Palmarosa Essential Oil Benefits for Skin, Digestion, & Emotional Support for Horses, Dogs, & People
If you've explored the world of essential oils, you've probably heard of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. But there’s another powerhouse oil that often goes under the radar—Palmarosa. Known for its gentle yet effective benefits, Palmarosa is not only great for humans but also perfect for your four-legged companions. Let’s explore why this oil deserves a place in your wellness toolkit.
First Things First: What Exactly are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from various parts of plants, including flowers, leaves, stems, bark, and roots. These oils are naturally produced by plants to help them survive and thrive in their environments.
Plants produce essential oils for several key reasons: to protect themselves, to repel pests, to attract pollinators essential for reproduction, and to heal themselves during times of stress or damage.
The term "essential oil" refers to the fact that these oils capture the "essence" of the plant—the aromatic compounds, scent, and wellness properties that contribute to the plant's healing, protection, and reproduction.
These oils are most commonly extracted through steam distillation or cold pressing, and what the plant uses them for can often benefit us too!
Essential oils have been used for centuries across various cultures for their wellness properties. Ancient Egyptians, for example, used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and for medicinal purposes, while traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices have also long incorporated essential oils for their wellness benefits.
Essential oils like Palmarosa provide an accessible way to incorporate natural, non-toxic wellness support into daily routines. Whether you're seeking to improve emotional wellbeing, support healthy skin, or support physical wellness, there's an essential oil that can help.
Where Does Palmarosa Essential Oil Come From?
Palmarosa essential oil is derived from the Cymbopogon martinii plant, a grass species native to India and Nepal, now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. Often confused with lemongrass due to its similar appearance, Palmarosa has unique characteristics that set it apart. The plant thrives in humid climates, producing a fragrant, grassy aroma that also has a distinctive sweet and floral scent.
How Does Palmarosa Essential Oil Smell?
If you're new to Palmarosa, expect a soft, sweet floral aroma reminiscent of roses, with a slightly earthy undertone. This delightful scent makes Palmarosa a popular choice in aromatherapy blends and helps create a calming and uplifting atmosphere. Its balancing properties are perfect for fostering relaxation, making it ideal for both humans and pets who need extra support with tension. Additionally, Palmarosa is much less expensive than rose essential oil and can be swapped for rose or geranium in DIY recipes.
Top Uses of Palmarosa Essential Oil
Palmarosa essential oil offers a wide range of benefits, but four key uses stand out: supporting healthy skin, supporting digestion, annoying pests, and providing emotional support. Let’s explore each of these benefits and how Palmarosa can enhance your wellness routine.
Skin Health
Palmarosa essential oil is widely recognized for its ability to support healthy, balanced skin. According to a study found on PubMed.gov, "Essential oil of palmarosa exhibited potent antibacterial activity among all the essential oils tested," highlighting its potential benefits for maintaining healthy skin. This makes Palmarosa a popular ingredient in various products designed to promote skin hydration and balance, contributing to overall skin health. Its gentle wellness properties make it suitable for a variety of skin types, enhancing the skin’s natural vitality.
Digestive Support
In traditional practices, Palmarosa has been valued for supporting the digestive system and promoting digestive wellness. Known for its soothing properties, Palmarosa is often used to enhance digestive comfort and help maintain balance. Its gentle nature makes it a popular choice for those looking to naturally support their digestive health.
Help Against Pests
Palmarosa essential oil can also be effective with pests. The oil contains compounds that have been shown to deter insects, making it a great choice for those looking to avoid chemical insect repellents. Palmarosa can be added to homemade sprays or diffused to naturally keep pests at bay.
Why Essential Oils Work on Our Emotions
Essential oils influence our emotions through the olfactory system (sense of smell), which is directly connected to the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system regulates emotions, memory, and behavior, so when we inhale essential oils, scent molecules are absorbed through the nose and sent to the limbic system, triggering emotional responses.
Emotional Support with Palmarosa
Palmarosa essential oil is particularly valued for its ability to promote emotional well-being. Its soothing and grounding effects help alleviate emotional tension, making it an excellent choice for those seeking comfort and balance. When used in aromatherapy or personal care products, Palmarosa fosters a sense of calm and comfort, especially when feeling unsettled or insecure. The gentle floral scent promotes emotional relaxation, helping individuals feel more at ease and emotionally secure. Its balancing properties help people feel centered and emotionally resilient, providing natural support for managing tension and unease.
The plant itself is known for its resilience and adaptability, thriving in challenging environments—symbolically mirroring the soothing and supportive nature of the oil extracted from it.
Safety Guidelines for Palmarosa Essential Oil with Pets
Palmarosa is generally considered safe for pets, but always follow basic safety guidelines to ensure their well-being. First and foremost, use only 100% pure and unadulterated essential oils. Many reports of essential oil toxicity in pets involve fragrances or chemical-laden products, not pure essential oils.
It’s important to understand that you won’t find pure essential oils at your local supermarket. I highly recommend using a trusted company that provides full transparency, such as the one I use, where I’ve personally visited the farms, helped plant, and assisted in distillation. This ensures that the oils are 100% pure and unadulterated. You can check them out by clicking HERE. (This is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!)
- Dilute Properly: Best practice is to dilute essential oils before applying them topically. This allows you to use the smallest amount necessary, and reduces the chances of any adverse reactions.
- Introduce Gradually: Start with small amounts and monitor your pet closely for any signs of sensitivity or reaction.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Never apply oils directly to sensitive areas such as the eyes, inner ears, or mucous membranes.
By following these guidelines and choosing high-quality oils, you can confidently use Palmarosa and other essential oils to support your pet’s well-being. If you're new to using oils with your dog, get started with my comprehensive guide HERE.
Applying Palmarosa Essential Oil for Horses
Horses, with their herbivorous nature, tend to respond well to essential oils, and Palmarosa is no exception. I often add Palmarosa to DIY recipes for minor scrapes and scratches. Recently, I've also been experimenting with it in my homemade fly sprays, as I’ve noticed that bees tend to avoid it, unlike with lavender or geranium, which seem to attract them in my area. Want to learn more about making your own fly spray? Check out my dedicated blog HERE.
Here’s a simple skin support recipe I use for my horses:
Palmarosa Skin Support Spray
- 10 drops Palmarosa essential oil
- 2 oz. spray bottle
- distilled water
- Witch Hazel (Witch hazel has its own soothing properties, known for reducing inflammation and acting as an astringent, which helps tighten the skin and reduce redness.)
Add the essential oil to your spray bottle, then fill it halfway with distilled water and the rest with witch hazel. Shake well and spray directly on the affected area to soothe and promote healing. Be sure to ensure your horse is comfortable with sprays before use.
Emotional Support and Relaxation
If your horse experiences tension and nervousness during transport, events, or vet visits, Palmarosa can offer calming support. You can offer the bottle for your horse to inhale or add a drop to your palms, rub them together, and allow your horse to gently breathe in the soothing aroma. Palmarosa’s calming effects help create a peaceful atmosphere, providing emotional support during stressful situations.
Using Palmarosa Essential Oil for Dogs
Just like horses, dogs can greatly benefit from the gentle support of Palmarosa essential oil. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
Skin and Paw Care
If your dog’s paws need some extra support, making a simple paw balm is quick, easy, and effective. Here’s a dog-friendly recipe to try:
- 5 drops Palmarosa essential oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
Mix all the ingredients well in a small jar, then gently apply a small amount to your dog’s paws and any other areas needing attention. Palmarosa’s natural properties help keep your pet's skin healthy and protected.
Calming Support
For dogs prone to nervousness, separation anxiety, or fear from loud noises, Palmarosa can provide soothing support. One of my favorite ways to use it is by diffusing Palmarosa with an ultrasonic diffuser. This method dilutes the oil and offers a gentle, continuous aroma that helps ease anxiety throughout the day. It’s a great option to keep your dog calm during thunderstorms, fireworks, or long car rides. For more tips on safely diffusing essential oils with your dog, check out my dedicated blog HERE.
Palmarosa essential oil might not yet have the popularity of lavender or eucalyptus, but its impressive benefits for pets make it a powerful, underrated hero worth incorporating into your pet care routines. With its soothing aroma, skin-wellness properties, and emotional support capabilities, Palmarosa offers holistic, gentle support perfect for people, horses and dogs.
Ready to experience the benefits of Palmarosa essential oil? Get your bottle from my trusted source today—click HERE to get started.
Fleas and ticks are common outdoor annoyances that can cause significant discomfort for our pets. While there are many chemical treatments on the market, many pet owners are seeking more natural solutions to avoid exposing their dogs to potentially harmful chemicals. Using essential oils as support, combined with a holistic approach for fleas and ticks, can offer a safer, chemical-free choice for pet owners.
Natural solutions can be effective, but they often work differently from chemical treatments, requiring a more comprehensive approach for optimal results. Scientific studies support the efficacy of many essential oils and natural products, but also emphasize using them correctly and as part of an integrated plan, so in this blog, we’ll cover how essential oils can help support flea and tick prevention, and offer a comprehensive approach that includes diet, supplements, and environmental management.
Why Choose Natural Flea and Tick Prevention?
Chemical flea and tick treatments can be effective, but they often come with risks. Many chemical treatments contain ingredients that can cause irritation or harm to your dog’s skin and nervous system, leading to potential side effects or long-term health risks. Additionally, overuse of these chemicals can lead to pest resistance, making them less effective over time.
On the other hand, combining holistic tips for managing fleas and ticks with essential oils for support offers a safer, more sustainable solution. These methods don't rely on harmful pesticides and can be highly effective when used properly. However, natural deterrents like essential oils often require multiple applications and a comprehensive approach to achieve the best results.
What Are Essential Oils and How Do They Work?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the potent wellness compounds from different parts of the plant like flowers, leaves, bark, or roots. Some essential oils have been extensively studied for their antimicrobial and repellent properties. For instance, a search on PubMed.org reveals over 10,000 studies on the antimicrobial effects of various essential oils, and more than 500 studies focus specifically on their insecticidal activity.
Essential oils are also very concentrated, so for safety and best practice, they should be properly diluted. Undiluted oils can irritate your dog's skin or cause adverse reactions, which is why dilution is important. A little bit goes a long way, and when diluted correctly, essential oils can be spread over a larger area to maximize effectiveness.
Why Dilute Essential Oils?
Because essential oils are highly concentrated, applying them directly to your dog’s skin—known as using them 'neat'—can cause irritation. Diluting essential oils in a carrier, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or water, helps spread the oils more evenly across your dog’s skin and coat without overwhelming their system. This allows the oils to cover a larger area and be processed more easily, minimizing the risk of irritation. Since essential oils don’t mix well with water, they are typically blended with a carrier oil. However, other products like natural Castile soap, plant-based cleaners, vodka, or witch hazel can also serve as carriers. When using water, it's helpful to add one of these emulsifiers to help the oils mix properly.
As a general rule, I use about 0.5% to 1% dilution for small dogs, around 5 % for medium sized, and up to 10% for large dogs. Download my quick and easy dilution guide for dogs HERE.
Best Essential Oils for Flea and Tick Support
Certain essential oils have been scientifically studied and these studies have shown them to work effectively at deterring and even killing fleas and ticks. Below are some of the top essential oils studied for both fleas and ticks:
1. Geranium Oil
Geranium oil is effective at repelling and killing tick larvae. In lab tests, it showed 100% repellency against tick nymphs, while also proving effective against the brown dog tick across all stages. It can also help repel fleas, making it a great choice for both pests. Geranium oil is gentle enough for dogs but best practice is to dilute to prevent skin irritation
2. Kunzea Oil
Kunzea is often referred to as "tick bush" in Australia, and it has shown promise in repelling ticks. While there’s limited direct research on its effects on fleas, its effectiveness as a tick repellent has been well-documented. Studies show kunzea oil can repel biting insects – for example, it offered protection against mosquitoes comparable to citronella in lab tests. Kunzea oil is mild but powerful and can be used in combination with other oils.
3. Palo Santo Oil
Palo Santo, or “holy wood,” contains compounds like guaiol and bulnesol that studies show are toxic to ticks and insects. It’s been shown in this study to repel and kill ticks and may have a similar effect on fleas. Palo Santo is often used in holistic flea and tick sprays for dogs.
4. Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil has been shown in studies to be an effective insect repellent, successfully deterring both fleas and ticks. It works by causing paralysis and dehydration in insects, making it a powerful addition to any flea or tick deterrent blend. Additionally, cedarwood oil is considered mild and safe for dogs when properly diluted.
5. Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil has a fresh citrus scent that fleas and ticks may find unpleasant. It’s been studied as a natural repellent for pests. Combined with citronella oil and spearmint oil, this study showed it provided comparable tick repellency to 20% DEET in a 24-hour test. Lemongrass oil contains citral and geraniol, which repel insects; it’s common in natural flea collars and shampoos.
6. Peppermint Oil:
Peppermint contains menthol and menthone which can neurotoxically affect insects. In this study peppermint oil and clove oil showed ~94% flea mortality at 4% concentration in one hour. Additionally, this study found that peppermint exhibited strong tick larva kill in lab tests.
7. Thyme:
Thymol is a natural compound found in thyme essential oil, and it is one of the main active ingredients responsible for many of the oil's beneficial properties. Thymol has been studied for its antibacterial, antifungal, and insect-repellent qualities. Thymol has been shown to be effective in combating pests like fleas and ticks, making it a valuable addition to pest control blends.However, thyme is considered a "hot" oil, meaning it can cause skin irritation if not properly diluted. For pets, it should be used sparingly and in low concentrations.
8. Lavender:
Lavender oil is gentle but has notable repellent activity. In one trial, lavender oil (30% in a carrier) gave 100% tick repellency, similar to geranium. It won’t kill fleas outright, but fleas and ticks tend to avoid the scent. Lavender also soothes skin and can help discomfort from flea bites. It’s a good choice for sensitive dogs when used in combination with other oils.
9. Clove oil:
Clove oil, rich in eugenol, is highly potent. In a study, a 4% dilution killed 100% of fleas within one hour in laboratory conditions. However, clove oil is considered a "hot" oil, meaning it can cause increased skin sensitivity and irritation. For this reason, it should be used at a low concentration (0.5–1%) on pets to prevent skin irritation. If you don't have clove oil, ginger oil was also used in this study, and you could swap it out for ginger. However, I wouldn't use both clove and ginger in the same recipe, as both are 'hot' oils and may irritate your pet’s skin.
Tip: Essential oils are volatile, meaning their effects may not last as long as synthetic chemicals. Reapply natural repellents more frequently, especially before outings. Also, combining oils can have a synergistic effect – for example, in this study, a mix of peppermint, thyme, ginger, geranium, and other oils was found to repel ticks better than single oils alone in one screening study.
How To Use Essential Oils
When using essential oils for pest support, there are several effective methods I recommend, including adding them to baths (whether in shampoo or a dip), using them in sprays, or applying them as a powder. While collars are available, dogs have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. Applying oils directly to the collar may not be as effective for the rest of the body, and the concentration near the head could be too strong. Instead, using a spray or powder that you can comb or massage through your dog’s coat allows for more even distribution and in my experience, better results.
Bath: Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to your dog’s natural shampoo. Gently work it through your dog’s coat, then rinse thoroughly.
Neem Shampoo or Rinse: If you have neem oil, you can make a quick flea shampoo by adding ~1 teaspoon of neem oil to 16 oz of a gentle, all natural dog shampoo and mixing well. I also like to pick an essential oil and add that to the shampoo as well. This works with the neem oil and also gives it a better aroma. Use this to bathe your dog, working it well into the coat and letting it sit on the coat for 5-10 minutes before rinsing (so the neem has time to affect the parasites). This can kill fleas on the dog and leave a residue that may keep working for a few days. You may want to bathe your dog weekly, or as needed, depending on your dog’s activity level and flea exposure.
Alternatively, create a neem leave-in rinse: add 5 ml neem oil and a few drops of lavender or geranium oil to 1 quart of warm water. After a bath, pour this over the dog (avoiding the face and eyes), rub in, and towel dry without rinsing. Neem’s bitter smell will fade as it dries, but it continues to protect. This is especially good for dogs with flea allergies or sensitive skin, as neem also soothes inflammation.
Flea Comb Dip: Make your flea-combing sessions more effective by using a comb dip solution. Fill a bowl or basin with hot water and a squirt of Castile soap. Optionally, add 2–3 drops of an essential oil like geranium or cedarwood to the water – the aroma will repel fleas and the soapy water will help drown them. This way, you’re not just removing fleas, you’re killing them so they can’t hop back. Keep this bowl next to you as you comb your dog. After each stroke with the flea comb, dunk it into the soapy water and swirl to dislodge any caught fleas, eggs, or dirt. You can also take a rag and dip it into this solution and wipe it over your dogs fur in areas that are hard to comb.
Spray: To create a spray, mix essential oils with water and a carrier oil. Lightly mist your dog’s coat before heading outdoors. Remember, even with an emulsifier, it’s important to shake well every time you spray. For best results, follow up with a quick brush, comb, or a rub with your hands to evenly distribute the mixture.
Here Are My 2 Best Recipes I've Used for Fleas and Ticks
These are the recipes I’ve personally used and found effective for flea and tick support. Of course, feel free to customize these with your own favorite oils from the list above, or experiment with different combinations. Since daily applications are usually required, it’s important to keep an eye out for any sensitivities your dog may have. Every dog is different, so you may need to adjust the amount of oil, use a different emulsifier instead of neem, or make other modifications based on how your dog responds.
Flea Repellent Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
20 drops of Geranium oil
10 drops of Peppermint oil
20 drops of Cedarwood oil
5 drops of Clove oil
1 tablespoon of neem oil
1 cup of water
Instructions:
- In a spray bottle, combine all the ingredients.
- Shake well before each use.
- Lightly mist your dog’s coat before going outside and massage or brush in.
- Be sure to avoid the face, especially the eyes and nose.
Tick Repellent Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
20 drops of Geranium oil
20 drops of Kunzea oil
20 drops of Palo Santo oil
10 drops of Lemongrass oil
5 drops of Peppermint oil
1 tablespoon of neem oil
1 cup of water
Instructions:
- In a spray bottle, mix all the ingredients.
- Shake well before each use.
- Apply before going outdoors or as needed.
- Mist your dog’s coat, avoiding the face, and rub or brush in.
Powder: You can make a pest powder by combining food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE), bentonite clay, and essential oils. This method is less preferred, as you need to apply it sparingly. If your dog has allergies or respiratory sensitivities, stick with other methods. I typically use ½ cup of DE, ½ cup of bentonite clay, and 50 drops of essential oil for a natural pest powder.
Multiple Applications: Essential oils, while effective, are volatile, meaning their effects may wear off more quickly than synthetic chemicals. For continuous protection, you'll need to reapply them more frequently, especially before your dog goes outdoors, and sometimes even during the day depending on the level of exposure.
Consistency is key, particularly during peak flea and tick seasons. If you live in a hot and humid environment, which is ideal for fleas and ticks, starting the application before an infestation occurs is much easier and less labor-intensive than dealing with pests after they’ve already appeared. Preventive care is always more effective in the long run than waiting until the problem arises.
A Comprehensive Natural Approach to Flea and Tick Prevention
A dog’s overall health and diet can influence how attractive they are to fleas and ticks. While no food will magically 'ward off' all parasites, a strong immune system and certain nutrients may make your dog less appealing to pests and better equipped to handle exposure. While essential oils play an important role in flea and tick prevention, they work most effectively when combined with other natural methods. Here’s a breakdown of a comprehensive approach to keeping your dog protected.
1. Regular Grooming
Regular grooming is a critical part of managing fleas and ticks naturally. Bathing your dog and combing their coat with a flea comb will help remove fleas, ticks, and their eggs. You can apply your essential oil spray or powder during grooming sessions for added protection. Frequent flea and tick checks are essential. After each outdoor adventure, be sure to thoroughly check your dog for ticks and fleas before they come inside.
2. Environmental Management
Fleas and ticks don’t just live on your dog; they’re also in your home and yard. Here are some environmental strategies you can implement:
Environmental Management: Keeping Your Home and Yard Flea-Free
Effective environmental management is one of the best ways to reduce flea and tick populations in and around your home without using chemicals. By focusing on cleaning, maintaining your yard, and using natural pest control methods, you can significantly lower the risk of an infestation.
Frequent Cleaning and Vacuuming (Indoors)
Regular cleaning is essential to eliminate fleas in your home, especially since fleas can live in carpets, furniture, and cracks. Vacuuming daily can remove fleas at all stages—adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae—from areas your dog frequents, such as their bedding, surrounding carpet, under furniture, baseboards, and cozy nooks.
Vacuuming Tips: Focus on the areas where your dog spends the most time, and be sure to vacuum up flea dirt and organic matter that flea larvae feed on. After vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister immediately outside, as fleas can escape inside the vacuum.
Washing Bedding: Wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and toys in hot, soapy water every 1-2 weeks. If you have a severe infestation, wash bedding more frequently, and include your own bedding if your dog sleeps with you.
Steam Cleaning: Using a steam cleaner on carpets or upholstery is an effective way to kill fleas at all stages. The steam (above 95°F) reaches deep into the fibers and kills fleas, larvae, and eggs on contact.
By maintaining a clean indoor environment, you can greatly reduce the flea population without relying on toxic chemicals.
Natural Flea Control Enhancements
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): To boost its effectiveness, mix 10 drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemongrass) per cup of DE and shake well. Sprinkle this mixture on your carpets or furniture, let it sit, then vacuum up the excess. This adds a natural scent while fighting fleas.
Homemade Flea Trap: Set up a simple flea trap at night by placing a lamp or nightlight a few inches above a shallow pan of soapy water. Fleas will jump toward the light and fall into the water, where they will drown. In the morning, you may find many dead fleas, which helps monitor flea populations and eliminate adults.
Treating Your Yard
Maintaining your yard is essential for preventing fleas and ticks from invading your home. Here are some natural ways to manage pests in your outdoor spaces:
Lawn Maintenance: Mow the grass regularly and trim shrubs to reduce the places where fleas and ticks can hide. Fleas and ticks prefer moist, shaded spots, so rake up leaf litter and clear dense ground cover. Allow more sunlight to hit the ground to help dry out flea larvae.
Physical Barriers: If possible, fence your yard to prevent wildlife like raccoons, stray cats, and deer from bringing fleas and ticks into your space. You can also create a gravel or wood-chip barrier between wooded areas and your lawn, which can make it harder for ticks to cross into your yard.
Cedar Mulch: Cedar chips act as a natural repellent for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes due to the aromatic oils in the wood. Consider using cedar mulch in your garden beds or around the perimeter of your yard to deter pests. Many pet owners report a reduction in ticks after using cedar mulch.
Beneficial Nematodes: Applying beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms that target flea larvae) to your lawn can drastically reduce flea populations. These nematodes are safe for pets, people, and plants and work by attacking flea larvae in the soil. You can find nematodes commercially and apply them in spring and mid-summer to keep flea numbers down. Within 24–48 hours, you may notice a significant drop in fleas. Nematodes can also help control other pests like termites and ants.
Plant-Based Repellents
Using certain pest-repelling plants in your garden can complement other natural flea and tick prevention methods. While not a standalone solution, these plants can offer additional protection:
Lavender, rosemary, marigolds, and lemongrass are known to have mild deterrent effects on fleas and ticks. Planting these around your yard or in areas where your dog spends time may help reduce the presence of pests.
Diet and Nutritional Supplements
Your dog’s overall health plays a crucial role in how susceptible they are to fleas and ticks. A healthy, species-appropriate diet supports a strong immune system and helps keep pests at bay. While no food can magically ward off parasites, certain nutrients and supplements can make your dog less attractive to pests and better equipped to handle exposures.
Healthy, Low-Carb Diet
A balanced, low-carb diet rich in real meat, vegetables, and healthy fats is one of the best ways to support your dog’s skin and immune system. Holistic veterinarians often emphasize that the best protection starts with a fresh food or raw food diet that is low in carbohydrates. Dogs that consume processed, high-carb kibble may experience more inflammation and weaker immune responses, which can make them more vulnerable to fleas and ticks. A strong, well-nourished dog is less likely to suffer severe infestations and can recover more quickly if they do get bitten.
Dietary Supplements That Can Help Boost Resilience
Alongside a healthy diet, certain supplements can help improve your dog's resilience to pests:
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is often marketed as a natural flea repellent due to its high B-vitamin content, especially thiamine, which can create a scent that fleas find unappealing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that giving brewer’s yeast tablets or powder daily may reduce flea populations for some dogs. However, controlled studies have shown mixed results—one study found that feeding dogs 14g of brewer’s yeast per day did not significantly repel fleas. Despite this, brewer's yeast is safe and nutritious, providing essential B vitamins and protein. It can be used as a supplement alongside other natural flea control methods.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil or flaxseed oil, are known for their ability to improve skin health. A well-conditioned coat and strong skin barrier can make it more difficult for fleas and ticks to latch on. Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory effects that can soothe itching and irritation caused by flea bites. Adding a high-quality fish oil to your dog’s diet, or feeding them oily fish like sardines or salmon, can help support skin health and discourage infestations.
Garlic (in Moderation)
Garlic has long been used as a natural remedy for fleas. The idea is that certain compounds in garlic, such as allicin, exude through your dog’s skin, creating an odor that fleas find unpleasant. Some integrative veterinarians recommend small doses of fresh garlic during flea season. Dr. Katie Kangas, DVM, suggests up to ¼ teaspoon of freshly chopped garlic per 15 lbs of body weight daily. While garlic can be helpful, it must be used in moderation, as large quantities can be toxic to dogs. Always avoid garlic if your dog is anemic or taking certain medications, and never use garlic in cats. Fresh garlic is the most effective form, while garlic powders or tablets are less potent.
Probiotics
A healthy gut is essential for a strong immune system, and probiotics can help maintain gut balance. Supporting your dog's gut health with probiotics can improve their overall resilience and help their body ward off external threats, including fleas and ticks. Probiotic supplements specifically designed for dogs are a great way to enhance their defense mechanisms naturally.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an effective, natural remedy for fleas and ticks. It contains lauric acid, which has flea-killing and repellent properties. Coconut oil can be rubbed into your dog’s coat to repel fleas, and it may also help smother flea eggs. Additionally, applying coconut oil topically can soothe dry skin, support healing from flea bites, and even reduce secondary skin issues like yeast infections. You can also add a small amount of coconut oil to your dog’s diet (around 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight) to improve skin health from the inside. However, be cautious with the amount, as too much coconut oil can cause mild diarrhea. When applied topically, be sure not to overdo it, as excessive amounts can leave the coat greasy.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Flea and Tick Prevention
Incorporating a healthy diet, using essential oils safely, and maintaining a clean environment are key steps in keeping your dog free from fleas and ticks. By combining these holistic methods with consistent applications of natural deterrents, you can provide your dog with safer, more sustainable protection compared to chemical treatments.
If you're looking for a trusted source of essential oils, I recommend the company I personally use for their quality and commitment to purity—a factor often overlooked when it comes to safety. I've had the privilege of visiting the farms, helping to plant, distill, and harvest, which gives me full confidence in the purity and authenticity of their oils. Not all essential oils are created equally, and this transparency ensures I'm using only the best for my pets. You can check them out HERE. At no extra cost to you, you'll be supporting my small business and helping me spread my mission of holistic pet care. Thank you for your support!
Chakras are a powerful tool for self-discovery, energy alignment, and emotional healing. Understanding how they work can be a game-changer for your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're new to chakra work or already familiar with it, you’ll be amazed at how essential oils can enhance your chakra balance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of chakras, how to work with them, and how essential oils can help you clear blockages and restore harmony. Plus, stay tuned for a sneak peek into chakra work for your animals!
What Are Chakras?
Chakras are energy centers in your body that correspond to different physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your being. There are seven main chakras, each located along the spine, starting at the base and moving upward to the crown of your head. Each chakra is associated with a particular color, element, and area of life. When these chakras are balanced and flowing freely, you feel vibrant and aligned. When they’re blocked or out of balance, you may experience physical or emotional discomfort.
The Seven Main Chakras:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Grounding, safety, security
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – Creativity, emotions, relationships
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – Confidence, power, personal will
- Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Love, compassion, emotional healing
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Communication, self-expression
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Intuition, clarity, wisdom
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Spiritual connection, higher consciousness
How to Work with Chakras
Chakra work is about aligning and balancing these energy centers. When one or more chakras are out of balance, it can lead to physical, emotional, or spiritual issues. There are many ways to balance your chakras, including meditation, breathing exercises, crystals, and of course, essential oils.
Using Essential Oils for Chakra Work
Chakras are energy centers that govern various aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Each chakra is associated with a specific part of our body and a unique energy frequency. When we inhale an essential oil, it enters the olfactory system and travels to the limbic system in the brain, which is responsible for regulating emotions, memory, and motivation. This connection is key because essential oils have a direct impact on our emotional state and energy levels, which are closely tied to the balance of our chakras.
I’ve found that certain essential oils resonate more effectively with specific chakras based on their properties. For example, when the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) needs balancing, grounding oils like cedarwood can help anchor emotions, while energizing oils like cinnamon can stimulate creative flow.
Understanding whether a chakra needs more energy or less is key to selecting the right oils. Sometimes a chakra requires stimulation to boost its energy, while other times it may need calming to restore balance. Essential oils can help us stimulate, clear, and balance the energy of each chakra, helping to restore harmony in both our body and mind.
Essential Oils For Each Chakra
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Does your Root Chakra feel overactive, causing anxiety, excessive control, or a strong urge to escape, or underactive, leaving you feeling insecure, ungrounded, or disconnected?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use calming oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, or vetiver to ground and stabilize.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use energizing oils like cinnamon, peppermint, or cypress to promote vitality and confidence.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
Is your Sacral Chakra blocked, leaving you feeling emotionally stagnant or creatively blocked, or is it overactive, causing emotional overwhelm or indulgence?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use centering oils like sandalwood, patchouli, or clary sage to soothe emotional intensity and restore balance.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use invigorating and uplifting oils like orange, jasmine, or ylang-ylang to spark creativity and emotional flow.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Does your Solar Plexus feel overactive, leading to control issues or anger, or underactive, causing low self-esteem or lack of motivation?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use relaxing oils like chamomile, helichrysum, or lavender to calm down and restore balance.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use inspiring oils like lemon, black pepper, or ginger to increase confidence and willpower.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
Is your Heart Chakra overactive, leading to emotional overwhelm or people-pleasing, or underactive, causing feelings of isolation or inability to give/receive love?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use balancing oils like bergamot, ylang ylang, or frankincense to soothe emotional extremes and encourage healing.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use opening oils like rose, neroli, or geranium to nurture love and emotional healing.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Is your Throat Chakra overactive, leading to excessive talking or difficulty listening, or underactive, causing difficulty in expressing yourself or fear of speaking out?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use quieting oils like lavender, elemi, or chamomile to soothe the Throat Chakra and promote peaceful communication.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use activating oils like peppermint, clove, or eucalyptus to enhance clarity and self-expression.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Does your Third Eye feel clouded, causing confusion or lack of insight, or overactive, leading to overthinking or difficulty discerning reality?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use centering oils like clary sage or palo santo to quiet the mind and promote clarity.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use awakening oils like rosemary, basil, or lemon to enhance intuition and mental clarity.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Is your Crown Chakra overactive, causing a feeling of spiritual disconnect or mental overload, or underactive, leaving you feeling disconnected from your higher self?
- If overactive (needs less energy): Use grounding and spiritual oils like frankincense, myrrh, or cedarwood to restore balance and enhance your connection to higher consciousness.
- If underactive (needs more energy): Use enhancing and uplifting oils like grapefruit, juniper, or ravintsara to promote open mindedness and enhance your intuition.
Don’t let not having a specific oil stop you from working with your chakras. While the oils listed here are the ones I’ve found to be most effective and yield good results, everyone’s energy and needs are different. Use what you have—intention plays a huge part in chakra work.
If you only have one essential oil available, use it with focus and visualize your chakra opening and balancing. Also, essential oils often overlap in their properties and effects, so don’t hesitate to experiment.
For example, if you don’t have cinnamon, consider using another spice oil that has stimulating properties, like clove or ginger. If you don’t have sandalwood, think about other oils that bring you a sense of grounding, like cedarwood or frankincense.
Alternatively, consider the origin of the essential oil you have and the key characteristics of the plant it comes from to guide your choice. For example, tree oils like cypress or pine come from large trees with deep roots, which naturally correlate to grounding qualities and stability.The key is to use what resonates with you and trust your instincts—chakra work is as much about energy and intention as it is about the tools you use.
How to Use Essential Oils for Chakra Work
There are several ways to incorporate essential oils into your chakra work to restore energy flow and balance:
Inhalation: Simply inhale directly from the bottle, or create a scent tent by placing a drop of oil in your palm, rubbing your palms together, and then holding your hands over your nose. Breathe deeply for 20 seconds or more.
Diffuse: Use a diffuser to disperse the oils into the air while meditating or simply throughout your day.
Topical Application: Apply essential oils to the chakra area by adding a dollop of carrier oil to your hand, followed by a drop of your chosen essential oil. Rub your hands together and apply the mixture to the chakra area. You can also create a roller bottle for easy application—get step-by-step instructions in my guide HERE.
Baths: Add essential oils to Epsom salts and dissolve them in a warm bath. Since essential oils don't dissolve in water on their own, they tend to float on the surface. Epsom salts help blend the oils into the water, ensuring an even distribution. Plus, Epsom salts offer their own set of benefits, such as aiding in muscle relaxation and reducing tension, which complements the wellness properties of the essential oils.
Journaling & Worksheets for Chakra Work
Journaling is a powerful tool to enhance your chakra work. By writing about your experiences, you can identify any imbalances and track your progress over time. Try the following journal prompts for each chakra:
- Root Chakra: How do you feel about your sense of security in life? What areas of your life need grounding?
- Sacral Chakra: What emotions are you holding onto? How can you express your creativity more freely?
- Solar Plexus Chakra: Where do you feel a lack of personal power or confidence? What small steps can you take to reclaim your personal power?
- Heart Chakra: How open are you to love? What emotional wounds need healing?
- Throat Chakra: Are you able to communicate your truth? How can you improve self-expression?
- Third Eye Chakra: What areas of your life do you need more clarity in? How can you strengthen your intuition?
- Crown Chakra: Do you feel connected to a higher purpose or source? What spiritual practices can enhance your connection?
Looking for more in-depth guidance?
Download my eBook, The Balanced Chakra Guide, to explore practical solutions for chakra alignment and essential oil use. It’s packed with additional tools, techniques, affirmations, and more journal prompts and worksheets to help you clear blockages and restore balance.
Chakras and Animals: A Sneak Peek
Did you know animals have chakras too? Just like us, pets have energy centers that affect their physical and emotional well-being. Understanding animal chakras can help you support your pets’ health and vitality.
Stay tuned for my upcoming Animal Chakra eBook, where I’ll dive deeper into how chakra work can benefit your pets and guide you through techniques to balance their energy.
Ready to restore balance to your chakras and enhance your energy with essential oils? Download The Balanced Chakra Guide today and start aligning your energy for a more vibrant, harmonious life.
Don’t miss out on the upcoming Animal Chakra eBook, where we’ll dive into chakra balancing for your pets! Pre-register HERE and receive an exclusive coupon for over 50% off when it launches, plus weekly tips on chakra alignment and how to balance them for optimal wellness.
By the way, if you're looking for a reliable source of essential oils, I invite you to check out the company I use. I’ve personally visited their farms, helped plant, harvest, and even bottled my own essential oils. This full transparency assures me that I’m purchasing and using pure, premium oils. Click HERE to learn more. This is an affiliate link at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business and helping me share my passion for natural wellness with the world!
Welcome to a space where clarity, focus, and effective training come together. Whether you’re a competitive rider, a horse enthusiast, or someone working on developing a stronger connection with your horse, we all face moments where focus and mental clarity are key to success. In this blog, I’ll share how you can enhance your riding experience using essential oils for focus and clarity, paired with a riding planner for horse owners to help keep you on track and achieve your goals.
By integrating these tools, you can create a calm, clear mind for both you and your horse, leading to more productive lessons, improved performance, and ultimately, a stronger partnership.
Why Focus and Clarity Matter for Riders
Focus isn’t just about concentration—it’s about being present in the moment, connecting with your horse, and applying intentional energy during training. "Where attention goes, focus flows"—Tony Robbins’ famous quote underscores the importance of where we place our energy and intention. By using essential oils for focus and concentrating on your intentions through journaling, you’re actively directing your focus and attention toward your goals.
So, how can we achieve that clarity and focus, especially when distractions like nerves, stress, or mental fatigue arise? For me, I found that essential oils were a valuable tool that helped me stay sharp and focused when it mattered most.
Finding Focus Through Essential Oils: A Personal Story
When I was showing in combined driving, I had to memorize a lot—and I mean a lot. Not only was there the dressage test, but also a complicated cones course and marathon day, which involved navigating a full course, remembering a route for each obstacle, knowing the alternates, and staying aware of the clock. You get the picture—it was a lot to keep track of, especially when adrenaline, energy, and nerves came into play.
There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, and trying to keep everything in focus was difficult.
I turned to oils to help me stay mentally sharp and calm. Whether it was peppermint for an energy boost, rosemary for memory support, or lavender to calm my nerves, these oils became a crucial part of my preparation. They helped me stay grounded, stay focused, and maintain clarity—even under pressure—allowing me to perform at my best.
Using Essential Oils for Clarity and Focus
Essential oils are an excellent tool for mental clarity and emotional balance, helping both you and your horse stay calm, focused, and present during training. Different oils can be used for various aspects of focus, whether you need a mental boost, tension relief, or simply a clearer mind.
Essential Oils for Focus and Clarity
Here’s a list of oils that have been studied for their benefits related to clarity, focus, or olfactory enrichment, along with oils that I’ve personally used and found effective. You don’t need to buy them all—pick one intuitively based on the description, try it, and go from there. If you’d like, you can also experiment with blending a few together for enhanced results. For example, here's a rollerball blend I use often as a perfume during shows:
Lavender (for calm)
Peppermint (for energy and focus)
Lemon (for focus and staying positive, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes)
This blend works wonders for me during competitions to stay grounded and focused while maintaining a positive outlook.
If you’re someone who prefers ready-made solutions or DIY blends aren’t your thing, I highly recommend Young Living's™ Clarity™ Blend. It combines oils like peppermint, rosemary, and citrus oils to support mental clarity, focus, and concentration, making it perfect for pre-ride application or study sessions.
Ready to Try Clarity? Click HERE to purchase Young Living’s™ Clarity™ Blend and experience the benefits of enhanced focus today! By the way, this is an affiliate link. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission, which helps me continue my mission of sharing valuable content. I personally trust Young Living™ as my essential oil source because I’ve had the privilege of visiting their farms, helping with planting and distilling, and I can rest assured that I’m using pure, premium essential oils that provide the best results and are safe for my family.
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Great for boosting mental clarity and concentration, especially when memorizing a dressage test or staying sharp during a lesson.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Studied to enhance memory and focus, this oil can be helpful when you need to retain information or recall steps during a competition.
- Lemon (Citrus limon): Energizing and refreshing, lemon oil helps keep your mind focused and your energy levels up during long training sessions.
- Frankincense (Boswellia serrata): Grounding and calming, it helps you stay centered and focused, especially in high-stress environments like competitions.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): While relaxing, lavender also supports mental clarity, helping you stay calm and focused during tense situations, like preparing for a show.
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Studied for its ability to reduce mental fatigue, basil may help improve mental alertness, making it ideal for long training sessions or when you're tackling complex maneuvers.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): Stimulating and refreshing, eucalyptus can support mental clarity and focus, especially when you need to stay sharp while walking a cross-country course or enjoying a lesson.
How to Use Essential Oils for Focus as a Rider
- Smell from the Bottle: Before you head into the ring or study your test, take a few deep breaths of peppermint or rosemary to help clear your mind and enhance focus.
- Scent Tent: Add a drop of essential oil to your palms, rub them together, and create a scent tent to inhale deeply for 20 seconds.
- Rollerball Application: Make a rollerball with a blend of oils like rosemary and peppermint for easy application during lessons or competitions. Simply roll it on your wrists or neck for quick, focused relief.
Now That You’ve Chosen Your Oils, Enhance Your Focus with a Riding Planner
To achieve your goals and stay focused, you also need a clear plan. This is where a riding planner for horse owners comes in—helping you structure your training, track progress, and reflect on your lessons.
When you combine essential oils with intentional planning and reflection, you give yourself a powerful tool for success. Essential oils help keep you grounded and focused, while a planner ensures you stay organized and accountable for your goals.
Before Riding: Use your oils to prepare your mind for training, whether it's a calm, focused state or mental clarity for memorizing a test. Then, write down your goal and what you want to focus on during the session.
After Riding: Reflect on your performance and note any areas that need improvement. This helps you adapt your future training and stay focused on your journey toward success.
Setting Intentions Before Training
A planner lets you set a clear intention before each session. Whether it's perfecting a movement in your dressage test, improving your horse’s responsiveness, or staying calm and focused during a competition, writing down your goals reinforces your commitment to the task.
Journal Prompts Before Riding:
- What is my goal for today’s session?
- What do I want to accomplish with my horse today?
- How will I stay focused and present throughout the ride?
- Weekly, Monthly, and Long-Term Planning
Weekly Planner: Break down each training day with specific goals (e.g., dressage test memorization, jumping practice, trail riding, or cross-country) to stay organized and purposeful.
Monthly Plan: Review your long-term goals and adjust training accordingly (e.g., perfecting a test, preparing for a competition).
Long-Term Vision (3-6-9 months): Build a roadmap for long-term goals, such as improving your riding technique, preparing for competitions, or building your horse’s strength and agility. Revisit this regularly to ensure your training stays on track.
Journal Reflection Section
At the end of each week or session, take time to reflect on what went well and areas for improvement. This will help you identify patterns and ensure you stay focused on your long-term goals.
Reflection Prompts:
- What went well this week?
- What didn’t go as planned, and how can I improve?
- What can I concentrate on for the next week?
By the way, if you need a printable journal to help keep track of your goals and reflections, grab mine HERE on Etsy! It's designed to keep you organized and focused on your training progress. Click HERE to get your Riding Journal and start tracking your success today!
Amplify Your Planning: Using Essential Oils While You Plan
You’ve picked your oils, and you’ve got your riding planner in hand—now, let's take it to the next level. Why not combine the two for even more powerful results?
When you use essential oils as you journal or plan, you're not just working with the oils themselves. You're also anchoring your goals in a powerful way. Here's how:
Anchoring Your Goals: When you use a specific oil while writing or reflecting, that scent becomes a sensory anchor for your goals and intentions. The brain's olfactory system is strongly linked to the limbic system—the area that handles emotions, memories, and decision-making. Smelling that oil while writing about your focus, goals, or reflections reinforces those thoughts, helping to lock in your intentions. Every time you smell that oil again, you’ll be reminded of the goal you anchored it to.
Everything Has a Frequency and Energy: Just like thoughts, feelings, and actions, essential oils carry their own frequency and energy. When you use them during your journaling or planning process, you're adding that frequency to your thoughts, intentions, and reflections. For example, oils like rosemary and peppermint have high, stimulating frequencies that support mental clarity and focus, while oils like lavender have calming, grounding frequencies that can help you center your emotions.
The Power of Frequency in Your Thoughts: The energy of the oils can support the energy of your thoughts. So, when you pair a focused intention with a high-frequency oil, like peppermint, or a calming goal with lavender, you’re amplifying the energy behind your goals. This synergy helps keep you aligned with your intentions, whether it’s for a successful training session, a competition, or personal growth.
By using essential oils in your planning and journaling, you’re not just organizing your goals—you’re infusing them with energy. This powerful combination helps you stay focused, grounded, and intentional every step of the way.
Essential Oils for Focus—For Everyone, Not Just Horse Owners
While this blog is tailored to horse owners, the principles of using essential oils for focus and clarity are applicable to anyone looking to improve their mental state. Whether you're studying for a test, working on a big project, or simply needing to stay on task in your daily life, essential oils can support your journey toward enhanced clarity, focus, and productivity.
In the future, I’ll be diving deeper into how essential oils can benefit anyone who want to enhance their clarity and focus. The principles of olfactory enrichment—using scent to influence mood and cognitive function—are powerful tools for anyone striving to be more productive, calm, and focused.
If you’re excited to learn more and take your clarity and focus to the next level, I’m currently working on a brand-new eBook that explores these principles in greater detail. You’ll discover essential oils for every situation—whether you’re studying, working, or just looking for a mental boost throughout the day.
Get Ready to Dive Deeper:
Click HERE to jump on the waitlist for my upcoming eBook, where I’ll share more about using essential oils and olfactory enrichment to support your mental clarity and productivity. Don’t miss out—be the first to get your hands on this valuable resource!
How do you use essential oils to enhance your focus and clarity? What goals do you have in mind when using oils for training, work, or everyday life? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below and let’s chat!
Have you ever wondered if essential oils can benefit your dog? As more pet parents seek natural solutions, essential oils have gained popularity in canine wellness. But how do you use them safely and effectively? Let’s explore why essential oils might be the missing piece in your dog’s natural wellness routine.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts derived from flowers, leaves, bark, and roots. They capture the natural properties of plants, making them valuable for wellness, relaxation, and overall health. Just as plants use essential oils to repel pests, heal from damage, and attract pollinators, these same benefits can extend to both humans and dogs. However, while essential oils can be a fantastic tool in natural pet care, there are a few key safety factors to keep in mind.
The Two Biggest Safety Factors: Quality & Dilution
Quality: Why It Matters
When it comes to using essential oils with your dog, quality is everything. Unfortunately, the essential oil industry is largely unregulated, and many products labeled as "pure" may be anything but. Essential oils fall under the perfume and cosmetics category, meaning companies can legally use synthetic fillers, fragrance additives, or even entirely artificial compounds while still calling their product “100% pure essential oil.” This trade secret loophole allows adulterated oils to be sold as natural, making it nearly impossible for consumers to know what they’re actually getting.
That’s why knowing the source of your essential oils is crucial. Where and how a plant is grown, harvested, and distilled directly affects the quality and effectiveness of the oil. The same plant can yield dramatically different oils depending on factors like location, soil quality, climate, and harvesting methods. There’s also an art to distillation—if a plant is not distilled at the right time, at the correct temperature, or using optimal methods, its chemical composition will be altered. This means you may not get the results you’re looking for because the key beneficial constituents could be missing or diminished.
For these reasons, I am very selective about the essential oils I use for myself and my dogs. I invite you to check out the company I trust, one that is fully transparent about its growing, harvesting, and distillation processes. Unlike many brands that rely on third-party suppliers, they own many of their own farms, ensuring complete control over quality from seed to seal. I’ve personally visited these farms, helped plant and harvest the crops, and even participated in the distillation process. This hands-on experience assures me that the oils I buy from them are 100% pure, unadulterated, and safe for my animals. I invite you to check them out HERE. (By the way, this is an affiliate link—there’s no extra cost to you, but your support helps me continue sharing essential oil knowledge and insights while running my small business. Thank you!)
How to Choose a Reliable Essential Oil Brand:
- Know the Source: Choose a company that prioritizes transparency and owns or partners closely with its farms.
- Look for Testing: Ensure the brand uses third-party testing to verify purity and potency.
- Avoid Cheap Oils: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. True essential oils require large amounts of plant material and proper distillation—a $5 bottle of "pure rose oil" is synthetic.
- Skip "Fragrance" or "Aromatherapy-Only" Labels: These are often synthetic blends and not meant for wellness use.
When it comes to your dog’s health, choosing the right essential oils makes all the difference. Using high-quality oils ensures that you and your pet experience their full natural benefits without exposure to hidden toxins or synthetic fillers.
Dilution: The Second Key to Safe Use
Essential oils are incredibly potent—it takes about 27 square feet of lavender plants to produce just one 5ml bottle of lavender essential oil. That’s a powerful concentration in a tiny bottle! Because of this, dilution is essential when using essential oils with dogs to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans and can even have more sensitive skin, making them more reactive to undiluted essential oils. Proper dilution minimizes the risk of skin irritation and sensitivities, preventing discomfort or adverse reactions. Additionally, essential oils absorb quickly into the skin, and dilution helps slow this process, allowing the body to safely process the oil without being overwhelmed.
Another important benefit of dilution is coverage—a little goes a long way! When essential oils are diluted with a carrier oil, it helps distribute the oil over a larger surface area, maximizing its effectiveness while using only a small amount. This not only makes application safer but also ensures that the wellness benefits are absorbed gradually and more efficiently.
By properly diluting essential oils, we enhance their benefits while reducing any potential risks, making them a safe and valuable tool in supporting our dogs’ well-being.
How Essential Oils Can Benefit Your Dog
Now that we’ve covered quality and dilution, let’s dive into what essential oils can actually do for our dogs. Pet parents searching for natural solutions often turn to essential oils for calming tension, supporting outdoor adventures, and maintaining healthy skin—some of the most commonly searched topics. Whether your dog gets stressed during thunderstorms, experiences occasional skin discomfort, or needs extra support for time spent outdoors, the right essential oils can be a valuable addition to their routine.
Calming Tension & Promoting Relaxation
Just like humans, dogs can experience stress and tension in various situations—whether it’s separation anxiety, loud noises like fireworks, or stressful trips to the vet. Essential oils can help create a calming atmosphere, promoting relaxation and emotional balance for your dog.
One of the safest and easiest ways to introduce essential oils for relaxation is aromatherapy through diffusion. Diffusing essential oils can help with relaxation and tension, support respiratory health, and create a peaceful environment for your you and your dog. To use, simply add 2-4 drops of an essential oil or blend to a water-based ultrasonic diffuser in a well-ventilated area. Always ensure that your dog has the option to leave the room if they choose, as some dogs may be more sensitive to certain scents. For more information on safely diffusing essential oils with your dog, click HERE.
Some of the best essential oils for calming include lavender, Roman chamomile, frankincense, cedarwood, vetiver, and Ylang Ylang, all known for their naturally calming and grounding properties. Whether you diffuse before a thunderstorm, during car rides, or at bedtime, essential oils can be a simple yet effective way to help your dog feel more at ease.
Supporting Skin Health & Comfort
Dogs can develop dry, itchy, or irritated skin due to a variety of reasons, including seasonal changes, environmental factors, allergies, or underlying health conditions. First and foremost, diet plays a crucial role in skin health. If your dog is experiencing ongoing skin discomfort, it’s always best to work with your veterinarian to identify and address the root cause before introducing additional support.
Once the underlying issue is managed, essential oils can be a great way to help maintain healthy skin. Oils such as lavender, myrrh, copaiba, and helichrysum are often used to support the skin’s natural healing process and provide comfort.
One of the most effective ways to apply essential oils for skin and coat health is through topical application. Depending on your dog’s needs, you can:
- Use a spray for minor cuts and scrapes to support the skin’s natural healing process.
- Massage diluted oils into the skin to provide comfort and moisture.
- Make a DIY paw balm to help soothe and protect dry or cracked paw pads.
If you’re interested in making a natural, essential oil-infused paw balm for your dog, check out my DIY paw balm blog post HERE for a simple and effective recipe.
By incorporating properly diluted essential oils into your dog’s skincare routine, you can help support healthy skin and coat naturally while ensuring their comfort and well-being.
Helping with Outdoor Annoyances
Spending time outdoors is great for both dogs and their owners, but certain environmental annoyances can make outdoor adventures less enjoyable. Many people turn to essential oils as part of their natural outdoor routine to help create a more pleasant environment for their pets. Oils such as cedarwood, citronella, and lemongrass are often used in DIY sprays or lightly diluted and applied to a dog’s collar or bedding before heading outside. Using essential oils can be a great addition to your dog’s routine to help enhance their outdoor experience.
The easiest way to incorporate essential oils into your dog’s outdoor routine is by using a DIY spray. Here’s a simple recipe:
DIY Outdoor Spray for Dogs
- 4 oz distilled water
- 1 tbsp witch hazel
- 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
- 10 drops kunzea essential oil
- 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 5 drops geranium essential oil
Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. Lightly mist your dog’s coat, avoiding the eyes and nose.
For best results, apply the spray each time your dog goes outdoors and work it through the coat with your hands to ensure even coverage. Even with regular use, it’s still important to check your dog for any unwanted tag-along “pets” after outdoor activities.
Yes, essential oils require more effort than conventional sprays, but the benefits of using a toxin-free, natural solution far outweigh the extra work. By making this part of your dog’s routine, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re choosing a safer alternative for their well-being.
Essential oils can be a wonderful, natural way to support your dog’s well-being when used correctly. Whether you’re looking to promote relaxation, support healthy skin, or enhance your dog’s outdoor routine, there’s an oil that can help. But quality and safety matter. Always choose pure, unadulterated essential oils, dilute them properly, and pay attention to how your dog responds.
By incorporating essential oils into your dog’s daily routine with care and intention, you can help support their overall health and happiness in a safe and natural way.
Would you like to learn more? Download my free guide HERE on essential oils for dogs to get started today!
