Aromatherapy for Animals, Part THREE

Most aromatherapy counters in U.S. department, cosmetic or health food stores offer dozens of essential oils; the catalogs and websites of aromatherapy companies list hundreds.  Any of the following oils or their hydrosols (flower waters) may be appropriate for use with your pet.  Do not apply full-strength essential oils; always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel, Grapeseed, etc.) or another non-toxic medium before applying directly to your pet. You can also infuse the area around your pet by making your own aromatherapy sprays with essential oils, apple cider vinegar, vodka and purified water.  Remember: DILUTE, DILUTE, DILUTE—that’s the key to using essential oils on animals.  Essential oils are the most concentrated herbal products available, and such powerful substances can be dangerous and even deadly to pets.  For example, undiluted cinnamon oil can burn the skin and cause blisters, as can several other essential oils. Fennel, sage and camphor-containing oils (eucalyptus, rosemary) can cause seizures in epileptics, etc. Please see my column in the June and July 2009 issues of Critter Magazine for the first and second parts of this article, Aromatherapy for Animals,  for more tips and guidelines concerning the safe and effective use of aromatherapy with animals. You can also view these articles online at http://www.bukisa.com/people/terraken .

(For essential oils A-L, see Aromatherapy for Animals, Part TWO, at http://bukisa.com/people/terraken .)

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha and other species)

A hardened tree resin, myrrh was used by ancient Egyptians for embalming and perfumes. Myrrh resinoid is extracted by solvents; the essential oil is steam distilled. Its actions are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, gas relieving, expectorant, sedative, fungicidal and revitalizing.  Myrrh oil has a spicy, medicinal odor that stimulates the lungs. Ringworm and other fungal infections respond to preparations containing myrrh. 

Opoponax  (Commiphora erythaea), also called bisobal or sweet myrrh is a more expensive essential oil.  Unfortunately, it is often adulterated, so buy from a reputable distributor. Opopanax has been shown to be an effective tick repellent. 

Orange (Citrus aurantium var. amara, or bitter orange, and Citrus sinsensis, or sweet orange)

The distilled essential oil of bitter orange is an anti-inflammatory, astringent, gas-reliever, digestive aid and tonic as well as antiseptic that kills fungi and bacteria.  The oil of sweet orange shares these characteristics and is also a relaxing antidepressant.  Orange and other citrus oils kill insects and are used in natural flea dip products, but these are of questionable effectiveness and safety.  Veterinarians have reported toxic reactions in pets treated with citrus oil flea dips. Cats are more sensitive than dogs to the effects of some of the naturally occurring chemicals in citrus oil products, and they are particularly hazardous to kittens. This has been especially true for products that contain just a few of these chemicals, instead of using the entire plant substance or complete essential oil.

Both bitter and sweet orange oils are called photo toxic because treated skin reacts to sunlight, producing a rash or burn.  This is true for pets as well as people. The essential oil of sweet orange is toxic in large doses and has been fatal to children.  Because of orange oil’s safety issues, consider using either a hydrosol of orange or orange blossom oil, which is distilled from the tree’s flowers instead of the fruit, for pet use.

The blossoms or flowers of the bitter orange, Citrus aurantium var. amara, are often called neroli after a princess of Nerola in Italy, who wore it as a perfume.  Orange flower or neroli has a light, sweet, floral fragrance and has antidepressant, antispasmodic, deodorant, gas-relieving and mild sedative properties.  It is a cardiac tonic, digestive aid and antiseptic. Widely used as a flavoring agent, neroli oil is neither toxic, irritating, sensitizing nor phototoxic. It can be applied to your pet’s scars or wounds to stimulate healing.  It is specific for chronic diarrhea, colic, flatulence and nervous indigestion.  In all applications, neroli relieves anxiety, stress, shock, depression and nervous tension.

Orange flower water, also called orange blossom water or neroli water, is a familiar hydrosol used as a flavoring agent and cosmetic.  Don’t assume that every product labeled orange blossom water or neroli water is a true hydrosol, however; many are made by diluting synthetic neroli oil with water.  A true hydrosol is the first product of steam distillation.

Sandalwood (Santalum album, or Santalum spicatum, Australian Sandalwood)

Its 4,000 years of uninterrupted use make sandalwood one of the oldest medicinal and aromatic plants.  Its pale, viscous essential oil has a distinctive, soft, sweet, balsamic fragrance and is nontoxic, nonirritating and nonsensitizing.  Like lavender and chamomile, sandalwood is usually well tolerated by people and animals, even at full strength. Once used as a pharmaceutical disinfectant, sandalwood is an effective antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, gas reliever, diuretic, expectorant, fungicide, sedative and tonic.  Applied topically, sandalwood helps heal dry, cracked, chapped skin and, despite its moisturizing influence, it can be used to treat a greasy coat or skin. Diffused or sprayed into the air, it helps clear bronchial and respiratory infections and dry, persistent coughs.  It is also helpful for cystitis and urinary tract infections and it helps prevent diarrhea and nausea.  In all applications, sandalwood lifts the spirits, relieves nervous tension and encourages restful sleep.

I do recommend that everyone use the Australian Sandalwood instead of the Santalum album variety, as this has been wildly over-harvested and is in danger of extinction.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree oil, also known as Melaleuca, is a popular ingredient in pet shampoos, skin and coat products and herbal insect repellents.  Tea tree oil is widely used to treat skin lesions, insect bites, rashes, burns, abscesses, cuts, abrasions, infected wounds and fungal infections in people and animals. Like eucalyptus oil, which it resembles, tea tree oil is a specific for the respiratory system as well as an all-purpose disinfectant. Although full-strength tea tree oil is an effective treatment for gingivitis in humans when massaged into the gums, this treatment is not recommended for dogs and cats; in addition to being potentially unsafe, the oil’s numbing turpentine flavor is objectionable to all pets.

It is because of its unpleasant taste that some holistic pet guides recommend the application of tea tree oil to body parts that an animal chews or licks incessantly, such as the leg or tail (hot spots). Such guides usually list full-strength tea tree oil as appropriate for use on insect bites, burns, infected wounds, cuts, ringworm and other fungal infections. However, the veterinary journal, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery warns, “Melaleuca toxicosis has been reported to the National Animal Poison Control Center when the oil has been applied topically in appropriately high doses to treat dermatological conditions in dogs and cats.” Symptoms, which occurred within two to eight hours of application, included depression, weakness, incoordination and muscle tremors.  The reaction disappeared within three to four days.

If you decide to use full-strength tea tree oil on your adult dog (and I DO NOT recommend this…I always dilute tea tree oil before applying to my own animals), do so sparingly, watch the animal carefully for adverse symptoms and, if they occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention. Full-strength essential oils should not be applied to cats, puppies or other small animals.  To treat ear infections, dilute the 15% solution with an equal amount of mullein or comfrey tea, aloe vera juice or water.  Keep tea tree oil and all essential oils away from the eyes and other mucous membranes.

To make a 15% antiseptic solution of tea tree oil, you will need: 2 tablespoons of tea tree essential oil, 4 tablespoons of 80-proof vodka or vegetable glycerine or sulfated castor oil.  Shake or stir well and let the mixture stand for 5 seconds.  If a film of oil floats to the top, add more liquid and shake again.  When no oil floats the surface, pour the solution into a measuring cup and add enough: aloe vera juice or gel, herbal tea such as comfrey or calendula, pure water, or any combination of aloe, tea and water to fill the cup to the ¾ cup mark.  At this point, our solution will be approximately 15% tea tree oil.  This can be used in a spray bottle to kitchen and bathroom surfaces, into air ducts and air conditioning units, on telephone receivers and mildewed shower walls, added to laundry wash water and simply sprayed into the air.  Groomers, animal shelter workers, trainers, and boarding kennel operators can guard against infectious diseases such as kennel cough with this spray.  For even stronger disinfecting properties, add several drops of liquid grapefruit seed extract and/or full strength lavender oil.

(This column is authored by Carol Koenigsknecht, Herbal Practitioner and owner of Terra Ken Herbals.  She is available for consultations, classes and lectures, and can be reached via her website at http://www.TerraKenHerbals.net or by phone, (706) 797-0091.  She also owns and operates Carol’s Critter Care, a pet-sitting service.)

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this column is intended for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Please seek the advice of a QUALIFIED veterinarian or health care practitioner before using any herbs, supplements or other natural approaches to health discussed in this column.