I was blown away, it made so much sense, and from then on I began to explore for myself. I learned more from practitioners for my own dogs.
In September 2019 I began my own practitioner training with Rachel Windsor Knott (My Animal Matters). I have particulalry been drawn to working woth Aromatics alongside the herbs and powders. To develop a deeper understanding I have spent many months exploring the properties of alll of the essential oils in my colleection, over 50, alongside my dogs.
Sadly Covid has interrupted the final part of the course and my case studies for assessment. However I hope to resume soon.
This Blog was originally an assigment for a module of the Canine Principles Canine Holistic Behaviour Diploma.
What is Botanical Self Selection ?
Zoopharmacognosy is a growing therapeutic modality studied over many years in animals in the wild. Most recently it has been developed in the UK as a Professional modality by Caroline Ingraham after 30 years of research.
The name means Animal (zoo) medicine (pharma) cognosy (knowledge) it is also often commonly known as “Botanical Self Selection” or “Botanical Self Healing”.
For many years Animal Scientists have observed and studied animals selecting botanicals and minerals to self heal. Cindy Engels book Wild Health in 2002 sets out a wide range of observations within the animal kingdom. For instance Chimps will eat a non nutritional bitter herb to rid parasites, we observe dogs eating grass or dandelion or cleavers for digestive health. Studying how animals keep WELL instead of focussing on disease it was noted that even with high levels of pathogens and parasites, animals, in a natural environment untouched by mans invasion, were healthy and thriving. Studies suggest this is as a result of the animals using plants as medicine to stay well as well as treat overwhelming illnesses.
In developing Applied Zoopharmacognosy Caroline Ingraham considered the science from
scientists such as Engels and worked with different animals (mostly dogs cats
and horses). She published her books How Animals Heal Themselves (2014) and
Help your Dog Heal Itself (2018) and has set up a training school. Her aim is for practitioners
and guardians to enable their animals to self medicate to work with simple
health needs and maintain a healthy body and mind.Many other practitioners are following up her studies with their own and I am also a follower of Nayan Morag who works mostly with aromatics.
How does the modality work?
Botanical Self Healing (BSH) uses a range of herbs minerals and aromatics, selected and studied by Ingrahams in her research, following on from the research of Engels and others on animals in wild environments. The animal is offered a botanical for them to select from, to work with a physical or emotional issue or to maintain health.
Plants use the sun, air, water and soil nutrition to grow and stay healthy, repair and thrive. They produce chemicals which enable a primary healthy metabolism. This is the plant matter used by other animals for nutrition as part of the food chain. Plants also produce secondary defensive chemicals whose function is to protect them from damage against predators or bacterial viral, fungus infection, these secondary chemicals are often toxic or can be medicinal, they have no nutritive value. Many of the secondary chemicals are volatile and their odour can be identified over a great distance by animals. There is complexity of the relationship of plant biology and its medicinal/psychological support value. To add to this the soil and other minerals also carry a range of secondary organisms and chemicals which are used medicinally, such as green clay. (ref Wild Health – Engels -2002).
Animals will select and dose those secondary chemicals from Botanicals which will balance them emotionally and physically for wellness.
Each session is individualised, there is no “this for that” approach. It is based upon consent; we offer the chance for the animal to consider if the Botanical offered is needed. Excellent observations skills are used to read the communications from the animal as to its choice of selection, the distance and time to dose for (aromatics) or how much is needed (ingested materials).
What does a Botanical Self Healing session look like?
Safety is essential and a full history is taken prior to a session, covering all areas of the animal from pre – birth where known, to current time, noting especially any events or environmental issues as well as health; a truly Holistic approach. It is also important to note the human needs as some aromatics and plant materials can be contraindicated for humans with specific needs. A vet check is a prerequisite where possible and vets should be informed of any sessions undertaken. The Modality is permissible under the Vet Act as it is non invasive and choice led.
With the history and an understanding of the animal as an individual and the dynamics of its home environmnt in mind the practitioner will spend time to get to know the animal a little to build some trust and communication.
Each practitioner develops their own routines and this will change from animal to animal and family to family, it is led by the animal client.
Depending on the animals’ need the
practitioner will offer a small selection of aromatics, hydrosol, herbs and
minerals and oils and macerates. The order is led by the animal and also the
knowledge from the practitioner. Sometimes beginning with hydrosol as it is
less olfactorily invasive than Essential oils (EO). Sometimes it is all about
the herbs and powders or the oils. The practitioner watches for the
communication from the animal, intuitively offering and observing. This is done
in a space with plenty of circulating air and the opportunity for the animal to
remove themselves from the area at any time.
Essential oils are offered to support either the identified need or one that the practitioner suspects is linked. Sometimes the animals are really clear and will identify the bottle or bottles or packets they wish to engage with. The oils work with both emotional and behavioural needs as well as physical needs.
Oils are offered with the lid to the bottle loosened and the practitioner judges whether to move to offering the cap or a scent stick/cloth on the floor are helpful, also respecting the distance the animal wishes to work.
Oils or hydrosol are usually never applied,
given, or diffused “for” the animal or put on bandana etc. the animal always
has the chance to decide when to stop using the remedy and at what distance to dose. However animals often
present themselves to rub or roll in an aromatic or powder, this can be
facilitated by the practitioner, on a towel for instance. Sometimes Ingraham would suggest that for
first aid for instance after checking the animal is not aversive to it, it is
ok to apply.
The session is guided by the animal and
they will create a selection choice as needed, just as animals in the wild do,
sometimes a mineral or herb is needed first or an aromatic. They will also decide
how much dosage is needed and this is observed from how the Olfactory system
works with it and how the animal processes the intake and also the distance and
time taken. The animal may take time out to process during a session. During
the aromatic work the animal will usually rest within the area of the aromatic
in the dose level they need, this looks like sleep. Sometimes they may whimper,
growl or jump, this is considered to be a memory or feeling being accessed.
When they have completed the session they will choose to disengage. This is a video of Lola Processing two oils.
The practitioner observes until the animal has closed the session. They will then feedback/report to the client what the animal has selected and what commonly this choice can be linked to. This is never diagnostic or suggesting that the animal has a specific complaint, many choices have multiple different uses.
Botanical self Healing is Holisitic because it works with the animal and their human partnership, alongside vets where applicable. The animal is guided by its own physiological and emotional wellness needs and is supporting its own health. Alongside other professionals, such as touch therapists, behaviourists and veterinary professionals BSH offers the animal some autonomy.
As a Botanical Self Healing Practitioner, and also as a guardian, I have seen exceptional outcomes from enabling the animal to lead. I absolutely believe that the dogs have made clear and well communicated indications as to what they do and do not require. Some coming and requesting even when there was no direct offering session. There will always need to be careful safety considerations and also the knowledge that some dogs find it really hard to engage, and this is ok, My own dog Lola finds a “session” pressurising and is superstitious around novel items to ingest. However she will hop into my own oil sessions and engage with mine, at other times she will leave the room! After mugging my bag of devils claw and demolishing several spoons of coconut oil I became aware that Tilly was uncomfortable sometimes but improved when she ate the devils claw and coconut oil, a vet check found she was in pain from a back injury. She was medicating her pain.
I learn so much about the dogs I work with each time, and about the aromatics, oils and powders and herbs. Their power to support wellness is amazing.
To find out more about the olfactory system and why the use of aromatics is so powerful have a look at this video.
Should you wish to learn more or to book a session please email:
peacefulpawstherapy@gmail.com
References
Wild Health - Cindy Engels - 2002
These are the books I use for reference daily when
working with animals.all are recommended to find out more *** indicates a good first book
Hep your Dog Heal itself – Caroline
Ingraham – 2016 ***
Essential Oils for Animals – Nayana Morag –
2011 ***
The Aromatic Dog – Nayana Morag -2015 ***
Hydrosols, The Next Aromatherapy – Suzanne Catty – 2001
Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit –
Gabriel Mojay – 1997 ***
Herbs for Pets – Gregory L Tilford and Mary L Wuff - 2009 ***
Essential Oil Safety – Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young -2014
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