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Giving Herbs to Pets

 

You can save your pets needless trauma and save yourself expensive veterinary bills by using your herbal medicine chest or herb garden as a pet pharmacy. To start using healing pet herbs, try these common and safe remedies. Your furry friends will benefit.

 

  • Cuts and scratches: Make a tea of calendula flowers and spray it on the affected area. Or apply calendula salve, though be aware that animals are apt to lick it off — you may want to wrap the area with a cloth.

 

  • Ear infections and ear mites: Use garlic-mullein ear oil, 3 to 4 drops, 2 times daily.

                Dogs and cats have especially long ear channels, so it's good to massage the ears to get the oil to go down. Animals often like to have their ears massaged                         anyway, especially when they're having trouble with them. If your pet is sensitive to touch, and if the sensitivity persists, call your vet.

 

  • Eye infections or watery eyes: Use a well-strained goldenseal tea as an eyewash. Be sure to buy cultivated goldenseal, as the wild populations have been seriously overharvested. Eyebright herb tea is an effective second choice.

 

  • Fleas: To prevent fleas from hopping on pets, you can make an herbal flea collar by dipping a string into a combination of essential oils containing eucalyptus, citronella, and sage and tying it around your pet's neck. Yarrow tincture sprayed onto affected areas can discourage fleas.

       Use orange oil to kill fleas when your pet does get an infection. Add one-half teaspoon orange oil to a quarter cup of people shampoo. Then shampoo the                animal, covering them with suds. Start at the neck and work down, so that too many fleas don't end up right on your pet's face. Then, rinse it off. If it's a                really bad case, do it again in two days and vacuum the house thoroughly at the same time. (Make sure that you toss the vacuum cleaner bag so that you                don't provide a breeding ground for your pest population.)

 

                 Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin where they can be licked off and make your cat or dog sick. For troublesome areas, though,                                    you can  mix 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in 2 ounces of almond oil to apply directly. Work the blend well into the hair.

 

  • Foxtails: If your pet gets objects caught under the skin or between the toes, you can make a fresh plantain poultice or comfrey poultice by putting fresh leaves in a blender with a little water and blending it up. Apply the poultice to the area. This remedy even works for foxtails, the stickery type of grass seeds that often plague animals.

 

  • Hyperactivity: Add calming teas or a few droppersful of a relaxing tincture like valerian, chamomile, or California poppy to your pet's water dish. Capsules and tablets are available if you can get pets to swallow them.

       Consider the calming effects of St. John's wort for pets. For a small dog, use about one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful of the liquid tincture added to                        water or food, one or two times daily.

 

  • Infections: When your pet gets an infection, you can often help him heal quickly by giving low doses of echinacea tincture (five to ten drops, three to four times daily, for one week). In general, when using tinctures, adjust the dose for the animal's size — the label dosage is generally meant for a 150-pound human.

 

  • Lung problems: Make a mullein tea and put it in the water bowl or pour it over your pet's food.

 

  • Skin problems and hair loss: Calendula salve is a good healer for skin problems, but give an internal blood-cleansing herb, such as red clover flowers or yellow dock root, at the same time. You can also make a tea of burdock root and sarsaparilla root for skin problems. Horsetail herb and nettle leaf tea are both used to prevent hair loss. You can also massage the skin with a few drops of rosemary oil diluted in almond oil.

 

  • Urinary tract infections: You can use soothing urinary tract herbs that help reduce infection and strengthen tissue. Besides echinacea, which is a must for any infection, try some beneficial herbs that have a special affinity for the urinary tract like pipsissewa or uva-ursi. If you have an herb garden, brew a little fresh yarrow or plantain leaves and add them to your pet's water.

 

  • Worms: Garlic is a good preventive for parasites. Chop it into your pet's food or use a powder. If you start this practice when your pets are young, they develop a taste for it. If prevention fails, and they actually get worms, you may have to use garlic capsules to get rid of the parasites

 

       For disease prevention, give your pets proper nutrition, adequate opportunities for exercise, and plenty of tender loving care. Most pets like stroking and                petting, which definitely have an immune-enhancing effect.

8 Herbs to Improve Your Dog's Health

 

Herbs for Common Ailments & Cures 

 

Herbs. How boring would your Bolognese sauce be without them? Herbs have long been used to treat and prevent ailments in people, and apart from smelling good and adding an extra something to your cooking, certain herbs can help out your dog, too.

 

If you have room to grow herbs (and you really don’t need much, a window box is perfectly fine), why not grow a selection that can be used to treat some common dog ailments? Hey, it may help you save a few bucks on vet visits -- and saving money isalways a good thing.

 

Aloe Vera

 

This spiky leafed herb is pretty amazing. It's medicinal value has been appreciated since ancient times, helping to heal wounds and even stomach ulcers in people, amongst other things.

 

You'll be glad to know it's also good for your dog. Aloe Vera can be either applied topically -- using the natural gel in the leaves as a treatment for burns, scrapes, and minor irritations -- or given internally to help with conditions such as gas,constipation, and infections.

 

Calendula Flowers

 

The bright and sunny flowers of this easy-growing herb may be used to treat cuts, scrapes and wounds, both on you and your dog. While it has many different applications (including anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and the cooking pot), it’s mostly used to heal wounds.

 

The flower petals, meanwhile, can be applied directly as a wound dressing, or made into a tea to be used as an antiseptic wash. The antiseptic quality of the herb helps prevent bacterial growth, which is good news for your dog and bad news for the bacteria.

 

Ginger

 

We’re not talking about the movie star stranded on Gilligan’s Island, but the herb. Not only is the root of the ginger herb delicious, but it’s been highly prized for centuries as a medicinal herb. It can be made into a tea or tincture, and is excellent at settling a doggy's upset tummy.

 

Goldenseal

 

Sadly, goldenseal has nothing to do with gold, seals, or even a magical seal made out of gold (that would just be silly). This herb is a powerful antibiotic that prevents the bacteria from latching onto the cell walls. It can be used as a tincture, tea, or wash for dogs with eye infections or weepy eyes. It’s also useful in treating stomach and bowel ailments.

 

Milk Thistle

 

Milk thistle protects the liver against damage and also improves liver function. In fact, it’s an important extract to use if your dog has been on any medicine that may affect the liver.

 

Valerian, Chamomile and California Poppy

 

This trio of herbs can be used to treat a hyper dog. They are natural relaxants for dogs, and also have added health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, asthma, and even working against pesky parasites. Tinctures, teas, and extracts all work well, although with Valerian, only a few drops are needed.

 

Of course, with any treatment, herbal or otherwise, make sure you consult your vet prior to treatment. You can also check in with your local holistic pet store for advice.

Horse Help -  A Guide 

Holistics offers natural herbal pain relief remedies as well as daily nutritional supplements for your horse.  It is our goal to provide natural herbal remedies to address common health conditions and maintain the overall health and well-being of your horse without compromising their longevity.  All of our products are made with 100% certified organic herbs and all are completely safe and natural.  As natural herbivores, a horse in the wild would seek out herbs just like these to instinctively eliminate their troubles.

 

Inflapotion™ and Herbal Aspirin are a great way to relieve the pain and swelling associated with over work and play.  With competition comes stressed muscles and damage to connective tissues.  Inflapotion reduces inflammation and actually speeds up the repair and recovery of damaged tissues.  Inflapotion™ also works wonders for eliminating the swelling from Scratches and the pain from Cushing's disease.  Herbal Aspirin helps manage the pain that often accompanies injuries or stress from over exertion.  It also contains a mild sedative to help them rest and recover.  Together, they help keep your horse strong and healthy. However, please note: if your horse is in competition, you should not use the Herbal Aspirin within 7 days of an event as it contains Valerian Root and has recently been classified as a prohibited substance according to FEI and USEF.  Please read this Official Notice from the USEF regarding the use of Valerian Root.

 

Horses naturally continue to pick up parasites/worms through daily contact with other horses, grazing on larva ridden pastures or ingesting hay that has become contaminated due to fly infestation.  In addition, they can’t communicate with us if they’re feeling a little “off” due to a hormonal imbalance, a weakened immune system or an overload of toxins in their blood.  All of these issues greatly reduce the efficiency of your horse's performance.  We offer Daily Defense as a daily nutritional supplement to address these issues.  It contains a safe, natural de-wormer that works in the intestinal tract, sea veggies that nourish the thyroid (that controls hormone production), and beneficial herbs that boost the immune system and help to detox your horse on a daily basis.  Used in conjunction with apple cider vinegar, (we recommend Braggs Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar) this herbal blend will keep your horse on top of the game, and abright shiny coat is just one of the positive “side effects”.   Horses love this combination.

 

We believe that the immune system is key to optimum health and optimal performance, so we offer Peak Immune as a natural herbal remedy that super charges the immune system.  The entire body functions correctly as long as the immune system is strong and able to protect itself against the constant onslaught of stress and environmental issues.   Recommended for use during seasonal change, intense conditioning, competition, and long distance travel.

 

 

Mountain Salve is our topical herbal remedy for addressing scrapes, rope burns, open wounds, fistulas, or surgical incisions.  Using Mountain Salve in conjunction with Inflapotion™ is ideal if your horse has any skin issues like girth itch, rain rot, or the dreaded "Scratches".  Together they work inside and out to relieve the soreness and swelling while healing the infected tissues and effectively destroying the fungus. In extreme cases, you may need to add Glacier Peak Gold internally for 10 days.

 

Black & Pink Himalayan Rock Salt 

Black & Pink Salt is regarded as having the following properties:


• Supports a balanced digestion
• Helps maintain healthy eyesight
• Supports healthy skin

Black & Pink Salt  - Kala namak or Sanchal is a natural Ayurvedic product ranging from pale pink, dark pink, light amber, even to a dark purple, brownish – black colour hence the name. Black Salt is produced by combining the now familiar Pink Himalayan Rock Salt with herbs and spices. The popular Rock Salt is heated to more than 1400 degrees Farenheit, and then mixed with various spices including the seed of the Black Myrobalan tree (harad) which lends a sulphurous flavour to the salt and darkens its colour in the Black Salt Type. 

 

When we were first sent samples of the Black Salt by our Pakistan supplier we were  sceptical as to whether our horses would eat it? We couldn’t have been more wrong.
As soon as the Black Salt Licks were hung up in their stables they immediately started licking them.  When you investigate the anecdotal and traditional health benefits associated with the use of Black& Pink Salt it really isn’t any wonder, the horses are so keen!

9 Herbs to Improve Your Cat's Health


Herbs for Common Cat Ailments
 

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, a balcony, or even just a sunny window sill, then you can grow your own herb garden. Herbs grow easily, are delicious, and certain herbal cat remedies are not only adored by your kitty, but can also be very good for her health (not to mention yours), and useful for treating certain ailments she might have.

 

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, herbs tend to be easy to grow and are worth the minimal effort. Plus, you can grow some for your own cooking pot too! Just remember: every cat is different so it's best to discuss the use of any herbs with your veterinarian.

 

Catnip

 

Ah, the king of cat herbs. Catnip is beloved by felines the world over, and for good reason, it makes them very happy. It’s sort of like an after work cocktail for cats, relieving them of stress and nervousness. Also, if your cat is always scratching, and seems to have itchy skin, a catnip "tea bath" can soothe kitty’s skin.

 

Cat Thyme

 

If your cat doesn’t react to catnip, then cat thyme may just be you and your cat’s best friend. That is, if you can withstand its awful odor. Cat thyme has the same soothing effects as catnip, with the attendant feelings of contentment. And everyone loves a content cat. If you do go for cat thyme, however, you may want to pot a few plants, as they are very slow growing.

 

Valerian

 

This pungent herb is best known for helping people to relax and get a good night’s sleep. Not so for Mr. Whiskers. Valerian works as a stimulant on cats; good for transforming lazy, fat cats into exercise machines. Pair this with the fact that cats actually like eating the plant and you’ve got the perfect formula for a healthy, furry feline.

 

Chamomile, Calendula and Echinacea

 

While not quite the right combination (or the right amount of herbs) for a Simon and Garfunkel song, these three herbs have many purported medicinal properties, including the alleviation of certain skin issues such as itching. Discuss with your veterinarian how they best serve your cat and in what form. Many veterinary herbalists prepare chamomile, calendula and echinacea as tinctures.

 

Licorice Root

 

Not only does it taste good to your cat, licorice root is good for you, too. As a natural cortisone, licorice root can be used to soothe itchy kitties with allergies, endocrine (the endocrine gland affects metabolism, growth and mood) and digestive issues, as well as respiratory problems like colds, since it soothes mucusmembranes. Other benefits of the licorice root include blood cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be very useful for cats with arthritis.

 

Cat’s Claw and Dandelion Root

 

Both of these herbs are good for you and your cat. A tincture made out of dandelion root and cat’s claw can help with itching for cats, especially those with allergies, as it contains natural cortisone. If kitty is trying to watch her figure, try making her a salad with dandelion leaves.


When in dount or if an animal is already on medications, be certain to consult with your regular Vet prior to any use of herbs or a change in ongoing treatment. 

 

 

Your Guide to Natural Herbs for Horses

Natural herbs for horses are an important part of natural horse nutrition. Herbs can help your horse's body utilize nutrition and aid digestion. Herbs have been around a long time and many cultures such as the gypsies and Native American tribes have used them to help their horses.

 

There are many herbs that are used on horses but the ones we will focus on now are the ones that pertain to nutrition and digestion. We will discuss herbs that you can use individually and those that you can purchase as a prepared herbal supplement for your horse. Keep in mind that is is best to muscle test any product you feed your horse to make sure it is ideal for them. To learn more about muscle testing, click here.

 

What are some individual herbs for horses?

Herbs have different functions. Three types of natural herbs for horses that help with utilizing nutrition and aiding digestion are:

  • An alterative herb helps the body utilize nutrition and eliminate wastes.

  • A bitter herb helps the digestive processes and works mainly on the liver.

  • A digestive tonic herb aids digestion.

 

Five herbs that help with these functions are:

  • Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) helps digestive conditions and are a great source of potassium. You can grow dandelions and offer your horse a few fresh leaves every day.

  • Peppermint (Mentha piperata) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) help relax the muscles of the digestive tract. You can grow mint very easily and offer your horse fresh leaves.

  • Burdock (Arctium lappa) stimulates digestion. The powder form should be used.

  • Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) helps horses that have problems with digestion and nutrition, especially those that have lost their condition. You can give one cup of the dried herb. This is not to be used on pregnant mares because it stimulates the uterine.

  • Garlic (Allium sativum) can promote healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and may help increase appetite.

  • Click here for more information on garlic.There are companies that carry a complete line of individual natural herbs for horses such as Hilton Herbs.

    What are some prepared herbal supplements for horses?

    There are a number of horse herbal products on the market. Some products that help with digestion are:

  • Digest by Hilton contains Slippery Elm, Gotu Kola, Marshmellow, Licorice, Meadowsweet, and Milk Thistle. These herbs help support the horse's natural absorption of nutrients.

  • Digest Plus by Hilton contains Fenugreek, Slippery Elm, Marshmellow, and billions of equine gut bacteria. This product is considered a probiotic.

  • Old Timer by Wendals Herbs, another source of natural herbs for horses, contains Dandelion, Fenugreek Seed, Garlic, Marshmellow, Mint, Nettles, Oregano, Seaweed, and Thyme. This product is especially good for the older horse.

  • Spearmint Salt Lick by Wendals Herbs contains minerals, salt, and spearmint. This salt lick promotes appetite and aids digestion.

 

Natural herbs for horses have helped many horses but with any new product, you should monitor your horse. If your horse is sick, injured, on any medication, or you have any concerns, you can check with your vet prior to feeding the herbs. Please see the disclaimer.

 

f you are concerned after you feed your horse herbs, consult your vet. If you have a competition horse, be aware that some natural herbs for horses are considered illegal, so doublecheck before you feed any herbs.

 

 

 

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