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Indika Organics - Organic Bedding and matirials. Full line of Anti Dust mite and bed bug prook fabrics bedding and materials.
Ongoing Research on Killing Dust Mites
There is ongoing research examining methods of killing dust mites. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:
"Vapors from wintergreen and other natural plant oils kill house dust mites on clothing, researchers at the 2001 AAAAI Annual Meeting announced. House dust mites are microscopic arachnids that grow in soft materials such as beds, carpets, and clothing. Allergic reactions to proteins produced by dust mites are a major cause of asthma and other allergies.
Jeffrey D. Miller, MD, FAAAAI, an allergist at Allergy & Asthma Associates in Danbury, CT and president of Mission: Allergy, Inc., previously reported that the vapor of lavandin oil killed dust mites in clothing. In this study he investigated the effect of 56 other plant oil vapors, finding that many others also killed dust mites. Plant oils whose vapors were effective at killing mites in close proximity included such pleasant smelling oils as anise, birch, coriander, lemon grass, nutmeg, pine, spearmint, ylang-ylang and wintergreen. Wintergreen was particularly effective, with sufficient amounts killing dust mites in clothing not only in small areas such as sweater boxes or drawers, but also in larger areas such a closets.
The mite killing properties of these plant products are probably part of the living plant's natural protective system for preventing its own infestation by plant mites, Miller said. The clinical usefulness and safety of such oils is not yet clear, although the oils studied are commonly used in aromatherapy and perfumes, he cautioned."