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Animals have emotional issues that cannot be ignored. These issues factor into their daily lives, affecting how they relate to the world, their human caretakers and other animals. If animals are consumed with psychological issues, they will not be able to pay attention to what we are trying to teach them. Rebellious behavior is usually interpreted as resistance, as opposed to the fear it may be masking. Flower essences are the tools that unlock the hard to handle animal. Essences are the key to soften attitudes and allow behavior to be modified with out any traumatic abusive conduct on the trainer’s part. It is a win/win situation for both the animal and the handler.

Edward Bach, (1886-1936) was the originator of what we now know as Flower Essences. Dr Bach was a well respected British physician, immunologist, pathologist and bacteriologist. His dissatisfaction with medicine’s palliative rather than curative effect on illness drove him to continue his studies. In 1919 he began studying the work of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy. Homeopathy is a form of healing that keys into the vibrational energies of the body, as opposed to the physiological level perceived by orthodox medicine. Dr. Bach believed that true wellness comes from within and depends upon the balance of body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

Dr. Bach saw that stresses arising from emotions such as fear, anxiety, panic, anger, and impatience would put a strain on the individual, depleting general vitality and resistance to disease. He spent the rest of his life traveling through Wales and Southern England in search of remedies to restore peace and harmony to the being. During this time he discovered 38 plants which provide answers.

Like homeopathic remedies their presence is more subtle than physical. They work along the lines of vibrational energetics in the body, similar to acupuncture meridians used in Chinese medicine. Essences address the problem at the level of thought or emotion that precedes the physical level. They can provide catalysts for helping people to understand their purpose and direction in life, and free themselves from emotional suffering. As an herb tunes up the physical body, the Flower Essences tune up the mind and emotional body. Flower remedies can help with behavioral problems, such as biting and aggression. It is important to combine the remedies with training and behavior techniques to reinforce and support the desired behavior change.

The uses for a plant as a flower essence are very different from their use as a plant that is ingested. Echinacea is a popular herb today used at the onset of a cold or illness to boost the immune system. As a flower essence it is for those that feel shattered by severe trauma in their lives. Echinacea helps to bring about a sense of wholeness and greater resilience under stress. Aloe is a powerful purgative, laxative and bitter tonic for the liver in its herb form. As a flower essence it is an excellent remedy for workaholics who are driven and may be self-critical. Rosemary as an herb is used as a tonic for the heart, brain, and nervous system. It stimulates blood flow, digestion, liver function, and elimination of waste. As a flower essence it brings clarity of mind and balances the emotions.

Flower essences are created from the essence of the flower as opposed to the flower itself. The flowers should be of the best quality and grown in as pure an environment as possible. Plants should not be selected from along a roadside since they will be affected by pollution from auto traffic. The specific plants are taken and placed in a bowl of pure deionized water or distilled water and placed in the sun to soak. This is a similar technique to making sun tea for yourself. The water becomes "potentized" which is a general term used in various contexts with energetic or vibrational remedies. It refers to any of a number of methods that release the potential of a substance from its physical matrix so it can operate in an energetic field. The flowers are removed, and the water is then used as a "mother tincture". The mother tinctures are then selected based upon the result desired. They are put into a clean glass bottle with an eyedropper lid. In order to preserve the remedy either vinegar or brandy is typically added. Apple cider vinegar should be used when working with animals, children or people with diabetes or alcoholism.

The best way to use the flower essences are to administer them orally. You do not want to add them to food where they may evaporate or be processed by the digestive tract, as opposed to via the mucus membranes of the mouth. For horses, it is easier to add them to their bucket of drinking water or dose syringe them directly in to the mouth. For dog and cats, you can drop them on their paws or ears, if this is a way to get them lick themselves to ingest the remedies. Some people will put them into a mister and spray the animal or its surroundings with the essences.

Flower essences are totally safe to use. There should be no concern about using them in a community water bowl or bucket. Animals that do not happen to need a particular essence are not affected by them if they should ingest it. Flower Essences by themselves are not contraindicated in any medical protocol. Essences made without high contents of alcohol or brandy will not create a positive drug test during any competition.

Remember that the essences are issue specific as opposed to being animal type or gender specific. If you select the essences to match the issue you will have much success. Since animals do not speak the same language that we speak there may be some confusion as to what is truly the root cause to some behavior. It may take a few attempts to find the right essences. However, when you find them, they work like a charm and will make your life and your animal’s life much easier.

Stacey Small is the founder of Equilite, Inc., an award winning company dedicated to the creation of high quality, all-natural liniments, herbal supplements and flower essences for behavior modification for animals. Stacey has been studying herbs since the late 1980’s. A keystone product, Sore No More has been awarded Product of the Year by the Horse Journal Two Times and continues to achieve much acclaim. Stacey is also Co-Publisher of the "Holistic Horse", a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to educating horse caretakers, riders and veterinary practitioners to the alternative options for healthcare for animals.