Aromatherapy Shampoo Blend for Dogs
1 qt. Dr. Bronner's Peppermint or Lavender castile soap
1 oz Jojoba oil
20 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
10 drops of Cedarwood essential oil
5 drops Chamomile essential oil (Roman less expensive than
German)
* shake up the mixture well and let it set over night. The
oils
fuse with one another to create a synergistic effect. Then
shampoo
as usual. Rinse well. Then I make a conditioner with 1/2
cup of
powdered milk added to 1 qt warm water which I then add
2-3 drops of
either Chamomile or Lemon essential oil. Leave on
a few minutes
then rinse well. In the final rinse add about 1/4
cup of apple
cider vinegar to 1 qt cool water. This will remove
any excess
shampoo and give the coat a nice shine. Lavender is an antiseptic,
stimulates the immune system and aids in wound healing.
Tea tree
is a great antifungal, Cedarwood is a good flea fighter,
and
Chamomile is similar to Lavender in addition has great anti-
inflamatory properties. Jojoba is a great skin conditioner
and
helps with healing of inflamatory skin conditions since
it can
directly penetrate the dermis due to it's molecular structure.
Keep shampoo out of direct light since it will decrease
essential
oil effectiveness. Best to store in dark glass bottles,
beer bottles
work well for this.
* CAUTION: Never use any essential oils other than Lavender
(1 drop)
directly on skin. Since they are very concentrated,
they are highly irritating if used in this manner.
Always dilute in another medium. Essentials oils when
used in a blend are mild and should cause no problems,
but if irritation occurs, discontinue use.