Abstract

GONZALEZ-QUEVEDO RODRIGUEZ, Mario; BAEZ SARRIA, Félix; CESPEDES VALCARCEL, Alfredo  and  CORRAL SALVADO, Aida. Use of the repellent cream from Pimenta dioica in soldiers from a military unit. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 1997, vol.26, n.2, pp.94-97. ISSN 0138-6557.

A cream with essential oil of Pimenta dioica was investigated with the aim of knowing its efficacy as insect repellent. The study was carried out in a military unit the participation of 38 soldiers divided into 2 groups. Subjects from group I received the application of a cream without the essential oil studied and subjects from group II received the cream made of Pimenta. The exposute to the mosquitos lasted for 5 hours and the evaluations were made at 2 and 5 hours after the application of the product. The criterium of "repellent" was given by the absence of discomfort and a number lower than 5 bites in the areas treated. The criterium of "non-repellent" was the contrary. In the final evaluation, the cream made of Pimenta kept the repellent action in 100% of cases and the difference obtained with the use of the placebo cream was statistically significant.

Keywords : INSECT REPELLENTS; INSECT BITES and STINGS [prevention and control]; PLANT OILS; CULICIDAE; MILITARY PERSONNEL; CUBA; PIMENTA OFFICINALIS.