Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
19 May 2004
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
Why do we drink alcohol?I associate alcohol with a celebration, in moderation it can enhance a social event but some of us use it to remove bad memories even use it as crutch for life.
Many of you will know that beer was originally made from barley, hops and ingredients that had a beneficial effect on our organs and nervous system. Those who seek out beer regularly may have a sense of disappointment about their day or be stressed by daily life. To enhance the benefits of beer try a home brew, in Australia Southwarks, Coopers or stout have a more therapeutic effect.
There are some older people who enjoy a spirit at the end of the day or before bed. A small glass of brandy at this time can actually help many people sleep by dilating cerebral arteries, especially those who have a slightly raised blood pressure. Lying down tends to raise blood pressure even more as blood flow is increased. Sometimes even sleeping on a higher pillow helps the sleeplessness and avoids the taking of an orthodox sleeping tablet.
This week we feature:-
- Canine - The Nervous and Anxious Dog.
- Equine - Additions to Tendon and Bone Mixes.
- Human - The Hangover, an over indulgence in alcohol.
- Home Remedies - Kelp, Did you know?
- Reader Feedback
The Nervous and Anxious Dog
Do you have a dog who can't keep still, nervously urinates inappropriately and is jumpy in stressful situations ?
The nervous system needs strengthening and nourishing so that the animal can deal with reactions and fears. A more robust nervous system will make him or her much more confident .
Once the herbs are in the system it is a good time to start a new training type program , this will support the work the herbs are doing. The dog should be much more amenable to new training. Maybe join a dog club training progam which involves lots of other people and lots of other dogs.
Nervousness comes from two sources ; a weakness in the nervous system and emotional responses and the habit of reacting in a particular way in particular circumstances.
The herbs will help with the first part and more slowly with the second part. The best support to habit breaking is to change the routine and open you dog up to new situations and ideas and circumstances.
There are a combination of emotions at work when your dog is overwhelmed by your expectations.
Apprehension, Impatience, Confidence, Overly Busy Head, even Near Loss of Control, certainly the adrenaline is pumping and the concentration is scattered.
All of these individual emotional states are covered in the Bach Flower Range of treatments.
They are the same ones included in the Canine Nervous System Rehabilitation Mix which may be found by clicking on the link:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_nervous_rehabilitation.html
In this mix we include the specific Bach flowers along with Mistletoe, Passion Flower, Skullcap, Valerian, Vervain and Wild Lettuce all of which physically regenerate the nervous system itself. A course of this treatment will strengthen the system and allow your dog to be a great deal calmer during any anticipation phase saving all the nervous energy and adrenalin for the real thing.
Equine Website:- Additions to our Tendon and Bone Mixes
The Tendon and Bone mix was originally developed as a blend for our local customers it was premixed in the ground millet and linseed base. This mix has proven to be a very popular and highly reliable in the 12 years or so that it has been available.
Some years ago, due to a quarantine requirement in the state of Western Australia, we started to make up the whole program in the form of vinegar extracts as we were reluctant to use alcohol extracts in horse mixes.
For years we have been preparing ligament and bone healing mixes for humans and for dogs in a concentrated alcohol extract form of the same herbs. These come in very much smaller containers as these extracts are so highly concentrated.
However the freight for the vinegar mixes is horrific for overseas customers, and with the increasing interest from folk offshore, we have now taken the step of making an alcohol concentrated tendon and bone mix for horses.
This will be the standard mix for overseas clients from now on. It will be supplied in 500ml bottles that will last between 10-12 weeks depending how accurately you use it, the cost will be $165.
The preparation is to be given as follows:
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Add 60 drops of the extract mix to a cup or more of boiling water ( this is to drive the alcohol off the dose being given). Then, mix this with a dessertspoon of kelp powder or granules into a cup of ground millet and linseed combination and give to the horse mixed in feed.
If ground millet and linseed are not available you will need to boil the whole seeds together which turns into a sort of porridge and a cup of this is given in place of the cup of ground seed combination. You can make up a batch for two or three days and keep it refrigerated if you wish.
The cost of freight will be greatly reduced and it should not be any more complicated than you were used to before.
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_tendon_bone_healing.html
The Hangover - An Over-indulgence in Alcohol
The symptoms of a hangover may include nausea, headaches, foggy brain, poor coordination, confusion, poor memory and melancholy. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause:-
- Poor judgement when critical assessment is required, uncoordinated movements, destructive social behaviours,
- Alcohol abuse and dependence as well as inducing a tolerance to alcohol.
- Amnesia - Transient global amnesia can totally disorient a person and block recall of events.
- Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar levels, alcohol consumption,while not eating can bring on hypoglycemia to the extent that a stupor results.
- Niacin Deficiency -Pellagra. This disease effects the gastrointestinal tract, mental ability, and photo sensitive reddened skin.
- Alcoholic liver disease - this disease can cause , scarring (Cirrhosis), fat accumulation, and inflammation (alcohol hepatitis).
- Acute Pancreatitis - a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that can be life threatening. Drinking in excess can clog the small ducts and then enzymes overwhelm and begin to digest the cells of the pancreas.
Here at herbal treatments we have come up with a herbal mix for those that regularly or occasionally need to recover from the effects of a hangover.
These herbs include Mugwort, Nettle, Dandelion, Fennel, Sage and Agrimony as well as the Bachs Wild Rose, Agrimony, Chestnut Bud and Sweet Chestnut.
These herbs work together to assist brain circulation, soothe and heal the abused liver and digestion and reestablish central nervous system connections.
Home Remedies - Kelp
To live heathily and joyfully in a wholistic way ie. physically, emotionally and mentally we need to have a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals as well as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Our racial and ethnic origins determine what amounts of the minerals we need. To make the minerals effective in our bodies we need to find sources of them that also include their metabolic partners. For instance Calcium needs to be in combination with Phosphorous, Silica and Magnesium that is why dairy foods when relied upon as a source of calcium do us a disservice.
Read Roberts article below to hear more about this fascinating fact:
http://www.herbal-treatment.net/article_understanding_fingernail_health.html
Kelp, Seaweed, Bladderack, Bull kelp sourced deeply in the North Atlantic Ocean and Narooma in NSW is an excellent tonic when taken in food form. It is high in many minerals and certain essential vitamins.
Lets look in more detail. Kelp contains:-
- Calcium along with its partners Phosphorous, Silica and Magnesium. these are essential for our skeleton and digestion.
- Sodium along with its partner Potassium . These together balance our fluids, work on digestion, blood and youthfulness.
- Magnesium along with Calcium and Phosphorous. Magnesium gives us our get up and go, our will power, it works on our brain, the control box sending signals for smooth coordination. This is important for life force.
- Iron . Iron works more effectively with a trace of copper, Vit C, Vit P, Vit K , Vit B12 (Inositol) and Oxygen.
No other single food source contains so many minerals and essential vitamins.
I know we aren't all nori roll fans neatly wrapped in seaweed, but kelp can be obtained in powder or granulated form and can be so easily added to stir fries , salads and casseroles. It is potent , all you need is a teaspoon or so.
So, go and fill a shaker with it and use as a condiment like pepper, you'll be doing yourself a favour!!
Reader Feed Back
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Wishing you and your companions the best of health and happiness.
Yours Truly,
Judith Burton for
Robert McDowell