Flower Essences, what are they and what they are not.

  I get asked a lot what are Flower Essences and how do they work. It's a simple yet complex answer; Flower Essences, simple put they are the energy of the flower or plant not the actual flower or plant. Because they are energy gifts there is no contraindications of use with chemical medicines.  They are safe for new borns to those crossing over to all animals and plants. You can never overdose and taking extra doesn't make things go faster in getting results.

Flower Essences and Essential Oils are not the same thing nor do they do the same thing.
Essential Oils are made from actual plant material and have many precautions to their uses.
I will be writing a separate post about Essential Oils.

  Flower Essences work on the electrical energy that is in all living things.  When there are mental, emotional and spiritual challenges in our lives, especially those that linger and are extended; that is when Flower Essences shine. Each Flower Essences has a special quality that it brings that blends with the challenge that is being presented. Each challenge has its own lock and with each Flower Essence it brings the key to release what is suppressed. There are individual Flower Essence to create individual formulas. Each person, animal and plant are individual and so when you have all these Flower Essences to choose from you can create a special custom blend for that unique situation.  Over time there are enough similarities that pre-made blends are available. There is one by Bach Flowers that most people are familiar with - Rescue Remedy.  That is what it is for Rescue. So many people think that is it and they don't need anything else.  The fact it is for Rescue, example; you burn your self on the stove - stray on the burn (or at least I do and I don't have a scar afterwords and it stops the burning) or you have a sudden trauma like falling or some kind of accident - its excellent for that. Yet people will use it when their dog is having separation anxiety (which are actually to separate issues), that required another set of Flower Essences. Or you may be having trouble sleeping, again that is another set of Flower Essences are to be blended together.

Here are some great websites that really get into depth on the issue and offer their own line of Flower Essences. Bach Flower Essence base is alcohol, they also have one that does not have alcohol. Flower Essences Society uses brandy which I find less abrasive.  With that said, the amount that you use has very little alcohol in it.  I am extremely sensitive to alcohol and do just find with it.  If you have a disease with alcohol you can put the drops or spray in water and let it dissipate or use one that has a vegetable oil base.  Because this is energy it is also affected by other energies, so please store away from all phones, computers, laptops, routers or anything that creates its own artificial energy field.

This is the one most people know, the original 38.
Bach Flower Essence

These have more than the original 38 and there are many others besides these. I have used all of these but one.  I have included it here because if has a beautiful explanation of what Flower Essences are, *

Flower Essences Society

Green Hope Farm Flower Essences     *

These folks where at Katrina helping the animals
Blackwing Farms Flower Essences

Anaflora Flower Essences

Do your own research and pick the one that "speaks" to you.

Be Well and remember to breathe.

Halloween safety for animals.

Halloween is a great time for humans and not so much for your other family members.

There are unfamiliar looking people? that come to the door at all different times ringing the door bell and screaming out "Trick or Treat"  It isn't a treat for your non-human family and is very terrifying for them and it puts them on high alert all night long. This could also set them up for some time to have high anxiety even after Halloween is over.

You should have on hand Bach Flower Essence - Rescue Remedy or FES Five-Flower Formula - Anaflora -Return to Joy, or any other rescue flower essence. Put this in their water in the morning of Halloween and continue through the next couple of days.

This is great advise from North Shore Animal League America plus other information from other sites that I have added to it.

North Shore Animal League America would like to offer some tips and advice for treats NOT tricks on Halloween. Keeping your pets safe and secure will ensure that they don't need to go running to their mummies

• Make sure your pets have on identification at all times. With that front door continuously opening and closing for trick-or-treaters, there is a chance they could run out - especially if they're spooked. If you really wish to greet your guests with your pet by your side, place a baby gate in front of the door to prevent escapes and possible fear reactions to your ghoulish visitors.
• Don't leave pets out in the yard on Halloween. Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes! But preventable nonetheless. Keep your outdoor cats inside several days before and several days after Halloween. Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. In fact, many shelters do not adopt out black cats during the month of October as a safety precaution. Unfortunately, there can be tricks in addition to treats on Halloween. Keep your pets inside so that they will not be the target of pranksters who might tease, injure, steal and even seriously harm pets on this night.
• Give your pets a quiet, safe place on Halloween. Scary parties, constant doorbell ringing or too many strangers in your home can be stressful to your four-legged friends and even make them physically ill.

http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-behavior/Canine-Phobias-and-Anxieties.aspx

• According to Dr. Justine Lee, a critical care specialist and associate director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline, calls increase by 12 percent during the week of Halloween, making it the call center’s busiest time of year. Halloween candy, wrappers and decorations should be kept out of your pets' reach. Chocolate can be toxic to animals, and many sugar-free candy, gum and baked products today contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. *If you suspect that your pet has ingested any amount of xylitol, call your veterinarian immediately. Tinfoil, cellophane, plastic candy wrappers and party supplies can be hazardous if swallowed. Beware of chocolate rich, delicious chocolate is a favorite treat of humans, but toxic for dogs and cats - especially dark and baking chocolate. The presence of the alkaloidtheobromine can cause tremors, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. Be sure to keep the candy bowl out of reach of pets, and quickly clean up any pieces that make their way to the floor.
• pet poison helpline number (24 hour) 800-213-6688  http://petpoisonhelpline.com/
• Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn't likely toxic, it tastes really bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely;
• Keep lighted pumpkins out of your pet's reach. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned.
• Keep all electrical cords and wires out of your pet’s reach. Halloween decorations are a great way to celebrate the holiday but can be harmful and even deadly to your pets should they chew on or ingest them.
• Costumes are fun for people, but not necessarily for your pets. Don't dress up your pet unless you know they enjoy it. (if they pull away or go and hide or have a behavior change that is a good clue they aren't into having a costume on) Make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that the pet could chew off and possibly choke on. Make sure that costumed pets are supervised at all times. Always have reflective material on your costume so that you and your pet can be seen at night.  Try on pet costumes before the big night. If they seem distressed, allergic, or show abnormal behavior, consider letting them go in their “birthday suit”. Festive bandanas usually work for party poopers, too. Just make sure that it is not restrictive and can come off quickly in case of an emergency.
• Although tempting, do not bring your dog along for trick-or-treating. Even the best-trained dogs can become spooked or aggressive in the noise and confusion of Halloween. Children you encounter may also be fearful of dogs.
• Dastardly decorations  As with any decor, be sure it is pet-safe. Keep wires bundled and out of reach so pets do not chew them and get electrocuted. Decorations containing polyurethane glue can be deadly if ingested - the glue expands and hardens in the stomach, leading to a rock-like mass that needs immediate veterinary intervention. Consider the safety of your other decorations - might the dog unravel the mummy and eat the bandages? Will the cat be spooked by the display with flashing lights? Be smart and don’t let your haunted house give your pet a true scare.

Ultimately - It's never a good idea to take your pet trick-or-treating. Dogs may become excited and uncontrollable, and if frightened may bite. For their protection, cats should be kept indoors at all times.

youtube advise on halloween  http://www.youtube.com/user/AmerVetMedAssn