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The Use of Essential Oils for Pets

11/30/2014

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When people have success using essential oils for healing and rejuvenation, they automatically assume they can use them on their pets as well.  Sometimes this is indeed true.  However, it takes special knowledge of animals to know when and how to use essential oils for pets.  With many pets, you should avoid the use of essential oils altogether.  Birds especially are susceptible to severe reactions to essential oils.  You should not even diffuse these oils in the air near birds.  They can have respiratory problems that can be deadly. 

Cats are another subject.  There is much controversy over whether you can use essential oils with cats.  Many purveyors of these oils recommend frankincense for ear mites and peppermint for respiratory troubles.  These are just a couple of the remedies suggested for the ailments of cats.  Veterinarians, though, explain that essential oils do more harm than good to cats.  Oils like peppermint are too "hot" for cats.  Their sensitive skin will burn.  Also, any essential oils that a cat takes in, whether it be through the air or through the skin, must be eliminated.  This is done through the cat's liver. 

The problem is that a cat's liver is more delicate than a human's or that of other animals, as well.  It takes some forty eight hours for the cat's liver to process and expel the essential oils.  This can lead to a build-up and finally to liver damage. 

Dogs are more suited to the use of essential oils, but you should still never use them without diluting them.  If you use a reasonable amount of caution, you can use essential oils to help dogs with many common problems.  You can massage the essential oils mixed with carrier oils into the dog's skin.  Use an area of the skin that is the least hairy.  You can also use a diffuser in a room twice a day and let your dog breathe the air from it.  Since a dog's liver is hardier, this will not damage it.  You can use a mister to spray around the areas where the dog stays, too. 

Many dogs will develop arthritis as they get older.  Sometimes owners will even euthanize their dogs just so they won't have to suffer with this ailment.  However, there are essential oils that can help your dog live a more comfortable life.  Some are juniper, pine, rosemary, and birch oils.  When your dog becomes ill, it can mean damage to your flooring and furnishings.  Besides that, you don't like to see your dog suffering.  For vomiting, you can use essential oils of lavender, tarragon, or peppermint.  You can use a cinnamon oil massage for diarrhea. 

Dogs often get what are known as "hot spots."  These are raw areas of skin where the fur has either been chewed or worn off.  They can be very difficult to treat, and vets have several antidotes for them.  If you want to try essential oils, try Melrose and lavender.  They both clean the wound and reduce inflammation. 

Care should be taken when using essential oils on or around animals.  Some pets just can't take it.  Yet, for those pets that are able to tolerate them, they can be a great help. 

Dogs are more suited to the use of essential oils...
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How Essential Oils Are Used For Emotional Well-Being

11/24/2014

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Essential oils have been used for about one thousand years for all sorts of reasons.  One of the key uses for essential oils has been for emotional healing.  These preparations of plants are excellent at producing a feeling of well-being. 

There are generally three methods for using these essential oils to promote emotional health.  One is to add ten drops of the oil to a bath and soak.  Another is to put a few drops on the essential oil in a carrier oil and use it for a massage. 

The final method is to inhale the aroma of the oil directly.  This can be done by putting a few drops of the essential oils on a handkerchief or tissue and holding it up to the nose.  You can also accomplish the same thing by boiling two cups of water, adding the oil, and inhaling the vapors.  Different essential oils are used for different emotional problems.  For example, grief comes to most people at some time in their lives.  It may involve a loss of a job, a home, a marriage, or an actual death.  In any case, using essential oils of frankincense or rose can help to ease the suffering. 

Poor memory is often the result of poor eating and sleeping habits.  If you are suffering in this way, you can try oil of rosemary to help the problem.  However, if you notice poor memory being a continual happening in your life even after using essential oils, you should seek a medical opinion. 

The same is true for postnatal depression.  Many new mothers find that they feel down after the birth of their child.  After their hormones get back to normal, they should begin to feel better.  In the meantime, they can use essential oils such as bergamot, chamomile, or neroli.  If at any time they feel it is important, they should seek a doctor's help.  This is not a problem to treat lightly. 

For stress, chamomile, lavender, and sandalwood have all been used with success.  Ongoing stress without substantial relief should be reported to a doctor.  Anxiety should not be taken lightly either.  However, you can try the essential oils bergamot, cedarwood, or lavender before seeing a physician. 

If you are actually having panic attacks, your anxiety is much worse.  You are probably having symptoms that seem more physical than emotional.  At times, you may almost feel like you are having a heart attack.  If you have panic attacks, you should have medical advice to rule out physical causes.  If you still don't get relief, essential oils can help you.  Frankincense, lavender, neroli, and ylang ylang will help to alleviate the distress. 

Mental fatigue comes after hours of work or study.  It can make you feel a kind of exhaustion that sleep won't even cure.  Essential oils, though, can help with that feeling.  The use of lavender, peppermint, and rosemary will all relieve your mind. 

Emotional distress can become a part of anyone's life.  The world is full of stresses and pressures that keep people from feeling relaxed.  Essential oils can help these people to feel more at ease with themselves and the world around them. 
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    Author

    Brooke M. Barry is President of SJMT and a Certified Massage Therapist specializing in Integrated Therapy incorporating Essential Oils. 

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