I am just back from a week in France teaching 50 goat farmers, who were practising organic methods and wanted to learn how they could incorporate Applied Zoopharmacognosy into the health of their herds. Tom also joined me to teach aspects of the science module which were well received from both the farmers, and the lectures who attended from the Agricultural College.
Previously some the farmers had been introduced to essential oil use by vets following the standard aromatherapy approach, however this was impractical and its use was largely discontinued. At the end of the lecture and demonstration the organiser said that the farmers could now see a new way forward with essential oils and other extracts that would be easier. This method would treat the whole herd while also allowing individual self-selection.
The goats had been put into enclosures according to their disease, mainly viral, bacterial and
parasitic. We gave the animals a choice of essential oils; thyme, garlic, clove, peppermint and melissa in buckets of water plus dried remedies such as Green Clay, Marigold Flowers, Devils Claw, Barley Grass Powder and Wormwood Powder (which was very popular with parasitic goats) amongst others.
The farmers were amazed to observe each herd selecting according to their diseases. The female goats who had just given birth generally selected painkillers such as St Johns Wort and Arnica macerated oil plus Barley Grass (this was the only group that selected Barley Grass). It is also probable that they selected these painkillers since many had the AECV virus that causes arthritis. None selected Devils Claw, usually taken for pain.
For every condition there was a combination of three main essential oils selected per group, however the common denominator throughout was Clove Oil. What we were also overwhelmed with was the hospitality we received from the farmers, especially those that we stayed with and our organiser Dr Bernadette Lichtfouse.
In addition I spent one day teaching an Equine practical workshop that was a lot of fun and to my surprise all the class bar two were English.
All in all a perfect, fulfilling and successful trip to France.
Previously some the farmers had been introduced to essential oil use by vets following the standard aromatherapy approach, however this was impractical and its use was largely discontinued. At the end of the lecture and demonstration the organiser said that the farmers could now see a new way forward with essential oils and other extracts that would be easier. This method would treat the whole herd while also allowing individual self-selection.
The goats had been put into enclosures according to their disease, mainly viral, bacterial and
parasitic. We gave the animals a choice of essential oils; thyme, garlic, clove, peppermint and melissa in buckets of water plus dried remedies such as Green Clay, Marigold Flowers, Devils Claw, Barley Grass Powder and Wormwood Powder (which was very popular with parasitic goats) amongst others.
The farmers were amazed to observe each herd selecting according to their diseases. The female goats who had just given birth generally selected painkillers such as St Johns Wort and Arnica macerated oil plus Barley Grass (this was the only group that selected Barley Grass). It is also probable that they selected these painkillers since many had the AECV virus that causes arthritis. None selected Devils Claw, usually taken for pain.
For every condition there was a combination of three main essential oils selected per group, however the common denominator throughout was Clove Oil. What we were also overwhelmed with was the hospitality we received from the farmers, especially those that we stayed with and our organiser Dr Bernadette Lichtfouse.
In addition I spent one day teaching an Equine practical workshop that was a lot of fun and to my surprise all the class bar two were English.
All in all a perfect, fulfilling and successful trip to France.
Fantastic result Caroline. Great to see Zoopharmacognosy branching out into the farming community on a wholesale basis!
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