Essential oils are able to produce the desired result quicker than herbs. A drop of peppermint oil is equal to 26 cups of peppermint tea. Essential oils have multi-effects where many drugs have usually have only one medical property plus negative side effects.

Applying essential oils to their paws is not recommended by some health care professionals. Pets lick their feet and this could cause possible irritation as saliva is similar to water. Essential oils enter the skin quickly. Compounds like fertilizer, antifreeze and other toxicants could be absorbed more quickly when essential oils are applied to their paws.

I have taken advice from Dr. Nancy Brandt, DVM and used the knowledge in my dog breeding business. She is a holistic vet located in Las Vegas, NV and uses Young Living essential oils in her practice. Most essential oils should be diluted with a base or carrier oil before applying to your pet. For dogs, the recommendation is 1 drop essential oil to 10 drops base/carrier oil and for cats, rabbits and ferrets, 1 drop essential oil to 25 drops of base/carrier oil. You may listen to Dr. Brandt 1/29/2009 lecture on the internet addressing 16 Young Living essential oils that a pet owner should have on hand.

In my opinion the best base or carrier oil is organic cold pressed olive oil, grapeseed oil or fractionated coconut oil. Avoid nut oils if your pet is allergic to nuts. I recommend using V-6 enhanced vegetable oil complex by Young Living as base/carrier oil. The ingredients of V-6 are Fractionated Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, and Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil. Cold pressed olive oil and grapeseed oil are other options to use as a base/carrier oil.

Oil and water do not mix; water causes the oil to irritate your pet’s skin. If you pet has sensitivity to any essential oil, dilute the oil with base/carrier oil or add more base/carrier oil to where you applied the essential oil. If any essential oil gets into your pet’s eyes rinse with base/carrier oil, never water.

I chose essential oils made by Young Living. They are therapeutic grade and processed correctly. They’re organic and do not contain toxicants, like pesticides. Not all essential oils can be taken internally. Young Living essential oils are one of the few essential oils that can be taken safety internally. There are 42 species of frankincense but Young Living chooses the 2 species with the most therapeutic benefits not the cheapest to make and process. The oils are processed with low heat by steamed distillation or cold pressing. This makes more of the natural properties available. Some of the essential oil brands process their products with a higher heat and as a result their essential oils do not have all the properties plus may contain toxicants. They do cost less and are not as effective.

The essential oil Balsam fir (Idaho) is anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant (stops blood from clotting) and acts like cortisone. It is used for respiratory issues and pain. For breathing issues rub on the chest. For pain issues, rub on the source. I diffuse it in my kennel if I see or hear any signs of colds or coughing. You can combine 2-3 essential oils together and diffuse to get the desired results.

Eucalyptus Radiata can be used as a smelling salt and aids in opening up the lungs when an upper respiratory infection is present. Its medical properties are antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant and anti-inflammatory. As a smelling salt the bottle is held briefly under the nose. For breathing issues, rub on the chest. I use eucalyptus on my dogs’ cloth collars and it works like a bug repellant. I spray eucalyptus on my base ball cap while fishing and the bugs leave me alone.

Frankincense can cross the blood/brain barrier and aid in increasing oxygen to the brain. Frankincense is used for infections and tumors, dissolves lumps & bumps. Frankincense is antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant and anti-inflammatory. It can be applied topically, diffused, or simply inhaled. I have applied frankincense to lumps on my pets and the size of the lump decreases quickly.

Helichysum is great for bruising or bleeding. I use it for when dew claws are removed or tail docking. It speeds up the healing process. This essential oil is not diluted but rubbed directly on the bare belly, be sure to avoid the sexual organs. Apply 1 drop per 1 inch of bare belly up the center of the pet’s belly. Helichrysum medical properties are anticoagulant, anesthetic, antispasmodic, antiviral, liver detoxifier; chelates chemicals and toxins plus regenerates nerves. Choose Helichysum if rat poison is suspected. This will help control internal bleeding while you are traveling to your vet.

Lavender is the universal essential oil and can be used for just about anything. This essential oil is applied neat (not diluted). Lavender is great to heal burns including sunburns. Lavender has great calming effects. Here is a recipe that can be misted into the air: add 2 drops to 1 oz. of steamed distilled water put into a spray bottle, shake before each use. Its medical properties are antiseptic, antifungal, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, vasodilating, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, reduce blood fat/cholesterol, and combats excess sebum on skin. I use lavender to clear tear staining on my puppies while they are teething. Apply only once per day put one drop to your finger and rub it across the nose and under the eyes (avoid the eyes). I like to use it at night since lavender has calming properties.

Peppermint is wonderful for treating diarrhea and vomiting. Be sure to dilute with the base/carrier oil formula. Peppermint medical properties are anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiparasitic (worms), antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, gallbladder/digestive stimulant, and a pain-reliever and helps curbs appetite. I use peppermint diluted and rub on the gums or belly to stop diarrhea.

Pine works for respiratory issues and works even better when mixed with eucalyptus. This is a great combination to diffuse during the winter months and smells great. Or it can be rubbed on the chest between the front legs. Pine’s medical properties are hormone-like, antidiabetic, cortisone-like, antiseptic and lymphatic stimulant.

Essential oil blends are a combination of several essential oils having a broader spectrum of beneficial medical properties. Di-Gize helps with alleviating diarrhea and vomiting. It works better than peppermint. Apply the oil to the bare belly and rubs it in a clockwise motion, the way the colon moves. Egyptian Gold aids the immune system and is used for open wounds (dog/cat fight). It is applied to the chest and between the shoulder blades on the back. Joy helps the heart and circuitry system. Apply to the chest and side of the ribs. GLF should be used if your pet gets into anything toxic like fertilizer or advid. Rub on the liver. The liver is located just below the ribs on the right-hand side. Melrose is great for chronic infections like abscesses (wounds) that are difficult to heal. Panaway is for dog bites, bruising, cuts and scrapes. Puricuration is used undiluted on bug bites. It purifies the air and kills the virus, Parvo. It balances electro energies. Use it on your pet’s bedding as a diffuser. Mix 1 drop to 1 oz steam distilled water into a spray bottle. Shake before use and spray the room, bedding, and toys anything your pet touches to disinfect. I recommend this essential to my customers if they plan on boarding their pets to keep their pet’s germ free. Thieves kills bacteria and can be used as a natural antibiotic. Thieves should be used for keeping your pet’s teeth clean. This is a healthier option then putting your pet under at the vet’s to clean its teeth. Apply a drop to your finger and rub on your pet’s upper gums once a week or daily if you detect issues. Thieves is recommended not be used on cats due to their sensitivity to their liver. Valor is chiropractic in a bottle. It aliens the body by balancing energy centers (chakras). Apply to the spine. This is a wonderful essential oil blend for pets who lead active life styles like hunting or trials.

Young Living products can be order from my website on the essential oil product page – http://www.ardyweb.com/-.html

DISCLAIMER The author offers information and opinions, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. It is advised to consult with your vet before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone. Your vet can provide you with advice on what is considered safe and effective for your animal’s unique needs or diagnose your animal’s particular medical history.