Mulberry Aromatics

Aromatics, an amazing route to health ……………

Today, essential oils have become synonymous with beauty treatments and everyday household products and there is very little attention given to the amazing healing properties hidden within these precious substances.

If you picture the perfect paddock for your horse then I’m sure that you would imagine a gently rolling pasture with natural shade and shelter, a plethora of grasses and herbs and a natural water supply. Sadly for many, access to this type of land is rare, but more unfortunately for the horses it prevents them from self-medicating by having access to a wide variety of minerals and organic compounds contained within the natural herbage.

All animals have innate knowledge about keeping their wellbeing in balance and will select clays and soils, grasses, trees and herbs to achieve this. Horses are selective grazers and will seek out, given the freedom to browse, a wide range of plant material.

Plants produce essential oils within their bark, leaves, flowers and roots for protection and reproductive reasons. These oils are then extracted from the plant material, usually by steam distillation, enabling us to use these pure essences. Chamomile, as shown in this picture, grows in abundance in the countryside and is one that you will probably have seen. The oil is extracted from the flower heads and contains organic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties, but are also used to help sooth anxiety. Roman chamomile is frequently selected by animals that are anxious and have problems either with the stomach or skin.

Yarrow is easily recognisable by the tightly clustered white flower heads and very delicate stems of multiple tiny leaves. The essential oil of yarrow is dark, inky blue and the colour is given by its chamazulene content. Chamazulene is formed during the steam distillation by the heat and has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine and tissue regeneration properties. Horses with open, infected wounds, kidney or bladder problems or raw itchy skin will frequently select yarrow to either lick or inhale. The chamazulene component of yarrow is very cooling and is particularly soothing, if applied to itching and inflamed skin in a gel.

These are just two examples of the essential oils, though therapists have a much wider range of oil and plant materials to draw upon.

Therapists will only work with the aromatics that the horse has selected by; inhaling the aroma or licking the oil. As the oils or aromatics are offered, it is fascinating to watch how the horses respond, they may to inhale the oil in just one nostril or alternate between both. One horse, quite recently, was really deeply inhaling through just one nostril, a strong menthol scented oil, which is very clearing, and the owner was astounded, as this was the same side of his face that the horse had recently suffered a sinus problem. When an animal chooses to lick an oil, then it is interesting to note how he uses his tongue – sometimes they pull their tongue across the palm of the hand so that the oil is taken on the underside of the tongue and others they will lick with the top side. Oils taken with the underside of the tongue are quickly absorbed into the blood stream, whilst oils taken on the top side will be taken through the digestive system. Horses always know the best method for themselves and exactly how much they need.

One of the most understated aspects of essentials oils is their ability to work on both the physical and emotional aspects of any dis-ease. For example, bergamot oil is excellent for helping tumours and sarcoids, strengthening the immune system, balancing the mind and body and lifting any depression. Bergamot oil is usually selected by a horse who suffers from sarcoids.

Sarcoids is a condition that I am particularly interested in and I’ve been getting some good results by working on the basis that the emotional aspect is the base cause of the tumour. It’s now scientifically proven that the immune system and the emotions are directly related and whilst most conventional treatments are able to help a physical problem, there are not always the tools to help an emotional problem. Generally, we do not give enough credibility to animals for experiencing emotions, but everybody who is close to horses knows just how emotional they are. They experience jealousy, fear, joy, grief, anger just like the rest of us, though they can’t always express it as easily as we can, so it may present as a behavioural problem or as a physical symptom. Many horses suffering with sarcoids will select; an essential oil known for helping deep seated traumas or grief, an oil to strengthen their immune system and bergamot, or another photosensitive oils, to work directly on the tumour.

It was interesting to discover, that Australian researchers are testing out photodynamic therapy on sarcoids. Photodynamic therapy is conducted by administering a photosensitiser which is allowed to accumulate in the tumour and then activated by visible light. The light then stimulates the photosensitiser, increasing its natural vibrational state and forms substances, which destroy the tumoural tissue. Experiments have shown a 90% reduction in sarcoid size using this therapy. Bergamot is a photosensitive oil and, therefore, it was fascinating to realise that horses were already, when given the opportunity, treating their own sarcoids in a similar manner.

By combining the physical and emotional approach, amazing results can seen, as was clearly demonstrated by a horse, I recently saw, who suffered from verrucose and nodular sarcoids. This particular horse was also exceptionally aggressive with other horses and would lash out making it particularly difficult to attend shows and, even more so, be placed. He was also difficult to load into a horse box, usually refusing. As he had selected a range of oils, which helped him on an emotional and physical level, his temperament was also improved. A week into the self medication, the owner took him to a horse show and noticed how much calmer he was, not lashing out once and then a couple of weeks later he calmly loaded into his box without any of the usual resistance he normally insisted on! He has since gone on to win his Pre-Novice Championship, something that was once only a dream for his owner.

Adopting this approach with any chronic condition usually produces a good result as another typical case was a horse suffering from Mudfever, who spooked at the slightest thing. The horse selected essential oils to strengthen his immune system, fight the Mudfever and oils known to help with spooking. In a couple of days, the Mudfever was gone and the skin was quickly healing and the horse was much more confident and forward going.

Essential oils and aromatics can help so many common ailments, quickly and effectively, such as rainscald, COPD, arthritis and muscular aches and pains, bringing the owner and horse much closer together in the process. If you would be interested in finding out more about Animal Aromatic Therapy then please give me a ring on 07850 640972.