Botanica 2012

 My friend and colleague is holding a clinical essential oil conference in Dublin.

Rhiannon Harris, organiser of botanica 2012

 Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, September 7^th-10^th 2012        www.botanica2012.com

COWS - PINK EYE

On the topic of farm animals, I think some readers will find benefit from the study below.

Ingraham Academy Graduate: Cath Taylor

We take 20 cows from Skye back to our farm near Elgin on NE coast of Scotland, during the winter for calving and extra feed.  As usual one or two of the first lot began to develop pink eye fairly soon on coming inside and we duly got the vet out.  They had to be crated and have antibiotic ointment plastered around the eye which is always stressful for them.  So I decided to try oils.  With Caroline's help it was decided to try  bergamot and sandalwood oils, red clay and dried bladderwrack seaweed. 10 drops of each oil was added per bucket of water, a handful of bladderack and  about a tblspoon of red clay per bucket.

The buckets were filled if needed usually morning and night. The cows just took whatever they needed when they needed.  Some buckets would disappear immediately, others would last a day or two.  Sometimes it would be one remedy they would chose sometimes another.  The empty buckets would often land up in the cattle court so we then made concrete partitions in the tough and filled these with water giving the same amount of remedies, at a much lower concentration as the individual partitions must have held maybe 3 bucketfuls.  We then found that one cow had developed quite bad pink eye so we were much more meticulous about filling the partitions as soon as they emptied, again, there didn't seem to be a pattern about which remedy went (however I suspect there was if you monitored it more carefully).  Her pink eye cleared up completely within a week.

Now we start the remedies as soon as there is any evidence of watering eyes and just keep using them then until the cows go back to Skye at the end of May (they come the beginning of December.)  It may sound expensive but I think it would turn out a lot cheaper than getting the vet out even a couple of times, and there are periods when the remedies are only taken up very slowly.

We also noticed another positive effect from the oils, since we started the oils to prevent pink eye we have had no more problems with scouring.  The cows have now been 4 years in the same court with no disinfecting although the court is completely emptied for the Summer and we have not had single case of scouring again (in fact we start the oils now if calves arrive before pink eye).There may well be a pattern to the uptake of oils but we have never monitored it exactly although it would be quite easy to just keep a record of the uptake and the appearance of watery eyes. As the calves get older they will often play with the remedies as well.  It would seem that pink eye remains latent within the herd but can be controlled with the oils. Since starting the oils we have not had to resort to any vet input for pink eye nor for scouring and I think last year I don't think we had the vet out at all.

Note: Pink-eye, or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, is an inflammatory bacterial infection of the eye that can cause permanent blindness in severe cases. It is a contagious disease and occurs mainly in young cattle in summer and autumn.Pinkeye can affect up to 80% of a mob, with affected weaner calves losing up to 10% of their body weight. Although rare, deaths may occur when both eyes are affected, due to starvation, thirst or misadventure.

Zoopharmacognosy with Pigs & Also an update on China

I hope everyone had a good break over Christmas, I must admit I certainly did. Skiing is another love of mine and the snow in Austria over Christmas was fantastic. With few crowds at this time, we managed to find some secluded beautiful places on the mountain, as well as a hut with an open fire and great hot wine, where I was inspired with ideas for a new book! The south of France too is yet another home to me, we were lucky with the weather. On one occasion walking 14 miles along the coast of Theole Sur Mer, it was stunning.

I came home to an excited phone call from Lynn Geast, who is a dedicated and passionate student, wanting to share her experience with a couple of pigs she worked with (see below). I also came home to an email from China, outlining the seminars and workshop clinics to be held in Beijing and Hangzhou, which total 3 seminars with 50/60 delegates per seminar, and 20 delegates for each of the 3 clinic workshops (dogs & cats). I leave on March 22nd and return on April 2nd. With Zoophaarmacognosy now to be in China, it looks like it is making headway across the continents.

10th January 2012 by Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society

Registered charity number: 297893

Sanctuary rescue pigs, Dolores and Levi, have both been extremely subdued since the death of their little companion, Babe. Their whole demeanour has changed considerably – almost to the point of depression. Also, Dolores got quite badly kicked the other day by our Lily when she ventured into Lil’s paddock. Luckily, there were no broken bones, but poor old ‘Lores is certainly bruised and battered to some extent. However, I was so amazed at what I witnessed today when Lynn came in to the Sanctuary to work with our pigs, that I simply had to tell someone! 

Shortly after Lynn arrived at the Sanctuary around mid-day today, I introduced her to Levi and Dolores, who were both dozing in their stable. There was a slight air of despondency from the two of them.Lynn introduced some aromas and oils to them both, but it was Dolores who took a greater interest in the whole procedure (Levi was much more interested in having a cuddle with me and a belly tickle!) After around a 20 minute session with Lynn offering different oils, the total change in them both was clearly visible. Dolores was particularly receptive to the treatment and was soon up and about and ready to run round the yard (causing havoc and mayhem) just as she used to! Levi was more than happy to join in. 

Later, as Lynn was leaving, Levi and Dolores came rushing over to her to say goodbye – they really seemed like their old selves. Lynn will be pleased to know that within minutes of her departure, they did their usual trick of getting into the Information Centre and going down everyone’s’ bags looking for treats!

Lynn will prepare a full report in much more detail within the next few days. Lynn will be working with our horses and ponies in the future and, if the “pig trial run” is anything to go by, I am sure it will be successful.In the meantime, Lynn, it was an absolute privilege to watch you at work and thank you for coming to the aid of our naughty piggies. The most wonderful thing about today is seeing how the animals interacted with you; they know a person they can trust a mile off! If anyone would like me to put them in touch with Lynn for further details on her brilliant work, please email me at administrator@ehpps.org.uk. The process really does make a difference – and I’m one of the oldest sceptics around! 

Lynn Geast: Ingraham Academy trained Zoopharmacognist. Main oil selected was rose otto. Please contact Lynn if you would like further information LHedges05@aol.com