Lavender, mosquitoes, and sanity

So you forgot to put on the bug spray and now you've got two dozen mosquito bites all over (ok, so it was me who has the two dozen bites -- and, yes, I did count).  Lavender essential oil directly on the bite really does take the edge off that I'm-going-to-go-crazy-from-this-ITCHING feeling.  And you can just re-apply it as needed.  Lavender:  helps to keep you sane -- even in mosquito season.

Essential Oils 101 - Lavender

Per Wikipedia, an essential oil is:  "...a concentrated liquid from plants. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant."   Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes. 
According to whoever you listen to, lavender can do everything from cure athlete's foot to disinfect your garbage can; it can get rid of a hangover and ease panic attacks. In 17th century London, it was suggested that a bunch of lavender be tied around the wrist to protect one from the Great Plague.  Not bad for a little purple flower.  Whether you expect it to cure what ails you or not, you CAN expect it to smell great:  always clean and fresh, not cloying, not terribly floral.  Makes as nice a soap now as it did years ago.  And anti-plague lavender wrist bands are never out of style...