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The Most Dangerous Bug Repellents to Avoid This Summer (and What to Use Instead)

Bug bites are no joke—they can ruin a great hike or lead to serious illnesses like Lyme disease or West Nile virus. But before you spray yourself head to toe in repellent, take a closer look at what’s inside the bottle.

1. DEET in High Concentrations: While DEET is effective, formulas over 30% don’t offer better protection—just more risk. High doses can cause skin irritation, headaches, and even neurological effects, especially in kids.

2. Pyrethroids and Permethrin: These synthetic insecticides are commonly found in yard sprays and treated clothing. However, they are toxic to the nervous system, dangerous to pets (especially cats), and harmful to aquatic life.

3. Aerosol Sprays with Fragrance: Bug sprays often contain synthetic fragrances and drying alcohols that can trigger allergies, migraines, and skin sensitivity.

4. Unregulated “Natural” Sprays: Just because it’s labeled “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective. Homemade blends without proper ratios can cause skin reactions or leave you unprotected.

Better Option? Make Your Own.

You don’t need harsh chemicals to keep bugs at bay. DIY sprays made with proven essential oils are easy to make and gentler on your skin and lungs. Try this recipe:

✔️ 2 oz witch hazel or vodka (as a base)
✔️ 2 oz distilled water
✔️ 20 drops oil of lemon eucalyptus (CDC-approved)
✔️ 10 drops of lavender or citronella oil
✔️ Optional: 5 drops of tea tree or peppermint oil

Shake and spray the product on exposed skin and clothing, avoiding the eyes and any open wounds.

Tip: Store in a glass bottle and reapply every 1– 2 hours when outdoors.

Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Work Like Ibuprofen? Here’s What the Science Says

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has long been praised for its heart-health benefits—but could it also act as a natural alternative to over-the-counter pain relief? Surprisingly, research suggests that it might. Two naturally occurring compounds in high-quality EVOO—oleocanthal and oleoresin—have been found to reduce inflammation in ways similar to ibuprofen.

These compounds target the same inflammation-producing enzymes that ibuprofen blocks. That familiar peppery sensation you get in the back of your throat when tasting fresh olive oil? That’s a sign of oleocanthal doing its work. Researchers say this “bite” mimics how ibuprofen feels and functions in the body, at least on a biochemical level.

However, while the lab results are promising, research in humans is still limited. The pain-relieving compounds are present only in small amounts, and mostly in high-quality, cold-pressed EVOO that has been properly stored and handled. So while EVOO may help reduce low-grade, chronic inflammation over time, it’s not meant to replace your go-to painkillers or any medication prescribed by your doctor.

That said, incorporating two to four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into your daily meals may offer gentle, long-term support for joint comfort and overall well-being. Beyond potential pain relief, EVOO supports heart health, helps lower bad cholesterol, improves blood circulation, and may even help regulate blood pressure.

EVOO isn’t a direct substitute for ibuprofen, but it is a smart, natural way to support your body’s inflammation response. And when it comes to long-term health, adding a little high-quality olive oil to your routine goes a long way when it comes to long-term health.

This New Kind of Composting Just Approved in Washington

Death is an inevitable part of life in this world. Birth and death are the two things that every single human being has in common, and while the mainstream has been accepting of advancements in alternative birthing options in recent years, such as home births and midwives, the view on death has not been so progressive. Until recently, cremation and traditional burial were the only options for funeral services and the processing of human remains. However, a new kind of revolutionary burial called “recomposition” is on the rise and is good news for earth and garden-lovers everywhere.

So what exactly is recomposition?

The bill signed on May 21 by Washinton State Gov. Jay Inslee, explains recomposition as a “contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.” This process speeds of the process of converting dead bodies to soil in a respectful, controlled, aboveground setting and is often referred to as “human composting.” The bill passed on Tuesday, and legalizes human composting in Washington State starting May 1, 2020.

According to Katrina Spade, CEO of the human composting company, Recompose, “(The) body is covered in natural materials, like straw or wood chips, and over the course of about three to seven weeks, thanks to microbial activity, it breaks down into soil.”

The company advertises its services as a way to “support new life when we die” and is very focused on improving the environment and enriching the soil by supporting the natural cycle of decay and gently returning human remains to the earth.

Over the weeks that the body is being broken down into the soil, the family can visit the facility and will ultimately receive the earth that is created from their loved ones to use as they wish. This option is a way to return minerals and nutrients to the ground and is a viable alternative to burial.

Traditional burial in a cemetery can cause preservation chemicals from human remains, casket fumes, and varnishes to leech into the groundwater. Not to mention, this practice is only viable for so long before cemetery plots become overcrowded. Cremation releases harmful fossil fuels and carbon emissions into the environment, only contributing to the growing concerns of atmospheric pollution.   

This environmentally friendly method of “natural organic reduction” is appealing to many who wish to see their body used to support the planet and create life through plants, after their death. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, states, “It’s about time…we allow some technology to be applied to this universal human experience … because we think that people should have the freedom to determine for themselves how they’d like their body to be disposed of.”

Pedersen has vocalized his support of this bill, claiming that “Researchers from Washington State University have found the process to be safe and less expensive and better for the environment than burial or cremation.” Compared to rising funeral costs that now average between $8,000 and $25,000, human composting is likely to cost around $5,500, making it an affordable way to go green even after you pass on from this world.  

Safety and benefits of human compost

Aside from supporting the environment by avoiding traditional burial or cremation and abstaining from the use of chemicals, the product of human composting, just like regular compost can return vital nutrients to the soil.

Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, professor of soil science at WSU, performed a recent study with six human bodies that had been donated for the process to determine if the practice was a safe and viable way of handling remains. The study showed that the soil made from recomposition met and often exceeded state and federal safety requirements for pathogens and metals that could be dangerous to humans and nearby plants

Carpenter-Boggs asserts the success of the process goes to the to thermophilic microorganisms that quickly raised the temperature of the container, and the selection of carefully calibrated plant matter that gently decomposed the body.

The soil could safely be used in the garden to grow flowers, fruit, and vegetables, or anywhere you would place traditional compost. What better way for a garden-lover to spend their eternal rest?

What do you think about having your body turned into compost? Let us know in the comments below.

-Taylor Ramsey