9/8/2011
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What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is the use of plant parts (roots, fruits or leaves) in addition to, or as an alternative to, conventional medicine. The tradition of Western herbal medicine goes back at least 2000 years. Plants are composed of many chemicals, some of which have nutritional properties and some that are pharmacological. Many drugs used in conventional medicine are derived from plants, for example digoxin from foxglove and aspirin from white willow bark.
How is herbal medicine used?
Herbal medicine makes use of both the nutritional and pharmacological properties of plants. Some herbs are used as tonics to supplement nutrition and boost the immune system, such as alfalfa, ginseng and licorice. Other herbs are used to address a particular symptom or problem, such as cranberry for urinary tract infections and white willow for musculoskeletal pain.
What forms of herbs are available for animals?
Herbs are available as fresh herbs or powders that can be added to food, for example turmeric, or used topically, for example aloe. Herbal tinctures are an extraction of the whole herb in alcohol. They are highly concentrated so only a small dose is required. Alcohol tastes dreadful, especially to cats, so the dose needs to be mixed in Nutrigel or anchovy paste.
Herbs are also available as dried extracts in tablet form. This allows for easier dose calculation and administration. However, in many cases it is not the whole herb that is extracted, only the probable 'active principle'. Tablets may not work as well as whole herb or tinctures because the healing action of a herb relies on all its chemical constituents, not just one chemical labelled the active principle.
Are herbs safe?
Herbal medicines are not licensed for use in pets and only a few controlled randomised studies have been carried out. Some herbs will react with medications that may already be used, such as hawthorn used in cardiac disease may increase the effects of digoxin. Other herbs may be potentially toxic, especially to cats, such as chamomile, white willow or birch. Essential oils, especially tea tree and pennyroyal, should never be used in cats or small dogs. Even garlic can be toxic to small dogs.
Always ask your vet before using herbs. They are useful for chronic or recurring conditions but conventional therapy is mandatory for acute or life threatening illnesses. If you are interested in the use of herbal medicines to treat your pet.
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