Coconut oil against ticks: effect and application

Coconut oil can help against ticks – making it a safe alternative to aggressive agents. Find out here how coconut oil works against ticks.

Ticks are not only annoying, but also a health hazard. They transmit TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and Lyme disease. Around five percent of adult ticks carry the TBE virus and even every tenth to second tick carries Borrelia.

There is a particularly high risk of infection for people who spend a lot of time outside in spring and summer. Tick ​​season is usually from February to October. Ticks prefer moist regions and sit in the undergrowth of forests, on tall grass or in bushes. From there they attack passing people and animals. There are several TBE risk areas in Germany.

Coconut oil: natural remedy against ticks?

To protect against tick bites, there are various insect sprays that can be applied to skin and clothing. The active ingredients Icaridin and DEET deter ticks. This effect was also observed in a study with certain fatty acids – for example with lauric acid (dodecanoic acid, DDA), which is contained in coconut oil. This is why coconut oil can work against ticks:

• Using a 10 percent lauric acid solution, the study found that 81 to 100 percent of ticks dropped from the tested surface after the solution was applied. Lauric acid solution offers even better protection than synthetic repellents.
• Gently treated, cold-pressed coconut oil contains up to 50 percent lauric acid, making it a suitable natural tick repellent.
• You can simply apply coconut oil to your skin before you leave the house – according to the study on lauric acid, the deterrent effect lasts for several hours.
• According to another study, coconut oil is said to not only be effective against ticks, but also to repel biting flies and bed bugs.

Coconut oil as a tick treatment for dogs

As a natural product, you can also use coconut oil for dogs and other pets. Dogs and free-roaming cats are just as at risk from ticks as people are. By rubbing your pet’s ears, neck and back with the oil before going outside, you can reduce the risk of a tick bite.

While using coconut oil against ticks is safe for dogs, cats can have an allergic reaction to the home remedy. Therefore, you should speak to your veterinarian before use.

By the way, coconut oil not only helps against ticks, but also has a caring function for your four-legged friends: if you smear the oil on their paws, it protects them from injuries. When applied to the fur, it can ensure shiny hair, just like in humans.

Coconut oil against ticks: This is what you should consider when buying

If you want to use coconut oil against ticks, you should pay attention to the quality of the oil. It’s best to choose organic products. Utopia also recommends coconut oil with a Fairtrade seal.

The following brands are available online:

• Coconut oil from Rapunzel available from Bioaufvorrat or Amazon
• Coconut oil from Ölmühle Solling available at Ölmühle Solling, Bioaufvorrat or Amazon
• Coconut oil from Morgenland available from Bioaufvorrat or Amazon
• Coconut oil from Dr. Goerg available at Keimling Naturkost, Bioaufvorrat or Amazon

Another oil that is believed to have a deterrent effect against ticks is black cumin oil. Read more about this in our article: Black cumin oil against ticks: This is what you should pay attention to when using it.

Avoiding tick bites is the best protection

There are currently no further studies on the effectiveness of coconut oil against ticks. The following still applies: prevention is the best protection against ticks.

If you are out in nature in spring or summer, you should keep the following in mind:

• It’s best to wear long, light-colored clothing.
• Pull the socks over the trouser legs.
• Check your body for ticks at home.

You can avoid a Lyme disease infection if you remove the tick within 24 hours of the bite.

If you spend time outside regularly and live in one of the TBE risk areas, you can also consider a preventive vaccination against TBE. Unlike Lyme disease, a TBE infection can occur immediately after a tick bite and cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Read more on Techzle\.com:

• Coconut oil use: Healthy effects on skin, teeth and more
• Remove ticks: This is how it works without risk
• Treating sunburn: The best natural home remedies

Edited by Lea Hermann

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