Natural Flea Repellent for Pets

Natural ways to get rid of your pets' fleas:

Natural Flea Repellent for Pets
Treat Dogs and Cats with Garlic, Essential Oils to Repel Insects

© Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Apr 8, 2009
Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats, Mark Miller, morguefile.com
Essential oils and garlic offer a fool-proof natural way to control fleas and repel insects that bite and irritate dogs, cats, other furred pets, and humans.

If you have pets of any kind, chances are you've had the not-so-pleasant experience of fending off fleas, ticks, or other biting insects. Most people turn to flea control products offered by veterinarians and pet stores, but these can be toxic and even poisonous to children, adults, and even the dogs and cats themselves. There are natural, safe alternatives that will kill and repel fleas and other insects without harming people or pets.
Problems with Commercial Flea Products

Although the flea powder or flea collars offered by your local pet stores may look like the easiest solution, it's worth doing a bit of research before you buy. Chemicals present in most of the leading brands in flea control products have been linked with liver toxicity, seizures and other nervous system disorders, renal failure, and in the long run with cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.

Cats and kittens have died from overdoses of pesticides present in flea sprays. Some of these dangerous products have been withdrawn, but others remain on store shelves despite their potential to do serious harm.


Is There a Natural Option to Repel Fleas Without Poisoning Pets?

Although companies like Frontage and Advantage scoff at natural flea treatments, and even some vets dismiss their efficacy, there are a number of natural options that work wonders in eliminating fleas from pets, carpets, and homes.

The best time to use natural flea repellents is before your pet has fleas. Dosing your dog or cat with garlic or essential oils should start in early spring (in temperate areas), before flea season begins, and continue well into the fall. If you live in a region that is always warm enough to make fleas an ongoing risk, it's wise to take preventive measures to prevent fleas on an ongoing basis.
Garlic Repels Fleas and Biting Insects

One of the oldest and best natural remedies to repel fleas is garlic. Garlic can be administered fresh, ground onto pets' food, but the easiest (and less messy) way to use it is by purchasing dried or "odorless" garlic tablets from the health food store. These can be given to pets whole, or ground and fed on top of kibble or other food. Odorless garlic is coated so you won't smell it as much – but the fleas sure will, and they stay away.
Essential Oils for Flea Control

Essential oils are another tried and true, traditional way to repel fleas and biting insects. Almost any spicy or sharp essential oil will repel insects, but the best for getting rid of fleas are:

* Peppermint
* Lavender
* Spearmint
* Lemongrass
* Melaleuca

These oils and others can be applied to your pet's collar, or mixed in a spray bottle with water and misted onto your dog or cat's fur with care. Avoid citrus oils with cats; additives in non-organic citrus rind can be toxic to cats (as can additives and impurities in cheap essential oils). Essential oil quality is paramount, especially when using the oils on children or pets.
Reference

Stewart, David, Ph.D. "Essential Oils for Things That Bug You Around the House," Raindrop Messenger, 2007.

The copyright of the article Natural Flea Repellent for Pets in Herbal Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Natural Flea Repellent for Pets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats, Mark Miller, morguefile.com
Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats


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Yoga Tips for Fending Off Colds and Flus This Fall

Winter is so close by, I'm freezing now! I think this is the perfect time to reread these helpful tips of Wai Lana on keeping well pre-winter, and during winter months.

Five Quick Ways to Detox Your Kitchen
Anna Montage, Health and Wellness Editor

RECIPE: Spicy Ginger Tea

Ginger is especially good during cold and flu season. It helps clear the sinuses, relieves congestion headaches, and reduces fever. It’s also an expectorant that expels mucus from the lungs and throat. The most effective way to take it for colds and flu is ginger tea.

Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:

* 2 cups water
* ¼ cup diced fresh ginger
* 2 tsp. honey
* Lemon juice (optional)
* Cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil the water, then add the ginger and simmer for about 20 minutes.
2. Strain into a cup and add 2 teaspoons of honey (or to taste).
3. If you like, you can add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot to increase the stimulating, heating effect.
4. Let us forewarn you now, though: This tea is fiery! Sip it—don't gulp it down.

Source: Wai Lana Weekly Messages

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“AH –CHOO!” That sound becomes all too familiar this time of year; as the beauty and crispness of the autumn season arrive, so do colds and flus. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to make this fall and winter healthy. Even if you do catch a cold or flu, the right remedies can help make it as short and painless as possible.
Preventing Sickness

1. Avoid Getting Run Down – Feeling tired and run down is a big risk factor for getting sick. Sometimes family and work responsibilities may seem overwhelming. This is a good time to take stock of what’s truly most important and trim down everything else. Prevention is the best medicine. Getting the proper R & R that your body and mind need should be just as much a priority as everything else. Not only will you be less stressed, but you’ll also be more effective in everything you do.
2. Eat a Yoga Diet – A yoga diet, with the emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy products, naturally provides your body with both the nutrition and the antioxidants that your immune system needs to function optimally. One of the biggest dietary hazards for cold and flu season is too much sugar and other sweeteners. Fresh fruit and unprocessed honey are the best sweeteners to use. Too much sugar in your diet (whether it’s from white sugar, corn syrup, etc.) literally slows down your immune system, making your white blood cells too tired and sluggish to adequately fight infection.
3. Take a High-Quality Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement – There have been enough studies strongly in favor of supplementation that it just makes sense to give yourself that daily dietary insurance. The best supplement to take is one that is made from natural whole food sources as this helps to ensure that your body will be able to absorb the nutrients. Liquid multivitamin and mineral supplements are also good for absorption. Visit your local health food store for help in finding the best supplements for your needs.
4. Practice Yoga – Yoga not only stretches, strengthens, and tones your muscles, but it also invigorates your immune system and internal organs, helping to keep sickness at bay. Yoga also provides stress relief, which is vital for wellness. If you feel a cold coming on, try doing the Lion pose a few times a day. This pose brings fresh blood to your throat, helping to chase away the germs.
5. Wash Your Hands – You’ve probably heard it a million times before, but it is a fact that regular hand washing really does help prevent sickness.
6. Avoid Sick People When Possible. While a certain amount of exposure to sickness is inevitable in our daily lives, it can help to avoid obviously sick people. For example, if you notice that the cashier at the grocery store is sniffling, coughing or sneezing, just move to another line.

What to Do If You Get Sick

1. Try to Get Plenty of Extra Rest and Sleep – Sometimes it may not be possible to completely stop work, school, or other activities when you feel sickness coming on, but you should make it a top priority to get as much rest as you can. It’s tempting to keep going, but this will just let the virus get a stronger foothold in your body, prolonging your illness.
2. Try a Juice Fast or Eat Minimally – If you feel you are getting sick, this is the perfect time to try a juice fast. Fasting for 1 to 3 days at the first sign of illness is a great way to nip it in the bud. Wai Lana’s Favorite Juices has delicious fresh juice recipes that you can try. Even fasting on vegetable broth and diluted store-bought juice (no corn syrup or other sweeteners) is far better than not fasting at all. Fasting allows your body to concentrate its energy on combating the virus rather than on digesting and assimilating food. However, if you have a health condition or take prescription medications, it’s best to talk to your doctor before beginning a fast.
3. If you don’t quite have the willpower to fast or are unable to for health reasons, try to minimize your food intake and focus on light foods, such as broths or other vegetable soups. This is a good time to avoid dairy products since they can increase mucus production when you’re sick. Also try to avoid refined foods, like sugar and white flour products. These foods sap nutrients from your body and stress your immune system.
4. Try Strong Ginger Tea – This easy home remedy is quite spicy, but it really helps relieve cold and flu symptoms. Try Wai Lana’s own ginger tea recipe for effective cold and flu relief.
5. Supplements Can Help – A trip to the health food store can be a little overwhelming if you’re looking for supplements to help a cold or flu, so here are some suggestions:
* Elderberry Extract – Elderberry is one of the few supplements scientifically proven to have antiviral properties. If you know you were exposed to a sick person or feel you may be coming down with something, try dosing up on elderberry for sickness prevention. If you do become sick, elderberry will help lessen both the length and the severity of the illness.
* Vitamin C – The best variety to use is Ester-C or some other buffered form. For acute sickness, take 1000 mg every 3 hours. If you’re fasting, you may want to take a powdered version that you can mix in juice or water.
* Homeopathic Remedies – If you’re not familiar with homeopathy, it’s best to try a homeopathic cold remedy or flu remedy that has a mixture of different remedies in it. From a homeopathic perspective, there are different remedies for a cold or flu depending on the prominent symptoms, so some homeopathic companies make mixtures of remedies for people who don’t know which specific remedy to take. Homeopathy is very safe and many people have found it helpful for both colds and flus.
* Garlic – Besides being a popular seasoning, garlic is also a powerful medicinal plant. It helps to combat cold and flu viruses and cleanse the body of toxins. Fresh is best, but if you don’t like the smell or taste, there are garlic supplements that minimize the odor.

I’m sure you’ll find these natural remedies both effective and economical for helping ward off those nasty colds and flus!

Wailana Weekly Message