Study summary
Comparative repellency of 38 essential oils against mosquito bites
Trongtokit Y, Rongsriyam Y, Komalamisra N, Apiwathnasorn C
- Study type
- Lab
- Year
- 2005
- Species tested
- Aedes aegypti
- Published in
- Phytotherapy Research 19(4):303-309
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
How it was tested
Laboratory screening of 38 essential oils on human skin at multiple dilutions against Aedes aegypti.
Summary
Laboratory screen of 38 plant essential oils at 10%, 50%, and undiluted concentrations on human skin against Aedes aegypti, with the best performers retested against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles dirus.
Key findings
At 10-50% none prevented bites for as long as 2 hours; undiluted citronella, patchouli, clove, and makaen were most effective at 2 hours of complete repellency. Undiluted clove oil gave the longest 100% repellency (2-4 hours) across all three species.
Limitations
Repellency relied on undiluted oils that are impractical and skin-irritating for everyday use; laboratory conditions; short durations.