Herbs for your Pets

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HERB

I have found that select herbs have been very effective for somecommon health problems. I first want to give you some background information on picking the right form of herb.

BULK HERBS- These herbs are generally the freshest. They are given by mixing into your pet's food or steeping in water.

TINCTURES- These are liquid forms. A standard herb dose is 1 dropof the tincture per lb of body weight. The tinctures which areglycerin based as opposed to alcohol based are safer for cats.

CAPSULES- These are the most convenient, but it is important to read the label to guarantee freshness.Herbs don't last forever, so it is important to buy the ones that smell good (generally fresh) and they are stored properly (Storein a cool, dark place)

GINSENG. A popular immune stimulant, it also appears to speed upwound and abscess healing. The Ginseng dose is 30mg per lb of thedried herb twice daily, or 1 drop per lb twice daily of thetincture.

ECHINACEA. This is an effective herb for stimulating the immunesystem. The dried herb dose is 100mg per 10 lbs; the tincture doseis 1 drop per lb twice daily.

ASTRAGALUS. It is a traditional Chinese herb that has been shown tostimulate certain cells important for the immune system. The doseis 600mg per 10lbs of the dried herb, or 1 drop per lb twice dailyof the tincture.

GOLDENSEAL. This is a traditional topical antimicrobial herb. Applydrops from the tincture twice daily until the abscess has healed.

OREGON GRAPE ROOT is a traditional anti-inflammatory that also hasantibacterial properties. The dose is 200mg per 10 lb twice dailyof the dried herb or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

ARTHRITISHERBAL. A variety of herbs are used at different times for arthritis. The ones I have seen to be most effective include:

DEVIL'S CLAW, used in traditional African medicine and hasscientific studies to back its effectiveness, give100mg or 10dropsper 10lbs of body weight;

WILLOW BARK is a source of salicylate theactive ingredient in Aspirin, therefore NOT for use in cats, give100mg or 10drops per10lbs of body weight;

BOSWELLIA is anotheranti-inflammatory, popular for arthritis in India, give 100mgper10lbs of body weight three times daily;

YUCCA is often used aswell, the dose of the dried herb is ¼ tsp per 10 lbs of bodyweight. These herbs may be found in some of combinationsupplements, such as K-9 MX or Lakota.

BACK AND DISC PROBLEMSVALERIAN. This is a very effective herb used to release the musclespasms that can be triggered from arthritis. The dose of thetincture is .1ml per 10 lbs given twice daily.

CAR SICKNESSHERBAL HELP. Ginger root is an excellent anti-nausea herb. The doseis 250mg per 10lbs of body weight.

CONSTIPATIONHERBAL. Cascara, Ginger and Licorice. These herbs can be found in a human combined formula. Give .2ml twice daily per 10lbs of bodyweight.

DIABETES

HERBAL THERAPY.

A number of herbs are used in diabetes. Theseinclude Gymnema, Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, and Ginseng. These herbscan be found in specific diabetic herbal combinations. Ginseng isthe most effective of these herbs. It has been shown to lower bloodsugar in people, and is believed to do the same in animals. Thedose is 30 mg per lb of body weight twice daily of the dried herb,or 1 drop per lb of body weight twice daily of the tincture.

DIARRHEAHERBAL. Slippery Elm can only be used as the dried herb. This ishelpful for chronic diarrhea, such as inflammatory bowel disease indogs and cats. The dried herb dose is 20mg/lb of body weight twicedaily. Red Raspberry leaf and fruit: give 1drop/lb of body weighttwice daily of the tincture. Chamomile is useful for mildindigestion; give 2drops/lb of body weight three times daily.Peppermint helps with intestinal gas and cramping; give 25mg/lb ofbody weight twice daily of the dried herb or 1drop/lb of bodyweight twice daily of the tincture.

EAR INFECTIONSLESSEN THE INFLAMATION. Most ear infections produce red, inflamedears, so it is important to decrease the inflammation. Aloe orCalendula essential oil can be applied topically in the ears twicedaily to decrease inflammation.

TREAT THE INFECTION. Garlic, Sage and Thyme have antibacterial andantifungal properties. One treatment is to soak garlic clovesovernight with Calendula oil. Remove the garlic and instill thecalendula-garlic mixture twice daily.

EYE INFECTIONS AND CATARACTSHEALING EYE HERB. The herb called Eyebright (Euphrasia) hasantioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To make a solution,mix 5 drops of Eyebright in 125ml (½ cup) of saline solution. Usingan eyedropper, place two drops in the affected eye twice daily for5-7 days.

FOR CATARACTS. A herb called Cineraria has been effective in reducing the size of some cataracts and decreasing cataract formation. To make a sterile eye solution, purchase sterile saline from a pharmacy. Using the tincture dilute the mixture with ½saline and ½ cineraria. Apply 1 drop twice daily to the affectedeye, being careful not to contaminate the eye dropper.

FLATULENCEPAPAYA. Your dog will become especially gassy after a trip to the neighbor's compost pile. To curb the unpleasant aroma, you may find relief in papaya enzymes. The dog dose is 1 tablet per 40 lbs dailyfor 3-5 days.

FLEAS &BAD SMELLING HERBS. Aromatic herbs may help repel fleas. Pennyroyaland Catnip are most effective. A scientific study isolated a compound in catnip that was extremely effective in repelling fleas.Purchase some catnip a your local pet supply store and regularly give it to your cat during flea season.

HAIR BALLS -PINEAPPLE JUICE. This is used to treat hairballs in rabbits, and may be effective in cats. It contains an ingredient, bromelain,which can break down some hair. The dose would be 1 tsp twice daily, if you can get it into your cat - Good Luck!

HEART DISEASE HERBAL HELP. Hawthorn has been shown to increase the ability of the heart to contract, as well as causing the outside blood vessels to dilate, making heart contraction easier. The dose is 2 drops per lb of body weight twice daily of the tincture.

DIRURETICS. In heart disease, fluid will accumulate in the lungsand abdomen.

DANDELION is a very safe diuretic herb; give 2 dropsper lb of body weight twice daily.

APIS is a homeopathic treatment for excess fluid; give 30C twice daily.

HOT SPOTS CUP OF TEA. The key to curing hot spots is to get them to dry out.A very effective antiseptic drying solution is tea and aspirin. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and dissolve an aspirin tablet init. Soak a cloth in this brew and apply it to the area for 5 minutes four times daily. COOL IT DOWN. A herb called WITCH HAZEL will make a hot spot feel better almost instantly. It evaporates quickly cooling down theinflamed skin. It can be applied two to three times a day.

SOOTHING HERBS.

CALENDULA and ALOE VERA are two herbs that I frequently use for any type of skin irritation. If you have one of these on hand, then use them after applying one of the treatments for drying out the hot spot (the tea and aspirin, or BurrowsSolution).

HYPERTHYROID DISEASE -BUGLEWEED (Lycopus europeus) and MELISSA (Melissa officinalis).These are two herbs that have been used in combination to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels in rats 24 hours after administration. The standard dose is 1 drop per lb of body weight of the tinctures given twice daily.

JUMPING UP -HERBAL. St John's Wort is a common herbal remedy for a variety of anxieties. It may be effective in calming your dog while you are in the training process, but I would never recommend that it is used for longer than 30 days. The dog dose is 1 drop per lb of bodyweight twice daily of the tincture.

KIDNEY DISEASE REHMANNIA 8. This is a Chinese Medicine herbal formula that has shown great results for treating pets with chronic renal failure. The Chinese name is Shen Qi Wan. To ensure that it is the properf ormula, it should contain Fu Zi and Rou GUI. These two herbs will re-ignite the flame of the kidneys. A suggested starting dose is ¼teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight given once daily.

BROMELAIN. Bromelain has been shown to reduce inflammation and disease progression in certain cases of kidney failure. The Bromelain dose is 100mg per 10 lbs twice daily.

ASTRALAGUS. This is a supplement that can be used in conjunction with the Chinese herbal combination Rehmannia. The dose is 1 dropper lb twice daily of the tincture.

LIVER DISEASE WONDER HERB. Milk Thistle is very effective in helping restore liver cells that have been damaged from a toxin. The dose of the dried herb is 100mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily. It is available at most pharmacies.

TURMERIC. A herb that you cook with is also liver protective; the dose of the dried herb is 100mg per 10 lbs of body weight.

MANGETOPICAL HERBS. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is an herb that can be applied topically. Apply it twice daily to the affected area and it should decrease mite numbers. It can also be safely added to a bathand used as a dip if a large area is affected.

TEA TREE OIL. This is a popular topical antiseptic herb that can be fatal to cats and small dogs if they lick it. It does have anti-parasitic properties so could be used on areas of hair losswhere your dog can't lick. Seldom used it because of the risk of toxic poisoning.

RINGWORMNEEM. This is a herb called Azadirachta indica, with antifungal and antiseptic qualities. The tincture of the herb can be applied topically twice daily to speed up healing.

CALENDULA and ALOE VERA. These two herbs are both effective at giving symptomatic relief to inflamed skin. Either the tincture oral cream can be applied twice daily.

SEPERATION ANXIETYHERBAL. Valerian acts on the neuroreceptors in the brain. It may decrease anxiety in your pet, but it must be given for 2 weeks. The dose is 50mg per lb of the dried herb or 1 drop per lb of bodyweight twice daily of the extract. Kava is an effectiveanti-anxiety medication, but long-term use has been associated with liver disease. If used, I would only suggest the dried herb (notthe extract), with which there is a lower likelihood of liver problems. The dried herb dose is 10mg per lb of body weight given twice daily.

SENILITYHERBAL HELP. Ginkgo Biloba has been found to be effective in improving cognitive function in people with certain mental diseases. It increases profusion of blood and oxygen delivery to parts of the brain (cerebrum); Give 1 drop of the tincture per lb of body weight twice daily.

SPRAYING ANXIETY RELIEF. Bach Rescue Remedy may make your anxious cat feel calmer and more secure. Place 1 drop twice daily in your cat's mouth. Try this for 3-4 weeks.

TICKS-GARLIC. Some people find that garlic will help repel ticks. Give your dog 1/4 cloves per 10 lbs of body weight once daily and assess after 4 weeks if it helps.

URINARY TRACT DISEASE HERBAL RELIEF. Specific herbs are helpful in dissolving bladderstones and acidifying the urine. These are Hydrangea, Stone Root, Gravel Root and Corn Silk; the dose of the combined herbal formula is .2ml per 5 lbs of the tincture given once daily.

CRANBERRY. A traditional home remedy used for people with recurrent urinary tract infections. The beneficial effects are from the acidification of the urine and by making it more difficult for the bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall. The dose of the juice is 1ml per lb daily, the dose of the tablets, such as Cran Actin is ½ capsule per 10 lbs daily.

VOMITINGA- CUP OF TEA. Peppermint Tea is an old remedy used for upset stomachs in people. Brew up a strong cup of tea, but allow it to cool before offering: give your dog ¼ cup per 10lbs of body weight three times daily; give your cat 1 tablespoon three times daily.

GINGER. A tasty addition for a curry is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25mg per lb of body weight or 1drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

CHAMOMILE. This is commonly used in people with mild stomach upset and it may help your pet. The dose of the dries herb is 30mg per lb three times daily. The dose of the tincture is 2 drops per lb three times daily.

WOUNDS-GOLDENSEAL. This is a traditional topical antimicrobial herb. Apply drops from the tincture twice daily until the wound has healed.

BARBERRY ROOT. This herb is from the same family as Goldenseal, but can be given orally. The dose is 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

OIL OF OREGANO (THYMUS). This can be applied in a diluted form (50%oregano and 50% mineral oil) to the abscess. It contains effective antibacterial properties.

Herbs are a core part of alternate treatment plans.They are very safe, and often very effective.Start with something simple - the next time your pet is feeling ill, try some Chamomile tea.


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