Disclaimer: The Painted Egg at Copper Barrel Farm created this recipe using dog fennel that grows organically in our fields. We do not use pesticides of any kind. Please do your own research before trying the ingredients mentioned in this recipe. If you find dog fennel growing on the side of the road(s) or next to fence lines (usually where horses are kept), please consider the pesticides that might have been used, beforehand.
I modified a bug spray recipe that I found on https://wellnessmama.com/2565/homemade-bug-spray/
I’ve been using this recipe for a few years now and have tried others but keep coming back to this one.
Equipment
Glass/Plastic spray bottle
Ingredient
30 drops geranium essential oil
30 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
1 TBSP rubbing alcohol
½ cup witch hazel
1 tsp vegetable glycerin oil (optional) I have used this but prefer it without
Dog Fennel Tea: Fill sink or basin with cool water let the DF soak for a couple of minutes and make sure all debris has been removed. I usually let it dry on a clean flour sack, or paper towels will work fine too. Find a large pot or 1 gl., size mason jar the size you use depends on the amount of DF you harvested. To make this simple; treat DF exactly as you would when making tea. Boil water, pour in the vessel (of your choice), make sure not to bruise the herb and let it steep for a couple of hours or a day. Once the DF has had time to steep and has cooled please remove the herbs from the jar and discard. The “tea,” should resemble murky water.
*I used the tea in place of straight water*
Instructions
In a glass/plastic spray bottle, combine the essential oils.
Add the rubbing alcohol and shake well to combine.
Pour in the witch hazel and shake again to combine.
Add the vegetable glycerin if using. It isn’t necessary, but it does help everything stay combined.
Add the water or dog fennel tea and shake again.
Shake before each use as the oils and water will naturally separate over time.
To learn more about dog fennel here is a link that might be helpful: https://www.leaf.tv/articles/uses-for-dog-fennel/