HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Okay ya'll. I know we've probably had some very bizzare conversations here, so I hope you don't think this is the strangest. I was talking to my therapist (yes, I have one ) about losing Moldy last weekend, and about how I thought it was probably PPS and I explained how many die from this. Well, my therapist is into homeopathic remedies and he actually had a suggestion I wanted to toss out for discussion. (NOT to experiment on our crabbies - I just want to see what you guys think). He says he has a lot of birds that fly into a plate glass window and he puts a drop of Bachs Rescue Remedy on their beaks while they are stunned and it calms them and keeps them from struggling when they wake up so they don't hurt themselves further. He says some of his human patients use it to calm kids going to the doctor etc. He was wondering if it might help reduce losses of crabs due to PPS. We pondered how we would give it to them & figured the best thing would be to put some in their water. I haven't researched yet to find out all the ingredients to see 1) if there are any harmful ingredients 2) if there is any documentation that it might work. He says he's used it to calm many kinds of animals. At the very least, it was nice to have a thoughtful conversation with someone who DOESN'T have crabs, but still was feeling my loss. If there is any merit to this, it would be doubly helpful to ya'll who do extreme rescues.

Well, it is homeopathic. It is the distilled essence of flowers. I don't suppose any of that would hurt the crabs in the least. The only thing I would have issue with is the tiny bit of alcohol in there. But putting some in water should dissipate it enough not to cause a problem. We're only talking like a few drops here. Anyhow, I would think it safe. It is hard having a whole discussion on homeopathic medicenes without discusing the whole process, if you know what I mean.Gert

I was introduced to Bach Flower Remedies about 25 years ago. The flower essences are mixed and placed in a brandy solution. I believe this would be too much for a crab and their sensitivities. There is a way to mix the formulae and put them into pure water. They would not keep long, though. The brandy helps preserve the original tincture. The flower essences compose less than 1 part per maybe 6 million in final solution. They are originally harvested as literally only the dew that has collected on the flower petal or plant leaf. This dew is collected at certain times of the month, according to the new or full moon - I don't know which. The Rescue Remedy vs Self Mixed Formulae: Rescue Remedy is a pre-mixed formula. It is also possible to mix your own formula from other flower essences according to your emotional needs. The Rescue Remedy would probably be okay for stressed out hermies. I would not recommend whipping up any formulae for your pets on your own. I do know this from having used them myself, they are very, VERY POWERFUL. I do not use them now because I became a Christian. I believed they were too involved with religions I no longer participated in. This is not a slam on any other religion, just a tip to any Christians who want to know. I had some very, very weird experiences on the stuff. I am wondering if diluting the Rescue Remedy in distilled water would be okay or would render the RR ineffective? We are dealing with parts per millions here. However, that is the strength of homeopathics. Very different from Western medicinal practices. It is a little like "a bit of the hair of the dog that bit you!"See if your Homeopathic Practitioner could find the Rescue Remedy in water alone. If they are ordered from Bach Flower Remedies they will always be sent in Brandy.cyn (c:

Bach rescue remedy in in 27% alcohol. That is not too much. NOt to metion, when it is diluted in a bowl of water, I don't suppose it could hurt. I have given infusions of some herbs to my crabs before, and that has only had positive effects. The properties of infusions can be different from homeopathic remedies, so there is a difference. In homeothopy, it uses the chemical imprint of a substance on water, such as what a dew drop may pick up off a calendula leaf, which is safe for hermit crabs by the way.I have decided, thanks to Volcanomom's inspiration, to try some with 4 stressed teenies I have. I'll just start with one drop at first. If anything happens, I'll post it!Gert