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Animal Connections |
Just as the famous Bach Flower Essences have for nearly three quarters of a century brought aid and comfort to humans, so have they calmed, healed and steadied our animal friends. In fact, many holistic veterinarians prescribe these simple remedies as a first treatment for many known and unknown presenting conditions. In thousands of cases worldwide, complete resolution has occurred after these treatments alone. An added bonus is that we can administer them without fear of over-dosing or incorrectly dosing because they are made from the energy essences of non-toxic flowers and contain nothing that brings harm to the patient. Because the essences are "energy matched" to the disruption in the auric body, an incorrect choice falls harmlessly away as unneeded or unrecognized by the aura. Since our pets often reflect in behavior or illness (either emotionally or physically) our own unresolved problems, it is more than common to find that a complete cure depends on our commitment to healing ourselves too, no matter how puzzling it seems. It is no wonder that pets and owners are, therefore, usually prescribed the same remedies. As Dr. Edward Bach, the discoverer of the flower essences, wrote in 1931, "Disease will never be cured or eradicated by present materialistic methods, for the simple reason that disease is not material." Bach believed disease to originate in a plane above the physical, and eventually discovered that emotions and mental states always preceded a person's illness or recovery. He created flower essences to interface with what we now call the etheric body, where their rarified, high-vibrational rate would match up to the emotional origin of the disorder. There are 38 original Bach English Flower remedies, plus a five-flower combination called Rescue Remedy. Below is a list of their names and the conditions they treat. Underlined words point out to the reader the operative emotional or mental state the essence mainly addresses, although it is widely accepted that most of them do treat others secondarily. Agrimony eases mental anguish caused by slow healing wounds and injury. This is suitable for animals who are sensitive to their owners arguing and respond with distress. Often long-suffering, these animals do not like to be alone, are restless, and don't adjust easily to change. These animals also develop skin irritations, arthritis and intestinal problems. This essence is said to be used by vets for urinary incontinence. Aspen is an all-around remedy for anguish, fear of the unknown and apprehension. This is the one to use during storms, earthquakes and (equally traumatic to some) visits to the vet. Aspen is also good for separation anxiety and bladder and kidney problems. Beech effectively treats intolerance towards other animals and even some people. Use Beech when a pet rejects a new pet, or with two pets who are always fighting. This is also useful in reducing territorial aggression, arthritis and allergies, and for treating cats who spray out of jealousy or even overcrowding. Centaury helps timid animals who are picked on by other animals and do not defend themselves. Submissive urination responds to centaury. This remedy also gives incentive to live when an animal is battling serious illness. Cerato is used for the indecisive, distracted, unfocused or flighty pet. It is great for training sessions, shows, and any situation a pet needs to focus or pay attention. Also used for anxiety in all animals, and chronic barkers in particular. Cherry Plum is for fear of losing control. Examples of animals acting this out are the panicky types who become vicious when restrained; the birds, horses and dogs who mutilate themselves; and any animal who seems to be uncontrollable. This remedy can also be used for grass allergies. Chestnut Bud helps animals learn to socialize, acquire basic skills, and even break bad habits. It instills awareness, and can be used with any form of behavior modification. Chicory is great for domineering animals who challenge their owners, demand attention and food, are always under foot and following their owner around or easily become upset when alone. These animals are often overly protective of the family, jealous and possessive. Sometimes these animals are annoyingly affectionate and need to be in their owner's laps constantly. Clematis has the effect of stimulating an animal following surgery, trauma, upon birthing, or while giving birth if exhausted, and when drowsy but not actually sleepy. It is also good for the inattentive, distracted or absent-minded. Crabapple is a cleansing remedy used to relieve toxic states following surgery, illness or accident. It is also good for open, festering wounds, body odor, problem coats, poisoning and infections of any kind. Crabapple resonates to a "toxic" state of mind, such as poor self-image, cringing and the previously abused and abandoned. Elm is for the animal who seems overwhelmed by a demanding situation such as making drastic changes, coping with too many people at one time, or too many responsibilities. It is also good for temporary feelings of inadequacy. Gentian is helpful for discouragement and depression, both emotionally and physically. This is my favorite remedy to use when my animal friends are depressed over the loss of a companion or during rehabilitation. Do not hesitate to give Gentian for encouragement! Gorse can always be given for hopelessness. It relieves despair, and is important for cancer, injury and recovery. Gorse improves appetite and speeds healing. Heather is for the pet who is after your attention around the clock, and cries when left alone. The type of animals who benefit from Heather are self-obsessed, habitually underneath you, and insecure. Holly works for the emotional conditions of envy and suspicion. This pet is aggressive to boot, likely to bite and kick and easily give in to anger. Some practioners give holly with Star of Bethlehem, which is prescribed for the abused. Some feel hatred is the operative principle at work in these animals and their owners. However, they are deeply loving and happy when the anger is released. Holly seems to directly impact the heart chakra. Honeysuckle relieves anxiety and grief. It helps to strengthen animals when weakness is caused by illness, and particularly with cases of loss of blood or when vital signs are fading. Honeysuckle is also helpful for the loss of an animal's principle human. Hornbeam is for mental and physical exhaustion. It is a strengthening agent. Impatiens is for impatience, irritability, nervousness and agitation. It can also be used to treat seizures and anxiety. Larch is beneficial for low self-esteem, for it can improve confidence. Larch is an excellent choice for the abused. Mimulus can be helpful to release identifiable and non-threatening fears. It is great for fear of thunder, lightening, noise, other animals and people, and even abandonment. Mustard is for sudden depression, melancholia, and those who have given up hope of recovery. Oak rebuilds strength after any physically stressful event. It is also for those who have lost a body function, or for a long, chronic illness. Olive is used for mental and physical exhaustion, especially when worn down by a long illness. It is good for detoxification and support while cleansing. As it lends deep comfort, Olive is also good to give to birthing animals when labor is slow and taxing. Pine is for the pet who cowers and constantly tries to please. It can also be used to relieve guilt and perfectionism, and is appropriate for the animal left behind or given away. Red Chestnut can be used to treat fear for one's loved ones. It is good for those animals overly anxious about their young; for separation anxiety or the fear that the worst is about to happen; and for dread. Rock Rose is the big gun for panic or terror after trapping, car accidents, nightmares, or any panic phobia. Rock Water may be effective with stubborn animals who resist change and breaking bad habits. These animals are "stuck" in routines and may have arthritis. This remedy is also helpful when new members join the family. Scleranthus is for imbalances, such as hormonal or neurological imbalance, or lack of coordination. It is helpful for strokes, seizures, motion sickness and mood swings. The mental condition that responds to Scleranthus is indecisiveness. Yes, your pet can be just as indecisive as you! Star of Bethlehem is good for all cases of shock. It is excellent for kennel boarding, weaning, and change of environment. It is also helpful for abused pets, and those from the pound. Use Star of Bethlehem for surgery, birthing and anything threatening the first chakra (issues having to do with security, survival, etc.) Sweet Chestnut is for extreme anguish and suffering on all levels. Use this remedy when there is complete despair. It is also helpful to prevent burnout in performance animals, or wild animals in captivity. Vervain is for the high-strung, hyperactive, intense animal -- think dogs who are barkers, cats who cry and are ceaselessly active, race or show horses who have endless energy. Vervain will calm even the so-called hyper breeds. Vine is appropriate for the domineering animal difficult to train. It is helpful for the "boss cat" or alpha animal in any species who is strong willed and tyrannical. Walnut is the "transition" remedy that protects those subject to change at any level, from rearranging the furniture to locating out of state. It also aids healing and offers protection from pollution. Walnut helps with allergies to grasses and many other pollens. Water Violet is suitable for the animal who seeks solitude when ill, and is aloof by nature. For cats, it helps the need for solitude to balance with the pleasure derived from interactions with people and other animals. This remedy is good for pets socialized late in life, or who carry the blood of wild species (wolf-hybrids, wild-caught mustangs and feral-born cats and dogs). White Chestnut is for general anxiety, as well as an inability to focus. Use White Chestnut with a cat or dog who worries about her adult offspring. Wild Oat treats depression caused by boredom. It is for the animal who withdraws into him or herself after competition. This animal engages in destructive behavior such as feather plucking, chewing the barn and fencing, destroying furnishings. Wild Oat treats the feeling that life is unrewarding. Wild Rose is for animals who seem to lack enthusiasm. It is great for patients with apathy. Willow is used to help treat resentment. It is for the animal who shows its unhappiness with inappropriate urination and defecation or destruction of property. Willow targets the feelings of bitterness arising from unfair treatment. Rescue Remedy is named for its calming and stabilizing effects during crisis. It is a combination of the following five remedies:
Once the five are combined, Rescue Remedy is an essence in its own right and is different from its original parts. Use Rescue Remedy on its own or in combination with others. Dosage Remember to keep your droppers clean in order to avoid contamination. For more information, consult Reference sources. Good luck!
Dear Wellness Reader, Since I wrote the article on Bach Flower Essences for animals, I received several questions from pet owners. I hope the following will be both elucidating and rewarding. 1. How To Choose This was a case of combining remedies. The combinations you make through testing, create remedies of their own, specific to you and case sensitive. So not only are the essences useful singly when treating known conditions such as fear of thunder, they can combine to create endlessly personal prescriptions with spectacular results. In these instances, we can treat cases where we don't know what's really wrong and are giving what the animal seems to need based on the testing. 2. Muscle Testing Problems
3. Emotional States
Noticing that anger, hatred and others were not on the list, I consulted my teachers, who told me that this was a list of the basic or "pathological" emotions, and that ones I might see as missing are actually caused by the original emotional conditions. Therefore, these emotions are not treated themselves, for the flower essences work by eliminating the causative emotions only. For instance, anger and hatred are usually arising out of fear, indecision, impatience, pride, etc., so the BFEs are brought in on the causative level of healing. Anger, hatred, greed, envy, etc., are a second generation, not a first generation or causative emotion. 4. When Testing I hope you benefit from using flower
essences of all types, and as questions come up for you I will respond
when you contact me at AK Wellness. Chrys Long Ago lives in Anchorage, where she began her career as an animal communicator in 1991. She continues to give readings by phone and can be reached at 333-8888. Reference materials: |
