FLOWER POWER!
The natural way to ease stress
Interview with Jane Stevenson
founder of the English Flower Essence company Creature Comforters® and co-founder of Sun Essences
by Alice Digby, June 2006
founder of the English Flower Essence company Creature Comforters® and co-founder of Sun Essences
by Alice Digby, June 2006
Photo: © Alice D Riverhaze
Flower essences were first discovered in the 1930s by respected Harley Street doctor Edward Bach (of the Bach Flower Remedies). They are liquid herbal products which are used to address transient emotional problems; a complementary therapy which work on a psychological level rather than a physical one, and can be safely used alongside other forms of treatment. Over the past 25 years this alternative therapy has become a more accepted and familiar form of healing for both humans and animals. Veterinary clinics, equine clubs, rescue homes and the RSPCA have found the essences especially useful as a gentle and natural alternative for helping animals with various problems such as ‘separation anxiety’, misbehaviour or stress. Essentially, flower essences are used to help promote calm, balanced and well adjusted behaviour. Dr Bach discovered 38 different remedies/essences which he used as a natural way to help people who were suffering emotionally. He used the ‘energy signature’ of flowers such as Aspen for anxiety, Larch for under-confidence or Holly for anger. Since the 1930’s several new essences have also been discovered, many of which are particularly suited to the unique emotional or behavioural problems experienced by animals, such as Bluebell and Chamomile, which have been shown to help pacify highly-strung animals who are spooked, nervous or scatty.
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So why use flower essences for animals?
Anyone who has a pet or works with animals knows that they can suffer with emotional as well as behavioural problems. They can experience a similar range of responses as us: fear, rage, stress, sadness, bereavement, jealousy etc. However, there is little in the way of conventional help for animals experiencing such emotional problems. Traditional allopathic treatments used to support nervous animals (for instance) can sometimes present them with the unwanted side effects of drowsiness or lethargy. This is where flower essences are different because they can gently soothe an animal, without masking their true nature. Qualified practitioner Jane Stevenson has over 26 years experience using flower essences to help people. She began in the 1980’s by providing individual consultations for people with emotional problems, and found this pure and natural remedial method to be extremely effective and rewarding. She is a founding partner of ‘Sun Essences’ who make a range of essences including the Bach Flower Remedies. The company has built into one of the principle English flower essence companies in the UK. However, over recent years, Jane found that she was treating more and more animals with flower essences and so the flower essence company: ‘Creature Comforters’ was born (formerly: Sun Essences for Animals). Her love of flowers and affinity with animals culminated in the development of a unique collection of flower essence blends, designed to alleviate the key emotional and behavioural problems experienced by animals. Jane is now dedicated to helping animals: working closely with vets, trainers, animal sanctuaries and the RSPCA. ‘Creature Comforters ’ is based in Cromer, Norfolk, where Dr Bach lived and worked during the 1930’s, and Jane feels privileged to continue this important work so close to its original roots. She says: “I formed ‘Creature Comforters’ because I found that many animals were suffering simply from surviving in the unnatural environment of 21 century living, and I wanted to provide some help for them. “We have developed six unique flower essence blends designed to alleviate the key emotional and behavioural problems experienced by animal s.” Through many years experience as a practitioner and using analysis of case studies (using various essences on different animal behaviour traits) Jane has developed the optimal combination of ingredients for each blend. Firstly there are the ‘constitutional’ blends of, Courage, Balance and Mellow. These are blends which are for ‘personality’ types, or for an animal’s innate temperament. For example, an uncourageous cat may be intrinsically timid, submissive, nervous or insecure, and may be apprehensive in the company of strangers. |
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This blend can enable them to face the world with bravery, confidence and courage. A disobedient dog may be highly strung, overly boisterous, scatty and excitable, and may be difficult to train. Using the Balance blend can help to calm down unmanageable behaviour so that the animal is more disciplined and compliant. You may need to pacify a dominant horse who may be stubborn, stroppy and impulsive, or they may be generally bad tempered. The Mellow blend can help them to harness their naturally domineering temperament to replace bossiness and aggression with natural leadership and restraint.
The Vigour Blend effectively has a dual-purpose. The first use is to help lift the spirits of an animal who may be down in the dumps, miserable and has lost its sparkle, as it can help to release a pet from a despondent and melancholic disposition. The second use is as a support during convalescence or tired old age. Used for when he/she is lethargic or apathetic with no get-up-and-go, Vigour Blend has also been found to help an animal to regain its appetite following illness or trauma. This is a common problem which, if left untreated, can quickly lead to deterioration of health.
The fifth blend in the range is the Comfort Blend which is especially useful for the many pets who pine when left ‘home alone’ for hours on end while their owner is at work. This can be very distressing for domesticated pets whose natural environment is to be part of ‘pack’, and fundamentally need companionship. Such animals often suffer from ‘separation anxiety’, which can show itself in all manner of ways, such as, destructive behaviour (nibbling furniture), or showing signs of deep anguish (frantic barking/howling). Using this blend can help to break ‘angst driven’ repetitive patterns, and can enable them cope with feelings of isolation.
It can also act as a soothing comforter for bereaved and lonely pets who are pining the loss of an animal companion or owner.
The Comfort Blend is primarily used for helping animals to cope with circumstances where they are separated from their loved ones or are adjusting to new situations, such as: rescue animals, moving to a new home or being placed in kennel accommodation. Sadly, far too many animals spend a life time being moved from pillar to post, especially horses whose owners often out-grow them or they can no longer afford to keep them. Each time these animals have to adjust to new surroundings, new owners, new companions and new rules. This blend contains many essences which can really help with such changes, for example Bach’s ‘Walnut’ (used for adjusting to new situations).
The most universal and popular blend in the range is the Relax Blend which is used like a ‘first aid’ for alarming or distressing events such as accidents, fireworks ‘show nerves’ or traveling. It can also be particularly helpful for the many pets who quiver and quake on a visit to the ‘dreaded’ groomers or vets! For example it recently helped a feral cat called Lucy (rescued by a Cornish animal sanctuary), who used to be petrified at the vets. Lucy’s carers administered the ‘spray’ version of Relax Blend into her carrier on the way to vets to have her stitches removed. The staff of the animal sanctuary said that they were absolutely amazed, and delighted with the results because Lucy was: “Unbelievably relaxed, and didn't flinch at all while having her stitches removed.”
There are also some fantastic results when using the Relax Blend for animals who are terrified of fireworks. Jane says: “My clients have reported ‘huge improvements’ in their pet’s anxiety levels when using this blend in conjunction with other techniques, such as turning up the TV/radio and closing the curtains. For best results I advise that this blend is administered for up to two weeks leading up to any distressing event such as Bonfire night or New Years Eve.”
The Vigour Blend effectively has a dual-purpose. The first use is to help lift the spirits of an animal who may be down in the dumps, miserable and has lost its sparkle, as it can help to release a pet from a despondent and melancholic disposition. The second use is as a support during convalescence or tired old age. Used for when he/she is lethargic or apathetic with no get-up-and-go, Vigour Blend has also been found to help an animal to regain its appetite following illness or trauma. This is a common problem which, if left untreated, can quickly lead to deterioration of health.
The fifth blend in the range is the Comfort Blend which is especially useful for the many pets who pine when left ‘home alone’ for hours on end while their owner is at work. This can be very distressing for domesticated pets whose natural environment is to be part of ‘pack’, and fundamentally need companionship. Such animals often suffer from ‘separation anxiety’, which can show itself in all manner of ways, such as, destructive behaviour (nibbling furniture), or showing signs of deep anguish (frantic barking/howling). Using this blend can help to break ‘angst driven’ repetitive patterns, and can enable them cope with feelings of isolation.
It can also act as a soothing comforter for bereaved and lonely pets who are pining the loss of an animal companion or owner.
The Comfort Blend is primarily used for helping animals to cope with circumstances where they are separated from their loved ones or are adjusting to new situations, such as: rescue animals, moving to a new home or being placed in kennel accommodation. Sadly, far too many animals spend a life time being moved from pillar to post, especially horses whose owners often out-grow them or they can no longer afford to keep them. Each time these animals have to adjust to new surroundings, new owners, new companions and new rules. This blend contains many essences which can really help with such changes, for example Bach’s ‘Walnut’ (used for adjusting to new situations).
The most universal and popular blend in the range is the Relax Blend which is used like a ‘first aid’ for alarming or distressing events such as accidents, fireworks ‘show nerves’ or traveling. It can also be particularly helpful for the many pets who quiver and quake on a visit to the ‘dreaded’ groomers or vets! For example it recently helped a feral cat called Lucy (rescued by a Cornish animal sanctuary), who used to be petrified at the vets. Lucy’s carers administered the ‘spray’ version of Relax Blend into her carrier on the way to vets to have her stitches removed. The staff of the animal sanctuary said that they were absolutely amazed, and delighted with the results because Lucy was: “Unbelievably relaxed, and didn't flinch at all while having her stitches removed.”
There are also some fantastic results when using the Relax Blend for animals who are terrified of fireworks. Jane says: “My clients have reported ‘huge improvements’ in their pet’s anxiety levels when using this blend in conjunction with other techniques, such as turning up the TV/radio and closing the curtains. For best results I advise that this blend is administered for up to two weeks leading up to any distressing event such as Bonfire night or New Years Eve.”
Horses and Flower Essences
Jane explains the unique problems faced by horses: “They are rehomed, sold-on or exchanged more than almost any other domesticated animal, and so they are particularly susceptible to the unique problems this can cause. Intrinsically herd animals, horses are predisposed to conditions such as ‘separation anxiety’ when parted from their loved ones, horse companions or when sold-on to new owners. “I have also observed that some rehomed horses present unexplained behavioural problems which may be a consequence of unsuitable handling/training employed by former owners.”
Animals are often prevented from following their natural instincts, they are frequently forced to suppress any innate urges or are expected to ‘perform’ on demand, in some cases this can cause anything from fearful to disruptive behaviour.
Jane adds: “I use the flower essences for animals in the same way as for people; to help gently address short and long-term negative personality, temperament and behaviour traits."
A recent example of how flower essences helped a distressed animal is with ‘Misty’ a young palomino pony. She was a rescue mare who had been neglected to the point of near death from starvation and so was extremely exhausted and traumatized. Her new owners lovingly nursed her back to good health and she received all the necessary veterinary treatment for her various physical problems. She was now the picture of physical health. However, her new owners couldn't find a way to ease Misty’s anxiety, distress and subsequent ill discipline. She would become stroppy and ‘mare-ish’ whilst having her girth tightened and baulked at having her rug on. She was also very anxious and uncontrollable while out on a ride. The vet checked her over and didn't find any physical problems, so it was deduced that her misbehaviour must be related to her previous traumatic experiences. Her owners decided to try flower essence therapy in the form of a ‘Personalised Blend’ of essences formulated to help address her past traumatic experiences. Within a few weeks of taking the blend she started to improve, becoming much calmer and less jumpy. There were no longer any problems tightening the girth, and she behaved impeccably while out on a ride. Misty was also given the Distress Blend, for her fear of fireworks, and on Bonfire night she just calmly stood in her stable and watched the fireworks going off! Her owners put this dramatic improvement solely down to the use of flower essences.
Clearly there are times when an animal may misbehave or be distressed because of a physical weakness or discomfort and so if the root of disobedience is unknown then they should always be seen by a vet in the first instance. Jane explains: “A horse may buck when ridden (for example) because they have a back injury which is causing discomfort, and not because they are just being obstinate. If the animal is still disruptive or nervous after seeing the vet (and any physical weakness has been ruled out) I have found that flower essences can very effectively address such challenging behaviour and my clients have reported some remarkable results using this therapy .”
Although flower essences do not specifically treat physical ailments, they can stimulate an animal’s own natural healing mechanism which can, in turn, help to re-establish their enthusiasm and vitality, and to aid natural ‘emotional’ healing. Jane says: “In some instances it can be beneficial to use training techniques in conjunction with flower essences and, of course, always loving care.”
Like homeopathy, it is not yet understood precisely how or why flower essences work. Jane says: “Despite the absence of a scientific explanation I have found flower essences to be a gentle yet powerful tool on countless occasions. It never ceases to amaze me how these delicate little flowers have the ability to stimulate our in-built healing mechanisms. “Also, the placebo effect is wholly extraneous with regard to animals and so I consider this to be further evidence that flower essences really do work.”
Flower essences have been used with confidence worldwide for over 75 years and their recognition and popularity continues to grow.
© Copyright 2006 A. Digby
Animals are often prevented from following their natural instincts, they are frequently forced to suppress any innate urges or are expected to ‘perform’ on demand, in some cases this can cause anything from fearful to disruptive behaviour.
Jane adds: “I use the flower essences for animals in the same way as for people; to help gently address short and long-term negative personality, temperament and behaviour traits."
A recent example of how flower essences helped a distressed animal is with ‘Misty’ a young palomino pony. She was a rescue mare who had been neglected to the point of near death from starvation and so was extremely exhausted and traumatized. Her new owners lovingly nursed her back to good health and she received all the necessary veterinary treatment for her various physical problems. She was now the picture of physical health. However, her new owners couldn't find a way to ease Misty’s anxiety, distress and subsequent ill discipline. She would become stroppy and ‘mare-ish’ whilst having her girth tightened and baulked at having her rug on. She was also very anxious and uncontrollable while out on a ride. The vet checked her over and didn't find any physical problems, so it was deduced that her misbehaviour must be related to her previous traumatic experiences. Her owners decided to try flower essence therapy in the form of a ‘Personalised Blend’ of essences formulated to help address her past traumatic experiences. Within a few weeks of taking the blend she started to improve, becoming much calmer and less jumpy. There were no longer any problems tightening the girth, and she behaved impeccably while out on a ride. Misty was also given the Distress Blend, for her fear of fireworks, and on Bonfire night she just calmly stood in her stable and watched the fireworks going off! Her owners put this dramatic improvement solely down to the use of flower essences.
Clearly there are times when an animal may misbehave or be distressed because of a physical weakness or discomfort and so if the root of disobedience is unknown then they should always be seen by a vet in the first instance. Jane explains: “A horse may buck when ridden (for example) because they have a back injury which is causing discomfort, and not because they are just being obstinate. If the animal is still disruptive or nervous after seeing the vet (and any physical weakness has been ruled out) I have found that flower essences can very effectively address such challenging behaviour and my clients have reported some remarkable results using this therapy .”
Although flower essences do not specifically treat physical ailments, they can stimulate an animal’s own natural healing mechanism which can, in turn, help to re-establish their enthusiasm and vitality, and to aid natural ‘emotional’ healing. Jane says: “In some instances it can be beneficial to use training techniques in conjunction with flower essences and, of course, always loving care.”
Like homeopathy, it is not yet understood precisely how or why flower essences work. Jane says: “Despite the absence of a scientific explanation I have found flower essences to be a gentle yet powerful tool on countless occasions. It never ceases to amaze me how these delicate little flowers have the ability to stimulate our in-built healing mechanisms. “Also, the placebo effect is wholly extraneous with regard to animals and so I consider this to be further evidence that flower essences really do work.”
Flower essences have been used with confidence worldwide for over 75 years and their recognition and popularity continues to grow.
© Copyright 2006 A. Digby
