Month: January 2021

5 Pet-Safe Essential Oils (and 5 to steer clear of)

January 15, 2021

Essential oils…it’s a term that we hear EVERYWHERE these days. The market is inundated with these little brown bottles filled with magical potions to fix all of our problems. With their rise in popularity, unfortunately (just like everything else) comes the negative consequences in the form of adulterated, synthetic products and misuse. It is SO important to do research and make educated decisions.

diffusion is easy & non-invasive

Essential oils are an amazing form of plant medicine. Humans and animals have been using these to treat virtually every ailment since the beginning of our existence. In addition to their topical uses, oils have been clinically proven to have a profound effect on the Central Nervous System, helping to reduce pain and release muscle tension. They also have many calming, sedating, uplifting, and positive emotion-stimulating properties.

Oil use for animals has so many wonderful health benefits, supporting emotional, behavioral, & physical body systems. You can diffuse oils, apply them topically, or use sprays on collars/halters/bandanas. The possibilities really are endless!

aromatherapy sprays are an excellent delivery method

The most important things to consider when using oils with your animals are:

  • PURITY of product (make sure you are buying from reputable companies such as this – not TJ MAXX)
  • PROPER APPLICATION & DILUTION. Animals are much more sensitive to scent, so only a few drops (mixed with a carrier oil for topical use) are needed for any method
horses respond especially well to topical application

Here are a few oils that are SAFE to use:

  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
  • Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
  • Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
  • Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)

And a few to STEER CLEAR of:

  • Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
  • Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
  • Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
  • Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

If you would like to learn more about essential oil use for animals, visit the AROMATHERAPY page.

You can also check out my line of Reiki-infused aromatherapy products for pets & people here.

3 Pet Friendly alternatives to smudging

January 8, 2021

As we welcome in the New Year, many of us are looking to the “out with the old, in with the new” adage. This includes improving the energy of our homes and personal spaces. “Smudging” is most simply known as the burning of herbs or other materials to purify and bless spaces, objects, and people/animals. (There is a much deeper, sacred meaning to this ritual used by Indigenous groups, and I encourage everyone to learn more about it. For the sake of this blog post though, we will keep it simple).

While burning sage is the common form of smudging these days, it is not necessarily the best option for those of us with pets. The smoke and scent can be overpowering for their sensitive noses and eyes. Sage smoke can also linger, causing animals to have to contend with the effects for longer than a few minutes.

My next VERY IMPORTANT point is that because of the rise in popularity of wellness and spiritual practices, over-harvesting of white sage has become an issue. This has made it an at-risk plant and less accessible to the people & communities who use it as a sacred plant in their practices. Therefore, it benefits everyone to find smudging alternatives that are more sustainable and aligned with our intentions.

Luckily, I have 3 wonderful and easy alternatives for you and your four leggers!

  1. FLORIDA WATER

Florida Water is a powerful purification & protection agent. This blend of essential oils comes in a spray form to use in your home, office, or other spaces. It still has a lovely scent, but is much less strong than herb smoke. Bonus points: it is known to provide headache relief and lift your spirit!

Lucky for you, I happen to make a Reiki-infused version. You can grab yours here.

2. HERB AND CRYSTAL-INFUSED WATER

Simply mix up some of your favorite (dried or fresh) herbs like lavender, mugwort, rosemary or mint with a bit of salt in a bowl and combine with hot water. Let the mixture steep for a few minutes, then strain into a spray bottle. Add some purifying stones like black tourmaline or clear quartz and VOILA! A powerful potion with a subtle scent. Spray wherever you need a little cleansing.

Need herbs? Mountain Rose is a great, sustainable source.

3. SOUND

The vibration of sound can radiate through spaces, objects, people/animals and transmute negative energies into uplifting positive energy. This is a non-invasive clearing method that also provides some healing. Many animals really enjoy sound therapy. There are many different tools you can do this with, including singing bowls, gongs, or bells. Simply move through the space while playing your instrument, and set an intention to clear any negative energy.

Learn more about sound cleansing here.

Cleansing and purification rituals can be a fun, enlightening way to keep your spaces free of stagnant and negative energies, which benefits everyone. Be sure to set your intentions clearly before you begin any ritual. You can use these tools in your home, stable, chicken coop, or wherever your animals spend time. Try them out today!

If you’d like to learn about more pet-friendly aromatherapy, visit our Three Tree Collective line here.