Why Use essential oils'
Aromatherapy is a natural, non-invasive aid to health and happiness and has proven highly effective in the relief of many physical and behavioural problems. E.g., Skin conditions, allergies, arthritis, immune disorders, laminitis, COPD, warts, sarcoids, stress, training problems and vices. Essential oils have been used for the promotion of health for many centuries and nowadays more and more vets are recognising their usefulness in animal welfare. The oils contain ingredients that animals would pick and choose freely to maintain health if they were living in a natural state but are deprived of when domesticated.

What are Essential Oils'
Essential oils are potent extracts of aromatic plants. For the most part they are steam distilled from leaves, flowers, seeds, even roots.... wherever each plant has chosen to store its essential oil. The plant uses essential oils to protect itself from disease and predators, to heal wounds and as phyto-hormones. And these are the qualities they offer to us as well. Because essential oils are highly volatile the chemical constituents are easily absorbed through the blood/brain barrier via the nose or through the skin. However they are not medicines as we know them, but work gently and holistically to balance the entire system and fight dis-ease.

How are they used on animals'
In human aromatherapy massage is the primary method of application, this is not really practical when faced with a large fur covered creature. Also animals are much more sensitive to essential oils and tiny amounts are enough to produce profound results. And so we harness the animals ability to self-medicate..... The uniqueness and beauty of essential oil therapy lies in the fact that the animal directs its own healing, showing us through its instinctive response to the smell how it wants the remedy applied and how often. This is a wonderful way of returning some autonomy to your animal's life - and a great way of building up trust between carer and animal. This aspect of the oils is especially useful in animals that have had some trauma or have been abused.

What does an Essential Oil Therapy for Animals Assessment involve?
I take a detailed case history which takes into account the animal's past history and basic personality and any other factors that might be influencing its health. I then do an extensive kinesiology test to check for imbalances that might be causing dis-ease and use that, along with the Chinese 5 Element Theory to assess which oils will best balance the animal. I then train the primary carer how to use them. It is an important part of the healing process that the main carer gives the oils whenever possible. An assessment can be carried out on site or through the mail. Click here for an assessment

What is Kinesiology'
Kinesiology was developed by an American Chiropractor and embraces the theories of Chinese medicine. It assesses the energy flow in the physical, chemical, mental and energetic systems of the body. Certain muscles relate to the acupuncture meridians and by isolating these muscles and testing their strength we can uncover any problems in the bio-system. It is an accurate and holistic tool for assessing physical and emotional imbalances and indicating which oils will help the problem. Because of the nature of the test it also allows me to assess an animal without needing to travel to see it.