Aroma Pets

How To Make Aromatic Lotions

When to use topicals
I don't  use topical application vey often. Why? Because healing happens from the inside out. Skin problems are often the first place that the body lets us know it is out of balance. The skin is the largest organ and the safest place for the body to clear toxins. When offering aromatics to re-balance the immune or digestion system, problems such as itchy skin usually clear by themselves. However, there are some situations that call for external application to help speed recovery and relieve irritation. Or to inhibit secondary bacterial infection, as in lickomas.

Why We Use Gels 
I use water based gel as the carrier for topical applications. I never use oil based lotions or creams when working with dogs. Apart from the fact that a dog covered in oily lotions is going to play havoc with your carpets, water based gels are easier to make at home. Another advantage of a water based gel is that essential oils avoid water and are drawn to lipids (fats). So they move quickly out of the gel and into the dog's skin. Sooner or later dogs will want to lick themselves clean.

If you use a water based gel, the essential oils would have already been absorbed into the skin by the time he gets around to cleaning himself. These gels are non-toxic and it will not harm your dog to lick them. But you want them to stay on the skin long enough to do their job. Interestingly, dogs do not usually lick the gel right off when the right remedy is applied. If your dog does try to lick straight away, you can offer him the bottle of gel to smell, or let him lick a little of the gel from your hand while the gel absorbs. 

How To Use Gels

The first step to making a gel is to allow your dog to approve of the essential oils yo have chosen. For example, if you are making a wound gel you could offer Helichrysum, lavender, yarrow, and rosalina. Take the 2 or three he shows the most interest in and add them to the gel. Add more drops of the oils liked best, less of the others. So you might end up with 3 drops of rosalina, 2 of helichrysum and 1 of yarrow in 30ml/2 tablespoons of gel.  

Before Application

Once you have concocted the gel., let your dog smell it again, and then apply to affected areas. He will show you exactly where he needs it by moving into your hand or moving away. If he doesn't like the smell, it may be too strong. Add another teaspoon of gel of plain water. Offer your dog the gel to smell before each application, and listen to where he wants it applied. If he wants to, you can also let him lick some from your hand. As the problem clears he will want it applied less frequently.

He may decide he doesn't want the gel anymore when you think he still needs it. In this case, offer different oils for selection, and adjust the gel. If he shows no interest in any of the oils, the healing is going well and he doesn't need any more help. Trust him!

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag    

SKIN & COAT OIL RECIPES

The skin and coat of cats are very delicate. They are prone to wounds, skin irritations, allergies, and may even get skin irritations from anxiety. And in this chapter, you will learn all about using essential oils as a natural alternative to commercial products when it comes to overall skin care. This includes recipes and specific methods of application to maximize the benefits of essential oils.

Using essential oils to treat your cat's skin and coat will not only make it softer and smoother, it will also leave your cat smelling wonderful foe a few days. There are also recipes you can use as natural remedies for common skin conditions in your pet such as irritations wounds, and allergies. They can also help protect your cat's skin from elements in the outdoors.

Using Virgin Coconut Oil
Before you go on with essential oil blends, using virgin coconut oil directly on your cat's skin is one of the simplest methods to naturally improve and maintain your cat's skin and coat. It can help improve the condition of various conditions, protect the skin from further infection , and moisturize it for softer and smoother coat. Coconut oil is known as a natural remedy for superficial wounds. For cats, this includes scratches, "cracked" paws, abrasions, and allergic reactions. It also works for insect bites, fungal infections, and bee stings. It can also be taken internally to improve your cat's skin from the inside out. Additionally, it can improve digestion and help treat any gastrointestinal disorders.

However, remember to use coconut oil sparingly on your cat, especially when used internally. Start with only one quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of your cat's weight. For most types, this equals to just one dosage a day. But if you have a large cat such as a Maine Coon, then you may need to give it two doses per day. You can do this for as long as you like or until you successfully treat an existing condition. If you're seeing good results, consider increasing the dosage to 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds.

Lavender & Roman Chamomile Skin Blend
The lavender & Roman chamomile skin blend for cats is one of the simplest blends to produce and use. This recipe combines the benefits of two of the best essential oils for a cat's skin. It will leave your cat's coat feeling soft, smooth, fragrant and well protected from insects and mange. Furthermore, it can help uplift your cat's mood and attain relaxation.

Ingredients

To use this recipe, put the mixture on your palms and apply it to your cat's paws and skin. Massage your cat for a few minutes and allow the oils to penetrate. This recipe should be enough to be used for 1-2 applications. You may also diffuse this blend to prolong its calming effects on your cat. Just be sure to specifically use coconut oil for this blend.

Essential Oil Shampoo for Cats
The next essential oil blend requires castile soap as a base ingredient, You can purchase this in many aromatherapy and natural health stores.

Ingredients

To produce this essential oil shampoo, simply mix all ingredients in a clean container and shake well. This recipe should be good for 1-2 baths. You can use this in the same manner as commercial shampoos for cats.

Lavender & Helichrysum Spray

This next blend can be used as first aid for minor wounds. But it can also be used to improve the appearance and overall health of your cat's skin and coat. It contain Helichrysum oil - one of the safest oils for topical use on cats which contains antibacterial properties.

Ingredients

You can use this spray on your cat twice a day, focusing on wounds and other skin conditions. The lavender oil also helps repel insects on your cat.

Rosemary & Frankincense Oil Blend

Rosemary & Frankincense oil is a powerful combination to help relieve inflammations, wounds, and other superficial skin conditions. It also helps improve the overall health of your cat's skin and coat. Additionally, it can help the correction of behavioral problems in your cat, especially when applied using the Kitty Raindrop technique.

Ingredients

The best way to use this blend is with the Kitty Raindrop Technique. You may also add 1 more drop of each essential oil and a quarter cup water to make a spray mixture. Simply combine all ingredients into a spray bottle to do this alternative.

Using Brushes
A lot of essential oil blends as well as the safest essential oils mentioned previously in these chapters can be applied using a brush to improve penetration. It also helps detangle your cat's fur and achieve better relaxation. All you have to do is to apply the essential oil blend directly on your cat's skin and brush thoroughly. Alternatively, you can place 2 or more drops of the blend on the brush and then apply it on your cat.

Reference: Essential oils for Cats: Th Blokehead

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The Aromatic Dog - Essential Oils As First Aid

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR TRAUMATIC INJURY
Hydrosols and essential oils can deal with pretty much all your first aid needs, such as stings, scratches, bumps and bruises, Undiluted hydrosols can be used to wash wounds, heal bruises and relieve pain, or made into gels to speed healing.

Essential oils can be antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, relieve pain and aid healthy skin repair.

I also use essential oils in true first response situations, such as traumatic injury, while waiting for the vet. I offer Neroli  (Citrus aurantium var bigarade) for shock, helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) for impact injuries, and yarrow (Achilles millefolium) to stop bleeding and relieve trauma.

You should also use lavender ( Lavandula officinalis) to do any of those things, but it is not quite as powerful. Offering aromatics while waiting for the vet will reduce stress and help recovery.

For healing minor injuries I combine essential oils, hydrosols and herbal oils, offering essential oils for inhalations and making a topical gel as well.

CO-OPERATIVE HEALTH CARE
When healing wounds and injuries I tend to let my dogs guide me. even though this is when I am most tempted to force them to take something - anything! - to relieve my worry. Experience and some very wise dogs have taught me better.

If I need to wash a wound I offer a choice of hydrosol, such as lavender, helichrysum or witch hazel. Then let them choose clay or gel to protect it. I usually have a first aid gel and clay ready for use. But if I didn't I would allow them to select the essential oils to add to the gel as well.

In this situation I am asking the dog. "Do you strongly object to me using this?". I will not force topical application if my dog resists, but I am not looking for engagement on a deep level, just acceptance.

This may seem extreme to you , but the truth is when dogs are first injured they will generally accept help. As healing progresses they will start to refuse. The body heals itself, given the right conditions, and your dog knows if/when help is needed.

Aromatics rebalance the whole system as well as working directly on wounds, so you can apply them less frequently than a standard antibiotic application. And the really wonderful thing in a first aid situation is, when you have the right oil for the occasion your dogs don't resist being treated.

No more struggling to dress a wound, that's one stress out of the window already. 

• ESSENTIAL FIRST AID KIT
  Hydrosols are great for washing wounds and to poultice injuries. You can also replace any essential oil with its hydrosol equivalent.
• HYDROSOLS
  Witch hazel: mild disinfectant, stops, bruising, soothes, skin, astringent
  Thyme ct thymol or Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) disinfectant
  Cornflower: soothing, eye wash
• CARRIER OILS
  Aloe vera gel: anti-inflammatory, skin soothing
  Calendula oil: anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-fugal, soothing
• ESSENTIAL OILS
  Helichrysum: antiseptic, anti-bruising, anti-inflammatory
  Lavender: antiseptic, wound healing, prevents scarring and proud flesh
  Neroli: for shock
  Plai: anti-inflammatory, analgesic
  Valerian: sedative

Yarrow: stops bleeding, disinfectant, creates a protective barrier over the wound, anti-inflammatory, releases trauma.

I always have a couple of home made gels ready in my first aid kit, they are a great way to soothe minor irritations and wounds. 

Reference: The Aromatic Dog : Nayana Morag