Midsummer, with the gradual rise in temperature and the arrival of plum rain season, has entered the most painful period of the year for attracting mosquitoes. Even if it is wrapped tightly, there is still a constant "buzzing" sound. Among the dazzling array of mosquito repellent products on the market, mosquito repellent plants are widely favored because of their natural, safe, and can beautify the home environment. For example, the following plants:
Mosquito repellent
Mosquito repellent is a plant of the geranium genus of the Geranium family. The whole plant has a special smell, which not only has the effect of repelling mosquitoes, but also purifies the air. Mosquito repellent grass likes light and water. When the climate is warm and the branches and leaves are lush, the mosquito repellent effect is better. They should be planted on balconies and courtyards. They are highly adaptable and can grow for more than 10 years with proper maintenance.
Among mosquito repellent plants, mosquito repellent is the "star". According to legend, it took 13 years for Dutch horticulturists to introduce the citronellal (a mosquito repellent ingredient) gene in citronella grass into the original plant through plant somatic cell isolation and cell gene recombination and fusion technology. A perennial herb cultivated from the geranium gene produced in Africa.
Pengpengxiang
It is known as "Pengpengxiang" because it emits a comfortable aroma after being touched. It is also called life-enhancing grass, hand incense, etc. It has a certain mosquito repellent effect and air purification effect. . It should be placed on the balcony or indoors with sunlight. The suitable temperature for Pangpengxiang is 6-32โ. Too low or too high is not conducive to its growth.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass, commonly known as lemongrass , lemongrass , is a perennial herbaceous aromatic plant of the genus Gramineae Lemongrass. It is native to the West Indies and southern India. Experiments have shown that the plant essential oil extracted from lemongrass stems and leaves contains main chemical components such as citral , geranal and neral . Among them, citral has a strong lemon aroma and can kill mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, bed bugs, etc., so it is used as a broad-spectrum insecticide. Lemongrass mostly grows in clusters and likes a warm and humid environment. It can be planted in front of the house, behind the house or in the courtyard.
Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum is Asteraceae perennial herb with white flowers, mostly found in the Mediterranean area. It contains an ingredient that can effectively repel insects - pyrethrin , which is an important raw material for the preparation of various insecticides. Mosquito-repellent incense made from the stems and leaves of pyrethrum can repel mosquitoes, flies, aphids, cotton bollworms, and is also effective against bedbugs, lice, fleas, and other pests. Pyrethrum has high ornamental value and can also be used for home greening or interior decoration.
mugwort
mugwort is the folk collective name for mugwort, mugwort , Kui mugwort and other species. The stems and leaves of mugwort contain volatile aromatic oils, which smell fragrant when rubbed and can be used to repel mosquitoes and flies. Use the essential oil extracted from it to make mugwort essence and spray it indoors. It not only repels mosquitoes, but also sterilizes and purifies the air. In rural areas of my country, dry moxa leaves or stems are often burned in summer, which has a very good mosquito repelling effect.
After talking about so many mosquito repellent plants, we can find that most of them have a relatively strong smell. It is the chemical components in these smells that make mosquitoes "disgusted" and thus achieve the effect of repelling them. In addition, there are many medicinal plants, such as mint, perilla, rosemary, basil, clove, etc., which also have a certain mosquito repellent effect. The principle is basically the same as above.
Mosquito repellent
How does mosquito repellent fulfill its "mission"?
How effective is it in repelling mosquitoes?
Then continue reading
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In the experiment of collecting and analyzing the volatiles of mosquito repellent, scientists separated and detected more than 60 compounds, among which, citronellal, trans-mentholone, citronella The content of alcohol, citronellyl formate and other compounds is relatively high, and citronellal and citronellol are effective mosquito repellent ingredients, thus achieving a certain effect.
However, temperature, moisture, air humidity and mechanical damage may affect the volatilization of plant repellent substances (such as mashing or rubbing to promote the release of repellent ingredients). Therefore, whether you can be protected from mosquito bites depends on the density of planting of these plants (the more, the better), the distance between you and these plants (the closer, the better), and the growth status of the plants (the more vigorous, the better) ).
In addition to repelling mosquitoes, properly planting mosquito repellent at home can also achieve the purpose of purifying the air and beautifying and fragrant the living environment; the terpenoid compounds it volatilizes have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antitussive effects, and can It relieves psychological tension and fatigue, makes people relaxed, comfortable and happy, and has a certain aromatic healing effect ~
Have you got these plant knowledge?
Material source: Shanghai Botanical Garden
Image source: China Natural Herbarium website
