Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
13 October 2004
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
Where I am in the Southern hemisphere spring is fully happening, buds every where, bulbs flowering, blossom, new leaf growth, seeds sprouting; an amazing time of year when you actually stop to think about it. Millions of tons of plant matter come into being almost before your eyes, in fact I'm sure my baby spinach plants grew at least by 3 centimetres yesterday.When you quietly consider the changes that occur from season to season its not hard to believe the Gaia hypothesis that perceives the earth as an infinitely complex living and evolving entity involving the biosphere, oceans, and soils. Just as the human organism it has the power to protect, regulate, adjust and heal itself and thereby maintain a balance.
Gaia was the Greek goddess of the earth who created the universe and gave birth to the race of Gods and the first human beings.
It is exciting to know that at last the new theories of quantum physics are now recognising that all the many forms of existence actually have the same nature and although they appear to be separate and solid they are in fact simply energy vibrating at different rates. On all levels of existence , from the spiritual to the material, the natural world resonates with us. Keep enjoying your natural world.
This week we feature:-
- Feline - Urinary Tract Problems
- Equine - Arnica in Hoof Oil
- Human - Graves Disease
- Home Remedies - Enjoy Parsley
- Reader Feedback
Feline - We do treat our feline friends as well as the canine type
The truth is, that I treat very many fewer cats than dogs which I think is a reflection on feline companions being healthier generally than canine ones.
Cat lovers would say "Of course they are healthier they have more sense and they know how to look after themselves better"
I think I would agree to all this although it seems to me that Cats are better at leading double lives. In our sight they are totally domesticated, but out at night for example, they are totally the opposite.
They change into ferocious predators and are able to supplement their commercial food diets with "God only knows what". Dogs are mostly denied this freedom.
Of course we have to be more careful in dosage as they are, as you cat lovers know, very fussy about their food and if you put them off even once with too many drops of "nasty" tasting herbs then they will never try again. So we recommend starting off with 1 drop of the mix in some strong tasting food like sardines.
Urinary tract problems in a cat
My canine programs for rehabilitiation diseased kidneys and for urinary tract infections are just as successfully used to treat cats.
I would recommend the two mixes taken together at a dose rate of 5 drops of each given twice daily to a cat to repair the kidneys and to clear the infection.
See the links:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_kidney_weakness.html
and
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_urinary_tract_infection.html
These treatments are extremely reliable and completely safe. The only thing you need to know is that you will have to start out with just a drop of each in some sort of tasty snack to let your cat get used to the taste. Cats are not so forgiving of unpleasant tastes as are dogs.
Equine - Arnica in Hoof Oil
Physical Arnica (that is varying concentrations of the herbal extract) should never be taken internally as it is a very powerful vulinary and will promote internal bleeding. The homeopathic preparations 6X and 30X are those most commonly used as a shock treatment and operate in a very similar way to Rescue Remedy in unwinding the energy signature of shock thereby assisting physical and nervous system healing and there are no contra-indications. My own preference is for Rescue Remedy as it is specific in unwinding the various components of emotional energy involved in shock while homeopathic Arnica is more focused on the physical effects of shock and I would consider it more in cases of a severe bone bruise for example both internally as 6X and externally as a diluted cream or oil.
Physical Arnica is a very useful herb in creams and oils and is almost magical in reducing bruising both in soft tissue and in bones. The 5% Arnica Creams usually found in Health Stores is too strong for most applications on a horses limb and will cause swelling as too much fluid is drawn to the area for the system to dissipate. At the 5% strength it is suitable for use on the hoof and in the muscled parts of the body.
I make up an oil for example I call "Hoof Oil" with Arnica, Wintergreen, Comfrey, Kelp, Linseed and Rescue Remedy which is a magic combination for all Hoof problems in terms of improving the circulation to the hoof and supporting accelerated healing of all conditions from stone bruising through to founder and greasy heal to pedal osteosis and navicular disease. (It is also amazing when applied for knee and shoulder injuries in human athletes.)
Human - Graves Disease
Grave's Disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease represents a basic defect in the immune system, causing production of immunoglobulins (antibodies) which stimulate and attack the thyroid gland, causing growth of the gland and overproduction of thyroid hormone. Similar antibodies may also attack the tissues in the eye muscles and in the pretibial skin (the skin on the front of the lower leg).
Symptoms include the following :- fatigue ,weight loss , restlessness ,rapid heart beat , changes in libido , muscle weakness , heat intolerance , tremors , enlarged thyroid gland , heart palpitations , increased sweating, blurred or double vision, nervousness & irritability , eye complaints, such as redness and swelling, hair changes , restless sleep , erratic behavior , increased appetite, distracted attention span , decrease in menstrual cycle , increased frequency of stools.
Overall there is an increase in all metabolic functions.
Although Graves' disease most frequently occurs in women in the middle decades (8:1 more than men), it also occurs in children and in the elderly. There are several elements contributing to the development of Graves' disease. There is a genetic predisposition to autoimmune disorders. Infections and stress play a part. Graves' disease may have its onset after an external stressor. In other instances, it may follow a viral infection or pregnancy. Many times the exact cause of Graves' disease is simply not known.
My mix includes the floowing herbs and Bach Flowers: Poke Root, Scullcap, Blue Flag, Pulsatilla, Chamomile, Horsetail , Liquorice and Comfrey as well as Scleranthus, Chestnut Bud, Pine, Cerato and Impatiens. These herbs together work to rebalance thyroid functioning, regulate the emotions, appetite and sleep patterns as well as calm any tremor.
On an energetic level thyroid problems are considered to be frustrated creativity and not being able to do what you want to do.
For any eye swelling or irritation I suggest the Eye Health Special that is described at the site below:
http://www.herbal-treatment.net/herbs_eye_health.html
Home Remedies -You Can Never Have Too Much Parsley
"Don't throw out the Parsley!Eat it to prevent drunkeness,
halitosis, or sagging jaw lines."
(18th Century French)
At some point people hung sprigs of Parsely around there necks to prevent inebriation. If only it was so simple!
Parsley targets the spinal nerve plexuses, energising and renewing the flow of nervous energy. In fact the Greeks say that it is miraculous and is the only thing left to prescribe when some one is close to death.
Parsley grows well where a woman is the master or even better if she is pregnant. Interestingly it also grows well if the plant is stolen or given as a gift. I wonder how these old tales come about?
Parsley is a wonderful herb for the kidneys, convalescents and those with a chronic lack of energy. Due to the fact that the hair is known as the "flower of the kidney" parsley tea is useful as a hair tonic or grind up parsley seeds to make a tea and then use as a tonic to prevent hair falling out.
Parsley leaves (bruised) can be used a a poultice and placed on swollen glands or on hard breasts following child birth.
In the my mothers and grandmothers day Parsley was chopped into all manner of foods -mashed potato, scrambled eggs, added to pasta sauces and casseroles. My advise is to grow lots of it and eat even more. By the way it does freeze well - just as it is.
Past Newsletters:
I invite you to browse through recent newsletters on a wide variety of topics on both human and animal health issues there will certainly be something of immediate interest to you:
http://www.herbal-treatments.com/newsletter.html
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Wishing you and your companions the best of health and happiness.
Yours Truly,
Judith Burton for
Robert McDowell
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