All About Flower Essences
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This is article number 2 and as indicated is all about Flower Essences.
(((((((Remember))))))) that if your animal is ill to ALWAYS consult your Veterinarian.
Flower Essences have traditionally been known to assist the emotional, mental and spiritual body levels. Negative moods and emotions can induce imbalance and disharmony which threaten health. Using flower essences is a safe, natural and gentle system of replacing the negative state with its positive opposite.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A FLOWER ESSENCE
A flower essence is an extract from the flowering parts of certain plants. It is believed that these substances act in an energetic manner, similar to homeopathy, acupuncture and Reiki.
ARE THEY SAFE
You bet! They do not react with each other and will not react or interfere with any medication.
BACH FLOWER REMEDIES
The most commonly recognized flower essences are the "Bach" flower essences. Dr. Bach an English physician and homeopath discovered this form of holistic medicine in the early 1900's. While originally intended for human use, their use on animals has proven to be very successful. Dr. Bach felt that all physical illness had its roots on the "emotional" level and by treating the emotional level a general improvement in the physical level could be achieved as well. There are 38 individual Bach flower remedies available. Most health food stores carry some type of flower essences.
*Note* The Bach flower remedies are not the only flower remedies available just the best known.
RESCUE REMEDY
Dr Bach's most famous flower remedy would be "Rescue Remedy". Rescue Remedy is a "combination" of 5 of Dr. Bach's remedies and is used for shock, stress or acute trauma. This remedy is very effective after an accident or injury. Also is very helpful before and after surgery. Personally I have found Rescue Remedy most helpful with neonatal puppies that are having a hard time after the birth. I give a drop under the tongue every min. until
the puppy is better. Also I give it to the Mom during a hard labor and delivery.
ADMINISTERING FLOWER ESSENCES
When you purchase a flower remedy the bottle you have is the "mother" tincture or stock bottle and it is not necessary to give this in its pure form. If giving only one remedy put 2 drops into 1 ounce of "pure" filtered water. When using Rescue Remedy use 4 drops per ounce. Add a couple of drops of brandy as a preservative. This small amount of alcohol will have NO effect on your animal. Some animals initially dislike the taste but soon become a custom. When making a "combination" remedy (this is
to address several problems at once) use 2 drops of each remedy per ounce of water and you can use up to 6 individual flower essences in one combination. If using rescue Remedy in a combination it counts as ONE essence. It is best to use as few flower essences per combination as possible.
The remedy can be given by mouth and this is usually the most effective method. Give 4 drops of the "mixture". They do not need to be swallowed but must only come into contact with the mucous membranes. Do NOT contaminate the dropper with saliva and if this occurs be sure to wash the dropper in very hot water before replacing into the bottle. Also be careful if you are using a glass dropper. One bite can break the dropper and get glass into
the animals mouth. You can also administer the flower remedies by adding a dropper-full to the animals water dish or onto their food. You can rub the drops onto the back of the animals ears as the head is very sensitive to energy or put a dropper-full of the "mother" tincture mixture into a spray bottle filled with spring water and use it to spray the room, kennel, car or the animal.
TIMING AND DOSAGE
Give 4 drops 4 times daily or as often as needed. Try this for about 2-3 weeks. If the response is adequate then you can wean the animal off. If there is still a problem then you may need to change one or all of the combination essences and start over. If the problem is deep you may need to add a dropper-full to the animals drinking water on a long-term basis. It is important to remember that every animal is an individual with problems that
are at different levels and they will all respond differently.
MULTIPLE ANIMAL HOUSEHOLDS
The flower essences are non-toxic and will have no effect on an animal that does not need them. You can put the remedy in the "common" water dish with no ill effects.
BASIC FLOWER REMEDY COMBINATIONS
Remember these are very broad spectrum combinations. It is best to consult with a flower essence practitioner regarding you animals specific problems.
TRAINING
Clematis
Cerato
Chestnut Bud
FEAR
Aspen
Elm
Larch
Mimulus
Rescue Remedy
CRYING/WHINING
Heather
Beech
GENERAL IRRITABILITY
Impatiens
Beech
Star Of Bethlehem
RELAX
Into a spray bottle put 4-8 drops of Rescue Remedy Take 2-4 drops of brandy and to that add 4 drops of Lavender essential oil and mix, put this mixture into the water and Rescue Remedy and shake well. You can spray the room where the animal is to relax them. Works well when your mother-in-law is coming over too!
BOOKS TO READ
The Twelve Healers and other remedies, by Dr. Edward Bach
Heal Thyself, by Dr. Edward Bach
A Guide to Bach Flower Remedies, by Julian Barnard
The Bach Flower Remedies Step By Step, by Judy Howard
(At present there are no books specifically about using flower essences in animals. I hope to change that soon)
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