During my years in private practice, I have utilized the combined resources of excellent medical training received at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and my study of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Even before I became a veterinarian, I sought holistic care for my family animals. I realized that there must be ways to invoke healing other than with drugs, many of which suppress the immune system in their effort to rid the patient of debilitating or annoying symptoms. Now, as a practitioner, I am certain that natural methods of healing often have greater benefits than the modern medicine options consisting primarily of synthetic drug therapy and surgery.
Alternative veterinarians, those who use various disciplines outside of conventional medicine—examples being homeopathy, herbals, chiropractic, acupuncture, and flower essences—have been inspired by the positive results. Cases that were either not resolved by or have become refractory to the usual medical protocols are often referred to us. An example follows.
A four-year-old miniature dachshund was referred to our clinic with a fluid-filled abdomen from severe chronic liver disease. She arrived with one week’s worth of medication, since it was believed she would not even live that long. The referring veterinarian, an internal medicine specialist, felt she had exhausted all that modern medicine could provide and that any hope would lie in a different approach. For me, the hope for survival was in this little dog’s eyes. She was willing to keep trying. So, we did acupuncture to access Qi and activate the healing ability that God provides in every life form. I prescribed Chinese herbs known to soothe the liver and restore normal function. Flower essences were added to her drinking water to maintain a positive attitude. Within one month, she had regained her normal size and returned to her usual dominant, opinionated self, ruling the household. It is now over a year later and she continues to live a happy, excellent-quality life. Presently, she is on flower essences to keep her from being too bossy!
Another common challenge is the companion with a behavioral imbalance. These animals are typically passed on to unsuspecting new families or destroyed. The use of flower essences has not only made a great difference in how these individuals respond but has provided a road map into understanding their emotional makeup. One case follows. A two-dog household had suffered destruction and despair when, coming home from work, their humans discovered the aftermath of their fighting. Attempts were made to keep them apart, either in separate rooms or even one inside and the other outside. Coming home to carpet and doors chewed beyond repair and windows broken, the humans were about to give up but could not decide which dog was to leave. They decided instead to try flower essences prescribed by an animal communicator, adjusted every couple months as the dogs changed their attitudes about themselves, each other, and where they wanted to live. Now this family lives in harmony.
Often, viewing our animal friends through an emotional light and treating them accordingly has the benefit of healing many of the physical manifestations as well. Linking mental health with physical health is not a new concept, and it is in fact the basis for flower essence treatment. Observe and analyze the animal’s emotional state, administer a flower remedy, and watch the restoration of health on all levels.
Each living thing has a life-force energy; it resonates and is complete. When subjected to the stresses of everyday living, parts of our essence are diminished and leave us out of sorts. Animals are no different. Our domesticated animal companions are now limited to what we provide for them and can no longer forage for what they need in the wild. Cats and dogs, for example, eat grass when they feel a need to purge themselves. Though ancestrally tinctures may not have been the mode of introduction, so many cultures around the world have passed down their understanding and observations of how plants impart healing. And whereas animals used to be able to dose themselves on wild plants, now we can do the same for them with flower essence tinctures. Flower essence therapy is a sophisticated, subtle, effective way to glean nature’s healing power.
Lila Devi has presented a thorough, well-researched guide to using flower essences for balancing and healing effects. Lila shares not only her extensive knowledge of applying flower essence therapy but also her embracing love for the animal kingdom. I encourage anyone looking for more natural means of healing to incorporate the wisdom expressed in the following pages.
Rena Ferreira, D.V.M
Sierra Animal Wellness Center
Gold Run, California
Some years after writing this foreword, Dr. Rena passed away. She leaves behind a legacy of countless animals, large and small, healed through her sensitivity to natural medicine and her skills as a veterinarian. She is much missed.