Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Ear Wash With Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils



While I am at work, I have an ear wash that I found from a site that works really well. I have since then made some of my own formulations, but this one sticks out to be one of my favorites for its therapeutic quality and its ingredients are good for almost every dog.  Botanical based products such as the recipe I am about to share is safer to use and has natural healing abilities. I do not like to use commercial based ear cleaners due to the alcohol and chemical based ingredients knowing the damages it can do to canine ears. Alcohol alone can be very damaging to the ears and can even damage the ear canal. Using ear grooming products that contain alcohol in the formula can inflame, irritate, and swell already infected or sensitive ears not to mention it would sting a little. And why bother with other ingredients that can be toxic to your pet?

This remedy is different. The ingredients are excellent as they offer real therapeutic benefits to help your dogs ears stay healthy. The best ingredients being the organic apple cider vinegar and essential oils. This is a remedy I use almost on a daily basis as well as what I taught to the students at the grooming school. It cleans the ear well, mildly fragrant, and in some cases has reversed appeared signs of ear infections. I strongly encourage my students and clients to try this ear wash to prevent unwanted vet visits and before spending money on needless products at the vet. This recipe will cost the investment of the ingredients, but you save in the long run as it makes so much. You can even bring it to your groomer to use instead of their brand. Some of these ingredients are probably in your home. I will explain the benefits of the ingredients as well the grades of oils used after the listing of the recipe. Just to note here; I only use and recommend Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. I do not advise the use of other oils as it could be potentially dangerous due to the fact it may cause more harm than intended good. Other oils that are NOT 100% Therapeutic Grade are cut with synthetics. Even those oils labeled 100% Pure only can be labeled as such with only 5% essential oil. I will explain a little more about quality shortly.


Ear Wash with Essential Oils
1 Cup Organic Aloe Juice (can be purchased at your local natural health food store)
1 Cup Witch Hazel ( Be sure to avoid Witch Hazel mixed with alcohol as found in general stores. Ask your local health food store for witch hazel with no alcohol)
3 TBLS Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
5 Drops Young Living Therapeutic Grade Lavender Essential Oil
10 Drops Young Living Therapeutic Grade Melrose Essential Oil Blend ( Melrose contains essential oils of Rosemary, Tea Tree, Clove, and Niaouli)


Mix the ingredients well and use generously as a flush for very dirty ears, or on a cotton ball for everyday ear cleaning. Your dog may shake his head some which will release the dirt and debris. It is not uncommon to have dirt loosen up throughout the day after a flush. Wipe ears out with a clean towel or with a cotton ball. Ok, now on to the good stuff. Here I will explain why these ingredients are awesome and the differences in essential oils.


Here are the essential oil quality basics for you.

Pure- This oil was not diluted with a lesser quality oil, but may have been cut with other ingredients. Pure also does not mean there are no chemicals added. In the USA, it is only required to have 5% essential oil in the bottle to label it "pure".

Natural- This only means the oils has not been adulterated with vegetable oils, propylene glycol, SD alcohol or other chemicals.
Complete- Oil is distilled at low temperature and pressure. They are not rectified or purified. Essential oils that are that are re-distilled lose therapeutic properties.
Grade A, Genuine & Authentic- These are the highest quality oils you can buy. Seeds are not from hybrids and are only grown in organic chemical free soil. Plants are not treated with chemicals either. Extreme care is taken in the making of these oils and its the closest to nature as you can get. They use a steam distilled process at low temperature and low pressure. Chemicals are never used in the process. The proper amount of time is also given to distill to keep the therapeutic properties. The faster the distillation process, the lower the quality of the oil. Distillers must also pass Gas Chromatograph readings with an embossed seal other than from their own labs.


Young Living Essential Oils are 100% Therapeutic Grade A Oils


Ingredients Benefits
Aloe Juice has soothing and healing properties for skin irritations, cuts, burns, and yet is very gentle and mild.
Witch Hazel helps soothe itchy and inflammed skin, including dermatitus. Witch hazel also adds a protective layer over the skin which allows skin to heal, reduces itching, and naturally alleviates pain due to scratching.
Apple Cider Vinegar controls bad bacteria growth and other microorganisms that can cause infections.
Lavender Essential Oil has properties of being anti-septical and a anti-fungal healing agent while aiding in the prevention of eczema and minor hair loss.
Melrose Essential Oil Blend- Contains a blend of Rosemary, Melaleuca, Naouli, and Clove. Together, they are a combination of anti-septical, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral medicinal properties.
I hope this helps in the prevention of unnecessary vet visits, and has educated you to explore more into natural healing.

For purchasing Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Witch Hazel, you can check your local health food store such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wild Oats, Fruitful Yield or any other health store in your area.


References: essentialoilremedies.com, goldenacresdogs.com, apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com, Natural Cures and Gentle Medicines, Essential Oils Desk Reference third edition