Beautybush Repels Mosquitoes? For real?
Scientists at Univ. of Miss. have isolated compounds in American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) that may keep insects away. The plant's bug-repelling properties made it a traditional folk remedy. "Traditional folklore remedies many times are found to lead nowhere following scientific research," said Charles Cantrell, an ARS chemist. "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." Don't expect to see beautyberry-derived repellents on the market anytime soon. Scientists still need to scrutinize toxicity levels and evaporation rates.
Taken from The Weekly Dirt Newsletter.
posted by Doug Green @ 8:46 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Can ordinary mortals receive the "Dirt Newsletter"? My Mother-in-law had a lovely Beauty Bush.
This particular newsletter is a trade publiction for growers, nursery people and those in the trade.
It is actually rather boring most of the time unless you want to know about trade imbalances, labour legislation etc.
But you can sign up and see if they'll send it to you at the green beam site http://www.greenbeam.com
Beautybush is different from the beautyberry is it not? I have a beautybush and there is not a berry to be seen.
Post a Comment
<< Home