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| Article: Aromatherapy for Dogs... Not Just Another Pretty Smell - by Kristen Leigh Bell, Certified Aromatherapist | ||
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Aromatherapy for dogs...not just another pretty smell
When you hear the word "Aromatherapy", do you conjure up images of softly lit candles and a fragrant bubble bath? If you do, you're not alone. But, you have a lot to learn about what Aromatherapy is really about! The following article will give you a basic idea of what aromatherapy is and how you can apply it to canine health problems, as well as some helpful hints on how to start using and blending essential oils. "Aromatherapy" was officially named by the French chemist Renee Gattefosse- who wrote the first book on Aromatherapy and did all of his initial testing of the essential oils on dogs and horses! Since then, there has been much scientific testing done on essential oils. While most of these studies are in French and German, they reveal the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of the oils, as well as how they exhibit their calming effects on the body. Ask a European what they think of when they hear "Aromatherapy" and bubble bath will not be part of their answer, as it is in the USA. In European countries, particularly France and Germany, Aromatherapy is a common part of everyday life and is used by Medical doctors to treat all types of conditions. It is even covered by medical insurance in France! So exactly what is "aromatherapy"? Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of Essential Oils. Essential oils are extracted (most often through steam distillation) from the flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds and bark of many different plants around the world, and while their most obvious property is that they are aromatic, it is these "oils" which function as the plant's immune system- fighting off bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds, and other insects. Contrary to popular belief, it is not merely the aroma of essential oils imparts their effects. Certainly, the aroma has a lot to do with the psychological and spiritual effects the oils have, but if it were just about their scents, synthetic fragrance oils would suffice. Suffice badly, but they would suffice! Essential oils (EO's) are composed of hundreds of chemical components-many of them in trace amounts. Essential oils are the "essence" or "soul" of the plant. Antibiotic, antiviral, sedative, stimulating, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory... these are just some of the properties of essential oils. Obviously they must be complex substances in order to achieve so many different uses. They are so complex, that they would be impossible to reproduce synthetically. This is why pure, natural and unadulterated EO's are so important! Purchasing therapeutic quality essential oils is one of the most important safety concerns in essential oil use. Typically, high quality oils are not found in a drug store, grocery store or even a health food store. It is wisest to get essential oils from a small company or individual who sells high quality, aromatherapy-grade, therapeutic essential oils. A good indicator of a quality resource for oils is one in which the person selling the oils is highly educated about them and helps you to make the most suitable purchase. There is no governing body which dictates quality standards for essential oils, so one must be careful when purchasing them. The essential oil trade is plagued by companies who add synthetic components to industrial grade essential oils to stretch their yield, so that they can make more money. Most mass-produced pet products most likely contain these cheap, industrial grade oils, because it would be incredibly difficult for them to meet their stringent profit margins if they were using therapeutic-grade oils. There are also great differences in how the oils are distilled. Aromatherapy-grade oils are distilled for a long time, at the lowest possible temperature- to gather all of the valuble components from the plant. Industrial grade oils are distilled very hastily at high temperatures, leaving valuble parts of the plant's chemistry behind- thus, an incomplete oil, which when cut with synthetics can cause skin reactions, irritations or allergies. What does the science of Aromatherapy have to offer your canine friends? It seems like dogs are plagued by all sorts of common canine ailments. Hot spots, itchy skin, ear infections, rashes, bites, cuts and scrapes, incisions from surgeries, stinky breath, flatulence, motion sickness... the list goes on and on! Essential oils are suitable for treating all of these things, and many more too numerous to mention. An ear infection, for example. Many of us have dogs who occasionally develop smelly ears with a brown discharge. Usually, this indicates a yeast infection. An essential oil treatment for a dog with yeasty, dirty ears would include essential oils which have the following properties: anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory (to soothe those red, irritated ears). Some of the most commonly used and the least expensive essential oils can be used to effectively treat an ear infection. Lavender, Tea Tree, Bergamot and Roman Chamomile are all excellent choices. The Lavender is soothing to the skin, and relieves itching. The Tea Tree is a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal. The Bergamot has anti-fungal properties as well, and the Roman Chamomile is soothing and gentle, to aid in healing tissue. These oils could be put in a spray bottle with distilled water, aloe, witch hazel, cider vinegar and vodka, or they could be added to a base oil and swabbed inside of the ear after cleansing. Dilution and measurements are very important because of the potency of essential oils. I recommend 1 drop of oils for every ml of base oil, or 1 ml (approx. 30 drops) of oils for every 8 ounces of water. Keep it gentle- remember how much more sensitive dogs are to smell than we humans are! Essential oils also work very well as flea and tick repellents. They have been the active components of herbal flea collars for a very long time, and are far safer to use than the commonly prescribed "once-a-month" chemical flea and tick preparations. A spritz spray to repel fleas might contain peppermint, citronella, lemon and clary sage. 15-25 drops of this in 8 oz. of distilled water should be shaken well before each use and spritzed on your dog daily to keep fleas away. It can also be sprayed on bedding or around the doorways of your home. Ticks are repelled by essential oils such as Geranium, Bay, Opoponax, Lavender and Myrrh. A spritz spray can be made with these essential oils as well, and used daily to repel ticks. Always remember to thoroughly check for ticks after trips outdoors! I absolutely recommend that anyone who is interested in using essential oils for their dog to purchase some aromatherapy books or take classes from a Certified Aromatherapist before starting. There are many safety issues involved, as the oils are very concentrated substances. It is in your best interest to become aware of these things, so that you don't end up causing skin irritation or other mishaps- which could turn you away from using essential oils forever! Please educate yourselves appropriately before using the oils on yourself or your dog. As a rule, treat your dog with the oils with dilutions similar to those that you would treat a human baby with. This is typically 25% of the suitable human dose. A dog that has been exposed to essential oils for most of it's life can tolerate the essential oils very well and you can use higher dilutions in order to achieve the desired results. Do not use undiluted essential oils on your dog. Putting together a kit of essential oils is not difficult, but in order to get high quality oils, plan on spending up to $80 or more for common oils such as Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Bergamot, Peppermint, Ginger, Clary Sage and Sweet orange or Petitgrain. You also will need empty glass cobalt or amber bottles, base oil, droppers, and a graduated cylinder which measures in ml. Essential oils must be diluted in a base (vegetable or nut) oil (sweet almond, grapeseed, hazelnut, or even olive oil) before using them with your dog. This is very important, as they are such concentrated substances. Dilution offers you greater control over the amount that the dog is exposed to, and also dilutes the potent aromas which straight, or "neat" essential oils have. It is always wise to take a dog's sensitive sense of smell into account when using essential oils. A dog who is overwhelmed by the smells of blends which are too strong may pace, whine, or rub their head on the ground. Always introduce your dog to essential oils slowly and in small amounts. I know from experience that many people may find aromatherapy to be intimidating at first, or are afraid to start using the oils due to adulteration, dilution or safety concerns. There is a lot to learn and know, as well as many things to be concerned with when using the oils. For those of you who are not yet ready to blend and experiment with your own oils, you can purchase custom blended aromatherapy products for dogs from my company, Aromaleigh, Inc. For some people, this is easier, as all of the necessary safety and dilution concerns are already accounted for. Visit www.aromaleigh.com or call toll free 877.894.2283 for a catalog. |
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Kristen Leigh Bell |
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