Countryside & Small Stock Journal; 5/1/2000; EISCHEN, NANCY

Whether they are our faithful friends or part of our means to make ends meet, animals are part of the homestead and need special care. So whether you're treating doggie breath or soothing a calf, you're sure to find something in what follows.

All essential oils have powerful antiseptic, detoxifying and revitalizing properties. They can increase resistance to disease, strengthen the immune system and prevent infection. Essential oils work for us as well as our animal friends. The thing to keep in mind when treating animals is that their sense of smell is much keener than ours. Also keep in mind that a little goes a long way. When starting treatment, start with a small dose and increase as needed.

Essential oils are used to prevent or cure disease. They can be taken three different ways: diffusion or smelling; massage (right out of the bottle or diluted with another oil such as olive oil); or internally (right out of the bottle, with food or water). Put essential oils in water for internal use; or in food like a seasoning. Use one to five drops two to three times a day, depending on the animal and its weight. Use for three to seven days, one dose per day for one to three weeks for prevention.

In general, these oils are used as antibiotics: marjoram, bergamot, clary sage, clove, eucalyptus, hyssop, lavender, lemon, melaleuca, myrtle, nutmeg, oregano, patchouly and thyme.

General cleansing, antiseptic blend --good for dogs, cats, horses, goats, etc.:

Oil of St. John's wort      15 ml 
Olive oil                   90 ml 
Lavender essential oil      15 ml 
Gum turpentine              60 ml 

Mix and store in dark brown bottle. Use for sores, cuts, gashes.

You can also bathe the area in a water solution of thyme or lavender. Six drops of either to one-half gallon water. Clean out wounds with a cabbage poultice first.

Cabbage poultice: Crush large leaves and apply directly to wounds, injury or burn. Refresh every two to four hours. Essential oils can also be applied to draw out infection and lessen pain.

For thorns in paws use the cabbage poultice along with lavender.

For fleas: Cover cat or dog bed with mint leaves or lavender seeds. Fleas detest mint leaves. A cat's skin may not tolerate essential oils as well as a dog's. Dilute with olive oil to massage on or use fresh or dried leaves.

Cat disease: Marjoram, thyme, lemon, mint, cinnamon and savory can be diffused into the air.

To eliminate cat urine odor:

Lavender                  30 ml 
Peppermint                 5 ml 
Lemon                     10 ml 
Gum turpentine            15 ml 

Diffuse this into the air.

Worming dogs: Do every three months in puppies under a year. Then one or two times a year thereafter.

Mix in equal parts in a bottle: Bergamot, caraway, marjoram, thyme. Give five drops twice a day for three days. This is for a dog that weighs 10 kg, a large dog (over 60 kg) give up to 30 drops a day. (Ed note: Multiply kilograms by 2.679 to get an animal's weight in pounds, i.e., 60 kg X 2.679= 160.74 lb. dog.)

Essential oil of garlic is also good for worming. Use two drops two times a day, or use raw garlic, which is preferred for horses.

Worming horses: Horses should be wormed every two months.

Bergamot           15 ml 
Caraway            15 ml 
Marjoram           10 ml 
Sassafras           5 ml 

Mix together. Add five drops of mix to horse feed three times a day, or make into capsules.

Ticks: 
Gum turpentine       500 ml 
Lavender             100 ml 
St. John's wort      100 ml 
Olive oil            300 ml 

Massage affected parts gently with the mix. Ticks will drop out immediately so you can burn them. As a preventative: massage stomach area, folds of thighs, behind ears and around eyes once a week.

Doggie breath: Add two drops of caraway, cumin and coriander to food daily.

Flies: Place boiled whole cloves on a plate. Moisten as needed or insert cloves into an orange and add a few drops of essential oil of clove.

When brushing horses, put three drops of lemongrass or citronella on the brush.

Mosquitoes and other biting bugs (mites, spiders): Diffuse citronella for mosquitoes. This also mixes with lavender; cinnamon has also proven to be effective.

Keeping cats out of flowers: essential oil of verbena repels them.

Hoof rot: good for horses, cows and goats:

Chamomile               10 drops 
Thyme                   15 drops 
Olive oil                3 ounces 
Melissa (lemon balm)     5 drops 

Use one teaspoon of this formula in a warm compress.

Increasing milk production: Hazelnut leaves increase butterfat content, and is also good for a cow's digestive system. Melissa (lemon balm) is also effective. Use dried in feed or add 15 drops of essential oil to three ounces of water and use one teaspoon of this sprayed on feed. Marjoram increases lactation as well as preventing aborting; put ten drops in three ounces of water. Use one teaspoon of this to one quart of water in a spray bottle to spray feed.

Increasing goat milk production:

Fennel               7 drops 
Dill                 8 drops 
Water                3 ounces 

Add one teaspoon of this to feed. If goats have worms, give them large amounts of carrots.

Keep mice away: Wash stalls with one gallon of water mixed with 15 drops of peppermint.

Measurements:

1 teaspoon = 5 mls or 0.2 oz. 1 dessert spoon = 10 mls or 0.34 oz. 1 tablespoon = 15 mls or 0.5 oz.

For a list of helpful books send SASE to: Essentials, PO Box 211, Darfur, MN 56022.

NANCY EISCHEN 
RT. 2 Box 140 
COMFREY, MN 56019 
KAY@RCONNECT.COM