SCIENTISTS CONFIRM FOLK REMEDY REPELS MOSQUITOES

A traditional folk remedy, known among people in Mississippi’s hill country for at least a century, may provide some relief without all the worries of DEET and other harsh chemicals. Scientists at the University of Mississippi have isolated compounds in the American beautyberry plant, (Callicarpa americana), that may keep chomping insects away.

“My grandfather would cut branches with the leaves still on them and crush the leaves, then he and his brothers would stick the branches between the harness and the horse to keep deerflies, horseflies and mosquitoes away,” said Charles T. Bryson, an ARS botanist at University of Mississippi. “I was a small child, maybe 7 or 8 years old, when he told me about the plant for the first time. For almost 40 years, I’ve been grabbing a handful of leaves, crushing them and rubbing them on my skin with the same results.”

Scientists at the University of Mississippi confirmed that the natural remedy wards off biting insects, such as ticks, ants and mosquitoes.

“Traditional folklore remedies have been found to lead nowhere following scientific research many times,” they continued. “The beautyberry plant and its ability to repel mosquitoes is an exception. We actually identified naturally occurring chemicals in the plant responsible for this activity."

Three repellent chemicals were extracted during the 12-month study: callicarpenal, intermedeol and spathulenol. The research concluded that all three chemicals repulse mosquitoes known to transmit yellow fever and malaria. Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were not tested as part of the study, but the USDA-ARS has since filed a patent application to use callicarpenal as an anthropod repellent.

Thanks to: sciencedaily.com