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Aromatherapy For Animals, Part 1
By Francoise Rapp, Fri Dec 9th

The trend toward natural health consciousness in humans isgaining popularity in the animal world too. Many veterinariansare beginning to introduce natural therapies in their practice,including osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essencesand more recently aromatherapy. It's just been a few years sincearomatherapists and vets have begun to recognize how animals canbenefit from this wonderful natural therapy.

For humans and animals alike, essential are powerfullyantiseptic, detoxifying and revitalizing, thus increasingresistance to disease while strengthening the immune system.Essential can also be used to control pet odors and topurify the air from dust, dander and allergens. For example, mix50 drops of lemon essential oil in a 2-oz spray bottle filledwith water. Shake very well several times and spray the room.You'll notice immediately that it refreshes and cleanses the air!

But aromatherapy offers more than just fragrance. Theirremarkable actions upon animals -- most notably dogs, cats andhorses -- are immediate, profound and long-lasting, positivelyaffecting their overall health and emotional well-being.

Today we will focus on recipes and tips for Fido. As faithfulfriends, dogs bring affection, pure joy and loyalty into ourlives. Most breeds thrive in the outdoors, running and playingin the freedom of nature. In fact, dogs will naturally purgetheir system in the wilderness, carefully choosing specificplants their systems need, such as blackberries, raw carrots,etc. Now a domestic animal, most dogs have lost this naturalinstinct, and are becoming less resistant to illness in general.

Dogs have a predictable set of physical ailments that may occurduring their life span. Today I'll share aromatherapy blendsthat will soothe and heal skin problems, remove and preventfleas and ticks, relieve the pain of rheumatism and arthritis,revive energy and control pet odor.

******** Blend to Relieve Skin Problems ******** Pour thefollowing essential into a 10-ml bottle and fill withCalendula oil. Apply to afflicted area.

-5 drops Lavender -6 drops Geranium

******** Blend to Relieve Itching ******** Pour the followingessential into a 10-ml bottle and fill with Calendula oil.Apply to afflicted area.

-4 drops Lavender -5 drops Geranium -3 drops Roman Chamomile

******** Blend to Combat Fleas ******** Fleas are nuisances forman and animal alike. This sinister pest hides within your pets'fur as well as in our carpets, parquet and window coverings.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the following ingredientsinto a 1-oz spray bottle:

-7.5 ml Mint essential oil -22.5 ml rubbing alcohol

Fleas absolutely dislike mint! Spray the affected areas of yourhome. Don't forget your dog's bed. Spray directly onto your dog,holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying onthe head and eyes.

******** Blend to Combat Ticks ******** Check your home and petfor ticks - look in his bed, window coverings, walls, etc. Burnthe ones you find to prevent them from coming back.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential into a10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-10 drops Tea Tree -10 drops Lavender

Apply 1 drop of Lavender and 1 drop of Tea Tree undilutedessential before extracting ticks from your pet. This willdisinfect the inflamed area. It may sting a little bit (asalcohol would) but it works great!

******** Blend to Ease Rheumatism ******** Like humans, manydogs suffer from rheumatism as they age. Your veterinarian maytreat him with specific medications or natural therapies. Butlocally, you can apply and massage the following blend in themorning and night to alleviate pain.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential into a10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-8 drops Birch -8 drops Juniper -7 drops Rosemary

******** Blend to Ease Arthritis ******** As recommended by someveterinarians, soften your dog's bed to make it very cozy andwarm. If your dog is an "outside" pet, allow him to sleepinside. A little moist heat, applied directly over painfuljoints, can be a great comfort to arthritic pets. Get him a warmsweater, or apply a moist heating pad. And massage the areatwice a day with the following blend to soothe the pain away.

Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential into a10-ml bottle and adding organic vegetable oil to fill.

-12 drops Birch -8 drops Juniper -7 drops Rosemary ********Blend to Boost His Energy ******** Prepare the following blendby pouring the essential into a 10-ml bottle and addingorganic vegetable oil to fill. Massage the spine gently. Use inthe mornings only.

-5 drops Rosemary -6 drops Lavender -2 drops Peppermint

******** Blend to Control Pet Odor ******** Try this natural andaromatic spray. Pour the essential into a 1-oz spray bottlefilled with water. Shake very vigorously several times beforeeach use. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

-10 drops Lavender -10 drops Geranium -6 drops Lemon

In Good Health, Francoise Rapp http://www.aromalchemy.com

(c) Francoise Rapp, 2002. Internationally renownedaromatherapist and alchemist, Francoise Rapp, shares herexpertise in using essential to heal and revitalize bodyand mind at http://www.aromalchemy.com. Highlights includein-depth aromatherapy classes designed for working adults, pure& organic essential oils, recipes and aromatic treatments forhealth and wellness, and a free weekly newsletter. Discover thepower of aromatherapy today at http://www.aromalchemy.com!

About the author:Internationally renowned aromatherapist and alchemist FranoiseRapp shares her expertise each week in her free ezine, theArom'Alchemy Newsletter. To subscribe, visitwww.aromalchemy.com/education.