DIY lice prevention spray

We got back from the holidays last month and my daughter had missed a week of preschool… we also learned that she had (fortunately) missed the LICE that hit her classroom too. While only a few students had it, that’s enough for it to spread STAT since lice waste no time jumping around.

The teachers diligently cleared out the classroom, cleaned it up and checked the students daily to be sure there were no new cases. But the minute I heard, I rememebered a friend whose daughter’s elementary school had cases all the time telling me of a spray she buys called Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Hair Spray, which has a blend of essential oils.

I keep a bunch of oils in the house anyway so I decided to do some research and make my own all natural, chemical free spray.

Essential oils themselves are rich in monoterpenes, which are chemical compounds with several beneficial characteristics. Tea tree oil is unique that one of these benefits include insecticidal properties! Also the 2 main parts of tea tree oil, 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, demonstrate anticholinesterase properties, (if your child is under 6, be cautious with tea tree oil- just use sparingly and blend with something so don’t apply it by itself).

Cholinesterase is a major enzymes needed for the proper functioning of an insect’s nervous system, (as well as humans and other vertebrates-which is why we use small amounts since these small amounts are big enough for small insects like lice).

Here are some studies I found for essential oils and lice:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480584/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20727129

With thevstudies above showing a 100% and 97% success rate in getting rid of lice, these are excellent preventive measures for NOT getting lice then!

Homemade Lice Prevention Spray

Ingredients
2 ounces water (preferably spring or filtered)
10 drops of tea tree oil
3 drops lavender oil
3 drops rosemary oil

Method
Blend the above solutions in a spray bottle and spray on hair morning and night and work through hair to coat. Remember you do not need to shampoo it out.

I think it is important to always use good quality essential oils as well. Let me know if you try it out!

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