The therapeutic uses of lavender are countless. Horse owners have learned that incorporating the use of lavender in every day horse care offers many benefits. Wiping a horse down with a sponge soaked in lavender oil can offer a calming sensation; this is especially effective in neglected or very spirited horses. Soaking and cleaning hoofs in lavender oil contributes to strong hoofs and improves the overall hoof condition. Using a lavender oil soaks can reduce swelling or inflammation on leg areas. For a shiny, healthy coat give your horse a sponge bath using warm water mixed with lavender essential oil. The same treatment can be used to promote healing of minor cuts and abrasions. Lavender has many benefits to animals, just as it does for people.
Most herbs offer a wide variety of treatments that can cure many ailments that are common in horses from a minor cut to a hoof inflammation. Learning how to use lavender as a regular part of caring for your horse is really one method of care that should be in every horse owner’s handbook. Not only is lavender a best kept secret but a major money saver.
Many a piece of barren land has been abandoned by man because of his inability to restore fertility but many a piece of barren land left to nature sooner or later becomes a pasture. Herbal leys can be temporary when used to restore fertility and they can also be the sole provider of food and fertility for paddocks and animals.
Soil is the source of all life, but soil without herbage is incapable of giving life; hence the key to the life of the soil is the pasture which covers the top soil and converts the subsoil into vital nutrients for livestock.
The value of the pasture for grazing purposes depends almost entirely on the extent to which it is grazed, the variety of grazing which it receives, and the times of year at which it is grazed. Also the variety of pasture is limited to the species and varieties of plants which are available within bird-carrying distance.
Herbal Leys are a living grass ground cover, which allow for bio-diversity in preference to the mono-cultural practice of sowing land with only one or two types of grass. Herbal leys help control and suppress weeds, retain moisture, prevent erosion and attract beneficial insects and bees. They act as nutrient fixers and recyclers, and can include bulbs like chicory which can be harvested for additional income. Herbal leys are also aesthetically pleasing.
There are different mixtures of grass species and the most suitable one for you is dependent on your soil type and climate. The different grass characteristics are also a consideration, and you can create your own ley for different purposes, e.g. orcharding or animal farm management.
Here is a suggestion for an herbal ley for horses. The following is a mixture which provides a wide variety of the essentials for a healthy horse and can add to the healthy and fertility of your pasture as well.
This blend of herbs contains many of the plants which are found in older horse pastures which can give valuable properties to the diet. Ribgrass, Sheep’s Parsley, Chicory, Yarrow, Salad Burnet, Alfalfa, Sorrell, Chamomile, Chervil, Chicory blend, Burnet, Corn Poppy, Yarrow, Fennel, Garlic, Fodder Beet.
Sowing rate 1-2 kgs per acre mixed into a grass seed ley or plant separately as an herb strip. Also ideal for planting along a fence line for random picking or to hand feed out in the paddock. Seaweed powder is a wonderful fertiliser also or it can be applied to compost prior to planting.
Hedgerows are another possibility for adding herbs into your horse’s diet and could contain comfrey, garlic, raspberry, hazelnuts, docks and cleavers.
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Common Herbal Ailments For Dogs
Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis in dogs is all too common these days. It is thought that maybe one in every five dogs is struck with arthritis and appears to be one of the most often seen health issues by vets.
Because dogs have a tendency to ignore pain and discomfort unless it is severe, the symptoms can easily go unnoticed in the early stages. This is where herbs can come into play perfectly as they can help to keep your dogs joints supple and healthy.
Arthritis in dogs is normally caused by problems in the joints and the body. It is usually where changes in the structure of the body have also happened. Problems with immunity or an animal being overweight can also cause arthritis. This causes inflammation of the joints and general pain in the animal.
Symptoms to look out for include stiffness, reluctance to move, signs that your dog is having trouble moving or getting up and down from a height. Repeatedly circling before lying down, sensitivity to touch and general signs of slowing down.
There is still no cure for arthritis which makes it all the more important to try and prevent it happening in the first place. Certain breeds, especially dogs with larger bones are more prone to arthritis and the earlier you start feeding preventative foods the better.
Herbs such as Devil’s Claw, which is an anti-inflammatory herb, can be hugely beneficial for a dog that is starting to show signs of pain. It is also a pain killer and seems to work very nicely with animals.
There are of course steroids available such as Prednisone and other corticosteroids which will definitely reduce the swelling and inflammation but using this long term can actually contribute to further problems and also have side effects...
Recent widespread availability of nutraceuticals and herbal products such as Devil's Claw, Meadowsweet, White willow bark, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, and Selenium which all assist in decreasing inflammation, have proven to be significant contributors to easing the discomfort of arthritis in animals. Although supplements will not reverse structural changes in a joint, they can reduce pain and inflammation of the joints, and help improve the health of surrounding soft tissue.
Herbs not only contain natural
pain relieving properties but assist by cleansing the toxins from the body. Devils
Claw has proven to be highly effective in German studies for its
anti-inflammatory nature and White Willow bark and Meadowsweet are both
considered natural aspirin providing general pain relief.
With arthritis it is also important to reduce the acidity in the body. This can
be helped with Meadowsweet, which is said to neutralise the acid in the
stomach. Cider vinegar is another popular nutritional that is used in the aim
of preventing these diseases. For animals that may be
getting on in years, it is wise to remember that they suffer just the same way
that we do Calming
Herbs For Your Dogs Summer
Travels
Using herbal remedies for human health is becoming more and more popular each day. Health shops are packed with herbal tonics to cleanse our system and build our immune system. For example Echinacea and St Johns Wort are now common herbal remedies that most people are aware of.
However have you ever thought about using herbs for your animal’s health?
Long before humans lived on this planet, wild animals survived by using plants for their healing properties. Our modern day medicine is mainly derived from nature and scientists have spent years mimicking the active elements found in herbs. Therefore isn’t it our duty to reunite our animals diet with what nature intended?
Supplementing a dog’s diet with herbal supplements can help fitness, vitality and their general health. The active elements in herbs work by supporting the liver, digestive system, lymphatic and urinary system, thus strengthening and building the immune system.
Herbs can also help with emotional problems. Dogs that are hyperactive or are nervous often have an unbalanced system. This sometimes has an effect on the skin, behaviour and digestion. Jackie Rive, owner and founder of the New Zealand company Organic Dog recommends using calming herbs such as Chamomile, Scullcap and Vervain, to help desensitise the nervous system; “These herbs reduce the anxiety or excitability that your dog may be experiencing. A mixture of calming herbs will help soothe the nervous system and aid digestion. The herbs also work by relaxing the muscles and the gut without causing the drowsy state that conventional sedatives can induce”.
We understand that today’s dog has to cope with a number of stressful situations. Being left alone at home whilst the owner is at work or being left at boarding kennels during vacations can result in separation anxiety. This can have an effect on a dog’s happiness and health. Adjusting to a new environment or accepting a new home is also situations where a dog may act out of character because of stress.
Where-as humans might reach in the cupboard for a cup of Chamomile tea or a rescue remedy to calm the nerves or boost the immune system, a dog can also benefit from natural remedies. Supplementing a dog’s diet with calming herbs can be an important part of a happy dog’s life. “Herbs are a very safe and natural way of improving your animal’s sense of enjoyment in life. Herbs are also packed with vitamins and minerals that also help work towards a balanced nervous system”.
Using herbs for your dog’s health can also provide life- long benefits. Auckland based vet Jim Powell from Vets’ Corner in Takanini explains; “One of the advantages of using herbal supplements is that they allow for early intervention before clinical signs become severe. Medicinal herbs are a time honoured tradition and when used in conjunction with modern science have proven to be extremely beneficial to our four legged friends”.
Herbs should not be perceived as instant cures but as a healthy alternative to conventional medicine, that help harmonize the body back to its natural state.
Could your dogs’ diet be contributing to poor health problems?
Just about all the conditions routinely
treated in domestic dogs are derived from the effects of over eating, poor
diet, inappropriate exercise, stress and confinement. With racing and show
dogs, we can also add supplement abuse to this list.
This abuse of the frequency, variability and quality of feed often produces
severe health problems in dogs from premature arthritic problems in their
youth, skin and obesity in middle age, and an increasing variety of cancers
which are rare in other animal species and probably almost unknown in the wild.
The two most common effects of our dog’s diet and lifestyle are blood toxicity
and mineral imbalance problems. It is these two basic areas from which most of
the health problems are derived.
Blood Cleansers.
The dogs ‘metabolism functions by absorbing nutrients as fast as it can into
the body and then spending the fasting times, when there is nothing in the gut,
utilizing and rationalizing all these nutrients and clearing toxins from the
system.
With regular and rather complex meals, little variety, little exercise and no
fasting at all, the dogs system becomes toxic and most of these dogs would
benefit greatly from herbal treatments that are heavily dependent on a class of
herbs called alterative.
Alteratives are blood cleansers and are usually high in iron or sulphur and
they are tonic in their affect. They assist the primary systems in the body to
dispose of waste products. This is to say they stimulate the blood quality
through the Liver, the Lymph and the Kidneys.
The most common of these alterative herbs are Garlic, Liquorice, Rosehips,
Dandelion, Echinacea, Red Clover, Parsley, Yarrow, Nettle, Fenugreek and
Horsetail.
The main illnesses that seem to directly result from blood toxicity problems
are skin problems and cancers involving the lymphatic system (Lymphomas).
However, since most dog problems come from
our own bad practices, we must first consider these, before setting out to
treat our dog.
If your dog's health is not as good as it should be, first change its diet and
feed it once only a day with raw meaty bones and with cooked up grains,
vegetables and greens. In addition fast your dog a couple of days each week.
Give it no commercial dog food at all and keep this program up for a month.
At the end of this month on the new diet, look at the dog's coat and its eye,
look at its vitality and ask yourself how it is feeling. If you have to admit
that it looks and feels great, you can be sure you have made a big step toward
better health and life quality.
Is your dog itchy?
Is your dog itchy? Suffering from itchy skin and constantly scratching. Natural Remedies could be the answer. Natural remedies and herbal treatments can offer a gentle, non invasive solution to this problematic condition.
Dogs with itchy skin are one of the most common complaints vets will see in their clinics. There are different reasons though that your dog is itchy and it is important to know why and what is causing the problem. You can then tackle the problem with more information.
There are usually 4 main reasons for a dogs’ itchy skin and they are:
1. Allergies-these can be inhalants such as pollen and grasses. Symptoms usually show up in the form of itchy feet. Your dog will be constantly chewing and scratching.
2. Flea allergy- this is usually seen on the back of the dog and above the tail region
3. Food allergies-again seen in itchy feet or on the face. Beef & dairy are common food allergies for dogs
4. Scabies or mites. These are highly contagious and need to be treated by your vet to prevent infection and spreading.
When you know what is causing the problem you can then look to natural remedies to see what is available. Nature has of course provided some very helpful herbs which can make a huge difference to your dog’s itchy skin.
A dog’s outward appearance is an indication of its internal well being and health condition. Most skin treatments are applied externally to the skin while ignoring the internal state of health. Herbs work inwardly by restoring, strengthening and nourishing the whole body and therefore help create a naturally glossy coat and healthy skin. If your dog is itchy you can start by boosting his immune system. Herbs such as Rosehips, kelp and garlic are great for general well being.
• Herbs provide essential vitamins and minerals
• Can deter natural nuisance insects and fleas
• Enhance the digestive system
• Desensitises nervous behaviour due to itching
Herbs can also help to soothe and de-sensitise the nervous system if an allergy is causing your dog to be itchy. Herbs such as chamomile and vervain are nervine herbs and are wonderful for soothing anxious itchy behaviour. With allergies there is often an overactive nervous system so by soothing it you are helping with the symptoms.
Natural anti-histamines such as horseradish are also great for itchy allergies in your dog and will help soothe any nasal drip and sinus issues. Marshmallow is great for mucous build-up and garlic will act as a natural antibiotic in case of infection.
Whenever there is the question “is my dog itchy?” always remember to work out what is causing the problem first then looking at what herbal remedies may be worth a try. Unfortunately often with vet medicines there can be side effects such as with prednisone so why not try something natural and help your dogs to live a longer, happier life.
What's in Nature's Medicine Chest for Kennel Cough and Common Winter Dog Health Problems?
Kennel cough is the common name for an upper respiratory disease primarily in dogs. These days when antibiotics often don’t seem to work as well as they used to, it is necessary to go back to the old fashioned way of treating chest and respiratory infections. The treatment of our dogs is no different.
Kennel cough is usually caused by bacteria or viral infections which irritate the lining of your dog’s airways. The condition is known medically as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella and it is extremely contagious, causing problems when dogs are mixing frequently together.
Luckily this condition is not life threatening but it can easily be helped with herbal preparations. This involves supporting the bodies immunity; breaking down and clearing infected material; introducing natural antibiotics; normalizing mucous membranes; strengthening the coughing reflex; and providing natural sources of Vitamin C and Iron.
You can help your dog very effectively by using herbs for common canine health problems like kennel cough, colds and viruses. Herbs can be added to your dogs' diet to help boost their immune system if they are recovering from illness, socialising with unfamiliar dogs, emotional stress or just old age. Herbs can:
The following herbs are particularly helpful in such a situation and are well worth looking for at this time of year when these erratic seasonal changes can start to create problems with our animals’ good health.
|
Herb |
Action |
|
Rosehips |
(Iron and Vit C also some Copper) |
|
Garlic |
(natural antibiotic, contains sulphur) |
|
Fenugreek |
(lymphatic stimulant, sinus tonic, |
|
Marshmallow |
(expectorant and soothing tonic for mucous membranes) |
|
Elecampane |
(allantoin (healing agent) and chest muscle tonic) |
|
Kelp |
(trace elements and expectorant) |
|
Yarrow |
(Iron and Bone Marrow tonic) |
|
Mullein |
(Mucosal tonic and antiseptic) |
|
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar |
(Organic Acids, Astringent Tonic) |
|
Echinacea |
Fights viral & bacterial infection |
Separation Anxiety in Dogs-Natural Calming Herbs Can Help
Separation anxiety in dogs is a common problem, in fact about 10% of dogs and puppies are thought to suffer from separation anxiety. Natural calming herbs though can bring a lot of relief to these anxious creatures.
There are different scenarios that can cause separation anxiety in dogs. Maybe you have spent a lot of time with your dog on holiday or raising children and all of a sudden you go back to work or change the daily routine. Some dogs can find this stressful and all of a sudden become very anxious when you leave.
Signs of separation anxiety in dogs are as follows:
Separation anxiety in dogs can be rather challenging to solve and requires patience and re-training. In nature, dogs would normally spend their whole life in a pack so being on their own is not necessarily a normal way of life. You therefore need to work on making this less stressful for your dog. Calming herbs are an easy way to help your dog overcome the stress.
Taking your dog for a vigorous walk prior to your leaving the house is a great idea. You can then leave your dog to quietly rest whil