Keep pesky insects away with amyris oil.
Amyris balsamifera, the plant from from which amyris oil comes, is native to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico region. While sometimes referred to as West Indian sandalwood, it is not related to the plant and does not smell like it. Often used in perfumes, clinical trials on amyris oil confirm that it contains insect-repellent properties. These trials were performed on two varieties of ticks, with results confirming amyris oil's effectiveness on this particular species of insect pest. Does this Spark an idea?
Amyris balsamifera
The perennial Amyris balsamifera grows as a tree or shrub. Also known as balsam torchwood, it is found in Florida as well as its native Caribbean. Its essential oil is distilled by steaming the wood. In addition to perfume, it is also used in aromatherapy. Folk remedies for amyris oil, besides repelling insects, include treatment for insomnia and stress. The oil is an ingredient in certain natural skin care products. Do not take this essential oil internally.
Tick Repellent Study
In a study conducted by researchers from the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, amyris oil and elemol, found in Maclura pomifera, commonly called Osage orange essential oil, were compared in in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory bioassays for tick repellent activity. The tick nymphs used in the study were the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, and the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Both of the host-seeking nymphs tend to climb thin vertical plans, and the bioassays used the tendency to its advantage.
Experiment
In the first bioassay, a test solution was placed on the main area of a filter paper strip and the ticks placed on the untreated portion. In the second bioassay, test solution on an organdy cloth strip was double-wrapped on a researcher's forefinger and ticks placed on the fingertip. The amyris oil and the elemol repelled both types of ticks.
Results
While the study found that amyris oil and elemol both repelled ticks, with the latter's effectiveness closely resembling the efficacy of the commercial repellent Deet. At two hours after 827 micrograms of amyris oil had been applied to 2 cm of filter paper, the repellent rate for Amblyomma americanus nymphs was 80 percent, with a 55 percent repellent rate after four hours. Researchers found that lesser concentrations of amyris oil repelled Ixodes scapularis.
Tags: Amyris balsamifera, amyris elemol, bioassay test, bioassay test solution, filter paper, found that, Ixodes scapularis