Noxious insects
Elizabeth Spence
This is in response to recent questions about insects.
Here in Canada, the land of big sea shining waters, there are two types of
people: those who spend the winters playing ice hockey on the frozen big
sea shining waters, and those who spend their gardening downtime working out
ways to seek and destroy the zillions of mosquitos, etc. which breed in the
big sea etc. I am of the latter persuasion and would like to share some of
the wisdom I have collected over the years.
Overriding law: YOU CAN'T WIN. You can, however, minimize the
effects of noxious insects as follows:
l) Stop attracting them. Since mosquitos require three things
from a human (or cat or dog, etc.) to attack - CO2, moisture and heat -
doing away with any one of these will do the trick. But how? Stop
breathing (not on), wear a diving suit (a bit hot), suck an ice cube (need
good teeth), wear a dust mask (helps a little bit, at least you dont' get
them flying into your mouth). This basic problem is generally very
difficult and, it would seem, insoluble, unless mass eradication of breeding
grounds is undertaken. But then you have the problem of mosquito rights?
2) Cope with them once they have arrived. There are three
categories here:
a) Zap 'em: Various electronic bug zapping devices
are available. Bugs are attracted to a light, pass through a mesh to reach
it and are electrocuted. The major problem with these is that they will
attract everything from a handkerchief moth to a no-see-um (I think this is
"gnat" in the UK), but not mosquitos. Read the small print. Light a
citronella candle - advertisers insist that bugs fly into the flame and
self-immolate. Doesn't work for me. Many nurseries advertise "The Mosquito
Plant - Guaranteed to Keep Mosquitos at Bay". Turns out this is a simple
lemon-scented geranium, which doesn't work for me either.
b) Use stuff on yourself: Everyone used to spray
themselves with DEET (trade name used to be "Bug Off"), but this is now
considered environmentally unconscionable. It does work though. Other
materials which can be smeared, sprayed, rubbed into etc. the corpus and are
variously effective are: Avon "Skin so Soft", leaves of pennyroyal or a dab
or two of pennyroyal oil (the latter also recommended for repelling fleas on
animals), powdered comfrey mixed with some water, the juice from the root of
Sanguisorba canadensis (Bloodroot). This is bright red, and use of same by
Native Americans caused them to be called "Red Indians".
c) Erect barricades: Wonderful bug hats, shirts and suits
are available. Enrobing yourself in mosquito netting or failing that, lace
curtains, would have the same effect.
Hope this helps!
Elizabeth Spence, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nick Maclaren
>themselves with DEET (trade name used to be "Bug Off"), but this is now
Not very well. When I were a lad, we considered that DTE (Deet) was
good enough for holidays in Europe but, for real protection, the only
thing was DMP (Dimp). DMP was withdrawn some decades back because it
is carcinogenic. I have never found DTE particularly effective
against Scottish midges or Wiltshire blackfly, and I have never come
across British mosquitoes in sufficient numbers to be worth protecting
myself against. [*]
Of course, the consequences of being bitten where I was were things
like malaria (including blackwater fever), yellow fever and so on,
so we wouldn't have worried too much about minor carcinogenicity
even if we had known about it. But the Powers That Be don't like
giving mere peasants a say in their own destiny.
[*] Which is NOT the same as saying that they don't occur in clouds
in some locations, so other people may have. Anyway, mosquitoes will
bite me only if there is nobody else available.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QG, England.
Email: nm...@cam.ac.uk
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679
Judith Atkinson
<lyn...@istar.ca> wrote:
. Other
>materials which can be smeared, sprayed, rubbed into etc. the corpus and are
>variously effective are: Avon "Skin so Soft", leaves of pennyroyal or a dab
>or two of pennyroyal oil (the latter also recommended for repelling fleas on
>animals),
I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
used as an abortifacient and should not be used in any form by
pregnant women. Can anyone else confirm this?
Judith
NeilTonks
>I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
>used as an abortifacient and should not be used in any form by
>pregnant women. Can anyone else confirm this?
The oil of pennyroyal is used to repel dog fleas and other insects. However,
it is extremely dangerous to humans, particularly pregnant women, when taken
internally in any quantity. Further details can be obtained from
http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.herbs/pennyroyal.html
Jill Bell
ju...@taironen.force9.co.uk (Judith Atkinson) wrote:
> On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 14:32:18 -0400, "Elizabeth Spence"
> <lyn...@istar.ca> wrote:
>
>
> . Other
> >materials which can be smeared, sprayed, rubbed into etc. the corpus and are
> >variously effective are: Avon "Skin so Soft", leaves of pennyroyal or a dab
> >or two of pennyroyal oil (the latter also recommended for repelling fleas on
> >animals),
>
> I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
> used as an abortifacient and should not be used in any form by
> pregnant women. Can anyone else confirm this?
> Judith
Source. RHS Encyclopaedia of Herbs:
Properties- stimulates the uterus. improves digestion, increases sweating.
Culinary: added to black pudding (yummy- we've got a champion black puddin'
maker near here!)
Medicinal: internally for indigestion, colic, feverish colds and menstrual
complaints. Not given to pregnant women. Externally for skin irritations.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Traditionally used to repel mice and insects.
--
Jill
(ji...@bellsbarn.freeserve.co.uk)
Alan Gould
<neil...@aol.com> writes
>ju...@taironen.force9.co.uk (Judith Atkinson) wrote:
>>I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
>>used as an abortifacient and should not be used in any form by
>>pregnant women. Can anyone else confirm this?
>
>it is extremely dangerous to humans, particularly pregnant women, when taken
>internally in any quantity. Further details can be obtained from
>http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.herbs/pennyroyal.html
>
John Lust in his Herb Book writes:
Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegiodes):
[European or 'true' Pennyroyal is: Mentha pulegium]
Properties and uses: Carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative.
Pennyroyal was commonly used in nineteenth century medicine to induce
perspiration at the beginning of a cold and to promote menstruation. It
was taken also with brewer's yeast to induce abortion. It is helpful
against nausea and nervous conditions but should not be taken during
pregnancy. The tea makes a good external wash for skin eruptions, rashes
and itching.
--
Alan and Joan Gould, North Lincs.
<al...@agolincs.demon.co.uk>
Martin Brown
Nick Maclaren wrote:
> In article <eTyF2.30$HL.2...@NewsRead.Toronto.iSTAR.net>,
> Elizabeth Spence <lyn...@istar.ca> wrote:
> >This is in response to recent questions about insects.
> >
> > b) Use stuff on yourself: Everyone used to spray
> >themselves with DEET (trade name used to be "Bug Off"), but this is now
> >considered environmentally unconscionable. It does work though. ...
>
> Not very well. When I were a lad, we considered that DTE (Deet) was
> good enough for holidays in Europe but, for real protection, the only
> thing was DMP (Dimp). DMP was withdrawn some decades back because it
> is carcinogenic. I have never found DTE particularly effective
It works to some extent. As does taking yeast tablets (but you smell of
yeast).
Apparently this puts some biting insects off including midges and sandflies.
> against Scottish midges or Wiltshire blackfly, and I have never come
> across British mosquitoes in sufficient numbers to be worth protecting
> myself against. [*]
Even in Yorkshire they sometimes get me, but usually bite my wife given a
choice.
Clegs, horseflies and other horrid things usually go for me though.
I suspect where we live now will be well endowed with mozzies in season.
> Of course, the consequences of being bitten where I was were things
> like malaria (including blackwater fever), yellow fever and so on,
> so we wouldn't have worried too much about minor carcinogenicity
Having travelled in malaria countries without any protection (I didn't have a
choice).
Whilst living in a country with a policy of treating malaria only after you
catch it we experimented with various remedies and yeast tablets & DEET were
useful but nothing like 100% reliable. Strangely given a choice tropical
mozies prefer to bite me.
One formulation of DEET was far more effective than others (I forget which)
Regards,
Martin Brown
bogus address
ju...@taironen.force9.co.uk (Judith Atkinson) wrote:
> I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
> used as an abortifacient
Not just "used to be". I knew someone in the late 70s who used
pennyroyal-based herbal abortifacients as her preferred means of
contraception. She's still alive, and from what she told me she
couldn't have been the only one at the time, by a long way.
> and should not be used in any form by pregnant women.
...who wish to remain pregnant. Not all do.
I doubt the safety record of this stuff was up there with RU486,
but it seems to have been one hell of a lot better than a coathanger.
For neo-mediaeval regimes like Afghanistan or parts of the American
Bible Belt it might still be an important option for some women.
No, I don't have a recipe, but it can't be difficult to find one.
---> email to "jc" at this site: email to "jack" or "bogus" will bounce <---
Jack Campin: 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU; 0131 6604760
http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/purrhome.html food intolerance data and recipes,
freeware logic fonts for the Macintosh, and Scots traditional music resources
bogus address
ju...@taironen.force9.co.uk (Judith Atkinson) wrote:
> I'm sure that i've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
> used as an abortifacient
I meant to add this my followup: this was one of many plants with
obstetric or gynaecological applications grown in the physic garden
of Glasgow University in the mid-16th century by Mark Jameson, Deputy
Rector of the University and Vicar-Choral of the Cathedral. There
is a complete list in A.D. Bovey's book "The Lost Gardens of Glasgow
University". There is no record of what the owner did with it all,
but there was so much that he must have been using it in a big way.
Bovey points out that the garden was walled off from the rest of the
University, so nobody was keeping a close eye on Jameson's activities;
he may have been running a private abortion clinic.
Anybody out there have a physic garden? We used to have a small one
at the back of our old flat, but here we couldn't keep our cats out
of it (and some of them definitely don't have the sense not to snack
on poisonous plants).
John Neale Baraclough
from bo...@purr.demon.co.uk (bogus address) contains these words:
> ju...@taironen.force9.co.uk (Judith Atkinson) wrote:
> > I'm sure thati've read somewhere that pennyroyal used to be
> > used as an abortifacient
> Not just "used to be". I knew someone in the late 70s who used
> pennyroyal-based herbal abortifacients as her preferred means of
> contraception. She's still alive, and from what she told me she
> couldn't have been the only one at the time, by a long way.
> I doubt the safety record of this stuff was up there with RU486,
> but it seems to have been one hell of a lot better than a coathanger.
> For neo-mediaeval regimes like Afghanistan or parts of the American
> Bible Belt it might still be an important option for some women.
> No, I don't have a recipe, but it can't be difficult to find one.
This is entirely off topic for this newsgroup.
Just to redress the balance for anyone reading this who thinks why
not give your handy information about "pennyroyal herbal
contraception" a whirl, could I point out that any form of
misscarriage, but particularly self induced, carries both immediate
and longterm physical and emotional healthrisk to the woman concerned
and is no lightly undertaken procedure.Please don't hint at
suggestions involving womens' health and safety for which you have no
medical expertise or personal experience .
Janet.
Karen Mountford
> > used as an abortifacient
>
> obstetric or gynaecological applications grown in the physic garden
> of Glasgow University in the mid-16th century by Mark Jameson, Deputy
> Rector of the University and Vicar-Choral of the Cathedral. There
> is a complete list in A.D. Bovey's book "The Lost Gardens of Glasgow
> University". There is no record of what the owner did with it all,
> but there was so much that he must have been using it in a big way.
> Bovey points out that the garden was walled off from the rest of the
> University, so nobody was keeping a close eye on Jameson's activities;
> he may have been running a private abortion clinic.
I found this on the botanical.com website among a lot more :-
Pennyroyal is often found in cottage gardens, as an infusion of the
leaves, known as Pennyroyal Tea, is an old-fashioned remedy for colds
and menstrual derangements.
I guess pregnancy could be called a menstrual derangement.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/pennyr23.html
I vaguely recall reading somewhere that it will only work if taken very
early in pregnancy - after that you have resort to ergot. Alternatively
I've found the contraceptive pill is quite effective.
Karen (Coastal Suffolk)
Remove "greenweed" to e-mail.
Judith Atkinson
<Karen.M...@Talk21.Greenweed.com> wrote:
>I found this on the botanical.com website among a lot more :-
>
>Pennyroyal is often found in cottage gardens, as an infusion of the
>leaves, known as Pennyroyal Tea, is an old-fashioned remedy for colds
>and menstrual derangements.
>
>I guess pregnancy could be called a menstrual derangement.
I suppose that's one way of putting it! I've always been facinated by
the rather sinister collection of plants grown in physic gardens I
guess most problems could be dealt with one way or another.
Judith
Trevor Rimmer
from bo...@purr.demon.co.uk (bogus address) contains these words:
>snip<
> Anybody out there have a physic garden? We used to have a small one
> at the back of our old flat, but here we couldn't keep our cats out
> of it (and some of them definitely don't have the sense not to snack
> on poisonous plants).
> ---> email to "jc" at this site: email to "jack" or "bogus" will bounce <---
> Jack Campin: 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU; 0131 6604760
> http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/purrhome.html food intolerance data and recipes,
> freeware logic fonts for the Macintosh, and Scots traditional music resources
The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh have recently started
one, but its only small. A nice idea, though...
Trev R
Susan Boardman
After having read the points mentioned, I'm surprised that no-one has
thought of insect eating plants. Most plants of this kind *accidentally*
catch prey (sundews, for example), but the American Pitcher Plant is
reportedly very good. Especially Sarracenia flava. This plant lures insects
and other creepy-crawlies in upright trumpets, which then drown in the
digestive fluid. It actively draws insects in - the trumpets sometimes fall
over with the weight of exoskeletons!
Unfortunately, mine are not yet big enough to catch anything, having
grown them from seed, so I can't give first hand experience. They also have
lovely flowers, and are not at all difficult to grow. Also a good talking
point for visitors!
Try this excellent book: The Savage Garden - Cultivating Carnivorous
Plants, by Peter D'Amato. Or his web site
www.californiacarnivores.com
Susan
C Barrass
from Trevor Rimmer <tri...@zetnet.co.uk> contains these words:
> The message <42...@purr.demon.co.uk>
> from bo...@purr.demon.co.uk (bogus address) contains these words:
> >snip<
> > Anybody out there have a physic garden? <snipped>
> The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh have recently started
> one, but its only small. A nice idea, though...
> Trev R
Really? Where abouts in Edinburgh? And is it open to the public at all?
Clair
--
Warning: Address in header is anti-spam - use:
(clair dot barrass at zetnet dot co dot uk)
Trevor Rimmer
from C Barrass <c.ba...@no.spam.ta> contains these words:
> The message <199903172...@zetnet.co.uk>
> from Trevor Rimmer <tri...@zetnet.co.uk> contains these words:
> > The message <42...@purr.demon.co.uk>
> > from bo...@purr.demon.co.uk (bogus address) contains these words:
> > >snip<
> > > Anybody out there have a physic garden? <snipped>
> > The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh have recently started
> > one, but its only small. A nice idea, though...
> > Trev R
> Really? Where abouts in Edinburgh? And is it open to the public at all?
> Clair
Next to the National Portrait Gallery, more or less. I do not think
it is open to the general public. If you are interested, it is worth
asking, however. They seem pretty friendly.
It really is quite small, and in a rather shady courtyard. If you
have some knowledge of medicinal plants, I am sure (almost!) that
they would let you have a look. No harm in asking.
Trev R