>Are there any essential oils that are particularly bad for ferrets, or
>which are likely to cause ferrets to develop allergies or other problems?
>I imagine that any kind of resinous essence (pine, cedar, etc...) would
>be bad, given the precautions about pine and cedar bedding.  But stuff
>like peppermint, bergamot, citrus and suchlike -- is this okay?  My plan
>is to wash Pab's bedding in something unscented (I know I can get
>unscented laundry detergent from the health food store) and then run it
>through the rinse cycle with some essential oils, switching out the
>scents every month or so.  I want to "save" some scents for marking the
>walls in his room, in case he should go blind at some point.
>
>Are there any obvious problems with this other than the danger that he
>may just not like the smell?  I plan on keeping a handful of bedding
>unscented just in case he should develop a reaction.
 
Hi Kat ~
 
I know of no literature on using essential oils on pets.  There is a good
book called "The Fragrant Mind," by Valerie Ann Worwood, that is almost
a mini-course on oils.  In it she advises us to never use an essential
oil undiluted on our skin, or to sniff.  The essential oils of a plant,
depending on each scent, seem to act like keys to our physical and mental
mechanisms.  Many of the plants that make stronger essential oils are
called "the aromatics" like eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary.  Each oil evokes
a different response in humans.
 
In using an essential oil for aromatherapy the oil must be diluted into
a "carrier oil" such as almond oil, apricot kernal, grapeseed oil, wheat
germ oil, borage oil, and my favorite primrose oil.  Since many oils can
go rancid, many professionals use olive oil, whose chance of going rancid
is very rare.  To 1ounce of carrier oil you would add 1-6 drops depending
on how fragrant the oil is.  This is then added to a diffuser that has
been prepared with more of the plain "carrier oil." Or, if you don't have
a diffuser putting a few drops of your diluted mix into a bowl of hot
water will work; or on a cotton ball placed behind a radiator.  You will
have to place it so your ferret does not get it directly.
 
For choices of oils, I would definitely consult an aromatherapist who
knows the effects of each oil.  For instance chamomile is a lovely scent,
but it can make you very sleepy.  Tiny ferrets may not be able to take
this aroma.
 
For information and questions you should probably write to:
 
The American Alliance of Aromatherapy
PO Box 750428
Petaluma, Ca.  94975.
 
Warmly ~
Mary
Herbalist
The Conley Farm - organic herbs
Online Classes ~ [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 3936]