Flower Remedies

[Martine]

Has anyone ever tried using Bach flower remedies with their dogs? If yes, what for and did it work?

 

[Renee750il]

I haven't had a need for them really, but several people have told me they've had amazing results from them, especially with stress and anxiety related problems.

Wonder if there's something there that might help me with Kharma's compulsive herding . . . I just hate not being able to let her out to play in the sunshine.

 

[chell78]

I wonder whether they work or not yes the animals appear alot calmer but did you all know that brandy is one of the components? I wonder if thats what helps them ? who know if you use it and it seems to work no harm in keeping it up,its natural after all.

 

[Gustav]

I've never used them on dogs!! I've used Devils claw (No Bute, anti inflammitory and pain killer) and Echineaca and other herbal remedies on Horses. They seem to be very effective, but I often wonder if it's the herbs working miracles or wether the horse is just getting better by it's self?!! Then you are caught, you don't want to stop giving the (very expensive!!) herbal remedy in case it's that which is making your pet feel better, but then again you don't know if your pet would be just the same without it!
I have been to Chinese doctors for my ezcema and the herbs they gave me were really good!!

 

[Renee750il]

Oh, the herbs can work! And often much, much better than chemically manufactured medicals. I refuse to go to traditional medical doctors, and I try to treat my dogs as homeopathically as possible.

 

[Mordy]

bach flower remedies are quite different from other herbal products or homeopathic remedies, since they do not treat physical illnesses or diseases as much as emotional problems.

each of the 38 flower essences addresses a specific characteristic or emotional state:
* agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face
* aspen - fear of unknown things
* beech - intolerance
* centaury - inability to say 'no'
* cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions
* cherry plum - fear of the mind giving way
* chestnut bud - failure to learn from mistakes
* chicory - selfish, possessive love
* clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present
* crab apple - cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred
* elm - overwhelmed by responsibility
* gentian - discouragement after a setback
* gorse - hopelessness and despair
* heather - self-centredness and self-concern
* holly - hatred, envy and jealousy
* honeysuckle - living in the past
* hornbeam - procrastination, tiredness at the thought of doing something
* impatiens - impatience
* larch - lack of confidence
* mimulus - fear of known things
* mustard - deep gloom for no reason
* oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
* olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort
* pine - guilt
* red chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones
* rock rose - terror and fright
* rock water - self-denial, rigidity and self-repression
* scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives
* star of bethlehem - shock
* sweet chestnut - extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left
* vervain - over-enthusiasm
* vine - dominance and inflexibility
* walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences
* water violet - pride and aloofness
* white chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
* wild oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life
* wild rose - drifting, resignation, apathy
* willow - self-pity and resentment

they can be combined in individual blends to create customized remedies or you can use single ones to address specific problems.

it is true that the product contains some alcohol, which is used to extract and preserve, but the remedies are generally given very diluted and there are even low-alcohol versions on the market now.

 

[Martine]

I've tried Bach's Rescue Remedy for myself before job interviews (I always go to pieces.. ) and found it worked really well, but never thought about trying them with animals until I was browsing the net for things to help anxious animals and found a couple of web pages on it. Misha's going through a stressed out phase, the spring brings a big increase in people and noise round here and trying to work out how to help her through it. I've asked my family to bring over some Aspen from the UK and I'll try it out, will let you know how we get on.

 

[Renee750il]

I may have to concoct a blend for Shiva - lack of confidence and some fear - she has no concept of what and who she really is, poor sweetheart!

I wonder if the vervain might help with Kharma's obsessive herding? Any thoughts, Mordy?

 

[Mordy]

you could certainly try, renee - there are no side effects from these flower remedies and you might just be surprised.

 

[Renee750il]

I have a friend from Germany who has an herbal shop here. I think she carries the Bach's so I'll pick some up and give it a shot. Much as I'd love to chill Kharma out on the obsessive herding, it's Shiva I really worry about. It just breaks my heart to see her afraid. It's completely at odds with what she really is and she's always so ashamed when she gets frightened.

If it will help Shiva that's great. If it chills Kharma out, that's icing on the cake.