Welcome to our new monthly blog series featuring guest articles by internationally renowned aromatherapists who are going to share a glimpse of their expansive knowledge with our Asia-Pacific Aromatherapy students!
Nayana Morag, expert in Animal Aromatherapy with a focus on horses and dogs as well as author of the successful book “Essential Oils for Animals”, starts off our series with a very touching case study about a woman and her beloved dog that was diagnosed with cancerous mammary tumor.
The original article was first published on Nayana’s blog “Essential Animals”:
Fennel for Mammary tumors & emotional confusion
A woman once called me seeking essential oils for her dog. In the course of the initial conversation the woman said,
“Really, I think it is me that needs the oils as much as her.”
I find this is often true and am always happy to work with someone who recognizes their part in an un-balanced situation. I told her that I could do a kinesiology test for both dog and person and see which essential oils might be helpful. I felt this would be particularly beneficial as one of the issues was that the person wanted to create a deeper connection with her dog.
Essential Animals by Nayana Morag
The person had just had to make the awful decision to have her other dog (her ‘soulmate’) put down and both the remaining dog and person were sad – the human more than the dog, who was described as an affectionate “dizzy blonde”. However the ‘dizzy blonde’ had recently been diagnosed with cancerous mammary tumor and her person wanted essential oils to help ease the dog through the transitional period that was coming. The owner’s issues were her grief at the loss of her other doggy companion and feeling that her boundaries (energetic/emotional/spiritual) were being disrespected in the home.
The Dog
Kinesiology revealed imbalances in these meridians: Kidney, Spleen-pancreas and Small intestine. The oils chosen were:
Bergamot (Citrus aurantium ssp.bergamia): uplifting, cleansing, anti-tumour and disperser of stagnant qi energy. Emotionally this oil encourages the release of pent-up emotion and helps us relax and ‘let-go’.
Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var.dulce): this oil combines well with bergamot to release stagnant qi in the stomach and intestines, it also has an affinity with the mammary glands and regulates hormonal levels. On an emotional level it encourages us to express ourselves and our creativity without fear, and combats over-thinking and worry. Now this is where it gets interesting!
The Human
Kinesiology revealed imbalances in the following meridians: Spleen-pancreas and Heart. Even though the human’s issues were superficially unlike her dog’s, yet the same oils strengthened the test. When I looked closely at what the oils do, it is as if the dog needs the oils on the physical level and the owner on the emotional level, the sort of symbiotic relationship that often happens between animals and carer. This can be a problematic relationship if it is unconscious, but can be a great catalyst for healing when used consciously.
Both person and dog enjoyed the essential oils, which had a positive affect on both of them, slowing down the progression of the mammary tumors and clearing the person’s emotional confusion. Plus simply sharing quiet time as the person offered the essential oils for the the dog to self-medicate helped the pair feel much more connected.
If you are interested in Animal Aromatherapy workshops or courses here at APA, please email us for further details!