Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine has notably been a major component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but has been used extensively by all cultures of the world for thousands of years. It is a modality which is the most similar of the alternative medicines to conventional medicine, but remedies are minimally processed and separated to allow natural combinations of active constituents to work synergistically with each other and with the patient.
Over the last century the pharmacological components of herbs have been extensively analysed, and much has been established about their safety and effectiveness. Despite knowing a great deal about the pharmacological properties of most herbs there appears to be still much more to learn about the way they help in certain conditions.
Some conditions can be treated with herbs for which there are limited conventional drug options,e.g. boosting the immune system, liver conditions of unknown aetiology (cause), poor kidney function, treatment of anxiety without addiction or side-effects. Many other conditions may also respond to this therapy.
Herbs for Animals
The High Points
- Herbs can be used in cooking for your pets, or as medications
- As medications, they can be helpful for a variety of chronic problems
- As medications, they can have side effects and interact with other medications
- For help using herbs, contact a veterinary herbalist
Introduction
Herbal medicine is probably the oldest medicine for people, and by extension, for animals. Unfortunately, the written tradition detailing historical uses of herbs in domestic animals is scant, at best. Veterinary herbalists study the human literature for clues, while using their knowledge of unique animal physiology and biochemistry to develop treatment recommendations. Herbal medicine can provide benefits that conventional medicine doesn't yet offer.
Nutritional and Culinary herbs to use in pet animals
Many veterinarians believe that full, complete nutrition is not available from a bag or a can, in much the same way that humans need fresh fruits and vegetables for the unidentified phytonutrients which are thought to prevent cancer. Cooking stews containing good quality meats (chicken, pork, fish, organ meats, lamb, etc), whole grains (rice, barley, oats, etc) and a variety of fresh or frozen vegetables will give your pet an extra boost, plus give you a creative outlet for using the culinary herbs listed below.
- Ginger (for nausea, motion sickness)
- Garlic (with care - antimicrobial, adjunctive treatment for cancer)
- Turmeric (anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer)
- Parsley (diuretic)
- Cranberry (for recurring urinary tract infections)
- Shitake mushroom (immunestimulant)
- Artichokes (liver disease)
Common conditions where herbs may help
- Motion sickness ginger
- Hot spots black or green tea compresses
- Allergies (general) burdock, tang kuei
- Urinary tract infections cranberry
- Wounds aloe, comfrey, chamomile - all topically only
- Upper respiratory infections echinacea, oregon grape root
- Immunesuppression astragalus, reishi, shitake
- Arthritis boswellia, devil's claw
- Liver disease milk thistle, artichokes, turmeric
- Conjunctivitis eyebright, tea compresses (topically)
- Diabetes gymnema, bitter melon
Common herbs that are potentially dangerous for use in animals
- Pennyroyal very toxic to dogs and cats
- White Willow bark salicylates may be toxic to cats
- Garlic Heinz body anemia
- Tea Tree oil VERY toxic to cats and small dogs
- Ma Huang cats have idiosyncratic reactions
- Comfrey cause liver damage
- Hops in greyhounds
Contraindications for herb use
Pets with these conditions may have serious short- or long-term reactions to the indicated herbs, unless properly prescribed by your veterinarian. These are precisely the herbs that are used in treatment of some of these conditions - this is why it is important for a veterinarian to make the decision about whether the herb is appropriate for your pet.
- Kidney disease: caution with dandelion, parsley
- Heart disease: caution with motherwort, hawthorn, goldenseal, oregon grape, barberry
- Autoimmune disease: caution with echinacea, reishi, maitake, astragalus
- Liver disease: caution with dandelion
- Thyroid disease: caution with kelp, bugleweed
Certain herbs should not be used if your pet is on the following medications, unless prescribed by your veterinarian:
- Steroids: Prednisone, Medrol, Dexamethasone
- Cardiac drugs: Digoxin, Enalapril, Norvasc, Lotensin, atenolol etc
- Diuretics: Furosemide, spironolactone, Diazide
- Central Nervous system drugs: Elavil, Buspirone, clomipramine, phenobarbital
- Hormones: diethylstilbestrol, thyroxine
- Antibiotics: sulfa drugs
- Diabetic/hypoglycemic drugs: Insulin, glipizide, acarbose
- Aspirin
- Chemotherapy agents
- Anti-inflammatories: Etogesic, Rimadyl, phenylbutazone
- Bronchodilators: Theodur/theophylline
- And probably many more!
Herbs that may have interactions with certain drugs:
- aloe
- garlic
- horsetail
- cascara
- ginger
- kava
- senna
- ginseng
- khella
- black cohosh
- lavender
- licorice
- buchu
- ginkgo
- mistletoe
- bugleweed
- goldenseal
- pau d'arco
- cats claw
- gotu cola
- red clover
- dandelion
- green tea
- St John's wort
- dang qui
- hops
- valerian
- and many chinese herbal combinations
Summary
Although this is a paper on herbal treatment of animals, it is unwise to assume that herbs alone are used to treat ill-health in our pets. Most holistic veterinarians recommend nutritional support, in addition to conventional therapy if the problem is acute, severe or life threatening. This integrated approach is designed to give the animal patient the greatest amount of comfort combined with the gentlest and most supportive treatments. For more information using herbs for your pets, find a veterinary herbalist through the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (www.vbma.org), or via the office bearers of the Australian Holistic Veterinarians.