How Can I Reduce My pet’s Anxiety with Essential Oils?

Aromatherapy Can Help Reduce Anxiety

Separation anxiety? Dreaded car rides? Noisy kennel? Jittery dog on your grooming table? ( I’ve seen dogs stop trembling in as little as 20 seconds with this therapy!)

 Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to support physical health and well-being. Essential oils carry biologically active compounds of flowers and plants in a highly concentrated form. They are, in many ways, the essence of the plant and can provide therapeutic benefits in very small amounts.

The particles in essential oils, which come from flowers, twigs, leaves, or bark, can be inhaled, providing various beneficial effects. As noted by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA):1

“It [Aromatherapy] seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.”

After the therapeutic oils are extracted, then the rest of the plant oils are sold for perfumes and cheaper, drug store versions that are nor much better than perfume, and have no therapeutic properties. ( I personally experience this after apply Rite Aid brand Tea Tree Oil and having no resolution to my dogs’ ear infections…once I found a true therapeutic version, her ear problems were gone in a week, and I’ve maintained this state of absolutely healthy ears with her since using our “Ear Blend”

***And the best part it, essential oils have no side affects…only side benefits!!!***

Aromatherapy May Help Lessen Anxiety Naturally

Commonly prescribed drugs include benzodiazepine drugs like Ativan, Xanax, and Valium (for people that is).

Many of these anti-anxiety drugs have a calming effect by boosting the action of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the same way as opioids (heroin) and cannabinoids (cannabis) do.

These medications activate dopamine, in your brain. Since the identical brain “reward pathways” are used by both types of drugs, they can also be rather addictive and also may cause side effects like memory loss, hip fractures, impaired thinking, and dizziness.

Ironically, the symptoms of withdrawal from many of these anxiety medications include extreme states of anxiety – some of which are far worse than the original symptoms that justified treatment in the first place. I experienced this myself when I naively took a prescription of Xanax from my doctor, not knowing anything about it. In two days I was close to a nervous breakdown…worse than I was when he gave it to me. And from those I’ve heard who have gone to rehab, they describe Xanax as the most addictive anti-anxiety drug and the hardest to come off of since it stays in the body for almost a year!

***A natural alternative for treating anxiety is needed, and aromatherapy may be one such option worth trying. Sweet orange oil has been found to have anxiety-inhibiting effects in humans, supporting its common use as a tranquilizer by aromatherapists.***

• Ambient odors of orange, Bergamot, Clary sage, Chamomile, lemon, Sandlalwood, rose, and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood. We find that these essential oils work quickly and amazingly well for pets, especially dogs and horses.

Which Essential Oils Work Best for Anxiety? (And How to Use Them)

• Indirect inhalation of essential oils using a room diffuser or placing drops nearby, or placing them on your hands and inhaling. You can do the same for your pet!
• Aromatherapy massage, in which essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil and massaged into the skin or coat of your pet.
• Applying essential oils to your pets’ skin or coat by combining them with carrier oils (such as coconut, Vitamin E, or Aloe, which are our choices here at Endless MT. Essentil Oils for pets, as these carrier oils have healing properties themselves!