Flower Essences for Animal Healing

Can flora help us heal fauna? I was a little skeptical of a colleague’s suggestion that infinitesimal liquid extracts from flowers could do much of anything. And yet, over and over again, I heard from animal chaplaincy students and trusted friends that this healing modality was beneficial. They reported using flower essences to soothe their dogs’ separation anxiety or get their cats to stop shredding the sofa. So, I was willing to learn. What I discovered made me reconsider my skepticism.

What Are Flower Essences?

Unlike herbal remedies, which rely on the chemical properties of plants, flower essences operate on a more subtle, energetic level as “vibrational medicine.”

In the 1930s, the practice was popularized by a British physician and homeopath Dr. Edward Bach, who believed that emotional and psychological factors were the root causes of many physical ailments. He created Bach Flower Remedies to capture the vibrational energy of flowers, which he believed would interact with the body’s energy field to restore balance and harmony, promoting a return to equilibrium.

How Flower Essences Are Administered to Animals

Flower essences can be administered to your furry friend in several ways. The most common method is adding a few drops to the animal’s water bowl, food, or directly into their mouth two to three times daily. Make sure to follow the guidelines on the packaging for the specific product you select. Depending on the animal’s unique needs, your veterinarian may also suggest dilution beyond the manufacturer’s instructions.

Flower essences can also be applied topically, such as on your dog’s nose, ears, or paws. A mister can be used to spray essences around an animal’s environment.

Since flower essences work on an energetic level and do not contain active chemical ingredients, the risk of toxicity, overdose, or harmful side effects is generally negligible. However, because there has yet to be significant research amassed, check with your veterinarian before use. Also, watch for any side effects like skin rashes or other changes in the animal. Do not use them if your cat or dog is pregnant or nursing.

Flower essences are often used alongside other treatments, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, or behavioral therapy, to provide a holistic approach to the animal’s wellbeing.

Choosing a Flower Essence for Your Animal Companion

The choice of essence or combination of essences is typically based on the specific emotional or behavioral issue the animal is experiencing. Bach categorized his remedies into seven categories: fear; uncertainty; insufficient interest in present circumstances; loneliness; oversensitivity to influences and ideas; despondency and despair; and over-care for the welfare of others. The first six are the most applicable to our animal companions, and, while we might quibble with the wording of the seventh, we animal advocates would be wise to consider that one for our own use.

Since the 1930s, numerous companies have launched their own formulas. Here are a few commonly found flower remedies:

• Rescue® Remedy: One of the most well-known Bach formulations, this remedy combines five different flower essences (Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, and Cherry Plum). Users I spoke with suggested it’s a good option for animal stress during events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or visits to the vet.
  

• Walnut: While walnuts themselves can be quite toxic for cats and dogs, walnut flower essence is used to support animals through transitions or changes, such as adapting to a new home, adjusting to a new family member, or coping with changes in their environment.
  

• Aspen: Many people find aspen flower essence can help calm beings that are generally uneasy or fearful, especially when there is no obvious stressor.
  

• Holly: Need to soften emotions like jealousy, aggression, or possessiveness? Holly flower essence may promote a more harmonious state. Try this in multi-animal households!

Do Flower Essences “Work” on Animals?

Most support for their use is anecdotal, but that doesn’t mean that flower essences can’t be effective. More research on the topic would be helpful to understand their efficacy and usage recommendations.

It is important to note that, just like us humans, animals are unique. For example, my feline companion, Deacon, seems positively impacted by the blend I got for his anxiety. On the other hand, the concoction I got for my cat companion Buba-ji’s dominance issue didn’t seem to do much. This could be Bub’s unique nature or a sign that we need to try another essence for him. We could also try another company’s formula. Or, as I suspect, it might be that we humans are still contributing to Bub’s “I want to be king” attitude through our own behavior. While flower essences may help, they are not cure-alls and are best used as part of a holistic plan that includes consideration of environmental stressors and the behavior of both humans and animals in that environment.

So, you’ll need to see for yourself. The success of flower essence therapy can depend on accurately identifying the emotional issue at hand. This requires careful observation of the animal’s behavior and, sometimes, a deep understanding of the animal’s history and environment. And, of course, flower essences should always be used in conjunction with, and not as a replacement for, veterinary care.

Go Deeper

If these ideas have you curious, check out the following resources:

• Learn more about the history of Bach’s Flower Essences.

• Read Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to the Flower Essences researched by Dr. Edward Bach and the Flower Essence Society by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz.

• Take a class from the Flower Essence Society.

• Check out Black Wings Farm’s Behavior Chart to explore essences for specific ailments and behaviors.

• Get a custom-blended flower essence from Samadog.

Want more wisdom from flora for fauna? Read “The Spirituality of Gardening.”