When the Bug Spray Fails: Momma J’s Itch-Stopping Cream to the Rescue

You remember the sunblock bug-repellent balm I shared last week? The one made with grass-fed tallow, zinc oxide, arrowroot, and beeswax, blended with lemongrass, cedarwood, clove, lavender, eucalyptus, and neem oils? That recipe has been a game-changer on our homestead. It protects from the Alaskan sun and repels bugs like a charm—for the most part.

Even with the strongest blends, there are days the bugs win. The warmth of your skin, the curve of your ankle, or a missed spot behind your ear becomes an open invitation. You can go to bed proud of your preparedness and still wake up scratching.

That’s where Momma J’s Itch-Stopping Cream comes in. It’s simple, soothing, and backed by both traditional wisdom and modern science. When the bites break through, this cream brings peace.

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How to Make Calendula-Infused Oil (and What Oils You Can Use)

This cream starts with calendula-infused oil, which can be made easily at home. It is the heart of the recipe and brings deep, herbal healing to the skin.

To Make It:

1. Fill a clean glass jar about halfway with dried calendula petals. Do not use fresh petals, as they can introduce moisture and cause spoilage.

2. Pour in your chosen carrier oil until the petals are completely submerged and the jar is full.

3. Stir gently to release air bubbles.

4. Cap tightly and place the jar in a warm, sunny window for 2 to 4 weeks, shaking gently every day.

5. After infusing, strain through cheesecloth and store the finished oil in a cool, dark place.

Carrier Oil Options:

Olive oil: Rich and moisturizing, ideal for dry or mature skin. A homestead classic with a long shelf life.

Jojoba oil: Closely resembles the skin’s natural oils, great for oily or acne-prone skin. Light and very stable.

Coconut oil: Naturally antimicrobial and fast-absorbing, although it may clog pores for some. It will solidify in cooler temperatures, which may thicken your finished cream.

I most often use olive oil because it holds up well in our wild Alaskan seasons and nourishes skin beautifully. However, any of the above will do just fine—use what suits your family best.

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Momma J’s Itch-Stopping Cream

Ingredients:

¼ cup calendula-infused olive oil

2 tablespoons beeswax

1 tablespoon bentonite clay

1 teaspoon colloidal oatmeal

10 drops lavender essential oil

6 drops tea tree essential oil

Optional: 1 drop peppermint essential oil (for gentle cooling)

Directions:

Melt the beeswax into the calendula oil using a double boiler. Remove from heat and stir in the bentonite clay and colloidal oatmeal until smooth. Once the mixture has cooled slightly but is still pourable, stir in the essential oils. Pour into a clean jar or tin and let it cool fully. Store in a cool, dark place for up to six months.

Apply a small amount directly to the affected area as needed. Avoid using on broken skin or near the eyes.

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Why This Cream Works

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a skin healer. Its natural flavonoids and triterpenoids support collagen production and reduce inflammation.¹

Colloidal oatmeal is not your morning breakfast. It is made from finely ground oats and contains avenanthramides, compounds that reduce itching, inflammation, and irritation. It also delivers beta-glucans, which soothe the skin barrier and promote healing. Colloidal oatmeal is officially recognized by the FDA as a skin protectant.²

Beeswax forms a breathable seal over irritated skin, locking in moisture and keeping out further irritants.

Bentonite clay draws out toxins, soothes inflammation, and reduces weepy bites or puffiness.³

Lavender essential oil brings calm, reduces inflammation, and supports gentle healing.⁴

Tea tree essential oil helps prevent infection with its antimicrobial properties, especially useful when bites have been scratched raw.⁵

Peppermint essential oil, when used in moderation, cools the skin and interrupts the itch cycle.

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When to Seek More Than Herbs

If swelling spreads rapidly, breathing becomes difficult, or other symptoms of a severe reaction appear, seek emergency care immediately. Herbal care is powerful, but it is not a substitute for urgent medical attention.

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From the Homestead Cabinet

Living close to the land means learning how to both prevent and respond. Our homemade sunblock bug balm does a fine job, but when the little invaders break through, we turn to this healing cream.

I keep it in our barn cabinet and kitchen drawer. It is part of our summer rhythm, bringing comfort and calm to little ones, hard-working husbands, and weary moms alike.

God has planted healing in creation. He gave us the petals, the oils, and the oats. Our role is to learn how to use them with care, reverence, and a touch of grit.

In wellness and grace, stay rooted,

Momma J

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Sources

1. Preethi, K. C., G. Kuttan, and R. Kuttan. “Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis.” Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology 20, no. 1 (2009): 73–79.

2. Reynertson, Kimberly A., et al. “Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in the treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 14, no. 1 (2015): 43–48.

3. Ferrell, J. R., Stokke, J. R., & Cole, D. W. “Bentonite clay applications for dermatological use: a review of current evidence.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 24, no. 8 (2018): 798–805.

4. Peana, A. T., et al. “Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils.” Phytomedicine 9, no. 8 (2002): 721–726.

5. Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. “Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews 19, no. 1 (2006): 50–62.