Bach Flower Remedies for dogs, cats and other pets“0 Comments”
admin | 10:00 am | March 29, 2008 | Bach Flower, Flower Essences
The Bach Flower Remedies are based on the research and findings of an English doctor, Dr Edward Bach. Dr Bach was a medical pioneer in the early 1900s, who became aware of the link between stress, emotions and illness. He was also a specialist in the study of bacteria, and in particular the role of bacteria and chronic disease. Dr Bach sought to find a simple, safe way to restore harmony in the diseased body through emotional wellness. In his search, he discovered properties of flowers, trees and bushes that provided him with the remedies he was looking for.
Since his discovery many more flower essences have been discovered around the world, including
So how do they work? Essences are thought to work through the body’s energy system and may work in a similar way to homeopathy and acupuncture. Dr Bach proposed that the remedies work by the transfer of ‘life force energy’ from the plant to the patient’s ‘vital force’. They are usually considered a form of ‘energy’ medicine acting on the emotional and spiritual levels of the body. Use of the essences alters the emotional or mental state in a subtle way. They can also help healing due to the connection between emotional and physical well-being.
This connection is based on Dr Bach’s idea that negative emotional states can suppress the healing process. This is interesting because in the last decade there has been a great deal of interest in ‘psychoneuroimmunology’ or the study of the connection of the mind and its influence on disease. Connections between the immune, nervous system and endocrine (hormonal) system seem to support this concept.
So do pets have emotional states that can influence their health? Well you can probably answer that yourself. We know many pets have behavioural problems and we can even describe the personalities of our pets. Many pets suffer from stress either because of their temperament, because they haven’t been socialised appropriately as puppies, or because their environment is stressful, especially when their owners are stressed too. We know that stress can reduce our immunity, so it is not unreasonable to accept that stress and emotional stress can influence the health of our pets.
Even though Dr Bach developed his flower essences for people, they have been used in pets for over fifty years. There are currently no scientific studies to support their use, but many owners observe positive changes in their pets with use of these non-toxic, gentle remedies. Each Bach Flower Remedy helps deal with specific states of mind. These states include fear, terror, mental torture or worry, indecision, indifference or boredom, doubt or discouragement, over-concern, weakness, self-distrust, impatience, over-enthusiasm and pride or aloofness.
The difficulty with using Bach Flower Essences or other flower essences in pets is that we can’t ask how the pet is feeling. We have to rely on our judgment and observations and sometimes intuition to find the appropriate remedies.
Bach Flower Essences from the Natural Vet Company
Preparing Bach Flower Essences for Pets“0 Comments”
admin | 10:28 am | | Bach Flower, Flower Essences
Guidelines
One of the exciting aspects of Bach Flowers is that they are readily available and safe to use. The remedies are purchased as a stock bottle, which contains the concentrated essence.
Essences are generally diluted before use although they can be given straight from the bottle in emergencies.Stock strength essences contain about 2/3 brandy, which most pets hate. So usually 2-6 drops of the stock is diluted in spring water, with about 1/4 brandy as a natural preservative. If the remedy is to be used in one week, it does not need added brandy.
Preparation
Buy a properly mixed combination from the Natural Vet Company
The remedies are selected and prepared either singularly or in combination (up to six remedies can be mixed together).
2–6 drops are taken directly from each stock bottle.
When preparing and giving the remedies it is important not to touch the tip of the dropper to avoid contamination.
Protect the remedies from computers, microwaves and electrical power points. The remedies are ‘energy’ or ‘vibrational’ medicines and may be affected by other forms of energy.
To prepare a Bach Flower Remedy place 2–6 drops of each selected essence (or 4 drops of Rescue Remedy) into a 1-oz or 25-ml bottle. Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way with spring water and then add brandy, vodka or organic vinegar to fill (so that water to alcohol is 3 parts to 1 part). This dilution bottle should be thumped against the palm of one hand to thoroughly mix the remedies.
The dilution bottle should be shaken before each dose.
The remedy is then given by mouth or applied to the ears or head area. It can also be diluted into a spray bottle and sprayed into a room.
While the remedies are safe and non-toxic, if symptoms worsen, stop using the remedy. Some animals may be affected by the alcohol or preservative. When your pet has settled, you can repeat the dosage by applying the remedy to the top of the head or between the shoulders rather than by mouth.
Dosage depends on the pet’s individual response. Try 3–4 drops every 10 to 15 minutes in emergency situations and 3–4drops one to four times daily depending on how severe the problem is. Importantly there is no wrong way to give the remedies, and it is not necessary to be accurate with counting the drops. If you choose the wrong remedy there are no side-effects or toxicities and pets cannot be overdosed. The only error is not selecting the right remedy and it not working at all.
Pets can be given drops directly into mouth either at the corner of the lips or on the tongue. Wash the dropper if it touches the mouth. The drops can be added to drinking water (6 to 8 drops) each day. Drops can also be applied to the skin and ears with equal success, and if necessary mixed in with the food (although this is not preferable). A dropperful can be added to the bath water, as soaking in an essence can be beneficial. A dropperful can also be added to a mister or spray pack so that a kennel, room, cage or pet can be sprayed with the remedy.
Choosing the Remedies
Perhaps the easiest way to choose remedies is to firstly familarise yourself with the different essences that are available and see how closely they fit the description of your pet. The following descriptions are derived from human behaviours and emotions that are matched to remedies and are therefore highly anthropomorphic. You should select the most appropriate remedy, but there may be more than one that matches your pet’s circumstances or behaviour. You can select up to six remedies, although the fewer the better. You can count ‘Rescue Remedy’ as one essence, even though it consists of five separate flower essences.
Remember Bach Flower essences work best in conjunction with appropriate behavioural modification advice from your veterinarian or behavioural advisor.
Buy a properly mixed combination from the Natural Vet Company