Eucalyptus oil can drive mosquitoes away

In efforts to contribute to the government-led program to guard against the dreaded dengue disease, the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has conducted research on a natural mosquito repellent lotion.

Formulations for the lotion have considered the use of indigenous local materials. Eucalyptus and citronella oils have been utilized as major ingredients in the concoction.

Recent studies indicate the effectiveness of eucalyptus oil in driving mosquitoes away when used as scent for candles. At ITDI, eucalyptus oil has proven to work more effectively, with an extended timeframe when combined with citronella oil. The formulation using both oils indicated encouraging results with human subjects.

Further studies are currently being undertaken in collaboration with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to confirm results obtained during the preliminary stages of development, including clinical confirmatory tests using subjects from RITM.

Dengue fever is the most dreaded disease propagated by mosquito-borne virus. In some instances, it is fatal. Thus, the DOST has collaborated with the DOH in eradicating, or at least preventing, such a disease. — S&T Media Service