Flowers to the Rescue

Bach and English Flower Essence Remedies are a system of 38 different homeopathic, stress-reducing/balancing agents discovered by the British physician, Dr. Edward Bach. They are made from flowers and the flowering buds of trees and are recognized by the FDA and listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of The U.S.

All the remedies are free of artificial additives, are preserved in an alcohol base (for stability) and reported to be safe and not affected by any other form of therapy or medicine. They can be taken in combination with other therapies and modalities of all kinds.

The use of flower remedies has grown in popularity but still is not widely enough understood. Its proper use requires extensive knowledge of animal behavior and the human-animal relationship as well as the remedies themselves. This is particularly so in cases of complicated behavior problems.

Animals are subject to all the emotional, spiritual, psychosocial stress, loss and grief and distress that their human companions struggle with. In addition they are subject to the sympathetic resonance of the people and circumstance with which they live.

Human-Animal Sympathetic Resonance is an emotional phenomenon: The closer or more symbiotic the attachment between person and animal, the more vulnerable and responsive the animals will be. It is not unusual that companion animals will reflect their person’s fear, rage, depression as well as joy, calm, sense of fun, etc.

This, in addition to their own rich inner life and relationship with other animals, can present quite a challenge to animals.

All animals… bunny or bison, hamster or horse, can benefit from the appropriate use of flower remedies where required. No amount of any remedy will have any effect on a behavior that, though perhaps unacceptable to people, is normal or natural. Even the most loving individual or professional flower counselor may not have adequate understanding of animal behavior or the true nature of a particular species or breed (cats are not small dogs and horses are not big mules) to select the right remedies or combine it with the appropriate supportive behavior or environmental suggestions for change.

Flower remedies are a self-help system but the best results come from a partnership or joint effort with a seasoned flower counselor/therapist who is both certified in the use of the remedies as well as a specialist in the area of animal behavior and human-animal relations.

Unwanted and misunderstood behavior is a life-threatening condition in animals. Millions of healthy animals are surrendered to shelters (because of unwanted behavior) where they are executed. Every year countless others meet their death through starvation, exposure, fatal injury and other physical and emotional trauma after being turned out into the street.

Many cats have lost their home because they stopped using their litter box as a method of expressing intolerable stress or physical illness. Dogs, horses and other animals meet similar tragic endings, as well. All of the most troublesome behaviors are preventable and when a problem is already established, quite treatable!

The use of flower remedies is not a replacement for proper veterinary care. The remedies do not remove, eliminate, omit or negate veterinary care, either allopathic or complementary. They are best included as part of a comprehensive approach to health and well being. Remedies do not cure or treat but act as an adjunct catalyst.

It is essential that before you institute changes of any kind, that you obtain a thorough veterinary diagnosis that includes a careful physical exam as well as laboratory analysis. This should include blood chemistry with complete thyroid evaluation, urinalysis with microalbumin, urine culture and sensitivity and any other diagnostic tool your veterinarian recommends in order to rule out underlying physical pathology.

• Inappropriate use of litter box
• All fear or anxiety based behaviors that are mild to moderate in nature and associated with: Specific things, people or situations. They are not adequately effective for acute K-9 noise phobia and panic disorders or chronic anxiety disorders in cats. E.G.: Thunder storms, escape behavior associated with true separation anxiety or noise phobia and feline elimination disorder
• Adjusting to new home/environment
• Change in existing household: New person, baby, new or additional animal(s) of the same or different species and the much underestimated death of a companion. Animals grieve just as we do!
• All learning/training situations
• Recovery from illness or injury
• Travel and barn stress
• Fighting with other animals
• House training for dogs
• All kennel, boarding and care environments where you are not present
• All show and ring situations
• Management of the emotional impact of chronic or catastrophic illness
• Terminal illness and end of life ~ Please Note: These remedies, along with proper pain control and other supports, can ease transition. It is not treatment or therapy.
• Hospice and comfort care
• All unwanted behaviors at a mild to moderate level. More acute behavior challenges may require prescription medication with the remedies as support.