Many people who have seen the many gifts of medicinal essences want to learn about using these natural healers with their domestic animals. Tresa Laferty is an animal communicator, aromatherapist, and reiki healer who has taught me a great deal about how to help animals. One of Tresa’s main teachings is to respect the animals, and check in with them before applying any medicinal essence

There are different ways to assess which essences to use with dogs and cats. Be sure to proceed slowly and mindfully, as their noses – especially dogs’ – are way more sensitive than ours.

Use these steps each time you introduce new essences to an animal.

• Give the animal a choice of two or three essences. Open the 
bottles slightly and place in different parts the room. That way the animal can move closer – or leave the room if it doesn’t like them. Observe which the animal is most interested in.
• Hold a bottle near the animal’s nose and observe the response. You can also put the essential oil on your hands, a tissue, or cotton ball. (Don’t force it under the animal’s nose – be respectful of the animal’s space.)

As you do this, here are a few things to remember.

• Dogs often analyze each smell in a very detailed and intense
• Animals are most likely to be attracted to plants that they have 
smelled or eaten in nature.
• As you progress, you will come to understand the animal’s 
“yes” and “no” signals.
• Even if they don’t like an essence today, this does not mean they 
won’t like it tomorrow and visa versa. Animals are very intuitive 
and always select what they need. The key is trusting them!
• Don’t forget, animals know what they need better than we do. 
If the animal wants you to proceed, here are three ways to apply the essences.
  • The best and easiest option is to use a diffuser to distribute the 
essence into the room.
  • The second option is to apply topically to the skin, hair, or fur. 
Put a few drops on your hands and have a love fest! If they happen to lick the part of their body with the essence, this won’t be a problem as long as you just use a little bit topically.
  • The third option is to have the animal ingest the essence by adding a specific quantity to their food, but this must be started very slowly. I recommend getting guidance from an aromatherapist who has experience working with animals. 
Here are a few general tips based on my own experiences using medicinal essences with animals.
• Many animals have excellent memories, so introduce the 
essences slowly and lovingly to make sure they have a positive 
rst experience.
• Because of dogs’ acute sense of smell, any essence will affect 
them much more quickly than it would us.
• Start with calming essences before you use essences for treatment.
• Animals tend to like Lemon, Basil, Rosemary.
• If we wear the essence ourselves, the animal associates it with 
 Also, this unites the field created by the medicinal essence, amplifying the animal’s healing.
• If the animal’s health condition is acute or serious, try to connect with the animal’s higher self. Respect whatever response you receive.

Tips for using essences topically:

• I like to apply the oils to the fur or feathers, as these body 
parts act as wicks and pull the essence into the body. You can also apply them directly to the skin, proceeding slowly and observing any reaction the animal may have.
• An alternative is to put a drop on their bedding or a towel.
• If you are going to use multiple oils (layering), start with one oil and observe for 15 minutes. Then, if there is no negative 
reaction, add the second. Repeat for any additional essences.
•  The pads of the feet are very sensitive. Many dogs and cats have an aversion to having their pads touched. I don’t apply 
essences here unless they have an injury in this area.
• Other areas like the base of the spine, along the spine, the shoulders, 
chest, the tummy, and under the chin are all possibilities.
• Dosage: Medium and large size dogs 3-5 drops. 
Small dogs and cats 1-2 drops. Most cats, less than one drop. 
Use extra caution in sensitive areas like the eyes and ears.
• The essences can be applied to the edges of the ears by putting the essence on your hand and rubbing it on the outside of the 
 Never use in the ear canal.
• For the eyes, I use a Hydrosol of Rose and Helichrysum. I 
dilute 50/50 with saline solution and do a “test” on my own eyes rst. If it burns my eyes, the spray is too strong and needs to be diluted more.

Common Essences Used for Animals

• FOR PAIN OR INFLAMMATION: Birch, Red Spruce, Frankincense, Wintergreen
• FOR THUNDERSTORMS, ANXIETY, OR STRESS: Laurel Leaf, Orange Blood Red, Bergamot, Albanian Lavender
• 
FOR HYPERACTIVE DOGS OR CALMING: Fir Balsam, Zanthoxylum, Lemon 
60
• FOR INCREASING CONFIDENCE OR INSTILLING COURAGE: Laurel Leaf, any of the Spruces, Orange Blood Red
• FOR RESCUE ANIMALS: Geranium, Rosewood, Hyssop
• FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT: Black Cumin, Frankincense, Clove
• FOR FLEAS AND TICKS (both prevention and treatment of bites): Marjoram, Lemon Eucalpytus, Patchouli, Artemesia, Citronella
• FOR SORE MUSCLES OR STIFF JOINTS: Birch, Black Spruce, Spike Lavender, Mugwort
• 
FOR CLEANING CRATES, BOWLS, AND BUCKETS: Lemon, Rosemary, Camphor
• FOR ANIMALS NEARING DEATH: Frankincense, Palo Santo, Hyssop, Laurel Leaf

A Choice for Healing and Growth

Therapeutic essences derived from plants offer a wonderful, powerful, and subtle choice for healing and growth. They match with the human organism in an intrinsic way and, like a key and lock, ll in the “energy holes” created by our ailments.

Anointing the essences on a loved one can be a sacred and divine process, a rite of passage that helps align and balance the integration of mind-body-spirit. Using the essences in ceremony can be very powerful in stimulating change. Such essences as Rose, Lavender, and White Lotus increase the alchemical process for healing.

As we come closer to true understanding, we become able to receive the medicine that the medicinal essences offer us. Their ancient wisdom conveys immediate results that are both intuitive and practical. They simultaneously ground us and transmit cosmic energy, opening the door for us to receive higher vibrations.

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