Bach Remedies for Animals
It’s very clear that animals can have an emotional response to trauma, similar to what humans experience. I once read that dogs adopted from a rescue shelter will always bear some type of scar, even though they generally make great pets. From everything we’ve observed with our own dog, this appears to be true.
Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs
Adopted at age three, our dog is somewhat fragile, despite the fact that, on the one hand, he’s a very tough character. Although he loves people, he has a history of dog aggression. He doesn’t like to be around other animals. Whether this was because of an experience earlier in life, or because of his four-week stay at a rescue shelter, surrounded by barking dogs, we’ll never know. But he isn’t as adaptable as other dogs. A case in point was last weekend. We took him to visit a relative. He was terrified, even though he was the only animal there. Being out of his comfort zone (his home), was extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, before we left the house, I had forgotten to give him a safe and natural flower essence remedy I always have on hand.
If you have a nervous animal, or one adopted from a shelter, read on. There’s a tried-and-true natural way to sooth their fears.
Bach Flowers for Dogs
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Dr. Edward Bach, MD, was a brilliant British physician whose life took an unexpected turn. Shortly after graduating from medical school, we was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and informed he had just a short time to live.
Instead of waiting around to die, though, he ignored his condition to concentrate on research. He became fully engrossed in his work, because he wanted to leave behind a body of knowledge, for future generations.
Apparently this distraction was enough to restore him to health. Dr. Bach’s cancer disappeared, and he lived another 20 years. During this time, he left the mainstream medical system to study homeopathy. He also explored the seemingly obvious connection between physical health and the emotions.
Bach Essences for Dogs
However, he soon strayed from classic homeopathy to develop a new system of healing, known today as Bach Flower Remedies. These are 28 flower essences designed to address particular emotional states. Dr. Bach believed that mitigating negative thought patterns will alleviate physical problems.
In the years since his death, in 1936, this approach has been tried in animals as well, with very positive results. The authors of Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs, which you can see below, are also the founders of The Society for Animal Flower Essence Research.
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Flower Essences for Dogs
Classical homeopathy is not easy to master, as there are hundreds of remedies, and only a well-selected one will help. The wrong remedy can also cause new symptoms, especially if you take it repeatedly.
The beauty of Bach Flower essences is that you have only 38 to choose from. It is relatively easy to narrow down appropriate remedies, because they correspond to a dog’s emotional state. This in turn, can lead to positive behavioral and physical changes. The most famous Bach remedy is Rescue Remedy, a blend of five essences designed for sudden and acute emotional trauma. There’s a special formula just for pets, made without alcohol. Many people use this for stressful occasions, such as a trip to the vet.
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Typically, several essences are given at once, over a period of time. If the wrong one is selected, nothing should happen. However, since these are homeopathic remedies, always stop once a positive change is noted, or if any new, unwanted symptoms arise. These will pass, and it’s a sign the remedy is no longer needed.
Although it’s often said that Bach Flower essences cannot cause “provings” or “aggravations,” one professional homeopath I know, in her practice, has demonstrated otherwise.
However, the likelihood of these gentle remedies causing an aggravation is probably much less compared to conventional homeopathy.
