From modern times through the distant past, American Indians, like most other people who spend time outdoors, have had to deal with mosquitoes. Native cultures relied on the land and viewed all elements upon Earth, including plants, with respect. Plants provided a means for them to repel mosquitoes without harming the creatures.

Golden Seal Cherokee Indians smashed the roots of golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis) into a pulp and mixed it with bear fat as a means to spread over the body for protection from insects. Golden seal is a herbaceous perennial that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 3 through 8.

Western Yarrow American Indians used Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. var. occidentalis DC) as both a mosquito repellent and as a poultice to treat infected wounds. When used as a mosquito repellent, its leaves are placed on hot coals to make a smudge. Western yarrow is a food source for bighorn sheep and is one of the most widely available wildflowers in the western United States. It grows from Alaska through parts of northern Mexico, according to the USDA.

Mud Although it may not seem fancy, mysterious or something a medicine man might whip up, mud provided American Indians protection from mosquitoes when they applied it to their exposed skin. A thick layer of mud is seemingly less attractive to mosquitoes than plain old skin, potentially masking some of the aroma that attracts mosquitoes in the first place.

Rancid Alligator Fat Most humans may not think rancid alligator fat would be delicious, and apparently the same holds true for mosquitoes' tastes. This greasy substance was applied to exposed skin by the Akokisa tribe of the Houston, Texas, area. Other tribes used a similar method, smearing on a grease made from the fat of raccoons, opossums or bears, using the fat of whichever animal was available in their region.

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