This Essential Oil Repels Fleas & Is Safe Around Pets
Safety first
Familiarize yourself with aromatherapy and do a skin patch test before using any essential oil. Learn what you need to know with the ultimate Aromatherapy for Beginners Guide at:
As always, consult a trusted healthcare practitioner before trying any essential oils.
See below for contraindications and age requirements before trying this blend.
Remember, children are given lower amounts - see dilution chart mentioned below and always mind age requirements of all oils.
The Essential Oil
Note: Ideally we can avoid killing the insects or eggs and only repel them, but sometimes harmful invaders must be dealt with.
Fennel (sweet) (F. vulare) - Insecticide, Larvicidal, & Insect Repellant which means it kills insects, kills eggs, and repels them. Fennel is the one recommended by American College of Healthcare Sciences specifically for pet/farm animal fleas.
Recommended Dosage & Length of Usage
Quoted from American College of Healthcare Sciences curriculum:
If your animals have fleas, fennel is effective as a repellent. Powdered fennel can be sprinkled around kennels and stables; you can plant the herb in the area; or spray the area with fennel essential oil diluted in water.
Methods of use:
See spray method in the base recipes guide @ Magic Mamas’ Collective which can be found here: magicmamascollective.com/aromatherapy-apothecary/from-salves-to-sprays-the-ultimate-compilation-of-base-recipes-in-aromatherapy
See the dilution ratios for adults & children here: magicmamascollective.com/aromatherapy-apothecary/essential-oil-dilution-chart
Cautions & Contraindications
A note about toxicity: toxic constituent refers to the constituent that can become a toxin in your body if used longer than the recommended time or used more than the recommended dosage.
Fennel (Sweet) - Its toxic constituents are methyl chavicol, anethole, fenchone, pinene, and phellandrene. Both sweet and bitter fennels are contraindicated orally for anyone with nervous system problems, epilepsy, or estrogen-related disorders, including estrogen-dependent cancer and endometriosis. Although fennel has historically been used for colic for infants, avoid fennel essential oil for infants or young children because of the possibility of laryngeal spasm, dyspnea, and its potential to overstimulate the nervous system. For infants and young children, use an infusion made with fennel seeds to dilute milk or juice instead. It is contraindicated during pregnancy. Do not use for more than three weeks. E-anethole is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil, comprising most of the essential oil. Methyl chavicol is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil. E-anethole, and methyl chavicol have demonstrated antiplatelet activity in research. It is important to check the levels of these two constituents in any fennel essential oil before use. Any essential oil with more than 5%, E-anethole or methyl chavicol should be used with extreme care and never orally where these conditions exist: anticoagulant drugs, surgery, childbirth, peptic ulcer, hemophilia or other bleeding disorders. Always check the safety precautions for each oil and follow the administration guidelines and dose and duration. Duration of exposure is as important as concentration. This is an important safety consideration throughout your studies. Always consider dose and duration whenever you use essential oils.
Age Requirements
Fennel: 6+
