Source: Dr. Andrew Jones
Do ‘herbs’ really do anything? Turns out that many of the conventional medications your dog or cat may take (think flea meds, anti-cancer drugs, anti-inflammatories etc…), are derived from plants.
So YES, they can do many a positive thing for your dog or cat!
One of the most important medicinal herbs is Milk Thistle, which has gads of research showing it to be beneficial for most types of Liver Disease affecting our pets.
There are many other holistic alternatives though for Liver Disease, and we have combined them all in our NEW Liver Supplement. If you have a dog with elevated liver enzymes, you should try it…
Herbs as alternatives to conventional medication
Herbs are ‘safe, gentle’ medicines with a much greater ‘margin of error’ and ‘fewer side effects’ than any conventional medicines.
Herbs are actually ‘safer’ because the ingredients of the plant ‘work together’ as ‘whole plant is more effective’ than just its individual components.
An example is that of this is ‘white willow.’ White willow contains the same active ingredient found in aspirin. In taking this herb, dogs seldom develop side effects of vomiting or diarrhea—yet aspirin will commonly cause this.
7 most important herbs that you should know about
1. Dandelion, strong diuretic, roots for liver problems, arthritic conditions, and cancer. This is one of the more complete plant foods you will find.
2. Milk Thistle. The most studied herb for liver disease in dogs and cats: will speed up healing from virtually any liver injury.
3. Aloe/Calendula – Great topical anti-inflammatories for skin disease.
4. Turmeric (95% Curcumin). An effective natural pain killer, helps for inflammation and decreasing the chance of many cancers.
5. Valerian. This is a very fast acting and effective natural sedative, as well as being beneficial as a holistic muscle relaxant.
6. Peppermint/Chamomile. Extremely safe and can be fast acting for any type of gastrointestinal upset.
7. Slippery Elm. From the bark of the Slippery Elm Tree. This herb coats an inflamed stomach/intestinal tract being great for diarrhea, and especially helpful for cough. Doses of 400mg/20lbs daily of the capsules. I open these and mix with green tea and honey for cough!
Easiest ways to start using herbs with my pets are:
1. Herbal creams, i.e. aloe/calendula/chamomile. As opposed to steroid creams. Apply topically to the affected skin twice daily for 7 days, and asses the response.
2. Valerian tincture. great for spasm, mild sedation. Dose: 1/2ml of the tincture/20lbs of body weight two – three times/day.
3. Teas. i.e. peppermint/chamomile tea are easy to make, and can quickly treat you dog or cat for any type of upset stomach. I would make 1 cup of the concentrated tea, and then dose your dog or cat at 1/4 cup per 10 lbs 2-4 times/day.
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