There are three chemicals in the leaves of the Callicarpa (Beautyberry) plant that scientists are trying to replicate for mosquito repellent. They may be as effective as DEET, according to researchers with the USDA. The chemicals, particularly one called callicarpenal, showed significant bite-deterring activity against the yellow-fever mosquito and the mosquito that spreads malaria. Callicarpenal and other compounds isolated from the plant also repelled fire ants and ticks.
If you're interested in making your own mosquito repellent from the leaves of your Callicarpa plants, follow the simple instructions below.
Start by cutting stems with leaves off of the plant and chop them up. Then boil them in a pot of water and let cool. Strain the brown liquid into a blender, about 1 1/2 cups.
In a separate pot warm some organic neem oil (1 cup) with 1 ounce of beeswax until melted.
Then mix the liquid from the leaves with the mixture of neem oil and beeswax. Turn your blender on and pour in the oil mixture very slowly until it forms a cream.
Because its a cream one application is all you need for the entire day, even when your sweating.
Please Note: Just to make sure you aren't allergic to one of the ingredients in this mosquito repellent, dab just a little on to see if if there's any reaction.
Hope this info was helpful and let us know if you need more details.
Plant Long & Prosper!