Essential Oil Therapy for Animal Health and Wellbeing
by Eileen Mallard
Have you ever noticed how animals are very good at taking the time to "smell the roses"? ... or the lavender, rosemary, jasmine ... And invariably, it's not just because the plants smell "nice" - more often than not, animals seek the scent of specific plants to make themselves feel better. Have you ever noticed the effect catnip has on felines!
Healing through smell is one of the fundamental principles of essential oil therapy (EOT), or aromatherapy as it's also known. EOT is derived from the ancient practice of using natural plant essences to promote health and well being. Pure, therapeutic quality essential oils are extracted using steam distillation from the leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, and roots from a wide variety of plants.
Squeeze some lavender between your fingers and what you are smell is the essential oil of the plant; peel an orange...it is the oil exploding into the air as it is released that you will smell.
Plants use the essential oils they contain to protect against disease and to heal wounds and it is these qualities that people and animals can benefit from as well. Therapeutic quality essential oils are highly volatile and the chemical elements are easily absorbed through the blood/brain barrier via the nose or through the skin, to create many different effects on the body and the mind. They are not medicines in the conventional sense, but work gently and holistically to balance the body and combat dis-ease.
Many essential oils have powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal qualities which can assist a wide range of physical ailments such as aches, pains, and injuries, relieve respiratory ailments, reduce cold and flu symptoms and treat skin problems. Essential oil therapy also acts on the central nervous system and may relieve depression, anxiety and stress, or relax, uplift, calm or stimulate moods and restore a sense of wellbeing.
It is important to note that "fragrance oils", perfumes", and other artificially made substitutes for Pure Essential Oils cannot produce these results.
So, what's the connection between animals and essential oil therapy?
The documented use of aromatherapy for and by humans dates back to at least 4000 BC, although the term "aromatherapy" wasn't coined until the 1920s by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. The physical, emotional and therapeutic benefits of essential oils are well documented and it is in more recent times that their use for treating animals has gained popularity throughout the UK and Europe particularly, and is starting to be used here in Australia.
In simple terms, animals have an innate ability to self-medicate i.e. seek out what they need to maintain health through herbs and minerals, and the oils contain components that they would instinctively select for their own wellbeing if they were living in their natural state in the wild. In a domestic setting however, this natural ability to seek out therapeutic plants is often restricted due to the environments and living arrangements we impose upon our pets.
How are essential oils used on animals?
When we use essential oil therapy with people, massage is one of the best methods to apply an essential oil blend to the body, but obviously when confronted with a fur, hair or feather-coated animal this method would present some potentially sticky challenges.
The method that has been developed over the past decade in consultation with aromatherapists and veterinarians uses an animal's ability to know what it needs to heal through the sense of smell.
Essential oils may be useful to treat a wide variety of physical conditions and health problems in animals, however they are particularly helpful in treating behavioural issues such as anxiety, aggression, fear, defensive, compulsive, trauma and abuse disorders as well.
What does a consultation involve?
Your initial consultation with a properly qualified and trained animal aromatherapist is usually conducted in the home or environment where your pet lives. The therapist will take down a detailed history of your pet taking into account its background, health issues, questions about exercise, diet and any other factors that may contribute to the current situation.
The therapist uses kinesiology either on your pet or a surrogate to determine the imbalances and conditions requiring treatment. Kinesiology (pronounced kin-easy-ology) is a 'modern' therapy that uses many principles of chiropractics and Chinese medicine to tap directly into the body's bio-feedback mechanism. It is the study of muscles and movement in the body, and when practiced, uses a series of gentle muscle testing techniques to detect imbalances in the body.
Using kinesiology allows the animal aromatherapist to select the right choice of essentials oils to help restore balance and support the healing process for your pet. At a follow-up consultation, you will be shown how to offer the oils to your pet. It is important to note that you need to assess your pet's response to each oil before applying them. Never apply an oil unless the animal gives permission which will be demonstrated to you by the therapist.
When essential oil therapy and kinesiology are combined and applied properly for our animals, we are handing the choice back to them, that is we allow them the choice whether they take an oil or not. Animals are more sensitive to essential oils and a little can create profound effects and so we allow the animal autonomy in its own healing. This not only promotes good health, but it can also help build the bond between the animal and its carer.
Precautions When Using Essential Oil Therapy
Following your consultations with a properly qualified and trained animal aromatherapist, you and your pet will be able to work together at home to address the imbalance or dis-ease. But there are a few safety guidelines that you MUST abide by for the health, safety and wellbeing of your pet:
- For example, cats are highly sensitive to essential oils because cats' livers have very limited ability to metabolise oils. It is always better to have professional guidance when using essential oils with cats.
- Only ever apply essential oils when you have the clear permission from your pet. Allow the animal to smell EACH oil before treatment. Applying oils to an animal without permission is like being smothered in a perfume you dislike with no way to wash it off. If the animal doesn't like the scent, stop the treatment as it may have an adverse effect.
- Essential oils must be diluted before they are offered to an animal. Ask your animal aromatherapist to dilute the oils for you using an appropriate base oil eg. grape seed oil 1-2 drops to 5 mls is the highest recommended dilution for dogs; 2-3 drops to 5 mls for horses. Remember more is NOT better!
- Store oils in dark bottles with tight-fitting lids and away from sunlight. Do not leave oils within reach of animals or children - horses have been known to eat them.
- You should ask your animal aromatherapist for advice about each oil you are offering, particularly as some oils may have unwanted side-effects eg. citrus oils are photo-toxic meaning they can increase the skin's sensitivity to strong sunlight and can burn if exposed within twelve hours of application.
- Allow your animal to guide you in the application of the oils - this will reduce any chance of adverse reactions. If your animal shows signs of rashes, hives, shortness of breath, cease use immediately and contact a professional therapist for advice.
- Do not use the oils for more than 2 weeks without professional advice, even if your animal still shows interest.
- Although natural, essential oils are potent chemicals and should be treated with care and respect. Please check with your qualified Essential Oil Animals Aromatherapist before applying.
Essential oil Therapy (Animal Aromatherapy) is not intended to be a replacement for qualified veterinary care, but, can be used alongside conventional treatments safely and is best used as part of a holistic health care program.
About the author
I was introduced to essential oils more than 10 years ago and began using them because she liked the fact that they are natural and I enjoyed their individual aromas.
I began reading books about essential oils and aromatherapy and soon realised that they offer so much more than just making a room smell good! I began making my own natural facial moisturisers, cleansers, toners and body products as I was continually disillusioned with what was on offer on the retail shelves and the chemicals they contained.
I went on to study and achieve a Diploma in Aromatherapy with Robyn Minski in 2004 and I now produce a range of natural handmade skincare and offer aromatherapy massage, facial and other treatments.
My love for animals meant it was a natural progression for me to become qualified in the application of Essential Oil Therapy for animals and I have been studying with Nayana Morag of Essential Animals in England and I traveled to Greece to complete my studies with her.
I am really excited to be able to offer a natural non invasive approach to animal health.
References:
Nayana Morag: www.essentialanimals.com
The Guild of Essential Oil Therapy for Animals: www.geota.co.uk