Juicing is the most efficient and delicious way to get all the nutrients you will need to build and maintain optimal levels of health. Fruits, vegetables and herbs contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, cartenoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds.  These nutrients are more easily digested and absorbed by the body when extracted from whole foods using a slow, masticating juicer.
Types of Juicers
Centrifuge – Fast Juicer

• Easy to use
• Faster to juice
• Less expensive
• Less food prep
• Nutrients oxidize quicker
• Doesn’t juice greens well.
• No pulp (fiber)

 
Masticating – Slow Juicer

• Easy to use
• Extracts more juice
• Better for leafy greens
• Less foam
• More nutrients
• Slower to juice
• *The Hurom Elite Juicer has an option and two screens to allow more or less pulp (fiber).

 
Summer Hydration
To stay hydrated during the hot summer months you can juice fruits and vegetables that help restore electrolyte levels including potassium, calcium, chloride and magnesium. Juice tomatoes, lettuces and celery to replenish chloride, a mineral that is needed by the body to maintain fluid balance and balance pH levels. Leafy green vegetables, melons, oranges and coconut water are rich in potassium.  Vegetables that can replace sodium are beets, bok choy and bell peppers (red, yellow & orange).  Dark green leafy vegetables provide magnesium and calcium. 
Containing 91% water, watermelon is the perfect base to any summer juice recipe. Watermelon (the fruit, rind and seeds) is high in calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and phosphorous and supports energy levels with Vitamin B.  Watermelon has more of the antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes, and the rind is rich in cirtulline, an amino acid that supports heart health and protects against muscle pain after a hard work out (or fun in the sun). Watermelon rind is also rich in chlorophyll, which helps to oxygenate your blood.

WON Juicing Tips:

• Find a couple of recipes you like and make a shopping list. Leave the donuts in the bakery!
• Need recipes?
  • Go to our website – WONNampa.com
  •  juicerecipes.com 
  • rebootwithjoe.com.
• Buy Organic Produce! You will not obtain optimal health by filling your body with GMOs, herbicides and pesticides.
• Wash your produce!

 
Guidelines for Good Washing:

• Never use soap on your produce (or in your water bottles by the way!)  It doesn’t come back off!
• Plain running water is perfectly acceptable.  Buying overpriced “Veggie Wash” is a waste of money, in my opinion.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a good cleanser and is what we use.
• SOAK & RINSE:  For anything that you can, the most thorough way of cleaning is to soak the fruit/veggie in a sink of water with some apple cider vinegar and then rinse well (& scrub- see below) under running water.

 
Eat a Rainbow!

• Red – To improve heart and blood health & support joints
• Orange – To prevent cancer & promote collagen growth
• Yellow – Helps your heart, vision, digestion & immune system
• Green – Powerful detoxers, fight free radicals, improve immune system
• Blue/Purple – Improve mineral absorption, powerful antioxidants
• White – Active our natural killer cells & reduce cancer risk

 
9 Things You Didn’t Know Your Juicer Could Do:

1. Almond Milk - After an overnight soak in water, almonds transform from crunchy to creamy and can be sent through the juicer to create homemade almond milk. Leave it plain, or liven it up with vanilla, sweetener, or spices.
2. Tomato Sauce - Start by juicing tomatoes, then gather the juice and any pulp and set aside. Sauté some garlic in olive oil, add your tomato juice and pulp, and reduce it by half. Stir in chopped basil and salt, and never go back to the jarred stuff again.
3. Sorbet - Make your own 100 percent pure fruit sorbet by sending frozen fruit straight through your juicer. Enjoy immediately or freeze for a firmer texture.
4. Hummus - Rather doing crazy things like spending 30 minutes peeling each individual chickpea, send a can of drained chickpeas through your juicer.  After, you’ll be left with a chickpea purée that — when blended with garlic, tahini, lemon, and a pinch of salt — makes for a smooth-as-silk hummus that trumps any store-bought brand.
5. Cocktails - The possibilities for juice aren’t just limited to that green concoction you drink for breakfast. Fruit or vegetable juices spiked with booze make for a flavorful, healthy-ish cocktail.
6. Salsa - start by juicing your tomatoes. Transfer the juice and pulp to a pan and cook over medium heat until reduced by half. Then, add in chopped onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, plus lime juice and salt to taste.
7. Nut Butter - After a run through the juicer, the nuts will resemble fine crumbs. But stir in a little coconut oil and flavorings, and you’ve got a healthy spread.
8. DIY Dole Whip - Simply add frozen pineapple chunks to the juicer to make sorbet, then mix in coconut milk for that unmistakable tropical flavor
9. Soups - A mix of juiced veggies creates an incredibly flavorful base for a nutritious vegetable soup. Or, highlight just one vegetable, like in these juicer tomato or corn soups.

How well an herbal supplement works all depends on how active their constituents are when they are ingested and if they can be digested and absorbed by the body. Herbal tinctures are the only way to get supplements from fresh plants (unless you grow and use fresh herbs daily). Tinctures are very efficient and are highly bioavailable to the body, making them especially beneficial for those with digestive issues.  Because they are most often carried in alcohol they enter the blood stream quickly and can provide immediate benefits.  There are some herbs that have a greater impact on health and wellness when taken in fresh tincture form. Herbal tinctures are highly concentrated, anywhere between a 1:1 to 1:10 herb to alcohol ratio, making them the optimal choice for managing acute conditions. Liquid herbal extracts are able to capture and preserve all active constituents making them the most therapeutically beneficial form of supplementation. They are the preferred choice by herbalists for freshness, potency, absorption and formulation.
 
When purchasing a tincture, it is important to know how the herb was extracted.  They should always start the extraction process in alcohol to ensure potency.  They should never be heated, as heat will damage the herbs, making them less effective.   You can purchase liquid herbal softgels or alcohol free extracts but the alcohol must be removed using a heat-free vacuum process.  A preservative like grapefruit seed extract is safe and natural and should be added to the tincture to prevent the growth of microbes if the alcohol is removed.  If you are worried about the alcohol content in tinctures, consider that 30 drops of an herbal extract containing 70% alcohol has the same amount of alcohol as in a ripe banana.  You can also evaporate the alcohol out of a tincture by placing a single dose into a cup of boiling water and let cool for 5-10 minutes.  40-60% of the alcohol will evaporate. 
 
Making Your Own Herbal Tinctures-Folk Method
Herbal tinctures are easy to make, are cost effective, and are potent for many years. They can be made with any spirit, however if you would like to taste the herb use neutral vodka or grain alcohol. You can make herbal tinctures from the flower, leaves, roots, barks or berries of fresh or dried herbs and plants. You will need organic herbs, glass jars, a knife or fine chopper, a metal funnel, cheesecloth, alcohol and dark colored glass dropper bottles.
 
Choosing Alcohol Percentage
67.5%-70% (½ 80 proof vodka + 190 proof grain alcohol)
This percentage will extract the highest amounts of the volatile essential oils and should always be used for fresh herbs with a high moisture content and for fresh berries and roots.  If you want the highest quality tincture you can make at home, choose a 70% alcohol content.
 
40%-50% (80-90 proof vodka)
This percentage will produce a standard tincture.  It can be used on most of the dried herbs and on any fresh herbs without a high moisture content.  It will be effective at extracting any water soluble properties contained in the herb.
 
85%-95% (190 proof grain alcohol)
This percentage is really only needed for dissolving gums and resins.  The strength of the alcohol will make it difficult to take and this percentage is typically only used for drop dosages.  This will completely dehydrate most plant material.
 
Plant Materials
If you want to make a tincture with an herb that has strong aromatic properties or an herb that typically has a high water content, you always want to try and use those herbs fresh. Otherwise, dried herbs can produce just as potent tinctures. Always try to use organic or wildcrafted herbs to avoid toxic pesticides and GMOs.  The herbs you should always try to use fresh if possible include Avena Sativa (oat “milky” seed), Skullcap, Rosemary, Lemon Balm leaf & flower, Plantain leaf, St. John’s Wort, Goldenrod, Corn Silk, Chamomile flower, Catnip leaf & flower, Echinacea root, Horsetail, Spilanthes flower, Wild Indigo Root (baptisia), Eyebright, Dandelion root, leaf & flower, Pulsatilla flower, Stinging Nettle root, Mistletoe, Rue, Mullein flower, Garlic bulb, Passionflower, Valerian rhizome with rootlets, and Lomatium.  This list is not exhaustive.
 Fresh Herbs

• Leaves & Flowers: Finely chop or grind the herb to help release liquid and essential oils.  Fill your glass jar 2/3 to ¾ of the way full and cover with alcohol, filling the jar.  Your herbs should move freely when shaken. 
• Roots, Barks, & Berries: Finely chop or grind the plant material to release liquid and open surface area. Fill your glass jar 1/3 to ½ of the way full and fill jar completely with alcohol.  Your plant materials should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbs

• Leaves & Flowers: Purchase only finely cut herbal material or use a fine chopper to further break down the dried herb.  Fill your glass jar ½ to ¾ of the way full and cover with alcohol, filling the jar.
• Roots, Barks, & Berries: Purchase only finely cut herbal material or use a knife to further cut down the roots, barks or berries.  Fill your glass jar only ¼ to ½ of the way full, as dried roots and berries will double their size as they are reconstituted.  Fill jar completely with alcohol. 

 
Extracting & Storing Tinctures
Find a dark cabinet that will stay cool and dry to store your tincture over the next 6-8 weeks.  You will need to shake your glass jars every day.  Make sure there is always enough alcohol to completely cover the plant material as herbs that become exposed to the air can grow bacteria and mold. 
You will strain your tinctures through cheesecloth and use a funnel to pour the contents into your dropper bottles.  Squeeze and twist the cheesecloth full of herbs so you can collect as much of the extraction as possible.  Some people even further blend their herbs and strain again.  The label for your tincture should include the name, parts used, whether it was fresh or dried, the alcohol percentage, the source of the herb, the date it was bottled, and the dosage. 
 
Making Your Own Alcohol Free Herbal Tinctures
Any herb that is not infused in alcohol will never be as potent as a tincture; however, they are great options for children or those abstaining from or sensitive to alcohol.
Herbal Vinegar Tincture
Use dried herbs to create the most potent herbal vinegar tincture.  Grind the dried herb into a coarse powder.  Fill a glass jar 1/5 of the way full with the powder and pour organic apple cider vinegar up to the top.  Store in a dark, cool cabinet for two weeks and shake the jar daily.  You will also strain the powder through cheesecloth. Set this first strained extraction aside and allow the sediment to settle for 8 hours.  Strain the liquid extract once again and store in a dark colored glass dropper bottle for up to six months. Because vinegar is very acidic avoid contact with teeth and dilute in tea or water. 
*If you are extracting roots or bark you will have an additional step after straining the herb.  Heat your liquid infusion just before the boiling point and filter once more through the cheesecloth to prevent your extraction from spoiling too quickly.

Herbal Glycerine Tincture
The basic ratio for a glycerine extract is 60% or more glycerine to 40% or less water.  If you are using fresh herbs with a high moisture content, you can use 100% glycerine.  Fill a glass jar ½ of the way full with dried herbs or 2/3 of the way full with fresh muddled herbs.  In a separate jar, combine 3 parts organic vegetable glycerine to 1 part distilled water.  Pour this mixture over the herbs and fill jar.  Shake daily and let the glycerine extract from the herbs for 4-6 weeks.  Strain with a cheesecloth and store in dark colored glass dropper bottles.  Label and store herbal glycerine tinctures for 14-24 months in the refrigerator. 
 
Determining Dosages
Determining the dose for a tincture will depend on several factors but there are some general guidelines.  The number of drops created for each tincture will depend on the viscosity or thickness of the extract, however most extracts contain approximately 1,000-1,300 drops per ounce.  A one-ounce tincture will contain between 25-32 single doses.  The standard dose for adults is 30 drops in water one to three times per day.
Factors that affect dosing include the following: whether you are using the herb for nutritional or medicinal purposes; if your health condition is acute or chronic; the strength of the preparation based on fresh or dried herbs, cultivated or wildcrafted herbs, folk or ratio tincturing, length of maceration time, and the solvent used to extract the herb. It will be difficult to standardize your homemade tinctures and create consistent tinctures each time so try titrating the dose of your herbs.  This means you will start with the smallest recommended dose and slowly titrate (increase) the dose until you get the desired results.
 It is important you understand the properties and any safety guidelines of the herbs you are using to make tinctures.  If you have been using an herb daily for 2-4 weeks and aren’t experiencing the results you hoped for it may be time to try a new herb or combination. 
You can use Clark’s Rule (a mathematical formula to determine a proper dose for children based on weight) to convert an adult dose to a child’s dose:  Adult Dose X (child’s weight  150) = Child’s Dose
If you have a child that weighs 50 pounds and the adult dose is 30 drops 3 times per day your child will get 1/3 (50/150) of the adult dose which would be 10 drops 3 times per day.  *The formula always measures weight in pounds, and never in kilograms. 

Sun teas or iced teas are the perfect companions for the long, hot summer days and barbeque filled nights.  You can enjoy your tea without turning on a hot stove, and quench your seemingly endless thirst.  Iced teas can help keep you cool and hydrated during the warm weather season.  Sun teas and iced teas are easy to brew and store and you can make large amounts to enjoy over a few days’ time.  There are several ways you can make iced tea, and you can add an array of herbs and fresh fruits to boost flavor, create beautiful and bright colors, and keep your teas unique and satisfying all summer long.

True Sun Tea
You can brew tea in a glass pitcher with the heat from the sun.  As the sun will never heat the water in a glass jar to a boiling point, you need to let your tea steep for three to four hours.  You will use one tea bag per cup of water or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup of water. *  Place your glass jar in the direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day in the afternoon.  The intensity of the sun will have an effect on the tea as it steeps.  As the tea absorbs more sunlight it will become darker and darker.  Remove the tea bags and pour the sun-brewed tea over ice, add some fresh lemon slices, sweeten to taste and enjoy!  Because the water never reaches a boiling point there are some mild concerns about bacteria growth.  Sun tea should be enjoyed within one to two days of brewing and any remaining tea should be immediately stored in the fridge. The caffeine in black and green teas will also help inhibit bacteria growth.  Never brew tea in the sun in a plastic container.  The radiant heat from the sun breaks down toxic chemicals in plastics that will be leached into the tea.

Cold Brew Iced Tea
You can actually brew tea in your refrigerator completely with cold water, however this will take 8-12 hours to efficiently extract the flavors and nutrients from the tea.  Cold brewed teas are said to pull deeper and more pronounced flavors from the tea leaves.  Give your loose tea leaves and herbs a light rinse with water before placing them in a tea ball or bag.  You will use one tea bag per cup of water or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup of water. *  Cover your tea and place in the refrigerator.  You can start tasting your tea after two hours until you reach your desired flavor.  Remove the tea ball or bags and serve over ice with fruit or herbs of your choice, sweeten to taste and enjoy!  
*Tea bags, especially those packaged for sun teas are made from Crush-Tear-Curl (CTC) tea leaves.  This means the leaves have been cut or torn which releases their essential oils, affecting taste and aroma.  If you want a strong, flavor rich sun tea brew loose-leaf tea, which retains the natural oil content.  Always leave space in the tea ball or bag for the loose leaf tea to uncurl for optimal steeping. 

Sun & Iced Tea Recipes
Southern Sun Tea

• 3 ½ tablespoon organic black tea
• 3 ½ tablespoon fresh mint

Serve over ice with sliced fresh organic lemon

The Sunnyside of Kristen Tea

• 4 ½ tablespoons organic green tea
• 2 ½ tablespoons organic dried hibiscus petals

Serve over ice and sweeten with coconut-flavored stevia

Mango Sun Tea

• 5 ½ tablespoons mango Ceylon tea

Serve over ice and sliced fresh organic mango

Summer Goddess Sun Tea with Chamomile Syrup

• 1 ½ teaspoons dried rose petals
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried hibiscus petals
• 8 oz of water

Brew petals in the sun for 1-2 hours, as they will quickly infuse their flavors. Pour over ice and sweeten with chamomile syrup.

Chamomile Syrup

• 1 cup organic coconut palm sugar
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup dried organic chamomile flowers (for a stronger flavor use 1 cup)

 
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add chamomile flowers and cover with a lid. Allow to cool, and then strain into a glass jar. Syrup can be refrigerated for up to one month.

Coconut Lavender Lemonade

• 1 ½ cups fresh squeezed organic lemon juice
• 1 ¾ cups xylitol
• 8 cups Spin coconut water
• 4 cups water
• Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows)

Place lemon juice, xylitol, coconut water, and water into a pitcher and shake or stir vigorously until all the xylitol is dissolved. Stir in one tablespoon of lavender simple syrup to sweeten to your taste.

Lavender Simple Syrup

• 2 cups organic coconut palm sugar
• 1 ½ cups water
• 3 tablespoons organic dried lavender

Combine the xylitol, water, and lavender in a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat. Boil for 1 minute and remove from heat, cover, and let the lavender steep in the syrup for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender and set syrup aside to cool. Once cooled, place in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 1 week

​Thai Tea

• 4 cups water
• 6 teaspoons organic black tea
• 1 whole clove
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 whole star anise
• 1 vanilla bean
• Stevia to taste
• 6 ice cubes

Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan.  Reduce to a simmer and add the star anise, cardamom and clove and let infuse for at least 30 minutes, optimally 2-3 hours. Remove the pan from heat and submerge black tea and steep for 15 minutes.  Remove tea and strain off herbs and let cool to room temperature.  Pour over ice into glasses until 2/3 of the way full.  Top off the glasses with coconut milk, stir and sweeten with stevia to taste. 

The Chemical Culprits in your Sunscreen:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a major ingredient in sunscreen and other personal care products called oxybenzone has contaminated an amazing 97% of Americans.  It is also commonly known as benzophenone-3.  Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage, and low birth weight in baby girls whose moms are exposed to this chemical during pregnancy.  One of the most dangerous features of oxybenzone is that it is a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals you are exposed to penetrate the skin.  Oxybenzone is quickly and easily absorbed into your skin.  Ironically, when oxybenzone is exposed to sunlight, it causes the chemical to form free radicals, damaging cells and DNA through inflammation, causing premature aging.  Oxybenzone gets stored in fatty tissues and remains in the body several days after application.  New studies are showing that oxybenzone is disrupting the hormone systems in your body, specifically the adrenal glands.  The adrenal glands regulate hormones and ensure that the thyroid functions properly.  Damage to the adrenal glands wreaks havoc on your entire body.  Children absorb higher amounts of oxybenzone and don’t have the ability to excrete chemicals and detoxify their bodies to the same degree as adults, making them much more vulnerable to organ damage and hormone disruption. In Europe, products containing oxybenzone come with a warning label.
 
Octinoxate (octyl methoxcyinnamate) and Avobenzone are other chemicals commonly found in sunscreens and personal care products.  Octinoxate is an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormone disruption and increased rates of cancer.  Avobenzone absorbs UV radiation energy, and since your body cannot destroy it, it converts from a light energy to a chemical energy unleashing free radicals into your body.  Studies have shown that all three of these chemicals passed through breast milk, exposing infant to these dangerous chemicals.  
Some of the most common sunscreens containing these toxic chemicals are made by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone and Banana Boat. Visit the Environmental Working Groups main website to view their worst scoring sunscreens for kids this year.  https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/worst-kids-sunscreens/
 
Understanding How Sunscreens Work:
There are two basic types of topical sunscreens, chemical absorbers and physical blockers.  The chemical absorbers absorb UV Rays.  Physical blockers reflect UV Rays away from the body. 

• Chemical absorbers are cheap and easy to produce which is why they are so widely available to the public. Chemical absorber based sunscreens provide LESS protection from UV Rays. They have to be combined with even more chemicals to effectively protect you from the sun.  It is now being shown that the addition of these extra chemicals is NOT helping protect your skin from UVA Rays.  UVA Rays are the most dangerous, having the ability to penetrate the deepest layers of your skin.  They increase rates of skin cancer, and damage collagen and elastin in your skin leading to premature aging. 
• Physical blockers are far more effective in protecting against both UVA and UVB Rays.  The two most common physical blockers are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  They protect against the FULL UV spectrum.  Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound and an essential mineral needed by the body.  It is involved in cell production, promotes healthy skin and hair, and boosts the immune system.  Providing full spectrum protection, it helps reduce UVA induced free radical production in your skin.   It is not absorbed by the skin and blocks UVA and UVB Rays by staying on the surface of your skin.  Titanium Dioxide is a reflective chalky mineral that is non-irritating, non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t cause or aggravate acne).  It offers both UVA and UVB protection.

 
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) levels have always referred to UVB Ray protection.  The Food and Drug Administration is now requiring sunscreens to indicate whether or not they will protect you from UVA Rays.  UVA/UVB protection labels will read “Broad Spectrum SPF”.  These are the sunscreens you must start purchasing to protect yourself from the sun.  An SPF of 30 will provide 97% protection from UV damage.
 
The SPF number is a measure of how long you can stay in the sun without burning while using a sunscreen, as opposed to how long you could be in the sun without burning if you weren’t wearing any sun protection.  For example…If your skin normally starts to turn red after 10 minutes in the sun, and you use a product with an SPF 2, then your skin would now not start to turn red for 20 minutes.  If you use an SPF 25 then you could stay in the sun for 250 minutes before your skin would start to turn red.  SPF numbers are not the final word on sun protection; it all depends on how quickly you start to burn.  If you start to turn red within 5 minutes, an SPF 25 will only last 125 minutes.  The most important times of the day to wear sunscreen is between 10 AM and 3 PM during peak sun hours. 
 
There are other natural herbs and oils that provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, however the FDA will not allow for them to be sold as sunscreen.  The FDA has only approved zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be labeled and sold as sunscreens with a determined SPF.

• Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
• Coconut Oil SPF 4-6
• Carrot Seed Oil SPF 35-40
• Shea Butter SPF 4-6
• Almond Oil SPF 5
• Sesame Oil SPF 10-12

 
New Bug Spray Guidelines: from the CDC and the Environmental Working Group
As recently as 5 years ago, the Environmental Working Group took aim at the use of DEET, the active ingredient found in nearly all insect sprays.  The toxic chemical is a known eye and skin irritant, and has been shown by researchers at Duke University to have serious adverse effects on the neurological systems of rats.  The EPA acknowledges that there have been neurological damage and death to both adults and children as a result of heavy exposure to DEET.  French research shows DEET affects cells in the same manner as nerve gas. DEET is a behavior-modifying chemical. DEET increases the toxic activity of other chemicals when combined in the same formula, like bug sprays and lotions.
 
As rates of contracting disease like West Nile Virus from mosquitos or Lyme Disease from ticks, the CDC and EWG have released a joint statement that DEET is “relatively safe” when used at no more than 30% of a solution. They also recommend you only use products with DEET sparingly as well. Higher concentrations of DEET don’t protect you any better from biting insects. A 7-10% concentration of DEET will last a few hours, while the solutions containing 30% DEET will protect you all day. Higher amounts of DEET only protect you longer, they do not provide better protection from mosquitoes and ticks. You can buy 100% DEET and make your own dilutions of bug sprays at home to protect yourself as much as possible from the side effects of DEET and from the chemical reactions DEET serves up. It is also important to avoid any insecticides that release DEET into the air in small particles like candles and aerosol sprays.  Avoid inhaling DEET as much as possible.  Do not use bug sprays on children before six months of age.
 
The other two chemicals deemed relatively safe by the CDC and EWG are Picaridin and IR3535. Picaridin is a synthetic compound that was made to act like the active components found in piperine, the plant from which we get black pepper. Picaridin at a concentration of 20 percent is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for 8 to 14 hours and for 3.5 to 8 hours at a concentration of 10 percent.  That is four times longer than DEET. There have been no long-term studies done on the side effects of long-term use, however people have reported various skin irritations. Unfortunately, black pepper essential oil does not contain enough piperine to be used in homemade bug repellents.
 
IR3535 is a chemical made by Merck, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world.  It is structurally similar to the amino acid b-alanine.  It is a known eye irritant and is slightly less effective than DEET in similar concentrations. It comes with the same precautions as DEET, to only be used in small concentrations and with limited use. IR3535 is commonly added to sunscreens to duo as a bug repellent. However, those products have to be reapplied every few hours, increasing your risk of toxicity from IR3535.
 
There are several Essential Oils that contain constituents that repel biting insects, mosquitos and ticks. They are safe and extremely effective. A 2004 Swedish Study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology stated that eucalyptus oil is powerful at preventing tick bites and infections. Tansy has also been scientifically shown to have a 64-72% tick repellent force. Testing has shown that concentrations of 20 to 26 percent lemon eucalyptus oil may perform as well as 15 to 20 percent DEET against both mosquitoes and ticks.
 
A Word About the Zika Virus
Zika is a flavivirus, and is from a family of viruses that include West Nile virus and dengue virus, that may cause encephalitis. It started spreading in 2007 from islands in the South Pacific and by 2015 had come to Brazil where it rapidly spread to more than 40 other countries and territories. 
Zika is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito.  While they evolved in Africa and Asia, they are now commonly found in urban areas with warm, wet climates all over the world.  Peak biting hours are early morning and late afternoon.  The virus can also be transmitted during pregnancy from a mother to her baby, through blood transfusions, and through sexual intercourse.  The first case in the United States was from a sexual transmission.
 According to the CDC approximately only one in five people infected with the Zika virus will get sick.  Common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, headache and conjunctivitis.  It can take two to seven days for symptoms to manifest after being bitten by an infested mosquito.  The more serious effects of Zika are Guillain-Barre, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and the virus can kill developing brain cells.  Guillain-Barre is an immune disorder that can cause paralysis, while ADEM is a brief but widespread attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin, the protective covering on nerve fibers.  The World Health Organization has now confirmed that there is a link between Zika and microcephaly, a birth defect characterized by an undersized head and incomplete brain development.  Brazil went from 150 reports of microcephaly per year to almost 4,000 cases in 2015.  The CDC also believes there are other birth defects consistent with Zika like brain or eye abnormalities which are not detected until the third trimester.

The CDC believe Zika will spread to every American country but Canada and Chile as their climates are not conducive to the Aedes mosquito. There is active Zika virus transmission is in the following places:

• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Barbados
• Bolivia
• Bonaire
• Brazil
• Cape Verde
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Curaçao
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Fiji
• French Guiana
• Guadeloupe
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Kosrae (Micronesia)
• Marshall Islands
• Martinique
• Mexico
• New Caledonia
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Puerto Rico
• Saint Martin
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• Saint Maarten
• Samoa
• Suriname
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Venezuela

There have not been any Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitos found in Idaho.  However, Ada County has been preparing by creating a new contraption called the Oviposit Trap designed to capture these specific mosquitos.  The CDC advises women who are pregnant should not travel to any of these areas. 
 
Summer Skin Care Escentual Recipes:

WON Sunscreen

• 1/2 cup Almond Oil
• 1/4 cup Coconut Oil    
• 1/4 cup White Beeswax
• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide Non-Nano
• 10 Drops Vanilla Extract/Essential Oil
• You can choose to add the following
• Ingredients for additional SPF benefits:
• 1 Teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Shea Butter

 
Combine all ingredients but the zinc oxide in a glass bowl.  Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and place over medium heat. Place the glass bowl in pan to melt ingredients. Stir continuously until fully melted and remove glass bowl from heat. Add the zinc oxide, stirring mixture as it cools to fully integrate the zinc oxide into your sunscreen. Place in a wide mouth jar with a lid. Enjoy for six months!
 
WON After Sun Healing Lotion

• 3 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
• 1 Tablespoon Olive or Jojoba Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter
• 15 drops of Essential Oils:  Patchouli, Geranium, Rose, Lavender, Roman or German Chamomile, Sandalwood, Benzoin or Petitgrain

 
Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to a creamy texture.  Store in a dry, cool place.  The Oils and Butters used in this recipe help your skin retain moisture, heal from damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun, and reduce pain caused from inflammation. Rich in antioxidants this cream will repair damage caused by free radicals.  The Essential Oils listed are excellent for healing dry, damaged skin.
 
WON Itch Relief Spray

• 3 Tablespoons Witch Hazel
• 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree Oil

 
Combine Witch Hazel and essential oils in a 1 oz glass spray bottle.  Spray on infected areas as needed.
 
WON Bug Spray

• Witch Hazel
• 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
• 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil or Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 5 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
• 10 drops Citronella Essential Oil
• 5 drops Clove Essential

 
Fill a 4 oz glass spray bottle-Half with Witch Hazel and half with Distilled Water.  Add Essential Oil blend and spray as needed.  This recipe will help to repel ticks along with Mosquitos and other biting insects.   You may also create your own blend from the following Essential Oils: Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, and Cedar.