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Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments 25 January 2004 Herbal Help for Humans and their CompanionsHello Everyone!Here in NSW Australia we are experiencing large, sudden changes in day to day temperatures, it seems to be a constant topic of conversation . Us humans are creatures so readily effected by the weather, we easily complain and never seem content. It is something we have no control over, so in this at least we are reminded that each of us need to flow with the smaller and larger cycles of Mother Earth. In this issue we look at:- Nail Biting Are our bodies wanting more minerals or is it a nervous response?? Chewing the nails is not usually a sign of a lack of minerals but rather the attempt of your nervous system to dissipate a certain sort of nervous energy through the fingertips. Chewing them severely can also interfere with the roots if you were once chewing them nearly all the way back. Some of the folk who love to garden or are constantly knitting or involving themselves in craft energy are actually responding to the same need to dissipate the nervous energy which needs to be released by physical activity. These are ones who have found a healthier outlet for this. Others do the same thing by tapping their foot or by making other repetitive nervous gestures. In some cases this causes people to have difficulty in getting off to sleep at night as their nervous systems are on full alert at all times and can not relax into sleep easily. I treat such nervous systems with a combination of herbs which vary with the individual case but will always include the herb Vervain. Vervain is a nervine, a herb that works on the peripheral nervous sytem it relieves congestion of the small blood vessels, nervous tension and also acts as an anti spasmodic. People in need of such a nervine are great fidgetters ,constantly fiddling, picking at their skin, clothes, nails and hair or moving their feet and legs . So by now you should have a picture of this person --someone who can not be still!!! They are usually over conscientiousness with lists of tasks they want to complete. On the other hand if you do have nails but they continually break and crack maybe you need to look at nutrition, the following site may be helpful. http://www.herbal-treatment.net/herbs_fingernail_health.html#growth_stimulating_oil Stringhalt in Horses I have wrestled with Stringhalt over the years and there is not a simple answer as to whether the condition is caused by a plant or some sort of deficiency. I tend to believe that actually it is due to a fungal infection which is found on a variety of plants and may in turn be due to something we put on our pastures. While Magnesium is important to healthy nerves and many of the herbs I use to treat the condition nowadays are naturally high in Magnesium. I am not at all sure that an inorganic magnesium supplement helps at all. There are also some suggestions that the condition can be a result of superphosphate poisoning in susceptible horses. My stringhalt program consists of: Herbs: Comfrey, Dandelion, Mugwort, Pine Bark, Sage, Saw Palmetto, Valerian (all 1:1 extracts except for Dandelion which is in 1:10 Tincture form.) Homeopathic: Magnesium Phosphate tissue salt and from the Bach Flower Range; Rescue Remedy, Heather, Vine, Elm and Vervain. This course is given over a 12 week period and a single dose each day of yoghurt (acidophilus) about a couple of dessertspoons is given as well. This whole program is a little complex and crazy sounding but over about 8 years of development I have now got a pretty reliable treatment working. I have probably struggled over stringhalt more than any other condition in either man or beast. The mix is to be found on my website at the following link; http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_stringhalt_herbal_treatment.html. Spaying, Pyometra, Weight gain and Incontinence in Bitches This is a very complex issue and depends on your environment, your tolerance levels as well as your bitches personality. We have clients asking for advice all the time and each set of circumstances are different. Yes, Pyometra as well as mammary gland cancer can occur in unspayed bitches but certainly not always, yes dogs can gain weight after spaying but may do this anyway. Incontinence after spaying is also a threat but not necessarily. A bitch on heat may not bother you?
I can see no reason at all for spaying if your dog is not going to be in a situation where she is in danger of an unwanted pregnancy and if her cycle is simple and non problematic in her circumstances. Anyone who is telling you that leaving her reproductive system intact is posing a risk to her health is only looking at one side of the issues. There is also a risk from infection during a spay operation and I would think carefully about it. Do we all too often stop nature taking its course? If you have decided to go ahead with spaying and find an increased incontinence then you may find my Canine Incontinence mix a helpful remedy to keep. It contains Rosehips, Saw Palmetto, Couch Grass, Buchu and Oats. The herbs in this combination, in harmony, support the re-toning of sphincters, nerve supply and linings of the bladder as well as supplying support to the immunity in general. The rationale behind my approach is fully described in the article on incontinence to be found on the website at http://herbal-treatments.com.au/articles_treating_canine_incontinence.html I find the treatment program helpful in all cases of Spay Incontinence. I know this is a pretty big statement and there are some very advanced cases which I cannot completely heal but I always produce improvement. If your dogs case is mild to moderate it is extraordinarily effective. http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_dog_incontinence.html All the best with these vexing decisions that we all have to make. As long as you consider your own circumstances and make the best possible responsible decision with the information you have then you have done well. Kind Regards to All Robert McDowell |