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By Nancy Cebula and Pat Paul
Essential oils have been used for centuries for health and wellness. These oils are highly concentrated distillations of fresh extracts from plants. They are considered the “blood of the plant” and contain the regenerating, oxygenating, and immune defense properties of the plants. Essential oils easily penetrate the tissues of the skin and can affect every cell of the body in a short time. As the cells consider them nutrients, essential oils are metabolized like other nutrients. When using essential oils for health and wellness, it is important to use pure, therapeutic grade, organically produced oils to get the most benefit from their healing properties. These oils are so highly concentrated that one only needs to use one or a very few drops at a time. Humans and animals often respond to essential oils in similar ways. So, the oils suggested here are good for the equine, and the equestrian, first aid kit. A few words of caution are in order. Please take care not to get the oils in eyes, human or animal. If an oil should irritate the skin, massage in a bit of pure vegetable or almond oil. This should stop the burning. As so many barns have cats and dogs in addition to horses, a word or two on these small, affectionate animals. If one is using oils on cats, it is a good idea to avoid anything with Melaleuca/Tea Tree oil in it. Some cats have had a toxic reaction to Melaleuca. If you want to use oils on cats, please get a good reference book as they respond to essential oils differently than other animals. Dogs have an extremely acute sense of smell. They may react quite strongly to the aromatic quality of essential oils. We do use oils on our dogs, just a drop or two. The oils suggested below are not intended to replace any other products in your first aid kit. They are additional tools for us to use when problems arise. We definitely do not advocate using oils instead of calling the veterinarian. This is also not an all-inclusive list of essential oils to use. There are many oils that are known to help with these issues. To keep this from getting too complex, we have just chosen our favorites and ones that we have used ourselves, so we know that they have worked on us and on our horses! Essential Oils for First Aid
To stop bleeding: Helichrysum can be dropped on a bleeding wound to stop the bleeding. It may sting a bit at first, but then
numbs the wound, and, most importantly, stops the bleeding. For deeper cuts, I found that I had to apply pressure, then drop Helichrysum on the cut, then apply more pressure, and repeat this process two or three times to completely stop the bleeding. Geranium also stops bleeding, however, it is slower than Helichrysum. Cleansing a Wound: There are many oils that can help with cleaning out a wound. Our favorites are Lavender and Melrose.
Lavender (known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the herb world) is known for having antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-viral, antibiotic, and anti-bacterial properties. Blending Melrose is also known to be antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-infectious. Simply drop one or more drops of the oil/blend on the wound. Healing a Wound: Melrose is also known for helping tissue regenerate and for keeping the wound clean during the healing
process. You can drop it on the wound several times a day. To seal the wound and keep the tissue soft, you can apply Rose Ointment (made from lecithin, lanolin, and essential oils). To calm an agitated horse (and/or rider): Lavender has wonderful calming properties. We have also used Peace and
Calming, a blend of Blue Tansy, Patchouly, Tangerine, Orange, and Ylang Ylang to calm a horse who was stall-bound after a colic surgery. To apply the oils, drop some on your hands, rub them together, and let the horse and/or rider smell it. Or they can be massaged on the muzzle, the edges of the ears, on the chest, and on the knees (the horse’s knees, that is). Burns: Lavender has a well-deserved reputation for providing relief, protecting from infection, and healing burned tissue.
Inflammation: Wintergreen, Birch, and Marjoram have anti-inflammatory properties and have been used for muscular pain,
tendonitis, and bone pain. Saddle Sores: Massaging on Melrose with Rose Ointment has healed saddle sores on the horse, and on the rider!
Mild Colic: Di-Tone, a blend of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Anise, Fennel, Lemongrass, and Patchouly, can help
with problems in the digestive system. While waiting for the veterinarian to arrive, horses have gotten relief from a minor colic with this blend massaged on their stomachs, according to many stories we have heard. Abscesses: Lavender has been known to speed the healing of abscesses.
Strangles: Mixing 1 part Melrose and 4 parts Exodus II, a blend of Cinnamon Cassia, Calamus, Myrrh, Hyssop,
Frankincense, Spikenard, Galbanum, and olive oil) has been effective against this infectious disease. Cover the abscesses on the outside with this oil blend so they will burst. Melrose has a reputation for fighting fungus, and infections, as well as helping damaged tissue regenerate. Exodus II was developed to help build the immune system against bacteria, viruses, and infections. In summary, essential oils can be a good natural addition to the equine first aid kit. They do not take the place of calling the veterinarian, however, they can add to the equestrian’s options for things to help in non-emergency situations and while we are waiting for the vet to arrive. References: Plants, Potions, and Oils for Horses by Chris Dyer
Natural Remedies by Christopher Day
Essential Oil Desk Reference by Essential Science Publishing
Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley
For more information email Nancy Cebula or call her at 303.499.1607. This information is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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