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Flower Essences for Animals

The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog (Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown DVM, 200)  Contains a section on use of flower essences. Finding nutritional data for dogs can be a difficult business--and while much of the information in Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog is presented by anecdote, there's still plenty of worthwhile reading here. Aimed at dog owners that are already fairly committed to nonallopathic forms of health care for their pets, much of the book is based around author Wendy Volhard's Natural Diet. The Natural Diet is fairly labor intensive, as Volhard is the first to admit, but she provides page after page of testimonials that credit the diet with improved temperaments, better activity levels, and exemplary physical health. Each ingredient in this diet is discussed in depth, so owners not ready to take the step of providing a complete diet from scratch can still learn about potentially valuable supplements, as well as what ingredients to look for in a commercial diet.

Beyond the dietary information provided, there are several chapters that give solid explanations of different types of health care available, including homeopathy, kinesiology, and the five-element theory. For those who still prefer allopathic care for their dogs, the chapters that cover standard lab tests are extremely useful, finally giving a layman's guide for urinalysis, blood serum, liver function, and thyroid testing. A glossary defines various terms such as acidosis and hepatic, and each description is easily understandable, even by those with no medical background whatsoever. For puppy owners, the chapter discussing vaccinations is informative--Volhard questions the necessity of many we take for granted, and suggests several methods for lowering the required number for your pup.

Ultimately, the majority of this book is geared toward folks who are already committed to providing their pooches with alternative health care and homemade food. No matter how interesting the dietary concepts presented here, if you aren't already a true believer it's not likely that Volhard's anecdotes will provide you with enough statistical proof to completely overhaul your dog's way of life. --Jill Lightner

Flower Essence Repertory (Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, 1994) The Repertory is actually three books in one: 1) a comprehensive overview of flower essence theory and practice; 2) a listing of essences and their qualities arranged by a wide range of categories; and 3) profiles of the 142 English and North American flower essences. The Repertory has received praised from experienced practitioners as well as beginning students of flower essence therapy, as the clearest, more informative guide to flower essence selection and use.
 

Natural Dog Care: A Complete Guide to Holistic Health Care for Dogs (Celeste Yarnell, PhD, 2000).  Contains a section on use of flower essences.  Reader review: "A total spiritual, physical, alternative direction for you dog! Even has some astrology for your pet! You'll LOVE this book -- and recommend it to friends."

Natural Cat Care: A Complete Guide to Holistic Health for Cats  (Celeste Yarnell, PhD, 2000) The cat care version of her Natural Dog Care book. Contains a section on use of flower essences. Cats deserve the best care and nutrition, as well as the love we lavish on them. This holistic approach gives them the natural alternative in food, medication and healing practices, and includes sections on feline behavior and how to bond with your cat.

 Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Diane Stein, 1993).  Detailed section on use of flower essences. This book is written for the pet owner who wants to extend holistic healing methods to the entire household. The author takes pet medicine to a very natural conclusion, drawing on the same New Age therapeutic approaches used for humans. Stein shows how to use nutrition, vitamins, minerals, massage, herbs, and homeopathy to promote pet health. Illustrations.
 

Holistic Care for Birds: A Manual of Wellness and Healing (David McCluggage DVM, Pamela Leis Higdon, 1998).  Section on use of flower essences. Birds are ideal subjects for holistic care. They are especially sensitive to emotional and physical stresses. Based on what we have learned from wild birds and studies completed in the last 10-20 years, this book will help you provide your bird with a longer, healthier life. Each beautifully illustrated chapter is written from two viewpoints, one from the leading holistic avian veterinarian and the other from a bird owner's viewpoint. Holistic care is defined and the value of this type of care in relation to conventional western medicine is discussed. Other interesting topics include the physical bird, the emotional bird, nutrition and special holistic therapies.

Pocket Guide to the Bach Flower Essences (Rachelle Hasnas, 1997)  Includes suggestions for daily use, women's issues, children, animals and plants.

Emotional Healing for Horses and Ponies (Stefan Ball, Heather Simpson, Judy Howard, 2002) This book brings together the skills of horsewoman and animal behaviorist Heather Simpson with those of two highly regarded Bach Flower Remedy experts. Covering the basics of Bach Flower Essences, this book incorporates advice on using flower essences with excellent insights into viewing situations from the horse's perspective, allowing for more accurate treatment. Interesting case histories are included.

Flower Essences For People

Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment (Gotz Blome, MD, 1999) A major advancement in the scientific use of flower essences. Lists 200 clinically proven combinations of Bach Flower essences for treating specific conditions. Targets the source of problems, not their outer manifestations. 

Each of us has a unique psychic structure that affects our emotions, thoughts, and actions. We can develop harmoniously or have unbalanced reactions that can cause illness and psychosomatic conditions. The strength of Bach Flower therapy lies in its ability to treat these pathologies, restore balance, and free us from the physical manifestations of problems that are often psychic and emotional in origin. An indispensable addition to existing Bach Flower works, Advanced Bach Flower Therapy contains three significant new features that are essential for reliable diagnosis and treatment, and make practical use much easier:

- A new comprehensive, psychologically sensitive explanation for each individual remedy

- A detailed description of more than 200 proven combinations that target the source of the problem rather than simply addressing its symptoms

- A comprehensive repertory of symptoms and illnesses with extensive advice and suggestions for treatment

- User-friendly and scientifically rigorous, Advanced Bach Flower Therapy is the most important tool yet for anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the benefits of floral essences.

 New Bach Flower Body Maps: Treatment by Topical Application (Dietmar Kramer, 1996) Dietmar Kramer, one of Germany's most innovative practitioners of Bach Flower Therapy, has developed powerful new therapeutic applications that remain true to Edward Bach's wish for simplicity and ease of use. New Bach Flower Body Maps details Kramer's unique system of diagnosis, in which 242 areas of the body are correlated with each Bach Flower Remedy, and are mapped out in diagrams indicating the relationship between remedy and body zone. By reading the body maps, one can treat both physical symptoms and their emotional causes more directly. Physical ailments are relieved when the flower essences are applied to the skin, and underlying emotional problems improve more rapidly after topical treatment than after taking the drops orally. Preventive treatments are also possible using the body maps. The author demonstrates that the effectiveness of the flower remedies is greatly increased when they are applied in the form of compresses or ointments.

Kramer's procedures are illustrated by many case studies which confirm the effectiveness of this significant new extension of Bach Flower Therapy. Bach Flower Remedies are also used in beauty therapy. Many practical examples illustrate the use of Bach Flowers in skin care.

New Bach Flower Therapies: Healing the Emotional and Spiritual Causes of Illness (Dietmar Kramer, 1995) Includes use of remedies from an astrological sign perspective.

The Complete Book of Flower Essences: 48 Natural and Beautiful Ways to Heal Yourself and Your Life (Rhonda M. Pallasdowney, Rosemary Gladstar, Trevor Cook, 2002) First codified by Edward Bach, a licensed physician in the early 20th century, flower essences are increasingly popular for use in holistic healing. Here Rhonda PallasDowney explores the healing power of flower essences and their relationship to the chakras, and the relationship of the chakras to the endocrine system, taking into account both the physical and psychological aspects of the subject. This book, complete with dozens of color photos, makes sense of the four elements, the senses, Chinese herbal medicine, and the integration of the whole person. The last section of the book describes the 48 whole-plant flower essences.

Light Beings Master Essences (Petra Schneider and Gerhard Pieroth, 1998)  This book systematically introduces the Light Beings Master Essences, which contain the energetic vibration of the "Ascended Masters" and help dissolve mental, emotional, physical and spiritual blocks. The powerful spiritual energies work on all the levels of the being and help to uplift and elevate the being. Published under the Arcana Publishing Imprint.

[Note: Please see Wild Earth Animal Essences page for more information]
 

Healing Energy

Love, Miracles and Animal Healing: A Heartwarming Look at the Spiritual Bond Between Animals and Humans (Allen M.  Schoen, DVM, 1996) If you've ever loved an animal and hated to see it suffer, you now have the good fortune to meet Dr. Allen M. Schoen, whose integration of conventional and alternative medical techniques is revolutionizing the practice of veterinary medicine. Drawing on his experience of treating many different kinds of animals, as well as his knowledge of the healing power of the human-animal bond, Dr. Schoen teaches us:

* How love for our pets can literally save their lives, and how their love for us can be transforming
* How we can establish a deep connection with our pets that will improve their health and well-being, as well as increase our ability to communicate with them
* How the simple techniques of "listening," "touching," and "feeling" can bring comfort to our pets and a deeper understanding of their needs

[unrated] Animal Healing and Vibrational Medicine (Sage Holloway, Sharon Callahan, 2001) Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, fish, horses, dolphins and farm animals benefit from the gentle healing methods of vibrational medicine. Animal Healing and Vibrational Medicine explains how to create remedies specifically for individual ailments ... with no harmful side effects!
Essences, or vibrational remedies, are elixirs of water infused with the energy frequency of flowers, gems, minerals, elements, stars, or sacred earth spaces. These high-energy frequencies invite the individual's energetic field to resonate at the higher vibration, balancing and healing the energy system through the body.

Animal Healing is a resource and reference guide for over 1,000 energetic remedies. It provides a variety of ways to administer them to animals, and it takes the guesswork out of how they work.

Hands-On Energy Therapy: For Horses and Riders (Clare Wilde, 2000) Energy therapy, more commonly known as Reiki, is rapidly growing in popularity as people discover how this ancient form of healing revitalizes the mind, body, and soul of both humans and animals. One of the greatest appeals of energy therapy is that it can be used by anyone. A gentle, non-invasive form of healing, it treats the whole individual-not just the symptoms of a condition. Clare Wilde has practiced energy therapy for years, and her success with humans led her to apply the therapy to horses. She found that it helped to resolve equine behavioral problems such as spooking, tension, and aggression, and that it aided the healing of physical conditions like injuries, muscle strains, back problems, and metabolic disturbances. Assuming no previous knowledge or experience, Wilde clearly explains the history of Reiki, the process of learning to use energy, treatment guidelines, and the dynamics and practical applications of healing horse and rider.

Healing for Horses: The Essential Guide to Using Hands-On Healing Energy With Horses (Margrit Coates, 2002) Lay your hands on a horse--and channel comforting, healing energy to him. A legendary healer, famous for her ability to deal with horses and their problems, shows you how. Anyone can apply these techniques to improve an equine's well-being and behavior: they're safe, free of side effects, and work on just about any condition. Use them alone or with other remedies so they'll work on a deeper level. After understanding what these methods do and why they benefit horses so much, you'll find out how to give a treatment. Where to put your hands is of utmost importance, and a chart guides you to the points on a horse's body that affect different conditions. Target specific ailments (like old age, arthritis, and grief), provide first aid, and give comfort. Prevent problems, too, and produce a feeling of inner calm in your horse. And, in case you didn't know, horses have chakras, too--areas of maximum energy intake that have particular power. When you lay hands over these points, you'll feel the resistance of energy flowing out. Find out about other natural therapies as well (including homeopathy and massage)--and read over the case histories: they're informative and inspiring! A Main Selection of the Doubleday Select Equestrian Club.

 Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual (Nancy A. Zidonis, Amy Snow, 1999) This user-friendly guide to acupressure is filled with easy to follow photographs, charts and illustrations. The acupressure meridian system, acupoints and treatment plans are explained in detail along with complete charts showing the location of the points.

Acupresure is a safe, noninvasive and powerful way to participate in your horse's optimal health. This book includes the basics of equine acupressure, plus 15 specific treatments for common equine physical and training conditions.

[unrated] Complementary Therapies for Horse & Rider (Susan McBane and Caroline Davis, 2001) Conventional medicine cannot offer all the answers and many people are turning again to more traditional ways of treatment. This book describes all the different complementary therapies, and how they can be used to benefit horses and riders. Interviews with practitioners and case studies of horses that have undergone their treatments make fascinating reading.

Master Stephen Co is one of only four Master Pranic Healers in the world, and is one of the World Pranic Healing Organization's Senior Facilitators/Instructors. He lives in Chino Hills, California.

Gemstones, Crystals, Chakras, Aromatherapy, Color Therapy

Essential Oils Desk Reference (3rd. Ed.) (Essential Science Pub., 2004) This Desk Reference is a must-have! It covers the oils, oil blends and products containing essential oils which are available through Young Living. I recommend only Young Living brand oils because of their purity and because most can be ingested, unlike other oil lines. Here's one reader's review:

"Whether you're new to the world of Essential Oils, or a seasoned follower, there is a plethora of information for you in here. Each single oil and blended oil is explained, where it originates, what it's used for, how to apply it, where to apply it and how often. A big section is nothing but diseases listed alphabetically and how to treat it with the e.o.'s, also listed are nutritional supplements that help to heal that particular condition. I've owned the book for about 5 months now, and am still discovering new things in it. Also has a section on how to deal with sick pets. I wish I had known about the oils when my daughter had a year long bout with head lice from school, kept getting re-infected, and Tea Tree oil works wonders...FAST.

But don't be fooled thinking you can go into your local health food store for the oils, they're not therapeutic grade and won't have the same effect, and cannot be ingested like the Young Living Essential oils. Not all oils can be taken internally, but a few can, and they work great. I looked up GOUT in this book and it said you can use Panaway essen. oil, so I put it on my mothers big toe and in about 5 minutes, the pain was totally gone. One time it took 20 min, once the pain was gone in about 20 seconds, and once, I had to reapply it after about 15 min. so be patient, and I can atest that they work wondrously and this book will help you to become an expert , it is the best, bar none. :)" Nora Zabowski

For more information about Young Living brand essential oils and using them on animals, please see this page on my site: Young Living Essential Oils. For assistance with choosing and purchasing Young Living oils, please don't hesitate to contact me. (See Contact Information under About Kat on the main menu.)
 

Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils and Hydrosols with Animals (Kristen Leigh Bell, 2002) Reader's reviews:

"This is an awesome book, that is well written and researched, easy and fun to read and full of recipes that are easy to make. I have made numerous recipes- and the canine ear cleaning, tick spray, calming spray and the ointment for cuts and bruises are my favorites. These formulations are very effective and smell wonderful. I am so happy that I can make safe, all natural and effective products at home for my dog instead of spending a lot of money on synthetic products with chemicals. I like how this book talks about how aromatherapy works with herbs, flower essences, homeopathy and other natural healing. After reading this book I have a real respect for aromatherapy as a way to care for my dog. This book is in my top ten, right up there with "Herbs for Pets" by Tilford and "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" by Pitcairn."

"As an aromatherapist owned by 5 cats, it is hard for me to enjoy my work and keep the cats out of harm's way. Why, you wonder? Because essential oils can be very unsafe for use around cats. I had briefly read about this but did not realize just how important it was until I had the pleasure of my holistic vet recommending this new book. Through a series of case studies, toxicology reports and veterinary research, Ms. Bell unravels the mystery of essential oil and hydrosol use with cats, presenting information that is both informative and engaging. After reading the cat section of this book, I felt fully capable of making informed and intelligent decisions about the use of aromatherapy with cats. I found Ms Bell's viewpoint refreshingly candid and well researched- allowing the reader the opportunity to form their own opinion on the topic or to explore it further through more detailed methods of toxicology and bloodwork. Safety is the key message here. I have Ms. Bell to thank for the livelihood of my cats. Before purchasing her book, I bought a Young Living video about using essential oils with animals. The video suggested putting essential oils undiluted on cat's paws, ear tips or stomach. Thank the Lord that I did not do this! I could have caused irreparable harm to my cats. If you are owned by cats, and love aromatherapy, you must purchase this book- you won't be sorry, and your cats will thank you."
 

[unrated] Aromatherapy for Animals: Healing Animals With Essential Oils and Plant Extracts (Caroline Ingraham, 2002) An introduction to healing sick animals with aromatherapy. The animals are encouraged to choose the appropriate essential oil and the method of admini stration for themselves. The book includes an introduction to essential oils, methods of administration, dosages for various conditions and a reference guide to common ailments.