Aromatherapy

"Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it."
Patrick Suskind

 
How does aromatherapy work? 

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Aromatherpay provides a pure scent which stimulates smell receptors in the nose. This scent, by way of the smell receptors, sends a message to the Central Nervous System-- a part of the brain which controls all emotions. By using aromatherapy, emotions such as fear, anxiety, grief, frustration, happiness, excitement, joy, peace and the like can all be
positively affected and transformed. The hypothalamus of the brain is also affected and converts the brain stimuli into physical functions such as increased or decreased heart rate, anti-inflammatory reactions, and many others. High levels of sesquiterpenes, found in essential oils of frankincense and sandalwood, help increase the amount of oxygen to the limbic system of the brain, particularly around the pineal and pituitary glands. This leads to an increase in secretion of antibodies, endorphins and neurotransmitters. 

Also present in the limbic system of the brain, is a gland called the amygdala. It has been discovered that the amygdala plays a major role in storing and releasing of emotional trauma. One way to stimulate this gland is with fragrance or the sense of smell. 
 
As human beings, we live in a predominately sight-oriented world as we interact with our environment. Animals, however, are even more sensitive to aromatherapy because most animals  live in a  smell-oriented world and "see" with their nose, not their eyes.

Many of us have  experienced watching a dog or a horse lift their nose into the air to breathe in a scent while sniffing excessively or flaring their nostrils to take in the "message" they are receiving. A fire hydrant serves as a "message board" for  dogs out on a walk which is why they stop and do a thorough sniff of the entire object. We should not only allow these wonderful creatures the natural behavior of smelling their surroundings while out on walks or rides with them, but also take advantage of the therapeutic effects aromatherapy imparts on them. 

Aromatherapy clearly has numerous healing and medicinal benefits. For many, the most important thing is that it fosters inner peace within your pet and nurtures the human-animal bond with ease, gentleness and safety. Apply this therapy to a skiddish, nervous and reactive horse and the results are truly phenomenal, especially during training, hospitalization or during a farm call.

MSU Researchers Find that Aromatherapy Calms Horses



What issues or concerns can aromatherapy help?

Arthritis
Birthing
Bleeding
Bone pain/Bone spurs
Bone fractures or breaks
Calming
Colds and Flu
Colic    
Fleas and other parasites
Horses (to calm)
Insect Repellant
Ligament/tendons (torn/sprained)
Mineral deficiencies
Mites
Nervous Anxiety
Pain
Saddle Sores
Shiny Coats
Sinus Problems
Skin Cancer
Strangles in horses
Ticks
Trauma
Tumors or Cancer
Worms and Parasites
Wounds
And More....