Essential Oils and Buns

[HappyHollandDays]

As some of you know, I’m moving soon to my own apartment, and then will be getting my bun. I had a question about essential oils and rabbits. I get night terrors and my cousin suggested I use a diffuser(I think that’s what it was) to put in some essential oils at night to help me sleep more peacefully. I just wanted to see if that’s okay for bunnies to be around. I know air fresheners are a no go because of the chemicals. But I wondered if essential oils are okay because they are natural. Thanks for the help!!

[Eepster]

Anything strong enough to be at therapeutic levels for an adult human, is going to be way way above those levels in a rabbit which is typically 1/20 the weight of a human.

[Bam]

That a chemical is natural doesn’t mean it’s non-toxic. Some of the most toxic toxins known to man (botulinum, ricin) are perfectly natural, yet deadly in extremely small quantities.

I don’t know about using aromatherapy in a room though. You should never put pure essential oils on your skin or the skin of animals (although some recommend it to deter ticks: adverse reactions are not uncommon).

I’m sorry you have night terrors. Have you seen a doctor about this? Sometimes it’s about REM sleep being predominant so it keeps you from entering deep (stage 4) sleep, so you wake up without feeling refreshed. This may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, such as too little serotonin present. There are OTC remedies like melatonin. It’s legal in my country but you should check how it is in your country and state. I recently did a MOOC on this subject, Neurobiology of Sleep, uni of Michigan. Sleep is SO important for our well-being! Much more so than anyone would’ve thought.

[HappyHollandDays]

I’m glad I checked! I was worried about the scent being too strong, I know bunnies are so sensitive! I think if I decide to do the essentials I’ll just dab them on my wrists before bed (diluted of course) that way the smell won’t permeate the air and only I will smell it.

Bam- I haven’t seen a doctor, mostly because I don’t want to be medicated. Mental health issues are common in my family (the whole “you have a chemical imbalance in your brain” thing is practically a dinner table topic) and I just prefer to remain unmedicated, so I am seeking natural remedies. If those fail I will likely see a doctor because I am so tired of being tired all the time! As for the melatonin, that is widely available here and may have to try it!

Thanks for the advice about the diffuser. I don’t want my baby bun to be put in danger because of me!!*

[Bam]

Dabbing the (diluted) oils on your wrists is a great idea!

Of course you’ll want to try the least heavy remedies first and see if they help before you bring in the really big guns. That’s always wise (unless of course it’s sth lethal you’re suffering from like Steve Jobs did, that didn’t work out so well, but that’s in a whole different league, thankfully.)

[Author]

Messages