repeat the above steps two more times to release the goodness, since there are still phytochemicals that can be released. (source)
Easy Cistus Tincture Recipe
From a Lyme support group via my friend C.D.:
• Fill a 4 or 8 ounce glass canning jar half full with the dried cistus tea leaves – then fill the jar to full with potato vodka. If you have a corn allergy, use potato (or other) vodka.
• Cover the inside of the metal lid with a piece of parchment paper to keep the alcohol off from the metal and screw on the canning ring over it. You can also use a plastic canning jar screw top.
• Shake the bottle once or twice a day, leaving it in a cool, dark space.
• Steep it for for the traditional 4 weeks.
• Strain out the liquid through cheesecloth. (you’ll have to squeeze the tincture out of the leaves). Funnel into amber glass dropper bottles. Label and date. Shelf life 6-10 years.
• Start with 20 drops in the morning (1 dropper full).
• Listen to your body and if you wish to increase your dosage slowly, you can go up to 60 drops a day. (that’s approximately three droppers full)
Start using the tincture in early April when the ticks are coming out and finish up by October when you are less apt to go out.
A reportedly-effective homeopathic preventative remedy to repel ticks and flying insects is Insect Relief Combo 30c. Read more here.
If you have been bitten by a tick, follow this protocol immediately. Better to be prepared than to have to wait for your remedies to arrive.
Where to Get Cistus Tea
It can be hard to find a high-quality Cistus tea (use Mediterranean grown only). Etsy has 8 0z. or 2 pounds. Ki-Science. Amazon. Amazon.
Linden Botanical Mediterranean Cistus is wild grown, pesticide and heavy metal free, and responsibly handpicked during the budding season from the island’s mountainous regions. (Winter-harvested Cistus tends to test lower in bioactives.)
Please leave a comment if you know of this. I would love to read your experiences.
“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” ~Genesis 1:29
***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol (including NAC) to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.
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Medical Disclaimer: I am no longer a practicing medical professional, and I am not doctor. I am a mother. I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use. Using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is intended to treat or prevent disease. Consult your own doctor.
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Cris D
I made a cistus tea tincture over the last two summer seasons, and found when I use the tincture faithfully every morning that ticks won’t attach to me. I garden, and several times I’ve felt a tick moving, but not latching. That is major for us who live in an area that ticks are everywhere in the spring. It also brings a lot of comfort that if I use the tincture/tea, I will have less chance of getting sick if I do get a bite (which I haven’t since I’ve been using this) Go back two years before I started cistus tea and I had 4 ticks attached within a 3 week period, and I did get very sick. This article is very helpful, and I hope people spend the few dollars to buy the tea and get using it. They can also make their own tincture which will be cheaper than buying and very easiy.
Katie
Hi Cris,
I have some questions for you (and for Jacqueline, if she has any input, too!).
– What strength of a tincture do you make? Or how full do you fill your jar with cistus before adding the alcohol?
– What dose do you take every morning?
– Do you take the tincture year round? Or just during tick season/summer?
I sure prefer tinctures over teas, so it’s nice to know the tincture is effective, too.
Thanks,
Katie
Jacqueline
All good questions, Katie! I would love to know, too!
~J
Jacqueline
Cris, I am with Katie on wanting to know how you made your cistus tincture!
Thanks,
Jacque
Cris Dorval
I got my recipe to make the tincture from a lyme support group. In an 8 ounce jar, you would fill it half full with the dried cistus tea and then fill the jar to full with potato vodka. You can also use a grain vodka, but because I have various allergies and sensitivities, I use the potato vodka. My instructions are to cover with a piece of parchment paper to keep the alcohol off from the metal, then put the cover on over it. You can also use a plastic canning jar screw top. You’ll want to shake the bottle once or twice a day, leaving it in a dark space. The instructions I was given was to soak it for 5 days, then strain rigorously through cheesecloth. (you’ll have to squeeze the tincture out of the leaves) The last time I made it I let it steep longer, as a traditional tincture sits for 4 weeks.
You start with 20 drops in the morning, and if you wish to increase your dosage, you can go up to 60 drops a day. (that’s approximately three droppers full)
I put a dropper full, sometimes a bit more, into my coffee in the morning. I find it to taste the best that way. I’m not a fan of alchohol or tinctures, so it works for me.
I usually start using the tincture in April/May when the ticks are coming out and finish up by October when I’m less apt to go out. There articles that discuss the health benefits, but I think Jacque’s is the most comprehensive.
Katie
Hi Cris!
Thank you so much for your detailed instructions. That is very helpful.
Katie
Cris Dorval
I’m so happy to share! If you have other questions let me know. I’ll try to come back periodically and check. God Bless!
Jacqueline
Cris, thank you so much for your tincture recipe!
I love that others are finding it helpful, and yes, it is easier in my mind than making tea!
Bless you so much! I am going to mention this in the post, so they can come here to read it.
Jacque
Mary Cummins Collins
I just finished making the tincture. Is tick season ever really over?
I’m also interested to know if the tincture can be used in a medicinal fashion just like the tea can be? If so, where could I find more information about how to use the tincture? Thanks for the assistance. Very interesting.
Jacqueline
Hi, Mary,
No, you are correct. In many more temperate areas, tick season is year-round.
I cannot give exact directions for how much to take because I don’t know the breakdown of cistus herb to the amount of alcohol used or how strong your tincture is based on how long it steeped, but it isn’t really an exact science.
I did find an already prepared cistus tincture (https://amzn.to/3EYo5kD) that you can look into and what you would use would be similar. Here is some of the write-up on Amazon that is interesting:
—POTENT ALLY FOR GUT & OVERALL WELLNESS: Cistus Incanus has been traditionally used for centuries in Mediterranean countries for overall wellness. It is rich in polyphenols, proanthocyanins, & bioflavonoids, making it a potent ally for the gut.*
—GREAT FOR IMMUNE FUNCTION & NORMALIZED MUCOUS PRODUCTION: Has astringent & toning properties that address excess mucous production and support the body’s internal terrain, normalized sinus and gastrointestinal mucosa, and immune function.*
—WILDCRAFTED: Herbal extract from the leaves, stalks, stems, and flowers of 100 percent wild, organic Cistus incanus plants grown in the Mediterranean regions. It has zero side effects.
—POTENT BOTANICAL EXTRACT: Our Cistus Incanus Herbal Extract has an herb to menstruum ratio of 1:7, which makes it a very potent extract of Cistus incanus, more potent than our Cistus Loose Herbal Tea.
—HIGH QUALITY, PURE, & PROGRESSIVE PRODUCTS: We partner with herbalists, medical & naturopathic practitioners to develop an evolving collection of nutraceutical and other products formulated from the purest raw ingredients,
backed by science.
I think that will help you in figuring out what you are able to give.
Hope that helps,
Blessings,
Jacque
Katie
Hi Cris
Hi Jacque
What do you think of giving Cistus incanus tincture to pets instead of the tea? I thought it would be easier to put tincture in out pets’ food instead of making tea regularly. I have almost zero experience giving herbs to dogs or cats.
Thanks,
Katie
Jacqueline
Hi, Katie,
I am not sure about how much to give and it might depend on the weight of the pet.
After re-reading my post, since it is non-toxic, it seems a no-brainer to sprinkle a pinch (smaller or larger – depending on weight) on the pets food and their digestive processes will make it into tea!
I really like that idea!
Thanks for the inspiration, Katie!
~J
Melisa
This is fascinating. Is there a topical option? I can’t see my children being willing to drink this tea (though they are typically tea drinkers) – at least so much of it. (Okay, I can’t see myself drinking so much of it.) I would like, though, the tick and mosquito repellent properties of this stuff. We’re going camping in a few days, and I hate to use the DEET stuff, yet when I’ve tried natural type sprays, they just don’t seem to work. What’s a mom to do?
Jacqueline
Have fun and just have everyone do a thorough body search. You personally do your younger children!
Also, can you make this: https://deeprootsathome.com/vinegar-of-the-four-thieves-recipe/ It works great sprayed onto clothes and won’t cause neurotoxicity
like DEET products.
Sending peace,
Jacque
Melisa
Hi Jacque,
Thank you. Yes, I could make this, and just may – instructions state that it has to sit 6-8 weeks, which will bring us to the end of summer here. Are you aware of a product that’s already made that I could buy?
Cris Dorval
For ticks I use Tick Shield from Cedarcide. You can look it up online. It’s my go to for ticks. As for mosquitos and black flies, Several at the local health food store are useful. (I don’t have a preference) But for ticks I only use Cedarcide.
Melisa
Thank you. I will check out the Tick Shield. I like to go walking at a local nature center (along with occasional camping) and this will be helpful.
Best,
Melisa
Melisa
I have questions about the Insect Relief Combo 30c. Is this just for animals? It appears as though it is. Any advice from those who’ve used it would be helpful.
Thanks!
Melisa
Jacqueline
Melisa, it is also for all ages of humans. We are using it for our granddaughter who needs protection form the outdoor critters.
I asked the company’s formulator and it is, but she won’t write that on the product sheet out of concern for reprisal from ‘authorities’.
Hope that helps!
Have fun and just have everyone do a thorough body search. You personally do your younger children!
Sending peace,
Jacque
Bea Ann Bridges
Thank you for another great, informative article, Jacque! I’d never heard of cistus tea before now and I love learning about new remedies! Just ordered this one (link below) on Amazon for a great price and am having my first cup now as I type this. 🙂 It came in a heavy paper package and the label states it’s imported and manufactured by a company in Germany. I’m assuming the German company sources it from a Mediterranean country. It’s certified organic and the tea leaves look and smell fresh and the taste is a mild, pleasant herbal flavor. Personally, I’m drinking it for the antiviral and biofilm breaking benefits listed above, but the insect repelling quality will be very welcomed here in north TX too!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTFLBC8N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Thanks again so much Jacque, I always look forward to your emails/articles!
Oh and P.S., my daughter is signing up for the 3 pack Advanced TRS with your link today. 🙂
Blessings,
Bea Ann Bridges
Jacqueline
Bea Ann, I am so thankful these kinds of posts are something of interest and are helpful.
I’m thankful for the gift of TRS and truly believe it is another of God’s good gifts for these toxic times.
Blessings,
Jacque
Bea Ann Bridges
Hi again! Quick question for you Jacque, about the insect relief homeopathic. How would you give this to a child or dog when they cannot hold it under their tongue to dissolve? I’m sending the info to my daughter for our 2 year old granddaughter who is getting lots of mosquito bites in northern CO and they swell and itch her terribly. Wondering how you are dosing and giving this to your won granddaughter. Thank you!
Bea Ann
Jacqueline
Hi, Bea Ann,
Sorry I am just seeing your question.
Giving our grandchildren homeopathics is easy. All they need to do is suck on them, but they shouldn’t swallow them because they are absorbed by the mucosa into the bloodstream. Don’t touch the pellets with your hands or fingers, but pop 3-5 pellets into the cap and then ask them to tilt their heads back and open their mouths like baby birds and pop them in. They will melt in a minute.
For dogs, just put 2-4 into their water bowl or even better into the flap of their lip next to their teeth, and again, it will melt.
I hope that helps!
Jacque
Bea Ann Bridges
Thanks Jacque! Another quick question about the insect remedy for a 2 year old, would you give 3 or 5 pellets and how many doses per day? Also, do you give it daily during mosquito season as an ongoing preventative or only right before they will be spending time outside?
Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Bea Ann
Jacqueline
Hi, Bea Ann,
For a 2 year old, you can just give 2-3 pellets.
In the description sheet of the product are the dosage suggestions. https://www.elixirs.com/products.cfm?productcode=HH94B
Or you could call elixirs.com’s number and consult with Kathryn Jones personally. She will be quick, but she will answer your question.
(Look that over before calling as it may answer your question exactly.)
Sending peace,
Jacqueline
Katie M.
I bought the tea & just received it but couldn’t remember why.😄 Just searched this blog & was happy to find this article again! Can’t wait to start it as mosquitoes biting ended my peaceful reading time in my backyard last evening when they typically come out.
I also have a good update on my son who got 2-4 tick bites in May. After having all lyme symptoms very strongly, he is now mostly symptom free! (He is on youth retreat & was on missions trip last week so I’ll be able to fully assess when he gets home and has normal rest.) He had Lyme disease a few years ago and was zonked out on couch for MONTHS with utter exhaustion and joint/muscle pain so we can see a HUGE difference this time. We followed Jacqueline’s article on tick remedies mostly but already had started a similar natural medicine (https://amzn.to/3Qa8zZL) so just added her recommended Ledum Palustre. We also just started her recommended TRS so expecting that to clear out final remains. (I am also taking TRS to see if it helps with any of my health issues since I ordered 3 bottles 😀).
Thanks so much, Jacqueline, for your very informative and timely posts!! Ticks & mosquitoes are everywhere this year! And I am absolutely amazed by how your recommendations have helped us!
Jacqueline
Thank you, Katie,
I appreciate you sharing your son’s story and what you find is working for you!
I am praying for his (and your) complete health.
Blessings,
Jacque