NAHA Article September 2010

Featured Aromatherapy Article
Contributed by; Kayla Fioravanti, RA

Bedbugs and Dust mites....Aromatherapy to the Rescue


When I was first introduced to aromatherapy, I studied every single aromatherapy book I could get my hands on at the public library. In one of those many books I stumbled upon information about bed bugs and dust mites. The entire topic caught my attention. First, because bugs are just gross, but also because of my dust allergies and skin sensitivities.

One of the top selling products I created in our aromatherapy party plan business years ago was Bed Bug Spray. My recipe was super simple, but I couldn't make enough of it. Most people bought it because of the initial fear value of the possibility of creepy crawlies being in bed with you, but they continued buying it because it helped them sleep, reduced their allergies and they never got bed bug bites when they travelled.

I never travel without Bed Bug Spray and my kids use it faithfully as part of their night time ritual. Recently, bed bugs have been all over the news as an epidemic. They are being found in even the nicest of hotels and retail establishments. Lavender is the answer to both dust mites and bed bug problems.

DIY Kit Bed Bug Spray Recipe
1/2 gallon Essential Wholesale Body Linen Spray

1 Tbsp Neem Extract
1 Tbsp Lavender (Lavender angustifolia)
1 Tbsp Lavender Distillate
1 Tbsp Polysorbate 20*


Directions: Mix lavender essential oil and polysorbate 20 together thoroughly in a separate container. Mix together Body Linen Spray, neem extract and lavender distillate and then add the combination of lavender essential oil and polysorbate 20Mix together thoroughly and package in bottles with spray tops.

EW Body Linen Spray is a preserved water based formula. If you would prefer to work from scratch replace with de-ionized water and an appropriate preservative system.

From Scratch Bed Bug Spray Recipe

42 ounces De-ionized Water

20 ounces Neem Extract or Lavender Extract

.64 ounces Lavender (Lavender angustifolia)
1 ounce Lavender Distillate
.64 ounces Polysorbate 20*


Directions: Mix lavender essential oil and polysorbate 20 together thoroughly in a separate container. Mix together water, extract and lavender distillate and then add combination of lavender essential oil and polysorbate 20. Mix together thoroughly and package in bottles with spray top.


*Made from lauric acid (olive oil source) connected to a sugar (sorbitol) this compound is then ethoxylated (grain based alcohol) to make it water dispersible. Click here to learn more

Editors Note: To learn more about bed bugs visit these weblinks which include information about the use of Eucalyptus with bed bugs

Link to Eucalyptus research study
Kayla Fioravanti is Vice President, Chief Formulator, ARC Registered Aromatherapist and Co-Founder of Essential Wholesale and Essential Labs. She has lived around the world, from the US, to Japan, Ireland, Germany and lots of places in between. She received a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She and her husband, Dennis have 3 children. They started making aromatherapy products in their kitchen back in 1998 when their son had a stubborn case of ring worm. After trying every over-the-counter ointment and even some prescriptions, Kayla finally looked into the natural way of healing with essential oils. The results were outstanding and healing took place quickly. Kayla was so fascinated that she spent the next several years researching natural cosmetic formulating, while studying to becoming a certified Aromatherapist. Contact Kayla at www.essentialwholesale.com or visit Essential U Blog

Click here to purchase Kayla's NAHA tele-conference presentation recording: Create Simple and Effective Bases for Your Aromatherapy Blends.

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