Flower power to the rescue for your Dog!
The benefits of flower essences healing for your dog
What are flower healing essences? |
The history of flower healing essences
The pioneering work of Dr. Edward Bach (1886 to 1936) |
Dr. Bach's explanation of the nature of disease |
Some of Dr. Edward Bach's famous sayings
How do flower healing essences work for dogs |
Bach's Rescue Remedy
What are flower healing essences?
Flower healing essences are a natural, simple and totally safe method of healing humans and animals alike, albeit the primary focus of this article is using flower healing essences for healing dogs.
Flower essences are liquid extracts of flowers, which are prepared by qualified practitioners to treat the emotional, mental and spiritual nature of their patients rather than their physical bodies.
Essences are made by floating the petals of freshly picked flowers of selected plants or trees in a glass bowl of pure water and then leaving them to sit in natural sunlight for several hours.
Through the action of the sun the flower healing essences are transferred into the water. On completion of this natural reaction, referred to as the "sun method", the flowers are removed and the resultant "essence" is preserved with a brandy spirit, which is diluted to make what is called a "stock essence". This stock essence is further diluted by qualified practitioners to make the dosage or medicinal strength of the remedy required.
The history of flower healing essences
It is believed that flower healing essences have been around for centuries, possibly dating as far back to the Ancient Chinese and Australian Aboriginal cultures.
The earliest written record of their use dates back to a 16th century healer called Philippus von Hohenheim, also known as Paracelsus. Paracelsus was a German-Swiss physician and alchemist who established the role of chemistry in medicine. He also discovered the benefits of collecting dew from flowers to heal emotional disharmony in his patients.
In recent years, many additional flower healing essences have been developed in various countries throughout the world. Naturally they take the form of flower healing essences indigenous to the countries/states, which have discovered and developed them. There are now Alaskan, Californian, English, Himalayan and New Zealand flower essences available, and no doubt there will be more to come.
The pioneering work of Dr. Edward Bach (1886 to 1936)
Dr. Edward Bach is best known for pioneering and developing a range of flower essence therapies called the Bach flower healing remedies, a form of alternative medicine inspired by classical homeopathic traditions.
During the course of his research, like Paracelsus before him, Dr. Bach found that the dew collected from flowers in sunlight possessed special healing qualities.
Dr Bach was a prominent Harley Street physician, immunologist, bacteriologist and in 1930 he gave up his London medical practice to study homeopathy and herbs - searching the fields and woods of nature for simpler/natural systems of healing treatments for his patients.
Whilst working as a medical practitioner, Dr Bach noticed that patients who came to see him for physical conditions, invariably had emotional problems as well and he felt there was a direct correlation between the two.
After a great deal of research and observation he identified twelve groups of personality traits, or typical patterns of behaviour in people. The first 12 essences he developed were specifically targeted at helping the twelve groups, hence their name the Twelve Healers.
Dr Bach went on to discover 26 more essences which he called the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen. In total he developed a full compliment of 38 individual flower healing essences plus a composite of five remedies, famously known as "Rescue Remedy", all of which make up what is known today as the "Bach Flower Remedies".
Dr. Bach categorised the original 38 essences he used in his practice based on what he called his 12-7-19 technique - his work still continues today to serve as an inspiration and guide to all who work in the field of flower healing therapies.
Dr. Bach's explanation of the nature of disease
Dr Bach recognised that disease is a physical reflection of a lack of ease or disease within us, a sign of disharmony between our spiritual or inner self and our emotions and attitudes towards life (our personality expression).
His philosophy being that the cause of disease often lies in negative emotional states such as anxiety, depression, fear, guilt, rigid and selfish attitudes, and in the failure to express our true "self" and purpose in life. Dr Bach's approach was to treat the patient's temperament and mood rather than the bodily symptoms.
Some of Dr. Edward Bach's famous sayings
"Treat the patient, not the disease, treat the cause, not the effect".
"Let not the simplicity of this method deter you from its use, for you will find the further your researches advance, the greater you will realise the simplicity of all Creation".
"Wonderful as it may seem, relieve your patient of the mood or moods such as are given in this system of healing, and your patient is better".
How do flower healing essences work for dogs
To quote Dr. Bach "Treat the patient, not the disease, treat the cause, not the effect".
Flower healing essences work for the emotional and physical well being of dogs in exactly the same way as they do for humans.
Dogs, like humans, experience different emotional states in different situations, and because dogs are pack animals they are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to their pack leader's emotions, meaning their owner's emotions.
As a pet owner, animal behavior consultant, breeder, dog trainer, dog sports competitor, or dog rescue professional, flower healing essences can make living and working with the dogs in your life less stressful, safer, and more enjoyable - for them and for you!
At Doghasallergies.com we are a great fan of Flower Essences essences. Soon we will be posting links to a range of 38 different essences specially prepared for treating emotional and physical ailments of dogs. All with comprehensive accompanying information with regard to description, country of origin, ingredients and instructions for use.
Bach's Rescue Remedy
Bach Rescue Remedy is the one and only composite essence developed by Dr. Bach and can be used for an immediate calming effect in any stressful situation, or when your pet needs help overcoming a variety of emotional or behavioral problems.
Appropriate Rescue Remedy usage times include
- Prior to visits to the vet.
- Fear of loud noises (fireworks, thunderstorms, etc).
- Excessive barking.
- Shock, trauma or mistreatment.
- Adapting to loss of companion.
- Separation anxiety.
- Adapting to new surroundings (moving home, boarding kennels, etc.).
- Obsessive behaviours, e.g. excessive grooming, pacing and constant barking.
- Constant licking, nibbling, chewing and/or self mutilation.
Why Rescue Remedy Pet?
Recent research shows that upwards of 10.7 million pets in the United States suffer from separation anxiety, resulting in inappropriate, unwanted behaviors.
While the trend toward the use of pharmaceutical drugs to deal with animals' separation anxieties and other complex stress-related emotions is on the rise, many pet owners are turning to all-natural alternative solutions, including Rescue Remedy Pet.
This new variation of the original stress relieving Rescue Remedy, contains a blend of the same five flower remedies Dr, Bach used in his flower healing composite. It is especially prepared for animals in an alcohol free formula and is ideal for stressed and sensitive pets.
The five remedies in Rescue Remedy are
- Impatiens - For those who act and think quickly, and have no patience for what they see as the slowness of others. They often prefer to work alone. Teaches empathy and understanding of and patience with others. It can be very fast-acting in alleviating an impatient attitude, and in lowering stress.
- Star of Bethlehem - For trauma and shock, whether experienced recently or in the past. Teaches the ability to recover from traumas and to integrate them into the present life.
- Cherry Plum - For those who fear losing control of their thoughts and actions and doing things they know are bad for them or which they consider wrong. Teaches trust in one's spontaneous wisdom and the courage to follow one's path.
- Rock Rose - For situations in which one experiences panic or terror.
- Clematis - For those who find their lives unhappy and withdraw into fantasy worlds. They are ungrounded and indifferent to the details of everyday life. Teaches one to establish a bridge between the physical world and the world of ideas; may foster great creativity. Is also used to bring clarity and alertness to the present moment.
Available in 3 Remedy Styles
Bach Rescue Remedy - Rescue Remedy is the original. It is available in both 10ml and 20ml sizes. To use dilute four drops of Rescue Remedy in a glass of water and sip at intervals. Replenish as necessary.
Rescue Remedy Spray - Rescue Remedy Spray recreates the same calming effects as 4 drops of the liquid in 2 quick sprays. Rescue Remedy Spray is discreet and small enough for a purse or a pocket. For people on the go, Rescue Remedy Spray is a fast-acting and accurate way to deliver the remedy. Rescue Remedy Spray is available in both 20ml and 7ml sizes.
Rescue Remedy Pet - Rescue Remedy Pet is a new formula specifically for pets and is recommended by veterinarians and pet owners alike. It can be used for an immediate calming effect in any stressful situation, or when your pet needs help overcoming a variety of emotional or behaviorial problems. Rescue Remedy Pet is available in dropper format, allowing pet owners to easily administer it to their pets. Alcohol-free, it is suitable for use on pets of all shapes and sizes.
As a comfort factor for readers wishing to use flower essences the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons has the following advice:
"Bach essences are not usually homeopathic potencies - they are mother tinctures as a rule. The amount of alcohol is probably insignificant as you only need a few drops. I suspect that the sprays are also very small amounts per spray, and as they are licensed for animal use should not present a problem when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stuart Marston. Sec BAHVS"
This article and information forms part of the Carole's Doggie World Holistic Library and is presented for informational purposes only.The information is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local vet. Instead, the content offers the reader information researched and written by Carole Curtis for www.carolesdoggieworld.com