Billie Dean's 10 Essential Oils for Furry Friends and their Humans
NB: Be careful of puppies, cats and kittens, birds and rabbits, guinea pigs etc when using the oils. Sometimes with the smaller animals of more delicate nature, all you have to do is let them smell the oil for the desired result. This could be as simple as having the smell on your hands. With dogs and horses I will apply to paws, frog (under the hoof), on the coronet band, inside the tips of the ears, and along the spine as per Raindrop Technique absorbed through the fur. And of course some oils are suitable for ingestion, but again care and common sense rule the day. I always ask permission, allowing the animal to smell the oil first.
1.GERANIUM: This is one of my Young Living Favourites. I use it directly on wounds if the emotions need calming, because it has a nurturing and calming effect as if an angel had come into the room with you. I will also pop a couple of drops in a herbal antiseptic rinse such as Calendula and Hypericum. Geranium is brilliant for bruises - even nasty ones from falls or horse kicks. Apply directly - it absorbs the pain and calms the area so you have less or no bruising. And it is good for calming animals and people in general - of course if the people are calm, the animals are. I will use this oil as a scent on my hands when I am interacting with new, troubled or wild horses. Horses respond beautifully to it.
2. LEMON: I use this one particularly as a rinse or added to cream or both in skin conditions for dogs. Particularly beneficial in wombat (sarcoptic) mange. I wash in neem oil, with shampoo and follow with lemon rinse or cream. Not only does it have the effect of making the dogs feel clean (very important), it boosts the immune system which is an underlying problem and side effect of skin conditions such as mange. Of course most other skin conditions are caused by allergies and poor diet. (HINT: Share your own dinner with your dog. He'll be healthier. Lots of pulped raw veges as a standard base, and Chia Seeds for the important omegas. See my book Secret Animal Business ( www.billiedean.com) for more tips on a healthy diet. I also use Lemon oil as a steaming vapour to protect from or heal infectious diseases. I'd be using it for kennel cough, distemper, paarvo and flu, for example. Add other oils such as Melrose and Lavender and whatever else is needed for the particular condition.
3. LAVENDER: I'll usually add Lavender to my shampoo and Neem mix to calm, clean and relieve the itching of itchy skin in dogs, as it is a wonderful antiseptic and is also brilliant for burns and wounds. It also helps relieve pain. This oil is essential for any first aid kit. I have used Lavender and Melrose for thrush and deep cracks in the frog. Also for wounds, alternating between the two oils. I also use Lavender alternating with Frankincense for external tumours on horses and dogs. Lavender is also lovely to use during the dying process and afterwards for grief for both animals and humans. I have also used Lavender for insect bites, stress, and tension.
3. PEACE AND CALMING - I have used this to great effect internally and externally in times of colic in horses, particularly if the animal is feeling stressed. Tips of ears and inside the lip. I have also used it as part of a protocol for epilepsy. A couple of drops in rice milk in between seizures during a cluster. This oil blend also calms and grounds animals with separation anxiety, or for vet visits. Can be used with Valor and Geranium. Also good for horses afraid of getting on floats, or the dentist or farrier. A very good recovery blend for rescued horses, with Geranium - to make them feel safe and loved.
5.PEPPERMINT - awesome oil when alertness is needed. I have used with tremendous success as an anti-inflammatory in times of laminitis (founder) and for general inflammation including arthritis. I also use it to ground an animal after a seizure and bring back to a state of mental alertness. Also good for long drives to keep the human focused. It also helps to ground after a shock. Great for headaches (rub on temples but not near eyes), and also tummy upsets especially those which involve wind. Also use this oil for colic to sooth the tummy, sometimes with chamomile. Can rub on the tummy. Peppermint with Lavender, Frankincense and Palo Santo can be used to relieve pain.
6.VALOR - this is my osteopath plus angel energy oil. Helps to balance electrical energies in the body, relaxes muscles and ligaments along the spine and is very good to help minimize seizures in epilepsy. I combine with Aroma Seize for this condition. Excellent for tense horses who are worried and anxious and the tension has affected their body systems. Helps to ground, relax and boost confidence. I will also use this oil when I meet a horse or dog who doesn't trust, is shy, or fearful with behaviours resulting from this - and often combine with Geranium. I also always use Valor for animals with lower back problems, who are having trouble walking, or other spinal issues. Use on coronet band, on paws and along spine as per Raindrop Technique.
7. FRANKINCENSE - This is a specially beautiful oil for the mature animal. I call it my youthing or longevity oil. It is a spiritual oil, improving connections to spirit and bringing mind, body, spirit into harmony. Use for age related conditions, cancers, and most other health challenges. Brings a clarity and sweetness and feeling of protection and love to the animal, enlivening the body systems and helping them renew themselves.
8. PALO SANTO : I use this oil any time psychic protection is needed. I studied Inkan shamanic healing and this is traditionally to cleanse heavy, dense or negative energies. From the same family as Frankincense it is also a spiritual oil, and can be used in combination with other oils for pain relief. Use topically. Think of this oil for an animal suffering from abuse either physical or verbal, or who has low thoughts about themselves from their human contact. Could also be used for show animals going into competition where there is a spirit of spite and abuse instead of co-operation, partnership and joy among the humans and the human-animal relationships.
9. JOY: This has large dollops of YLANG YLANG in it which is anti spasmodic, vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and can help to regulate the heartbeat. Either one of these oils is superb for lifting the spirits of animals who are depressed, grieving, in the dying process, anxious, who have been abused or neglected. Helps adjust to new homes, helps to restore confidence, contentment and connection to Source. It helps re-build trust and contributes to joy and well being. I also use this oil to help create feelings of harmony in the pack. Just a drop on each dog's paw for a few days, especially when introducing newcomers. Try it for separation anxiety along with Peace and Calming.
10. MELROSE: I have used this oil with great success on nasty wounds which should have been stitched. Highly antiseptic, anti bacterial and anti-infectious, it helped me tremendously when one of our wild horses had his leg cut to the bone after getting tangled in a fence. It has Melaleuca, Rosemary and Cloves in it, which all talk to me of anti -infection, but also of clear-headedness and get on with the job and because we were unable to get a vet, I cleansed and packed the wound with Melrose, Geranium and honey. I also used Lavender, sometimes adding to the mix or alternating. There was no need for antibiotics and it never got infected. So this is great for all kinds of wounds, including puncture wounds and anything with pus, and in a diffuser or vapour steamer for infectious diseases.
Billie Dean www.billiedean.com Animal shaman.
About Billie Dean: Billie Dean is Australia's leading animal shaman and advocate for the use of alternative modalities for animals. Born with an innate ability to understand the silent language of animals and nature, Billie made a stand for animal welfare at an early age and today personally cares for 27 rescued horses, 8 rescued dogs and a host of other rescued farm animals on her country property. Trained as a journalist and professional filmmaker, Billie works tirelessly to improve the situation of animals, has written a book Secret Animal Business, and has made three films through the company she runs with her husband - Wild Pure Heart Films. For more information on Billie and how to donate see http://www.billiedean.com/general/donations.htm or just www.billiedean.com