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Aromatherapy For
Dogs?!
By: Annette Davis APC Member (Originally
written for the Pomeranian Review June, 1996)
I’m sure many of you looked at the title to this
article, raised your eyebrow and said "Aroma what?, boy Dudley is sure
desperate for articles in this issue!" I don’t blame you. That’s what
most people think when they first hear about Aromatherapy. Because I
use Aromatherapy however, I don't have to use chemical insecticides,
chemical flea shampoos, or "bug bombs." My Poms rarely get car sick on
the way to shows. I can calm down visiting females as soon as they
arrive. I rarely have problems with dry coats and skin. Those who visit
my house frequently comment about how sweet my dogs smell, how nice
their coats look, and are pleased that there isn’t a single flea or
tick to be found. Hopefully your interest is peaked enough to continue
reading?
True Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic essential oils. It is part
of a larger field called Phytotherapy (plant therapy). Essential oils
are the volatile essences steam distilled from medicinal plants. They
are extremely concentrated. Depending on the plant, it takes one ton or
more of plant matter to yield just 32 ounces of essential oil. The use
of aromatic oils and other plant matter for medicinal purposes dates
back to the very dawn of recorded time. Essential oils were used in
ancient Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. The Bible tells us that
Frankincense and Myrrh were among the wisemen’s precious gifts to the
Christ Child. Knowledge of distillation and essential oils was brought
into Europe in the tenth century and came into general use as a medical
practice in the sixteenth century. The most advanced work in
Phytotherapy & Aromatherapy has been conducted in France. After
French physicians complete medical school, some complete several more
years of training so that they may use Phytotherapy in their practice.
Dr. Jean Claude Lapraz is an eminent French physician who has
successfully used Aromatherapy in his practice since 1973. He presents
seminars in the USA for physicians and other health professionals (see www.restorehealth.us for more
information).
Aromatherapy is very popular in France, England and many other
countries. As frustrated Americans search for alternatives to chemical
products, holistic practices like Aromatherapy are quickly gaining
popularity in the U.S. as well. Many dogs (and their owners) are
sensitive or allergic to chemical products such as insecticides and
synthetic perfumes. Insecticides, antibiotics and other drugs are also
very damaging to the immune system. A damaged immune system often leads
to skin problems, metabolic disorders, and a general lack of good
health. A suitable essential oil can often replace the damaging
chemical agent. Allergies to natural essential oils rarely exist,
however you must obtain your essential oils only from a reputable
source such as Time Laboratories
that guarantees the quality of their essential oils.
Enough said on the history, now let’s talk practical. After all, what
good is a lengthy dissertation on how great alternative practices are
if you can’t use them at home? There are dozens of ways to use
essential oils at home. I will profile several of my favorite essential
oils here. (I also use herbs and supplements to care for my Poms, but
that will have to be the subject of another article).
Hundreds of essential oils are available for use. One that some of you
are probably familiar with is Tea
Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It is steam distilled from the
leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree that grows in Australia. It
has been used as a medicinal agent in Australia for centuries. It is
extremely useful as a broad spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and
antiviral agent. It is soothing to skin irritations such as insect
bites and itching eczemas. During war time, Tea Tree was standard issue
in Australian soldier’s medicine kits. It’s production was considered
to be so important that workers involved with harvesting and producing
the oil were exempt from military service. You can apply a small amount
directly to cuts, burns, stings, and fungal infections, or it can be
diluted for use over larger areas of the body. To make a medicated
shampoo, simply add a couple of drops to squirt of your favorite dog
shampoo.
Another extremely useful and versatile oil is Lavender. It is steam distilled from
the flowers of Lavandula officinalis. In addition to being extremely
useful medicinally, Lavender has a delicate and beautiful fragrance. It
is calming, anti-depressive, anti-inflammatory, and helpful for
treating burns. It is extremely useful as a fungicide and germicide. It
can be applied directly to the skin, incorporated into sprays and
shampoos, and is wonderful diluted in distilled water and alcohol for
use as a room freshener. To calm down nervous or hyperactive dogs,
place a few drops on the dog’s crate pad or papers. Also, rub a little
on the foot pads.
Peppermint
is an oil that I always keep on hand. It is steam distilled from the
leaves and flower tops of the Mentha piperita plant. It is extremely
useful to prevent motion sickness and nausea, and very effective in
discouraging insects. It’s smell is wonderfully cool and refreshing. To
prevent car sickness, place a few drops of Peppermint and Lavender on
your dog’s crate pad or papers. For your use, Peppermint and Lavender
are extremely effective to relieve headaches. Place a small amount on
your wrists, temples (don’t get into eyes), and a tiny dab under your
tongue.
One of the most widely used essential
oils is Eucalyptus. It is
steam distilled from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree. There are
several hundred varieties of Eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus
globulus is extremely useful for respiratory complaints.
Eucalyptus citriodora is an effective insect repellent. Used in a diffuser (a
special machine that vaporizes essential oils), it inhibits the spread
of contagious disease. Eucalyptus works
exceptionally
well combined with Citronella
and Lemongrass to repel
insects and deodorize. Time Laboratories offers a ready
made blend which contains these oils. It is available as a pure
essential oil blend called Aromatic Pest Away and as a
spray called Aromatic Pest Away Mist.
You can use a few drops of the pure
essential oil blend on bedding, mixed into shampoo, and added to your
cleaning solution for mopping. Aromatic
Pest
Away Mist is my first choice as a grooming spray and I also
use it on my family in the summer to keep mosquitoes, ticks, and other
bugs away.
Reputable source for Aromatic Pest Away (Pure Essential
Oil Blend & Mist), Aromatherapy products, herbs & supplements: Time
Laboratories (To
order call 877-846-3522 or visit Nutrition
Pure & Simple to order on line)
Some good books to read:
Aromatherapy
an
A-Z
by Patricia Davis
Holistic
Aromatherapy for Animals
Veterinary
Aromatherapy
The
Holistic Dog Book
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