Ever since we were introduced to Applied Zoopharmacognosy by Caroline Ingraham, it was like a light bulb had turned on in our understanding of how animals respond to scents as an external stimulus.
Applied Zoopharmacognosy has been the underlying foundation of everything we have gone on to do in the animal world and has perfectly linked our Reiki healing and animal guidance. So, we thought some more information on why that would be useful to those that have not heard of it and would like to know more.
Applied Zoopharmacognosy is the practice of assisting animals to activate their innate ability to heal themselves using plants. This enables physical, emotional and mental well-being, using their sense of smell along with taste and topical application (rolling in it).
The word zoopharmacognosy is from Greek roots, broken down fully explains what it means. “Zoo” (animal), “pharmaco” (medicine), “gnosy” (knowing).
There are three pathways that animals use to “self-select”.
By ingestion.
By inhalation (or using the vomeronasal organ).
By Topical Application
The vomeronasal organ is a patch of sensory cells that detect odour particles, which are heavily moisture borne. It is also more commonly called the Jacobson’s organ and can be often see in horses (called the flehmen response), where they open their mouths and curl up their upper lip.
Depending what scents they select, indicates whether they want physical, mental or emotional healing.
Often, after they have eaten (secondary to basic food which is a primary need), the effect will be slower than smelling it, which in turn can have a more significant affect. Working with this effect is what Harlequin Healing has honed and continues to work with.
We look to empower this ability within the domestic setting, as many of the options that would be available in a wild environment, are not readily available in the home.
Self-selection in the wild has been scientifically studied, and one particular study that you might find interesting, is the one of chimpanzees selecting to eat certain leaves to help with intestinal parasites.
Click Here For Study InformationWe hope this helps you to understand a little more about how Applied Zoopharmacognosy works.