A Jungle-Born Mist That Smells Like a Spa
Let’s be real—most bug sprays are either filled with chemicals you’d rather not put on your skin, or they leave you smelling like a citronella candle you didn’t ask for. But this summer, there’s a better way to stay bite-free.
Botánica Bug Spray from Anima Mundi is what happens when an herbalist—with roots deep in the Costa Rican jungle—decides to create something beautiful, grounding, and actually effective. Developed by founder and herbalist Adriana Ayales, this mist is finally available in the U.S., just in time for summer hikes, garden hangs, and moonlit beach walks.
No DEET. No drama. Just a ritual-worthy blend of essential oils and plant medicine designed to support your connection to nature—without getting eaten alive.
We sat down with Adriana to talk about what inspired the formula, how her tropical upbringing shaped the blend, and why this spray is so much more than just insect protection.
Q&A with Adriana Ayales, Herbalist + Founder of Anima Mundi
What inspired the creation of your botanical bug spray—and how did Costa Rica influence it?
Being from the tropics, I’ve dealt with every kind of bug and life form possible! Navigating this is honestly a lifestyle. On the days you eat a little extra sugar, you know you become a magnet. And on those days when bugs are just particularly active, you know to be extra protective. From shaking out shoes for scorpions, to closing the screens after a certain time of day, or watching the beach at sunset… you’ve got to follow the procedures depending on the time/place of day!
I’ve always made a blend that includes several different kinds of oils (beyond the infamous citronella!) to be sure to repel all kinds of bugs—not just mosquitoes. For example, peppermint is just as vital as citronella, as it also helps deter aphids, fleas, ants, beetles, gnats, spiders, and horseflies. Another key oil in our blend is geranium, which also helps repel ticks and gnats. And then there’s lavender and lemongrass, which are great for preventing fleas, slugs, stink bugs, and all the others!
Can you walk us through the plants you chose and why—especially how each one supports both the body and the spirit?
Citronella and lemongrass are sharp and clarifying—trusted allies in the tropics where the insect world thrives. Their citrus notes cleanse and repel, kicking off the majority of possible mosquitoes, bugs, fleas, insects and everything in between! That goes for the spirit as well—it uplifts the energy while setting strong and grounded boundaries.
Rose geranium is a flower of wild beauty, long used in folk medicine to repel pests. It also supports emotional balance and the radiance of the skin. Lavender brings a cooling softness—easing heat, tension, and irritation, while calming both the surface and the subtle body. Cypress clears what’s heavy, helping to move stagnant energy and fortify the edges of the auric field. Together, these plants form a protective circle—one that honors the body’s harmony with the natural world.
So many people associate bug spray with chemicals or strong scents—what makes this formula different, both energetically and in terms of skin health?
So many bug sprays are loaded with synthetic chemicals and overwhelming scents. Have you ever been caught on the wrong side of someone spraying themselves down? It’s certainly a chemical whiplash that lingers for a while. And there’s no need to use something so abrasive, toxic, and unsustainable.
Essential oils in good carrier oils that actually support your skin are the way to go. I’ve been deep in the jungle using our blend, and nothing landed on me—even after long hours of hiking. Our Bug Spray is gentle enough for daily use and unique in that it works both as a preventative and as post-bite care, calming the skin and supporting its natural balance. Energetically, it offers a plant-powered boundary that protects without disrupting your connection to the natural world.
What Sets It Apart
Most bug sprays feel like something you have to use. This one feels like something you want to. With a clean, grounding scent and a light, skin-friendly texture, Botánica blends the practicality of real protection with the care of plant-based skincare. It’s a thoughtful formula rooted in herbal wisdom—offering a way to stay connected to nature, not covered up from it.
