aromatherapy

Question
Hi Sharon, I am a dog groomer and sometimes the dogs behavior makes it very challenging. They might be scared or nervous or just young and find it difficult to stand still. Are you knowledgable about aromatherapy and could it be used in the grooming room to help calm the dogs?
Thank you for your time. Brenda  

Answer
Hello Brenda -

Yes, aromatherapy would be very beneficial to you and your service. Without getting into a lot of detail with specific oils and mixing a bunch together; the easiest oils to use are Lavender and Chamomile. There are many others but I recommend these as being the best of having the best results for your concern.

Purchase a few inexpensive diffusers (candle tart burners will do just fine) and scatter them around the grooming area and waiting area. Put Lavender in a few and Chamomile in a few. It will smell wonderful and be highly relaxing to the entering pets.

If you are having problems with an individual pet, consider keeping Bach's Rescue Remedy on hand. This is non-toxic and will not harm the pet in anyway. You can purchase this at any health food store or online. It's a blend of 5 flower essences that help to calm and soothe the body and its smells great. Flower essences work to heal physical, mental and emotional illness. All of the aforementioned illnesses affect each other in one way or another. Therefore, flower essences restore the inner balance by working on the vital force. The vital force is an inner force within the body that governs our strength and well-being. As we get sick our vital force weakens and therefore, the flower essences work on our vital force to strengthen it. The particles of the essences work in specific patterns. This means that certain essences cure certain illnesses. Overall, flower essence are to said to release negative emotions and help heal and calm, using either internally or externally non toxic and have no side effects.

The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method. Only a few drops (4-8) are necessary, and need not be swallowed, but only must contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). Be careful not to contaminate the dropper by touching it to the animal (if this occurs, rinse the dropper in very hot water before returning it to the bottle). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can even put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb the flower essences in this way.

Just a few drops (4 - 8) at a time are sufficient. For serious or acute conditions the remedy can be given as often as needed, even every few minutes. For most behavioral problems, you can give 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks. If the response is reached by that time, you may begin to decrease the dosage gradually. For your need, a few drops administered every 15 minutes or so should work perfectly. The pet will not be groggy or drowsy, just calm and relaxed.

I hope this information has helped you.

If you would like further information on natural and herbal remedies for human and animal concerns please contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you and send you a catalog of my home made herbal remedies.

Thank you and best wishes.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certfied Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist