- Regarding the CNN about the CDC official who got West
Nile...
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- "There is no effective treatment for the virus.
In more serious cases, the CDC recommends
that patients be hospitalized so they can receive supportive care with
intravenous fluids.
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- Researchers are working to develop a vaccine, but Petersen
notes that it will be years before it is available to humans.
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- The best way to stop the spread of West Nile virus is
through prevention, he said.
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- "Wear mosquito repellent, especially around dawn
and dusk, which are peak mosquito biting times," Petersen suggests.
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- He says bug sprays that contain concentrations of the
chemical DEET up to 50 percent work the best. Be sure to read the label
or check with a doctor regarding the acceptable concentrations for children.
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- Spraying repellent that contains permethrin on clothing
is another option. Experts caution not to put the chemical directly on
exposed skin."
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- I would like to make the following comments -
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- It is possible for a product called Millenium CF may
be effective in helping to defend against this viral disease in addition
to supportive care and the need for IV fluids to protect from dehydration
secondary to vomiting. I wouldn't encourage getting a vaccine for this
or any disease.
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- <http://www.beyondpesticides.org/mosquito/documents/permethrin.htm>Permethrin is
made from marigolds but it can be very toxic and has been labelled a carcinogen,
especially in the synthetic form. It is highly toxic to bees and fish.
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- As far as DEET goes you might want to consider the infromation
in this article I wrote for publication later this week in a print publication that
runs my herb column every month.
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- Bug Me Not With Home Grown Plants
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- By Gayle Eversole
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- Natural Notes On Health
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- Bugs have been in an overabundant supply around these
parts in case you haven't noticed.
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- To keep them from biting you, most mainstream sources
provide information suggesting the use of DEET based insect repellants. This
information is spread widely through various media outlets but does not
include the dangers of DEET.
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- DEET is a neurotoxin and is unsafe for children. It may
not be safe for adults, pets or the environment. Avoid using repellants
containing DEET.
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- DEET, or diethyl-metatoluamide, can cause an array
of health problems ranging from dizziness to death. After application
to the skin DEET is absorbed into the bloodstream, and remains up to several
months or more depending on one's ability to detoxify. Side effects may
include rashes, skin eruptions, nausea, dermatitis, scarring, muscle cramps,
irritability, lethargy, seizures, cerebral swelling, cardio-respiratory
arrest, and fatal encephalopathy.
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- The American Academy of Pediatrics state
that DEET is not considered safe for any child under the age of 5. Poison
Control Centers reported more than 6700 reactions to insect repellants
in 1995, with 4300 related to children 6 and under. A 26 year old man
died after using DEET twice according to ABC news. An 8 year old boy suffered
seizures after being sprayed twice with DEET. DEET is toxic to children
when it is used in the home by others.
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- Never combine insecticides with each other or use them
with other medications. Even so simple a drug as an antihistamine could
interact with DEET to cause toxic side effects. Don't spray your yard for
bugs and then take medications. Until we have more data on potential interactions
in humans, safe is better than sorry."
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- Some things you can do include eliminating standing water,
and using select plants, birds, bugs, fish, and amphibians - gifts of nature
- that help control mosquitoes and other pests.
- Safe Mosquito Repellant
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- Yarrow tincture - when outdoors spray skin every
hour. You can also make a healing ointment with yarrow flower tops and
oil or fat. Yarrow oil is antibacterial, relieves pain, and helpful in
healing all types of wounds. A US Army study showed yarrow tincture
to be more effective than DEET for repelling ticks, mosquitoes and sand
flies.
- Peppermint is known to repel ants, mosquitoes, ticks,
spiders, mice, et al.
- Planting mint near your doorway acts as a repellant.
Placing clay pots planted with mint close to your doorways works too.
- Eating bananas draws mosquitoes by increasing the amount
of carbon dioxide given off when you breathe. Mosquitoes are attracted
by this gas.
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- To make a safe insect repellant you will need:
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- Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
- Distilled Water or carrier oil of your choice. Avoid
selecting oil sold in plastic bottles.
- Glass or PET plastic spritzer bottle
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- To make a 2% solution place 2 ounces of distilled water
in the spritzer bottle. Add 25 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
to the bottle.
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- To make a 5% solution, add 50 drops of pure peppermint
essential oil to 2 ounces of water.
- Shake well and spray into the air, near doors, along
the baseboards, or on your skin.
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- The 2% solution may be used for pets. Spray it on your
hand and rub it gently on your pet, or take a piece of cotton fabric and
tie it on your pet's collar, then apply the repellant to the cotton.
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- We also suggest Green Ban herbal powder for people and
pets.
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- The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific
society, and an Iowa State University research group
discovered that catnip also repels cockroaches.
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- Nepetalactone, catnip's active ingredient, is about 10
times more effective than DEET. Most commercial insect repellents contain
about 5 percent to 25 percent DEET. Presumably, much less catnip oil would
be needed in a formulation to have the same level of repellency as a DEET-based
repellent.
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- Using DEET in repellents is extremely troubling.
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-
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- Catnip is a member of the mint family and can be used
in the recipe above. Other pure essential oils that are helpful in
repelling insects are Neem, Basil, Lemon Grass, Citronella, Lemon
Eucalyptus (high in the same compounds as citronella) and Palmarosa.
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- And at Chreating Health Institute we offer exceptionally
pure therapeutic grade essential oils for making repellants and other uses.
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- Gayle Eversole, DHom, PhD, MH, NP, ND
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- Founder and Director, Creating Health Institute
and The Oake Centre for natural health education
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- <http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/>visit us
at Natural Health News
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- "If you know Hanuman and his exploits, you know
how to do Seva or service and with heart wide open, serving the Creator
even when you are serving humans."
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- P please consider the environment before printing
this e-mail
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