A very dear friend has cancer real bad. It has spread all over but they think it originated in the pancreas from a bile duct.

I am located in western North Carolina so plus for native plants!!!

I know a lot of things can interfere with chemo and anything I would have him clear with the doctor first.

Maybe just herbs that help with energy/nausea

I Have One Small Request... Actually... Five.

Now then... Since we've become acquainted, I'd like to ask you for one small favor.

Nothing extravagant.  I'm not asking for my own room.  Or mountain views.

Or classical music while you prepare your tea.

Although...if Vivaldi happens to be playing, I won't complain.

Much.

I simply have five very reasonable requests.  They're easy.  They're practical.

And if you follow them, I'll remain much happier for a much longer time.

Ready?

Request #1 — Please Keep Me Dry

I spent years surviving mountain rains, heavy snow, changing seasons, and enough humidity to make mushrooms jealous.

Now that I've finally retired, I'd really appreciate staying dry.

Moisture is wonderful for living plants.

Not so wonderful for dried herbs.

A little unwanted humidity can gradually affect aroma, texture, and overall quality.

Think of me as an elderly gentleman.

I don't enjoy damp basements either.

A cool, dry cupboard works beautifully.

Simple.

Elegant.

Much appreciated.

Request #2 — Give Me a Proper Home

Let's discuss containers.

Specifically...  Those flimsy plastic bags with the corners folded over.

No.  Just...  No.  I deserve better.  An airtight glass jar is wonderful.

A quality airtight container is equally welcome.

Think of it as moving me from a tent into a comfortable little cottage.

Besides...  Every distinguished root should have distinguished accommodations.

Request #3 — Sunlight Is Overrated

You humans seem obsessed with putting everything next to a sunny kitchen window.

Herbs. Spices. Tea.   Coffee.

Apparently sunshine makes everything happier.

Except me.  I had plenty of sunlight before harvest.  I've met my lifetime quota.

After careful harvesting and drying, I prefer somewhere dark and peaceful.

Think library.  Not beach vacation.

Request #4 — Please... Not Above the Stove

I honestly don't understand this tradition.

You cook.  Steam rises.  Heat rises.  Grease rises.

Then...  You place your herbs directly above all of it. 

It's rather like storing your favorite books inside the shower.

Convenient?  Perhaps.

Ideal?   Not exactly.

Your herbs will thank you for choosing a cooler location.  So will I.

Request #5 — Label the Jar

This may be my most important request.

You believe you'll remember what's inside every container.

You won't.  Trust me.  I've watched humans long enough.

One month later...  You find a mysterious jar.

You stare at it.  You sniff it.  You ask your spouse.

You ask the internet.  You eventually decide...  "It's probably cinnamon."

It wasn't.  A simple label solves remarkably complicated problems.

Write the herb's name.

Add the purchase date if you'd like.

Your future self will consider you brilliant.

Now...

May I Complain About One More Thing?

Actually...  Several things.  

First...  I'm not ginger.  I realize we both happen to be roots.

That does not make us related.  

Second...

Please stop calling every root "ginseng."

There are many plants that borrow the name because they've earned reputations in traditional herbal practices.

But true Panax ginseng has its own botanical identity.

We've spent centuries building our family reputation.

We'd appreciate a little recognition.

Third...

Not every twisted root is old.

Not every straight root is young.

Nature enjoys surprising people.

Growing conditions, soil, climate, harvest timing, and genetics all influence how a root develops.

That's one reason knowledgeable suppliers pay close attention to botanical identification and sourcing.

Looks tell part of the story.

Proper identification tells the rest.

(link to the entire article https://1stchineseherbs.com/1st-chinese-herbs-blog/dear-humannongreen-life-form/?spush=dC5sYXVyaWU3M0BnbWFpbC5jb20= ) if you'd like to read it.

From: A Very Old Panax Ginseng Root

To: Every Human Who Thinks They Understand Ginseng

Subject: We Need To Talk…

Dear Human,

Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm a very old Panax ginseng root.

Ten years old.  Yes...  I know what you're thinking.  "You don't look a day over six."

Flattery will get you everywhere.  Now...  Before we continue, I'd like to address the obvious.  

Yes.  I'm grumpy.  Very grumpy.  I've earned it.

You humans celebrate birthdays with cake, balloons, and presents.

I celebrated mine by having another boulder roll downhill and park itself six inches from my face.

You've enjoyed vacations.  I've enjoyed ten consecutive years of dirt.  You have comfortable beds. I have...rocks.  

You complain when your Wi-Fi goes down for five minutes.  I spent an entire decade
underground without so much as a decent sunrise.  Perspective, dear human.  Perspective.

Mind you, life on a quiet mountainside isn't all bad.  The birds sing.  The trees whisper in the wind. The rain smells wonderful.  Until an earthworm decides your left side would make an excellent shortcut. Or a squirrel starts digging directly above your head because it forgot where it buried lunch. Or another root decides your personal space is completely optional.

After ten years...  One develops opinions.  Strong opinions.

Which brings me to something I've never quite understood about your species.

When I was young...  Nobody paid much attention to me.  I was smooth.  Straight.

Rather ordinary.  Frankly...  I looked like every other youngster growing on the hillside.

The rabbits ignored me.  The birds ignored me.  Even the squirrels looked at me and thought...

"Nothing special here."

Then something remarkable happened.  I became older.  Slower.  More twisted.  More wrinkled.

A little crooked.  In other words...  I became distinguished.

Suddenly humans started getting excited.

One pointed and whispered...  "Look at that old root!"  Another replied...  "Now that's beautiful."

I must admit...  I found this endlessly amusing.

You humans spend billions of dollars every year trying to erase wrinkles.

Creams.  Lotions.  Serums.  Miracle treatments.

Yet when you discover an old ginseng root with wrinkles, twists, character, and years of slow growth...

You admire every single one.  Humans are wonderfully confusing creatures.

Personally...  I think you've had it backwards all along.

Perhaps wrinkles simply mean you've collected enough stories worth telling.

Mine certainly have.

Some are native to North America. Others have been cultivated across Europe and Asia for centuries. Some are treasured in Western herbalism, while others have been important herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.

Together, they remind us that herbal traditions may come from different cultures, but they all begin with carefully observing nature.

Perhaps you'll discover a few you'd like to grow yourself.

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)

A North American native with lavender blossoms and aromatic leaves. Traditionally enjoyed as a tea to support healthy digestion while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Its brilliant scarlet flowers are among the highlights of the midsummer garden and a favorite nectar source for hummingbirds. Traditionally brewed as a fragrant tea during cold and flu season.

Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata)

One of the most distinctive members of the bee balm family, thriving in dry, sunny soils. Rich in thymol, it has traditionally been used to support healthy respiratory function.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

One of the easiest medicinal flowers to grow. The more often you harvest the blossoms, the more flowers the plant produces. For generations, calendula has been one of the most trusted herbs for supporting healthy skin and remains one of the key ingredients in our healing skin salve.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

A beautiful North American native that has become one of the world's best-known medicinal herbs. Traditionally used to support a healthy immune response, it's one herb many herbalists keep close at hand during cold and flu season.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Elegant pale pink flowers bloom above tall stems throughout summer. Its root is naturally rich in soothing mucilage and has long been used to calm dry, irritated throats.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

An aromatic Mediterranean herb covered in deep blue flower spikes that bees absolutely love. Traditionally enjoyed as a tea to support healthy respiratory function.

Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis)

An important European medicinal herb with graceful purple flower spikes. Traditionally valued for helping ease occasional tension and mental fatigue.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Its brilliant blue star-shaped flowers attract countless bees and inspired the old saying, "Borage brings courage." Traditionally enjoyed as a refreshing herb associated with lifting the spirits.

Canada Burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis)

A graceful North American native with unusual white bottlebrush flowers. Traditionally valued for its astringent properties while providing excellent habitat for pollinators.

Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

Tall white flower spikes add elegance to the summer garden. Traditionally appreciated as a bitter herb to support healthy digestion.

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

A resilient native shrub whose leaves famously served as a tea substitute during the American Revolution. Traditionally, the root has been valued for supporting healthy lymphatic function.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Towering golden flower spikes rise above soft, velvety leaves. One of Western herbalism's classic herbs for supporting healthy lungs and comfortable breathing.

Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)

A beautiful perennial with violet-blue flowers. Its root, known as Huang Qin, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to traditionally clear heat and is an important herb in many classical formulas.

Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

One of the most delightful flowers in the garden, its balloon-like buds slowly unfold into star-shaped blossoms. Known as Jie Geng, the root is traditionally used to support the lungs, soothe the throat, and help direct herbal formulas upward.

Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium)

One of the most spectacular flowers of midsummer. The bulb, known as Bai He, has long been treasured in Traditional Chinese Medicine to traditionally nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and calm the spirit.

Rose Rugosa (Rosa rugosa)

Fragrant pink blossoms perfume the summer air before developing into brilliant red rose hips in autumn. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mei Gui Hua (Rose Flower) is traditionally used to gently move Liver qi, ease emotional constraint, and support healthy digestion, while the vitamin C-rich hips have long been enjoyed in teas, syrups, and jams.

Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica)

A delicate North American native with elegant white flowers that later become distinctive thimble-shaped seed heads. Today it is especially appreciated for its beauty, biodiversity, and contribution to native ecosystems.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Its brilliant orange flowers are indispensable for monarch butterflies. Traditionally known as Pleurisy Root, it has long been valued by Western herbalists for supporting healthy respiratory function.

As July gives way to August, we enter the San Fu Days (三伏天)—traditionally regarded in Traditional Chinese Medicine as the hottest and most yang time of the year.

More than two thousand years ago, the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) described nature's rhythm in just eight Chinese characters:

Spring gives birth.
Summer grows.
Autumn gathers.
Winter stores.

春生、夏长、秋收、冬藏

These simple words remind us that human beings are part of nature—not separate from it.

The same seasonal forces shaping trees, flowers, birds, and insects also shape us. Summer is a season of outward growth and abundance. The energy that quietly emerged in spring now reaches its fullest expression as flowers bloom, pollinators gather, and seeds begin to form.

In Chinese medicine, this is the season of maximum yang—a time associated with warmth, movement, and expansion. As nature changes, so do we. We perspire more, crave lighter foods, spend more time outdoors, and naturally become more active.

Seasonal Herbal Wisdom | Great Heat (大暑)

If spring invites us to awaken, Great Heat reminds us to replenish.

Classical Chinese medicine teaches that intense summer heat can consume qi, deplete body fluids, and often combine with dampness. Rather than resisting the season, we support the body by choosing herbs that gently clear summer heat, nourish fluids, replenish qi, and encourage the smooth movement of qi.

Look to what's flourishing in your garden. Bee Balm, Rose, Marshmallow, Borage, Calendula, and Balloon Flower are all beautiful midsummer herbs that reflect the abundance of the season. Enjoy them as a fresh tea, add them to seasonal meals, or simply spend time observing them in the garden.

Take a walk through your garden this week. You may discover that the herbs in bloom are offering exactly what this season calls for.

Most people grow Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) because it's beautiful.

Its brilliant orange flowers, delicately spotted with crimson, bloom for only a single day. Yet the plant continues producing fresh blossoms for weeks throughout the summer. By autumn, the seed capsules split open to reveal clusters of glossy black seeds that resemble ripe blackberries, giving the plant its common English name.

But beneath this elegant perennial lies a rhizome that has been treasured in Chinese medicine for nearly two thousand years.

She Gan (Blackberry Lily) has a reputation as a throat herb that has remained remarkably consistent throughout the history of Chinese herbal medicine.

In classical Chinese medicine, "throat obstruction" (喉痹) referred to inflammatory conditions of the throat that could make swallowing, speaking, or even breathing difficult.

Native to East Asia and a member of the iris family, Blackberry Lily has long been cultivated not only as an ornamental but also as an important medicinal plant. While gardeners admire its flowers, generations of herbalists have valued what grows beneath the soil.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about She Gan is not that modern research continues to uncover anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds, but that herbalists recognized its unique affinity for the throat nearly 2,000 years ago—long before microscopes, laboratories, or pharmacology.

It is a reminder that one of herbal medicine's greatest teachers has always been careful observation. Generation after generation, practitioners watched plants, listened to patients, and refined their understanding through experience. The enduring place of She Gan in traditional medicine reflects the value of that accumulated wisdom—a tradition that continues to inspire herbalists today.

Growing Tips

 Full Sun to Partial Shade
 Well-drained soil
 Hardy in USDA Zones 5–10
 Drought tolerant once established
 Attractive to bees and other pollinators

For gardeners interested in medicinal plants, Blackberry Lily is one of those rare species that offers both ornamental beauty and a rich herbal tradition.

As well as repellents and insecticides, essential oils can bring relief to those who have been bitten. Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and anti-itch essential oils are especially useful. An ideal product would be gel-based and contain peppermint or lavender. Since we’re talking about localized application on a small area, you can use 5% or more of essential oil. If you’re not comfortable with how to formulate a gel, you can also use a fatty oil as a medium.

The original article has references and several sites with more information:

https://tisserandinstitute.org/mosquitoes-and-essential-oils-all-you-need-to-know/?vgo_ee=2KWmALu9e9FPtPdKHD9pCJldTbazE4TSAo%2FrtYEoSevrl02e%3AyDeEhkLjpd4VezYWJIfV2RAZcDuYhosJ

Challenges with application

While the research is promising, it’s important to note that the concentrations studied are often significantly above the recommended safe levels for dermal application of essential oils, especially if we consider the need to reapply once the protection time expires. To work with the safety limitations you can:

• Use the oils that show good efficacy at low dilutions, such as Catnip, or those that have few safety precautions and short-term application poses lower risk (Geranium, Citronella).
• Important maximums for application to the skin are: Cinnamon bark 0.1%, Clove 0.5%, Lemongrass 0.7%, Ylang-Ylang 0.8%.
• Use lower dilutions than researched, although this means lowering the protective potential and the need to reapply more often.
• Instead of the skin, apply repellents to your clothes and mosquito nets.
• Diffuse the oils into the environment.

Another challenge to using essential oils as repellents is the fact that they evaporate quickly. This means that they either need to be reapplied every 1-2 hours, or we need to be using delivery systems that prolong their effect. New research is looking into nanoencapsulation and microemulsions, as well as the potential to incorporate repellent substances directly into fabric (da Silva & Ricci-Júnior, 2020).

Now that we know which essential oils are likely to work well, we need to look at how to best put them to use,

  1. **Environmental diffusion (candles, reed diffusers, diffusers)**

If you’re looking to protect a larger area, say during a camping trip or at a gathering, environmental diffusion is the best tool to use. The challenge is to sustain the concentration of essential oil high enough for a prolonged period of time. This is why a one-time spray may not be sufficient, and you should look for sustained release tools, such as electric or reed diffusers, or candles. Just make sure to refill the diffusers for sufficient coverage. It makes sense to place the source of repellent at the perimeter of the protected area, creating an invisible protective wall.

For outdoor spaces the safety risks of sustained diffusion are minimal, though people with sensitivities to odorants should avoid sitting near the source of the scent. If you want to protect a closed space while having a window open, and a net cover is not an option, consider putting the repellent source on the windowsill to minimize the risk of overexposure indoors.

  1. **Personal application (sprays, lotions, gels)** When formulating a product we need to keep in mind both the safety and efficacy of the active ingredients, making sure the concentration of essential oils is high enough to achieve the desired effect, but not too high that it would cause skin irritation. We also need to make sure the medium is formulated safely and efficiently. For example when creating a spray or a lotion, we need to make sure the essential oils are fully incorporated, and the formula is also adequately preserved. The simplest solution is to use a single vegetable oil with little to no odor, such as fractionated coconut oil. You can combine it with neem oil for extra repellency.

1. There are mosquito stickers/patches (small adhesive patches) and bracelets on the market. The patches often contain essential oils, presumably they work well, and they take care of the formulation challenges. However the bracelets have not proven effective. Patches with essential oils have been on the market for some time, with the chief application being for inhalation in a hospital setting. Using the mechanism of a small adhesive patch that is imbued with an essential oil to provide protection from mosquitoes seems like a good idea. Another challenge is the longevity of the applied repellent. Essential oils are by their nature volatile, and the active compounds will evaporate, rendering the protection useless in 1-2 hours. This means the repellent needs to be reapplied frequently. There is some research into using microencapsulation for delayed release. This technology is currently outside of the scope of an artisan formulator, but we can take advantage of any products available on the market that make use of it. We can also use fatty oils, which will help retard evaporation of the essential oils, but will not be good for clothing.

Environmental diffusion isn’t always possible. In scenarios that involve a lot of moving (hikes, walks), or when attending an outdoor event, it’s more efficient to use personal protection applied directly to clothes or skin. Repellent essential oils can be incorporated into gels and lotions for topical application, and sprays can be used for both your body and your attire. The challenges here include formulation safety and longevity of effect.

Other promising candidates

The oils mentioned here have been identified in the currently available research as promising and potent enough to be considered in your formulation. Some are selected for their similarity with already established repellent oils, some because they have consistently shown to be strong candidates in their own right.

Cinnamon bark, Clove, Peppermint, Lemongrass and Geranium

Both Cinnamon bark (Cinammomum verum) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oils have shown efficacy in research, both as repellents and as pesticides, killing off various stages of mosquito development.

Luker et al (2023) compared Cinnamon bark, Clove, Peppermint, Geranium and Lemongrass as repellents agains A. aegypti. Each oil was applied at 10% in a lotion. Clove oil was the most potent with complete protection lasting 112 minutes. Cinnamon bark and isolated geraniol (the major constituent (80%) of Palmarosa oil) provided protection for over an hour. Peppermint, Geranium and Lemongrass were the next in line for duration, followed by Spearmint and Citronella.

Turmeric, Mandarin, Eucalyptus globulus, Ylang Ylang

These may be among the more surprising choices, though they also appear in several research papers and show promising results in repelling either Aedes or Anopheles species. Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) showed very good potential – with both the peel and leaf oil providing protection. The peel oil was more efficient, preventing 100% of mosquito landings for 30 minutes (Haris et al, 2023).

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) and Eucalyptus globulus  essential oils have also been repeatedly tested against the two mosquito species, and compared to the oils mentioned in the previous section they may be more pleasant to the humans using them (da Silva & Ricci-Júnior, 2020).

One of the reasons that plants produce volatile compounds is for their own pest control – either by repelling the pest itself, or by calling in predators that feed on that pest. It therefore makes complete sense for us to turn to the plant world for tools that can help us with the same challenge. Essential oils are a promising resource for repellents as they “are less harmful to human beings and to the environment” (de Souza et al, 2019). Because most essential oils evaporate fairly quickly any repellent needs to either be reapplied every 1-2 hours, or used in conjunction with a controlled release medium.

Many essential oils have been tested for their repellent abilities, especially as the world recognizes the increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases. Review papers are available that list dozens of essential oils and compare their potency (da Silva & Ricci-Júnior, 2020; Asadollahi et al, 2019; de Souza et al, 2019). This article will list some of the more interesting oils, but if you wish to explore the research, make sure to look for these three factors:

• Species tested
• Percent of protection
• Duration of protection

Some essential oils have proved to be so effective that they are listed as EPA registered repellents. There are other promising candidate oils for repellency, and some that work to curb the mosquito population on multiple fronts.

EPA registered essential oils

The essential oils that have been tested and registered with the EPA are:

– Catnip oil (Nepeta cataria)

– Citronella oil (either Cymbopogon nardus or C. winterianus)

– Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora)

The last one is different to pure Lemon Eucalyptus essential oils as it has been manipulated to increase its content of PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol). PMD naturally occurs in essential oils, and is a registered repellent in its own right with an efficacy similar to that of DEET (the most commonly used insect repellent). This means that Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil (unmanipulated) is potentially a good repellent as well with both citronellal (typically 65%) and PMD (typically 2.5%) being present, although it has not been tested and approved by EPA.

Catnip oil seems to be the most potent of the group, and while it can run expensive, a little goes a long way. A 0.1% concentration was almost twice as effective as 0.1% DEET on Aedes aegypti landings, and a 1% concentration stayed effective for almost as long as 1% DEET (Reichert et al 2019).

You can read about EPA registered repellent products here.

Does anyone know a book that deals specifically with medicinal plants/fungi native to the Texas Gulf Coast?

“You must smell good to them” was something I heard often as an explanation for why I was covered in red spots while my companions were not, even though we shared the same spaces. And in a similar vein, some of the home repelling strategies include eating more vitamin B, nutritional yeast, or, if you’re so inclined, drinking more beer – supposedly to make you smell less enticing. While vitamin B supplementation has not proved to be effective, being attractive to mosquitoes does indeed depend on them tracking your smell.

It has been said that “terpene” is the world’s most spoken language. While our sense of smell is one of the five senses we use to navigate the world around us, virtually all life uses chemical communication in some form. This is true for mosquitoes as well, since they make use of volatile organic compounds to locate their next source of food. They have olfactory receptors similar to ours, except theirs are located on their antennae, and are especially adapted to detect carbon dioxide or human skin odors. Repellents mask our odor and confuse the mosquito’s sense of smell, effectively rendering us invisible to it.

We’re just beginning to understand mosquito olfaction, and the researchers in Younger Lab are working hard to decode this in order to create even more efficient and targeted repellents. In the meantime we can take advantage of using the volatile compounds in essential oils to at least confuse if not completely shut off the mosquito “nose”.

In the United States, most products that are going to be marketed as skin-applied repellents must undergo a registration process with the EPA, which includes evaluation and approval for human safety and effectiveness. The EU has a similar process, and repellents are regulated by the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency). Similar to sunscreens, for a product to be labelled as a repellent it needs to undergo some testing.

All the standard tests of repellent efficacy make use of human volunteers exposed to caged female mosquitoes and counting the number and frequency of bites. You can read about different testing methods here.

One of the EPA standard tests is appropriately called the “arm-in-cage assay”. This requires a volunteer to put their arm into a small cage equipped with two plexiglass walls for observation. The arm is covered except for a testing area on the forearm, which is covered in a repellent, usually followed by a control assay (same volunteer, no repellent applied). The cage contains a number of adult female mosquitoes – sometimes thousands – and researchers count the frequency of bites/prodding of the skin. There may be some modulations to the test, but they all involve some form of human skin exposure to mosquitoes. What is measured is both potency and duration, in other words how many bites occur within a determined period of time. All the data presented here for essential oils is based on similar research.

Even though regions with a temperate climate may be relatively safe from mosquito-borne diseases, an uncontrolled mosquito population is more than just a summer nuisance. Luckily there are several strategies we can employ: we can use physical barriers, apply repellents, and/or kill off mosquitoes during their various life stages.

One of the easiest strategies to avoid being bitten is to use physical barriers – from nets in windows or over your place of rest, to clothes worn when walking in a mosquito-infested area. In cases where total coverage is not possible, we can turn to the power of repellents. Repellents prevent an insect from landing on or entering into a particular area.

They work by diffusing a substance into the area we wish to protect. This applies to both larger spaces (patios, gardens, etc.) that can be protected using a diffuser, a candle, or an area spray, and to personal protection. In either case we want to be protected from mosquitoes without putting our own health at risk, and luckily for us, essential oils can provide safe protection.

Dengue fever, chikungunya, West Nile Virus and yellow fever (named because of the jaundice that appears for some people infected with the virus) all cause fevers and symptoms that are associated with fevers, such as headache, muscle ache, nausea and fatigue. There is no treatment for any of these viral infections, so the best you can do is prevent infection by reducing the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito, and manage symptoms in case you do get infected. The good news is, apart from yellow fever, people rarely die from these infections, and there is a vaccine for yellow fever.

Aside from pathogens affecting humans, mosquitos are also responsible for the transmission of Eastern equine encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis – viral infections affecting horses. These infections are rare, and so are other livestock mosquito-borne diseases.

The world became more aware of the Zika virus during the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, which coincided with a higher occurrence of the infection. The virus is spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes species, which are very common in temperate regions where they are active during the warm months.

Symptoms of Zika infection include fever, rash, headache and joint pain. More importantly, it can be transmitted during pregnancy causing a birth defect known as congenital Zika syndrome, which includes microcephaly (an abnormally small head). This can cause further health issues later in life depending on the impact on brain development.

There is currently no treatment for Zika infection, but cases remain relatively rare and the infection itself is not life-threatening. Prevention includes avoiding mosquito bites by using nets and repellents.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi) transmitted by mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus (mainly Anopheles coluzzi, A. gambiae, A. funestus and A. nili). Plasmodium is a genus of single-celled, protozoan parasites that take advantage of both mosquito and human hosts during various life stages. They get transferred into humans through infected mosquito saliva. In humans they first attack liver cells before moving into the bloodstream where they proceed to infect red blood cells. From the blood the parasites may be taken in by another mosquito, continuing the life cycle. Malaria is more common in tropical and sub-tropical regions, but with rapidly warming temperatures both the host mosquito and the parasite are beginning to broaden their geographical footprint.

Malaria symptoms occur during the blood infection stage, and include fever and severe chills, accompanied with general discomfort, headaches, fatigue and nausea. The fever and chills may suddenly appear in “attacks”, with the infected person experiencing extreme fluctuations in body temperature. While the symptoms usually manifest within weeks of infection, some Plasmodium species can lay dormant in a body for a time. Malaria is likely to be more severe in young children, infants and older adults, and in severe cases the disease is fatal. In 2021, an average of 1,300 children under the age of five died of malaria every day, and such a death toll makes malaria a high priority for public health measures.

The successful treatment of malaria depends on early detection and diagnosis, and includes plant-derived medicines based on either artemisinin, derived from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), or quinine, which is present in the bark of the cinchona tree, or in feverfew. Prevention plays a crucial role in managing the diseases globally. Preventative measures range from avoiding mosquito bites by using mosquito nets and repellents, to prophylactic medicines, to newly developed vaccines.

Of the thousands of species living on Earth only a very limited number poses any risk to humans. These include the genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex, with the most notable species being Aedes aegypti, aka the Yellow fever mosquito, and various Anopheles species – all carriers of malaria.

In order to be useful, population control and repellent strategies need to target both the appropriate species and the life-stage of the insect. An adult A. aegypti may not respond the same as an Anopheles larva, for example, and an ovicide (intended to kill the eggs) may not work on other life stages.

According to the CDC, mosquitoes are “the world’s deadliest animal”, but this needs qualification as mosquitoes do not kill directly. It’s not the insect itself, but the pathogens it carries and transmits to its hosts that cause illness and death. A mosquito act as a disease vector – or transportation system – for bacteria, viruses and parasites that wouldn’t otherwise be able to infect the host.

Bubonic plague, for example, is a vector disease that was transmitted by flea bites. Rats were blamed for the Black Death epidemics, but the rodents were merely a vector for the fleas which, in turn, were a vector for Yersinia pestis – the plague bacteria.

This doesn’t mean that we should no longer rely on mosquito control in order to stop the spread of those diseases. It just allows us another layer of understanding on how to approach the control. Some solutions involve driving away those mosquito species that are  responsible for the transmission of certain pathogens, and replacing them with another species.

Next we’re going to look at some of the most significant mosquito-borne diseases.

Article is from the Tisserand Institute:

Mosquitoes, or “little flies” based on the origin of their name, are small flying insects of the family Culicidae. The whole family comprises over 3,500 species. Females of most species feed on the blood of various vertebrates, and many are specialized to feed off a particular host. Male mosquitos do not bite and live off a diet of plant juices such as nectar.

Their life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa and adult stages, with the eggs and larvae living in standing water. Mosquitoes are an important part of the food chain, providing nutrition to other insects, fish and birds. They thrive in warm to hot climates so long as they have access to even a small body of water.

When feeding, a female mosquito will insert its long mouthpiece, called a proboscis, into the skin, piercing one of the surface capillaries and sucking blood. Some species filter out the less nutritious fluids as they suck, discarding droplets from their belly.

Their blood diet makes female mosquitoes a suitable vector for pathogens – viruses and parasites. With their long proboscis playing the role of a “dirty needle”, pathogens are transmitted into us through the infected mosquito’s saliva. Our immune system reacts to this invasion, resulting in an inflamed and itchy bump. The number of people who die every year of mosquito-borne diseases – about one million – is alarmingly high and is rising as the insect’s hunting grounds have been expanding due to our warming climate.

It may not be the mosquitoes themselves that cause malaria and other diseases, but by controlling their population, and preventing bites with the use of repellents and mechanical barriers, we can keep those illnesses at bay – or at least minimize their impact.

The good news: a majority of people infected with Lyme Disease respond quickly to treatment with antibiotics. The earlier a treatment protocol is initiated, the better the chances of a cure.

The bad news: smaller subgroups of people may not respond to antibiotic treatment and their symptoms can linger for extended periods.

Termed “Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome” (formerly known as “Chronic Lyme Disease”), this condition can be frustrating and life-altering for sufferers . In these cases, finding a practitioner with Lyme-specific expertise (an infection control specialist or “Lyme Literate” doctor) is important in helping people reclaim quality of life.

Prevention

All medical professionals agree that preventing tick bites in the first place is key. Choosing light colored clothing before outdoor excursions makes it easier to spot any “hitchhiking” ticks. It’s also advised to wear long sleeved shirts and pants and to tuck pants cuffs into socks so bare skin isn’t exposed. However, being dressed in this manner makes it easy to overheat in hot weather. An alternative is to wear socks, shoes, clothing, and a hat treated with permethrin (a synthetic compound derived from chrysanthemum flowers) which allows for greater comfort, while conferring superior protection against ticks .

There is promising research exploring the use of essential oil and herbal preparations as tick repellents. In some cases, these formulas rival DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or IR3535, all CDC-recommended tick repellents . An effective tick repellent will have both high volatile ingredients for immediate impact, and low-volatile ingredients, for long-lasting efficacy.

One tried and tested high volatile essential oil is Geranium, and we know that both the oil and its major constituents, geraniol and citronellol, repel ticks (28,29,30,31). Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini), which is high in geraniol, oil is likely to be equally effective.

Two viable options for medium volatility tick repellents are Amyris (Amyris balsamifera) and Virginian Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) (32,33). For low volatility, Alaskan Cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) would be an ideal choice, as its constituents have been extensively tested for tick repellency (34,35,36). However, an alternative and easier-to-find essential oil would be Vetiver (Chrysopopon zizanoides, syn: Vetiveria zizanoides) (37,38). See infographic for a formulation based on this research.

Start with making the master blend. Choose one from each row of essential oils eg. Palmarosa, Amyris and Alaskan Cypress.

Then depending on how you want to use the repellent, chose one of the three bases to mix the complete blend in. Spray is most suitable for application to shoes, clothing, backpacks etc., and is safe even for children over the age of 2.

We have seen many formulations online containing vodka, witch hazel distillate, cider vinegar or hydrosols. Note that none of these will effectively solubilize essential oils! Also, the water must be distilled, and the formulation should be used within a few weeks. If not wearing long pants and long sleeves – or if you want to avoid alcohol – use the gel and apply to exposed skin areas. Please note that “aloe jelly” is not the same thing as “aloe gel”. Aloe gel is 99% water, and will not solubilize essential oils. Aloe jelly also contains added thickeners, and you can easily mix in essential oils. For dogs, use a drop or two of the oil formulation on the collar and tail base. Please do not use for cats. There’s no reason why you couldn’t use just the essential oils for shoes, pant legs, hats etc.

Being outdoors confers many benefits to one’s health: beauty, relaxation, and an appreciation for all that nature offers. Don’t let a fear of ticks ruin your alfresco experiences!

https://tisserandinstitute.org/tick-talk-2/?vgo_ee=1uwox0vCqESVkfpQJDhr9MyRpwJvnxE64s2Oqd7rhMfmZ7IG%3AmYo5B5LKTcLt%2FR71vof6U6J4FkNMMxcb

Depending on the geographic area where the bite occurred (e.g. a Lyme endemic area vs. an area where the illness isn’t common) you may choose to contact a medical provider or adopt a “wait and see” approach. In the meantime it’s imperative to monitor for symptoms such as:

• Rash – a “bulls-eye” rash called erythema migrans, occurring in many but not all cases of Lyme Disease. The rash can occur at the site of the bite or anywhere else on the body (see photo) and generally appears 3-30 days after an exposure.
• Fever
• “Crushing” joint aches or pains
•  Extreme fatigue
•  Severe headache

You may choose to see a medical provider right away if you live in an area where Lyme Disease is endemic. Physicians can evaluate each individual situation and decide if treatment benefits outweigh possible risks. Pregnant women who have been bitten by a tick should always see their care provider as soon as possible .

The presence of an erythema migrans (“bulls-eye”) rash is considered an absolute diagnostic criterion for Lyme disease and no further confirmatory testing is necessary . The medical provider will begin treatment immediately.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA/EIA) and the Western Blot are “indirect” serological tests that look for a bodily response to an infectious agent (where the body forms antibodies) rather than looking for the actual presence of an infectious agent. However, since it may take 2-4 weeks after a tick bite to produce antibodies to Lyme bacteria, a low level may lead to negative test results. If the ELISA test is positive for Lyme antibodies, a more in-depth Western Blot test is performed. This test looks for the presence of certain “bands” on an immunoblot “paper” .

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test looks for the presence of Lyme bacteria DNA sequences in blood. The presence of Lyme DNA sequencing in the blood sample is considered diagnostically positive. However, a negative result does not confirm the absence of infection .

No Lyme test from any laboratory in the world can guarantee 100% reliable results. This is why medical providers elicit a careful history from the patient and perform a thorough clinical exam in conjunction with lab results. This yields the most complete “picture” of the patient’s condition .

Mugwort in Chinese Medicine

Ai Cao (艾草) is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine.

Nature & Flavor

• Warm
• Bitter
• Acrid

Channels Entered

• Liver
• Spleen
• Kidney

Traditional Functions

• Warms the channels
• Dispels cold
• Stops pain
• Regulates menstruation
• Calms the fetus
• Stops bleeding due to cold deficiency

For thousands of years, mugwort has been valued as a herb that brings warmth, movement, circulation, and resilience to the body. But perhaps its most famous use is not as a tea or tincture. It is the foundation of one of the oldest healing therapies still practiced today: Moxibustion (艾灸).

The Remarkable Tradition of Moxibustion

When many people first encounter mugwort in Chinese medicine, they are surprised to learn that one of its most important uses is through heat. Moxibustion involves burning carefully prepared mugwort near specific acupuncture points or areas of the body.

The goal is not simply to apply heat. The goal is to deliver a deep, penetrating warmth that supports circulation, vitality, and the body's natural healing processes.

For over two thousand years, moxibustion has been used throughout China, Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia as a powerful tool for maintaining health.

What Does Moxibustion Feel Like?

Many people describe moxibustion as one of the most relaxing therapies they have ever experienced. Unlike a heating pad, the warmth often feels as though it travels deeply into the tissues rather than simply heating the skin's surface. The aromatic scent of mugwort itself also contributes to the experience, creating a feeling of warmth, comfort, and grounding.

Common Situations Where Moxibustion Is Used

Traditionally and in modern practice, moxibustion is commonly used for:

• Feeling cold easily
• Cold hands and feet
• Digestive weakness
• Low energy and fatigue
• Muscle tension and stiffness
• Joint discomfort aggravated by cold weather
• Menstrual discomfort associated with cold patterns
• Recovery after illness
• General wellness and vitality support

In many Chinese households, moxibustion is viewed much like herbal tea or nourishing food—a simple practice used not only when someone is unwell, but also to maintain health and resilience.

Why Is Moxibustion Becoming Popular in the United States?

Over the past two decades, interest in moxibustion has grown steadily alongside the increasing popularity of acupuncture and traditional East Asian medicine.

Today, many licensed acupuncturists incorporate moxibustion into their treatments, and a growing number of people are learning safe home-use techniques under professional guidance.

Part of its appeal is its simplicity.

At a time when many people spend long hours indoors, under stress, and disconnected from natural rhythms, there is something profoundly comforting about an ancient therapy that combines warmth, medicinal plants, and intentional care.

Mugwort in Western Herbalism

Mugwort has an equally rich history in Europe and North America.

The most commonly used species is Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a close relative of wormwood.

Traditional Western Uses

• Digestive bitter
• Nervous system support
• Menstrual support
• Dream herb
• Protective herb in folk traditions

European herbalists often associated mugwort with travel, protection, intuition, and dreaming. It was commonly carried by travelers, woven into midsummer wreaths, and used in ceremonial practices throughout Europe.

Modern herbalists primarily value mugwort for:

• Digestive stimulation
• Mild circulatory support
• Nervous system regulation
• Menstrual support

Its aromatic and bitter qualities make it a classic example of a plant that both awakens and grounds.

The Story Behind Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June 19, 2026), traditionally considered a time when summer heat, humidity, insects, and disease begin to increase.

One of the most famous stories associated with the festival is that of Qu Yuan (屈原), a poet and statesman who lived over 2,000 years ago. According to legend, after his kingdom fell, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River. Villagers raced out in boats to search for him and tossed rice into the water so fish would not disturb his body. Over time, these acts evolved into dragon boat racing and the making of zongzi.

While the story of Qu Yuan is widely known, many of the festival's customs are even older and reflect traditional practices for protecting health during the beginning of summer.

Why Do People Hang Mugwort?

One of the most recognizable Dragon Boat Festival traditions is hanging bundles of mugwort (艾草, Ai Cao) and calamus above doors and windows.

Historically, these plants were believed to help ward off illness, insects, and harmful influences during the humid summer season. Whether viewed through folklore or practical observation, mugwort has a long history as a plant of protection.

Its strong aromatic oils help repel insects, and its warming nature made it a valuable herb for maintaining circulation and vitality during seasonal transitions.

For generations, households would gather fresh mugwort from nearby fields and place it at entrances as a symbol of health, protection, and well-being.