About 60 years ago, an English homeopathic doctor, named Edward Bach, created a system of healing called Flower Essence Therapy. Like homeopathic remedies, they work through vibrational energy patterns, not chemical compositions. Generally prepared from a sun infusion of either wildflowers or pristine garden blossoms in a bowl of water, they are then further diluted and potentized, and preserved with brandy. Quality of the remedy depends upon: purity of the environment, the vibrancy and potency of the blossoms, and celestial and meteorological conditions at the time of preparation. Their action is subtle and has been described as an effect we would feel while experiencing a particularly moving piece of music, or seeing and inspirational work of art. The Bach Centre in England still prepares the original 39 wildflower essences from plants in the same location, and using the same methods, as Dr. Bach did, in the 1930's.

In this 'New Age' of holistic or humanized medicine, the Flower essences have gained renewed interests. Expanding from the original Bach Flower Remedies, other preparations of different flowers have been created and explored for their healing qualities. The focus of all these remedies is on the mental and emotional sphere, which, when in balance, helps to enhance health and vitality. Homeopaths believe that the mental and emotional symptoms are the most important, as they are the command center, or nucleus, for the unit of life known as our body. Flower essences are therefore a nice, soft, adjunct therapy to other therapeutic approaches, and are also valuable when standing alone. Flower essences are reportedly used very successfully with animals, but you really should have an idea of your animal's general emotional moods and attitudes first. You also need to distinguish what is natural and instinctive in an animal so that you can gauge what is excessive and out of balance. Domestic animals often benefit greatly from human companions who are willing to examine how his or her own attitudes and feelings may be impacting on them, as these animals often respond strongly to the influence of the people who care for them.

Flower essences are almost always used in combination with each other to make up a remedy. Not only do you look to match an essence with the symptoms portrayed, but also a remedy whose characteristics you want to accentuate is often added to the mix. This is not like homeopathy. It seems at times we need all of the flower essences, but it is best to pick key issues to deal with each time, utilizing from about three to six essences in your mix. Once decided upon, about 4 drops of each essence chosen, is then placed into a one ounce stock bottle, filled with pure water and preserved with a tablespoon of brandy. You can forego the brandy if you just keep your stock bottle refrigerated, and this is how I prefer to preserve my own.

I have mentioned often the beneficial effects of Rescue Remedy. It is the 39th remedy of Dr. Bach and is a combination of five different flowers. A leading 'First Aid' remedy, no home or car, stable or barn should be without it... like Arnica. The flowers used in Rescue Remedy and their corresponding indicating symptoms are as follows:

Star of Bethlehem - For 'trauma' and numbness (like Arnica montana in homeopathic form)
Rock Rose - For terror and panic (like Aconite napellus in homeopathic form)
Impatiens - For irritability and tension
Cherry Plum - For fear of losing control
Clematis - For the tendency to lose consciousness, or 'pass out' and the sensation of feeling far away, which often precedes unconsciousness.

An 'energy trauma' is anything we experience which depletes our energy, and Rescue Remedy is beneficial for any 'energy trauma' that one may suffer. You will be amazed at what can deplete your energy. Family arguments is one. The slam of a door can be another. Those who work in a permanently stressful occupation, like a hospital or courtroom. How about an impending trip to the dentist for someone who HATES to go? Better yet, how about a trip to the vet? Animals also suffer energy trauma from events that appear simple in nature, like being left behind while you vacation, even though you have a pet sitter coming to stay with them. A change in routine is a big energy trauma for potbelly pigs. Having a loved one leave through death or separation is tough on animals, too. Even the addition of a new animal to the herd... like Chrissy Pig and her evil partner Iris. (grin) Don't forget illness, either. Rescue Remedy is a wonderful addition to any treatment program for an animal who is ill or recuperating. Surprising, isn't it? So many stresses in our lives that we don't realize can affect our health and well-being.

Speaking of Chrissy Pig and Iris, they have been vacationing here at their favorite porcine Riverside Resort. It's quite the luxury vacation, too. Not only do they have a Camp Director who is tending to their every whim, day and night, but with full time, round-the-clock, two leggers about, the treat giving events are too numerous to count on four hooves. From their point of view, the only drawback, fly in the oinkment, mud-in-your-eye annoyance is them ~ those other pigs ~ Clover, Harry & Penny. You know, the ones who live here. In a never ending quest to have things run more smoothly, I decided to try Flower Essences for all of the pigs during this 10 day visit.

I want you to know that I have not used these remedies before, other than Rescue Remedy. I have recommended various combinations to my clients, who almost always had favorable results, but I am a homeopath by trade so I usually just go for the indicated remedy. Now was a good time to see them in action. I got out my books, grabbed my flower essences and a stock bottle from inventory and prepared to concoct a wonderful elixir for territorial pigs. Without a question, Rescue Remedy was the first. Then I began to search for essences that would help calm this "herd leader" issue, which I feel is the most undesirable trait our piggly pals have. So, added to my mix were only two other flowers.

Patterns of imbalance within Beech are: Criticalness, judgmental attitudes, and intolerance, which I thought fit this kind of pig behavior quite nicely. On top of that, the positive qualities are: Tolerance, acceptance of others' differences and imperfections, and seeing the good within each being and situation. I added Beech to the mix. After four days of getting the remedy, I wondered if it was the reason why I found Chrissy Pig 'looking' at Clover the other day and asking him if he could see her... "Can you see how beautiful I am?" she asked. "I am all white."

"I can see you." he replied, with bristles slightly rising. "I see black on you, too, like me."

Stepping forward, while carrying the hose, abruptly ended the discussion, but I was joyous in the fact that these two hadn't torn into each other as in the past. The five feet or so between them was the only separation that they had, as I've been determined to create one herd out of two this time around, saving fences for in the house and outdoors at meal time only.

Walnut I found in the animal section and decided to go with that, too, for it's quality of easing duress in times before or after a major move, and to help break links to old places of residence. Chrissy & Iris' routine was broken to come here, so there was stress on two levels: the "routine" interruption, as well as being away from familiar surroundings.

In retrospect, another remedy that I should have added is Quaking Grass. Used for helping animals living together in a herd to adjust, it's especially important when a new animal has been introduced. I didn't have that remedy here in my flower chest, but as you may guess, I've ordered it.

I've been adding a little squirt to the water pails daily along with their meals. Whether it is because they have learned to semi-tolerate each other through past visits, making them less antagonistic now, or the remedy really has helped, life here has been without much incident. However, this morning there was an altercation, which is my grown-up word for 'big fight'.

Experiencing the first pains in her knees since returning home from Cornell over a year ago, Chrissy had been really limping about lately. We are trying to get her back to normal by adjusting her supplements and remedy, but she complained loudly this morning as she tried to get out of bed. Her limp was bad enough that it sent me to the kitchen to get her a conventional pain reliever. By breakfast it had kicked in, I could tell, as I watched her hurry to her bowl. After breakfast had been thoroughly enjoyed and our pigs had retired to their riverside grazing for the morning, Chrissy & Iris were let out of their pen to graze on the upper lawn, as it has become routine. All seemed well, so I went in the house. As I tended to my chores of shaking blankies and straightening up, I kept an eye out the window, checking on the whereabouts of each pig.

I love to vacuum. My husband thinks it's an illness and that I ride it like a witch on a broom, but what can I say? The power of that little machine and it's ability to suck up most anything... it really makes my day. Anyway, over the whir of the motor, I suddenly heard an odd squeal. I ran from the house, grabbing my hose along the way, and headed towards the hill, noticing that Iris and CP were NOT in their designated area of lawn. I stopped quickly when I saw Chrissy coming up the hill, walking very slowly and looking really pinkish around her mouth and snout. Her head was lowered as she limped past me towards the house and I got a glimpse of a slightly bloody ear. Iris followed quickly behind.

I turned back to see Clover headed this way too, but from the other side of the garden. With his bristles blown for the year, it's hard to tell if his mohawk is up, but the lowered head and different breathing pattern gave him away as a partner in crime. Refusing to back off as I asked, he was hosed down, and before I could shoo him all the way down the hill, I decided to return to the house where Chrissy was now patiently waiting at the door.

Boo-boo medicine was applied to the various scrapes and bloody ear, while the stupidity of this kind of behavior was lectured about. Arnica was dispensed, Iris was brought in and the two were put to bed. "I didn't win." was the only thing Chrissy had to say for herself. From what I had seen, I agreed.

Clover was tended to at the door before he was allowed in. Fairing far better than Chrissy, he didn't appear too much worse for wear. Scraped ears and a little cut on his shoulder, seemed to be all. Well, that and the adrenaline rush which he still hadn't recovered from. Arnica was willingly accepted, then he trotted to the pile and fell into his blankies. I was pleased to see less severe wounds than the nasty nasal attack he'd endured a few weeks before, but I was disappointed that this had happened at all. Hearing me think, Clover responded, "I did it." A feeling of superiority and justice then swept over me.

I can only tell you what I suspect has occurred. I feel that the flower essences really softened the edges of a sow with a real "herd leader" mental fixation. In all of the times that Chrissy Pig has come here, she has been relentless in charging the fences, and sailing into anyone she can get to, sometimes even Iris, in her manic ride to Queen-dom. Clover and Harry have surely joined into the mix in the past, but they have spent almost all of their life with each other, where the rules had been defined as piglets. They never had the tenacity that Chrissy has had, perhaps because they never needed to.

I am glad that I have tried the essences on the pigs and I will do it again, being sure to add Quaking Grass to the mix. I suggest that if you have pigs doing the same type of thing, get some flower essences and try it for yourself. They certainly won't hurt, and perhaps you'll have less need for peroxide and bandaids, as I have.

Well, this summer day is waning, so I'd better head to the kitchen to begin dinner for us all. Believe it or not, the pigs are out grazing again ~ all together ~ and a different air now hangs over the herd.

As you enjoy the rest of the summer, you may want to get a book or two on flower essence therapy. Lying in the hammock, flowers in your lap and a pig flopped by your side is a lovely way to spend a summer day. You may even feel like laughing, and if you do, just remember, the world will be laughing with you.

(Books used in the preparation of this article are: The Flower Essence Repertory, by Kaminski and Katz; and Bach Flower Therapy: Theory and Practice, by Scheffer. They both can be purchased from Animal Wellness Consultants.)