Topical Flower Essence Fly Repellent

    While working in a friend's thoroughbred facility we often incorporated flower essence remedies in the compresses, poultices and cleansing tonics that we used.  One helpful tip that I would like to share is the rinse tonic that helped to repel flies and bites from other such insects.  It was generously applied by clean sponge after brushing (especially after a bath) and allowed to air dry on the horse.

3 liters (approx. 3/4 gal) water

1 litre (approx 1/4 gal)  apple cider vinegar

6 drops Crab Apple flower essence

6 drops Centaury flower essence

Address the Aggressive Horse with Flower Essences

Bach Flower Essences are unable to solve psychological problems if there are significant shortcomings in the way the horse is managed.  Every horse owner should provide the best possible living conditions for their horse - daily contact with other horses, rest, and a balanced diet that takes into account all the nutritional needs of the horse.  If poor living conditions, constant training and/or competitive stress is kept on the horse, these psychological demands can result in physical ailments.

Aggressive behavior towards people is almost always caused by the fact that the horse has been mistreated, poorly managed, from a hidden painful injury, or simply the result of excessive demands placed on her/him.  In order to successfully treat a horse it is essential to establish the cause of its behavior and then improve the situation.  If a horse has been rescued, or has had several owners, this process may seem fruitless. Nevertheless, do your best to uncover the possible root of the behavior and take appropriate action.  In some cases you may need to take a step back from your current training and handling approach in order to regain the horse's trust using calmness and understanding.  An owner, handler and rider who treats their horse compassionately and learns its unique body language, will provide the horse with the stability and security it needs to accept its surroundings, owner's lead, and thus engage in learning and flourishing.

To support this process, Bach researchers and animal behaviorists recommend the following:

Beech - to increase tolerance and combat aggression

Cherry Plum - to combat inner tension and restlessness

Star of Bethlehem - to deal with physical and psychological shock

Vine - to promote compliance within the horse and combat excessive dominance

In the case that the horse is acting aggressively towards other horses it lives with the addition of, Holly, to the above blend is highly encouraged.

Cats and Dogs need Veggies

   Like me, my fellow Pacific NW gardeners have most likely been making the most out of our recent weather and tackling projects and preparing spaces for a glorious growing season.  While you plan your garden's layout and contents, keep your pets' nutritional needs in mind.  Plant some extra carrots, green beans, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes (for example) for supplementing your pet's diet or feeding as healthy treats.

    For optimum health, holistic veterinarians suggest a cat's diet be made up of 60% meat and 40% vegetables, this balances their digestive tract and helps them find and maintain their ideal weight.  A dog's diet is best composed of 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% whole grains or other carbohydrates. (Of course, this formula will vary depending upon your pet's activity level and immediate health needs.)

    Root vegetables are an integral part of our pets' diets as they have remarkable healing properties.  As a holistic health practitioner, I maintain that root vegetables provide stabilizing energy that focuses the brain and strengthens the will.  Because these plants are rich in minerals, vitamins and other important nutrients, they top the list of vegetables recommended in the treatment of cancers.  

    Carrots contain high amounts of the antioxidant known as beta-carotene and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, their essential oil kills parasites and unhealthy intestinal bacteria.  This root vegetable is filled with silicon which helps the body metabolize calcium and strengthens connective tissue Carrots are good for the eyes, ears, skin and lungs.

    

    Yams are a cousin of sweet potatoes and rich in Vitamin A.  They are good for providing energy, reducing inflammation, supporting and nourish the kidneys, spleen and pancreas and they also assist with the removal of toxins.

    Sweet potatoes, especially with the skin, are very nutritious.  They are packed with Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, niacin, thiamine, complex carbohydrates and fiber.  They keep the kidneys, stomach and intestines in harmony because the carbohydrates they contain are already in the form of simple sugars.  

    Squash (including pumpkin) is another rich source of Vitamin A, it improves circulation and its seeds help destroy parasitic worms.Pumpkin is also used in pets with diarrhea and helps to balance the pancreas.  It's support of this organ makes it an important dietary addition for pets with diabetes or hypoglycemia.

    Celery aids digestion and has cooling properties that help with inflammation, liver health, and urinary tract infections.  Thanks to its high silicon content, celery is good for bones, joints and connective tissues.  Eastern and Western medical diets strongly recommend celery for high blood pressure and as a gentle diuretic. 

    Green beans contain other vitamins (including C), minerals and dietary fiber.  They offer great support to the spleen, pancreas and the kidneys.
    Peas are full of folic acid, thiamine, niacin, iron, zinc and protein.  They are important to digestion and reduce vomiting, hiccups, gas and coughing.
    Parsley is a fantastic topper for any pet meal.  It is a good source of Vitamin C, and also contains Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and iron.  It is good for teeth and fights bad breath.  Parsley also strengthens optic and brain nerves, supports the adrenal glands and aids the proper function of the gallbladder and kidneys.  I recommend 1/2 finely chopped teaspoon for cats and small dogs, 1 teaspoon for medium size dogs and 2 teaspoons for large dogs - per day.
    Other common garden veggies that your pet (especially dogs) may like and which are good for their systems include:  broccoli, finely grated beets (Do not become alarmed if their urine or stool turns pink!), cauliflower, white or yellow potatoes, lettuce, and green, red, orange, or yellow peppers.

    Our pets, like ourselves, thrive on food grown, harvested and prepared with love and care.  Let us do all we can to nourish and enrich their lives in reciprocation for the enrichment and joy they bring into ours.  Happy gardening!



   

Star of Bethlehem for the Traumatized Pet

Star of Bethlehem (ornithogalum umbellatum) "For those in great distress, great unhappiness, the shock of serious news, the loss of someone dear, the fright following accident or abuse..." ~ Dr. Bach.

This is the flower of comfort and it helps to clear and rid the system of blockages that have been caused by a physical or emotional shock.  In a positive state, the pet can come to terms with bad past experiences and deal much better with situations that bring back unpleasant memories.  One of its key uses is in equine, canine and feline rescue to help with rehabilitation and emotional healing of traumatized, psychologically scarred animals.  It should be given to any pet with an uncertain past to help with any problems that may have left a mark on the pet's present state of mind.  Even the best cared-for pets can experience traumatic events (transportation accidents, attacks by other animals, separation from known animal companions, death of owner or disorientation due to natural disasters), these occurrences may leave emotionalSadne and psychological hurts and memories for the pet and Star of Bethlehem can help them regain balance and trust.

Some indicators that Star of Bethlehem may be the proper choice for your pet include:

*  Aggression due to distrust
*  Allergies (use in conjunction with other treatments)
*  Fear of new situations
*  Sadness
*  Homesickness
*  Distrust
*  Timidness
*  Shock
*  Still birth
*  Separation from familiar companions
*  Death of owner

Honeysuckle for Separation Anxiety

Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium) is a very important essence for our loyal canine friends.  It can help dogs that have lost a friend, companion, or owner, aiding their emotional recovery so that they can move on and a regain balanced life.  This flower essence will help your dog to properly handle the times you need to leave him (or her) behind.  When we leave our dogs they can be unsure of our return, leaving them to feel stressed.  To the dog, this crates the same emotional pain as though their owner had died.    Honeysuckle blends well with Star of Bethlehem and Gorse and, in addition to training and behavior programs, can help them to become more emotionally independent.

Signs that may suggest the use of Honeysuckle

Problems Adapting

Change of Owner

Problems settling into a new routine

Homesickness

Melancholy

New Beginnings

Separation from owner or animal companions

Death of owner or animal companion

The Wild Rose Cat

Rosa canina - Wild Rose felines exhibit a behavior of "learned helplessness" which is similar to the way humans feel when they have become weary of struggling against life's challenges.  Cats that have been exposed to on-going stress for prolonged periods can bin to shut down emotionally - sometimes losing the will to survive and become resigned to whatever happens.  Often this state is apparent in cats that have been abused for a long time, have fallen gravely ill or are slowly dying without any attention or proper care.
Wild Rose is an important essence for such cats as it kindles an interest in life and surviving.  A frequent use of this particular flower essence is in helping rescue cats who have experienced difficult times, convalescing cats and those of advanced years.  This essence blends well with Oak, Olive, Gentian and Gorse to help restore vitality to a depleted system.

To give you an idea of the powerful potential of Wild Rose, veterinary associates of the Society for Animal Flower Essence Research have found that it is immensely effective in helping injured wild animals to survive the stress of anesthetic and operations.  Often these animals die during treatment, or soon after, not because of the injuries suffered, but from the stress of being transported, placed in an environment they have never experienced and handled over and over by humans.

Indications for the use of Wild Rose

Unresolved negative experiences

Severe Injury

Weakness of Will

Refusal of Food

No desire to be active

Indifference

Weak Immune System

After a Stillbirth

The Hornbeam Horse

Does your horse seem tired to you, or weak and unable to concentrate?  Hornbeam (carpinus betulus) may be the Flower Essence needed to help restore its motivation and enthusiasm.

Horses that require Hornbeam remain curious about new things but remain tired and may appear completely worn out when the first signs of illness occur and take a long time to recover.  They tend to have a tendency towards connective tissue problems mental exhaustion. Hornbeam should be used as a follow up treatment for illnesses and for the horse who is overburdened by work, training or competition.  Hornbeam, the flower of vigor, promotes vitality and hosrses receiving its benefits show renewed motivation and zest for life.

Symptoms where Hornbeam may be indicated:

Problems in old age

Strain

Apathy

Arthritis

Lack of energy

Exhaustion

Weak immune system

Weakness

Lethargy

Tiredness

Boredom if not working to full capacity

After a long illness or overexertion

Flower Essences - Length of Treatment Guidelines

    Generally speaking, Bach Flower Essence therapy should be continued for as long as your pet is showing symptoms that require treatment.  Although some long-standing challenges may require patience until desired change is noticed, the Flower Essences tend to work quickly with notable effectiveness within hours or days.  Therefore, how long you administer a particular essence may vary.  Pet guardians often continue with a chosen essence for two weeks then assess the situation and, if no change is evident, they will consult and determine which essence to administer next.  I do recommend having an outside person (preferably trained or experienced with Flower Essence use) observe the situation.  Often are not as objective as necessary when observing and reporting our findings regarding our own pets.  

    Three therapy timelines have been established:

     

     *  ACUTE THERAPY - This is recommended for critical and sudden displays of disturbed behavior or psychological problems, to be given for an initial period from one day up to two weeks, often with only 1 - 3 essences used

     *  LONG TERM THERAPY - The emphasis is on treating disturbances that have already been in place for a long time.  The Flower Essences are given over a period of several months or even a year.  Usually several flowers are blended and that combination should be reviewed and altered after two to four weeks to determine whether a change is necessary.  

     *  PERMANENT THERAPY  - This approach is applied when a pet shows the tendency to revert to old behavior patterns after taking the chosen essence(s).

Elm flower essence for Dogs

Ulmus procera - Elm 

Dogs can become overwhelmed and mentally taxed by too many impressions happening at once. Those that live in chaotic environments such as big cities or rescue facilities can become confused and unhappy due to sensory overload.  Though, as their guardians we must do our best to reduce the amount of stress a dog has to handle, Elm can help dogs by relaxing their minds in the midst of all the potentially troubling input.

Administering Elm over a period of time, it is also a helpful aid when socializing puppies when they are introduced for the first time to things they will have to deal with in life such as busy streets, rooms filled with people, crowded kennel or daycare situations and group training classes. As a training aid, Elm blends well with Walnut, a remedy that supports confidence and courage.

Dosage:
4 drops, 4 times daily

* PLEASE REMEMBER, do not administer flower essences directly from the glass dropper *