By David the Dogman

OK, not sure how many of you, (except for Sue), know that I’m into aromatherapy, (using essential oils). It started because I became allergic to all kinds of scents, so bad that walking into a Bath and Body would send me into a serious migraine. It’s not that I don’t like the smells, it’s just that something in the artificial scents of “everything” now, sets off my system something awful. I have to carry an enhaler with me when I go places where I might be in close quarters with someone wearing a heavy perfume. Makes flying a real challenge, as well as elevators, and almost anything taking place indoors with a group of people. But,I have learned to adapt by making my own candles, soaps, face creams, sprays, etc. and using only essential oils to scent them. And I decided that my Poos could benefit from this info. too, and who knows what "scents" may affect them also. So, anytime I can find any info. about aromatherapy and more recipes for my pups, I’m excited. Okay, so little things excite me…LOL! I have made a few of my own recipes and I like to research the oils and see what they are all good for, and then do some of my own combinations as trials. I have had some successes and some really AWFUL failures, shhhh,(we won’t talk about those).

Well, I found another site with more about aromatherapy, backround , etc. and some recipes, so I thought I would share it with all of my wonderful poodle lover friends here at CarolinaPoodleRescue. I also found some single oils and what they can help with. Hope you enjoy, and remember aromatherapy is for YOU and YOUR POO!

Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic essential oils. It is part of a larger field called Phytotherapy (plant therapy). Essential oils are the volatile essences steam distilled from medicinal plants. They are extremely concentrated. Depending on the plant, it takes one ton or more of plant matter to yield just 32 ounces of essential oil. The use of aromatic oils and other plant matter for medicinal purposes dates back to the very dawn of recorded time. Essential oils were used in ancient Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. The Bible tells us that Frankincense and Myrrh were among the wisemen’s precious gifts to the Christ Child. Knowledge of distillation and essential oils was brought into Europe in the tenth century and came into general use as a medical practice in the sixteenth century. The most advanced work in Phytotherapy & Aromatherapy has been conducted in France. After French physicians complete medical school, they have the option to complete several more years of training so that they may use Phytotherapy in their practice. Dr. Jean Claude Lapraz is an eminent French physician who successfully uses Aromatherapy in his practice. He has given several seminars in the U.S. for doctors and health professionals in conjunction with the laboratory that I work for.

Aromatherapy is very popular in France, England and many other countries. As frustrated Americans search for alternatives to chemical products, holistic practices like Aromatherapy are quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. as well. Many dogs (and their owners) are sensitive or allergic to chemical products such as insecticides and synthetic perfumes. Insecticides, antibiotics and other drugs are also very damaging to the immune system. A damaged immune system often leads to skin problems, metabolic disorders, and a general lack of good health. A suitable essential oil can often replace the damaging chemical agent. Allergies to natural essential oils rarely exist, however you must obtain your essential oils only from a reputable source that guarantees that they are not chemically altered or adulterated. Essential oils are a big business world wide, and it is a common practice to adulterate them.

Enough said on the history, now let’s talk practical. After all, what good is a lengthy dissertation on how great alternative practices are if you can’t use them at home? There are dozens of simple essential oil "recipes" that you can easily make at home. I will profile several of my favorite essential oils and give you a few "recipes" which I use daily on my Poms. (I also incorporate nutritional therapy, but that will have to be the subject of another article).

Hundreds of essential oils are available for use. One that some of you are probably familiar with is Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It is steam distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree that grows in Australia. It has been used as a medicinal agent in Australia for centuries. It is extremely useful as a broad spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. It is soothing to skin irritations such as insect bites and itching eczemas. During war time, Tea Tree was standard issue in Australian soldier’s medicine kits. It’s production was considered to be so important that workers involved with harvesting and producing the oil were exempt from military service. It can be applied directly to cuts, burns, stings, and fungal infections, or diluted for use over large areas of the body. It has become a popular addition to natural pet care products. Several companies offer shampoos and coat sprays that contain Tea Tree.

Another extremely useful and versatile oil is Lavender. It is steam distilled from the flowers of Lavandula officinalis. In addition to being extremely useful medicinally, Lavender has a delicate and beautiful fragrance. It is calming, anti- depressive, anti-inflammatory, and helpful for treating burns. It is extremely useful as a fungicide and germicide. It can be applied directly to the skin, incorporated into sprays and shampoos, and is wonderful diluted in distilled water and alcohol for use as a room freshener. To calm down nervous or hyperactive dogs, place a few drops on the dog’s crate pad or papers. Also, rub a little on the foot pads. (For car sickness treatment, see peppermint).

One of the most widely used essential oils is Eucalyptus. It is steam distilled from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree. There are several hundred varieties of Eucalyptus. I prefer to use Eucalyptus globulus for most purposes. Eucalyptus is bactericidal, antifungal, and an extremely useful inhalant for respiratory complaints. Used in a diffusor (a special machine that vaporizes essential oils), it inhibits the spread of contagious disease and discourages insects. Eucalyptus works exceptionally well combined with Citronella Oil, Cedarwood Oil, & Peppermint Oil to keep insects away.

Peppermint is an oil that I always keep on hand. It is steam distilled from the leaves and flower tops of the Mentha piperita plant. It is extremely useful to prevent motion sickness and nausea, and very effective in discouraging insects. It’s smell is wonderfully cool and refreshing. To prevent car sickness, place a few drops of Peppermint and Lavender on your dog’s crate pad or papers. For your use, Peppermint and Lavender are extremely effective to relieve headaches. Place a small amount on your wrists, temples (don’t get into eyes), and under your tongue. For those who have trouble sleeping, Peppermint should only be used during the day. It can keep you awake if used at night.

*Moisturizing Insect Spray

This useful spray repels fleas, ticks & mosquitoes, as well as keeps the coat in good condition.

2 cc - Eucalyptus globulus Oil 1 cc - Citronella Oil 1 cc - Cedarwood Oil 10 drops - Peppermint Oil 1 cc - Coconut Emulsifier (available from Time Laboratories) OR other natural emulsifier. 4 oz. Sea Dew Tangle Tamer (by Time Laboratories) OR other moisturizing spray without artificial fragrance. Blend the essential oils and coconut emulsifier in a glass cup. Add moisture spray. Stir well. Return to spray bottle. An injectable syringe with the needle twisted off is useful to measure the oils. If fleas or ticks are a problem, use this blend daily to mist your dog’s coats. It is also very useful to place a drop of pure Eucalyptus, Cedarwood & Citronella Oil on your dog’s bedding each day. Add some pure of the pure oils to your cleaner as well. When insects are not a problem, use Sea Dew Tangle Tamer without the additional essential oils to mist your dog’s coat. * Added note, Time Laboratories now offers a ready product called Aromatic-Pest Away Mist. Ailment Essential Oils Method aggression sandalwood, ylang ylang massage or diffuser

arthritis juniper, birch, pine, thyme, rosemary, sandlewood massage

burns lavender, rosemary massage around the burn Soothing Spray burrowing mites lemon, lavender & marjoram massage Use this spray to sooth dry skin, eczemas and itching Cancer rosemary and ylang ylang massage

(i.e. flea bite allergies). chorea lavender massage

Tea Tree Oil - 3 cc colic cinnamon & caraway massage over stomach Lavender Oil - 3 cc congestion lemon diffuser 1 cc - Coconut coughing eucalyptus, myrrh, pine, teatree, thyme massage or diffuser Emulsifier (available from Time cystitis juniper, sandalwwod & ylang ylang massage

Laboratories) OR digestion problems caraway & coriander massage or diffuser other natural emulsifier diarrhea cinnamon massage 4 oz. Sea Dew Tangle eczemas - itching tea tree massage or diffuser Tamer (by Time Laboratories) OR fleas citronella massage & diffuser & spritzer other moisture spray gingivitis lavender massage without artificial fragrance. grief basil, bergamot, orange blossom massage or diffuser Blend the essential oils and coconut emulsifier in a glass hyperactivity Lavender, chamomile massage cup. Add moisture spray. Stir hypersexuality lavender & marjoram massage well. Return to spray bottle. Spray over dog’s body twice infections lemon combined with sage massage a day (avoid eye area). Pure insect bites and stings tea tree massage or mister Tea Tree Oil can be applied directly to "hot spots." Also insects - discourage eucalyptus, citronella, cedarwood, & peppermint massage, mister give a source of Omega 3 & kidney problems juniper massage 6 fatty acids internally. Good sources of Omega fatty acids nausea peppermint massage, diffuser = Bioderma (by Innova), nervousness chamomile, lavender, lemon, neroli or marjoram massage give according to directions; Cod Liver Oil, 1 cc per five painkiller lavender & marjoram massage, diffuser, mister pounds daily; Primrose Oil, 1 cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary, lavender and parasites - surface massage cc per five pounds daily. If peppermint your dog has been on antibiotics, give Acidophilus Pining basil, bergamot,orange blossom massage or diffuser

Powder 3 times per day. This pharyngitis (sore throat) bergamot, hyssop, sage & thyme massage into throat will help restore the beneficial bacteria destroyed pneumonia eucalyptus, hyssop, myrrh, pine, teatree, tyme massage or diffuser by the antibiotics. respiratory symptoms eucalytus & thyme diffuser Maintaining good intestinal Ringworm lavender, myrrh & teatree massage

skin irritations tea tree massage, diffuser, mister

sprains rosemary, juniper or birch massage into the area

Travel Sickness peppermint & chamomile, sweet fennel massage

vomiting peppermint, lavender, tarragon massage or diffuser

worms bergamot, thyme and marjoram massage flora is essential to healthy skin. When the skin improves, use the moisture spray without the added essential oils to maintain coat condition.

Therapeutic Lotion

Use a good quality, unscented natural lotion. Add a drop of Tea Tree Oil & a drop of Lavender Oil to a squirt of lotion. Apply to irritated areas.

Improve your Cleaner

Add a few drops of Eucalyptus, Citronella & Orange to your cleaner. For a cool, refreshing fragrance, Peppermint is also a good addition. Add warm water & mop.

Veterinary Aromatherapy (Paperback) by Nelly Grosjean

Aromatherapy: An A to Z, Revised Edition [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback) by Patricia Davis http://www.timelabs.com/

You can purchase any of the above at the following website: http://www.earthyfamily.com/P-aroma.htm

*****Please feel free to print and/or save these articles for your own personal use only****** Hope you enjoyed this article! Blessings to all, Barbara