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By: Annette Davis APC Member
(Originally written for the Pomeranian Review June, 1996)
www.pets4life.com
Aromatherapy & Pets
Aromatherapy has existed for many years. It is gaining back popularity as we extend our knowledge and investigate other modes of healing. Aromatherapy originated with the Egyptians and Indians more than 4000 years ago. The Egyptians used aromatic plants to create massage oils, medicines, skin care products, perfumes and cosmetics. This article will attempt to answer the
questions: What is an essential oil?, How do they work?, and How can I use this for my pet?. It will also give you some examples of aromatherapy and its use in pets.
How do they work?
Essential oils work two ways. They can work via the skin or the olfactory system. Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin to cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate and balance the body. They can also diffuse through the air and enter the nose and enter the brain.
Aromatherapy works by the scent entering our nose and the nerves in the nose transfer the scent to the brain. The brain perceives the smell and then automatically displays an emotion to reaction of the scent it is smelling. Therefore, aromatherapy deals mostly with emotion when it affects the olfactory system. When the brain recieves this same message again it remembers and the same emotion is reflected again as it did before.
Aromatherapy that is applied to the skin heals burns, cuts, irritation, etc. Each plant contains specific healing properites. Therefore it is important to pick out the correct aromatherapy essential oil.
It is important to remember that not all remedies will work. Aromatherapy, like all holistic medicine practices, is the treatment of the individual. Therefore, it is important not to give up on Aromatherapy after one essential oil is failed. There are many different types of oils that heal the same emotional upset. As the old saying goes, try and try again.
How can I use this for my pet?
Aromatherapy is used widely for dogs and cats. Dogs and humans have a similar olfactory sysytem. Only some of the aromatherapy treatments have been tried and proven. For example, lavender, peppermint and rosemary oil work well on pets.
It is simple, effective and generally safe. Studies suggest that aromatic oils work by stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms, often bring out a quick therapeutic response. They address the three-fold aspects of the human and animals being as a whole- body, mind, and emotions.
Dogs and cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so a minimum quantity of essential oil should be used. It is thought that the dog has about 200 million olfactory receptors, perhaps 20 times the number we humans have. Always, consult an aromatherapist before treating your pets with aromatherapy. It is not safe to apply the same dosage of a human to a pet. As well, certain aromatherapy oils have been reported as not being safe for dogs and cats. Please use caution when considering their use.
Aromatherapy Uses:
For pets, you can use aromatherapy for bathing, massaging, and healing. Aromatherapy is great for:
* flea control
* parasite control
* burns
* itching
* arthritis
* cuts
* car sickness
Tea Tree Oil is widely used as a broad-based spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. It is soothing to skin irritations such as insect bites and itching eczemas. When using tea tree oil always use it in diluted form for the treatment cuts, burns, stings, and fungal infections. Tea tree can now be found in shampoos and coat sprays.
Peppermint is very useful to prevent motion sickness and nausea, and very effective in discouraging insects. It smells cool and refreshing.
Lavender has a beautiful aroma and is very useful medicinally. 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. (For car sickness treatment, see peppermint). Personally, I have used Lavender for my dog's separation anxiety and it worked for awhile.
Eucalyptus is bactericidal, antifungal, and an extremely useful inhalant for respiratory complaints. Used in a diffusor (a special machine that vaporizes essential oils), it inhibits the spread of contagious disease and discourages insects. Eucalyptus works exceptionally well combined with Citronella Oil, Cedarwood Oil, & Peppermint Oil to keep insects away.
The above are examples of what some essential oils can do for your pet. It is highly recommended that you consult with a professional before treating your pet. Not all essential oils are safe and pets can die if they take the incorrect remedy.
There are many companies that are manufacturing essential oils for pets and it is highly recommended that you consult the aromatherapists of these companies before purchasing products. They can help you find the best remedy for your pet. Aromatherapy is a form of holistic medicine. With any holistic medicine, all pets are to be treated as individuals. One remedy that may work for one pet may not work for the next pet with the same problem. Aromatherapy can treat skin ailments, emotional upset, and other health disorders. Dogs and cats have a very sensitive nasal canal and therefore always consult a professional for proper dosaging information.
The above information is intended to give you more information about the use of aromatherapy. If you have more questions, please consult an aromatherapy professional.
References:
By: Annette Davis APC Member (Originally written for the Pomeranian Review June, 1996)
Dr. Debra Moore from Wellpet List
Frontier Herbs web page
Essential Oils for Dogs(extracted from Natural Health For Domestic Animals)
This article written by T. Nowak, (c) copyright 1999-2004, all rights reserved. www.pets4life.com
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