Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
17 February 2006
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
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"Reverence awakens in the soul a sympathetic power through which we attract qualities in the beings around us, which would otherwise remain concealed."
- Rudolf Steiner
This week we feature:-
- Feline - A Cat Chasing its Own Tail
- Canine - Respiratory Infection
- Equine - AIH and A&R Mixes
- Human - Baldness
- Home Remedies - St Mary's Thistle
- Reader Feedback
Feline- A Cat Chasing its Own Tail
Rescue Remedy contains Rock Rose and this is an ideal treatment given 3 or 4 times daily whether she seems to need it or not, for a couple of weeks. If this is not enough, I could send a nervous system strengthening tonic which I use for nervous and fearful dogs to rebuild her nervous system. It should help break into the habit if the Rescue Remedy is not enough. This mix is described on my website at:
http://www.herbal-treatments.com/cat_nervous_rehabilitation.html
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Please see our new cat site below - it desperately needs photos and stories about your beloved feline friends. http://www.herbal-treatments.com/herbal_treatments_for_cats.html |
Canine - Viral and Bacterial Involvement in Respiratory Infection
The whole question about viral and bacterial involvement in respiratory infection is one which has been skewed for a very long time as the medical profession had nothing but antibiotics to offer. Originally the justification was to give the antibiotics just in case a viral infection developed into bacterial one which is of course a possibility as the thickened mucus involved in a viral respiratory infection is an ideal breeding medium for bugs.
However after nearly 50 years of overuse of antibiotics in this manner we now have highly drug resistant strains of bacteria and the cracks in plan A are becoming obvious. Plan A being to give the dog an antibiotic to keep the 0wner feeling reassured that medical help was being given while waiting for the dogs own immunity to overcome the virus.
In fact of course it is the health of the immune system which is what is important. A dog with a healthy immunity will be able to deal with a viral infection quickly and easily and is also much less likely to develop a secondary bacterial infection.
My approach to treating Canine Flu Virus (and also Kennel Cough) is the same as for any respiratory infection.
I treat primarily the immune system and support the health of the other systems and tissues involved. I also encourage owners to allow the infection to run its course to some extent, as one of the immune systems responses hat of elevated temperature, is one of natures tools to destroy viruses. These fragile organisms are very temperature sensitive and are destroyed by elevated body temperature. (By the way they are also destroyed by camphor which saturates intra cellular fluids and kills viruses as they migrate from cell to cell.) There is a marketing opportunity here for camphor bags built into dog collars.
My herbal treatment programs reflect this multi directional approach as follows:
I include the following herbs extracted into an organic cider vinegar base as described on my website:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_kennel_cough.html
- Fresh Garlic as a natural antibiotic and blood cleanser (high in iron and sulphur)
- Elecampane as a lung tonic to improve the oxygen uptake efficiency in the respiratory system (assists the immunity in oxidation processes involved in fighting both viral and bacterial infection)
- Fenugreek which is a powerful lymphatic system tonic and specific for the health of mucosal linings in the upper respiratory system (to support the health of mucus linings and help prevent secondary bacterial infection developing)
- Marshmallow as a demulcent also for the health of mucus linings especially in the bronchiales and lungs.
- Mullein is specific for irritated nasal passages.
- Nettle as a high iron tonic to assist the immunity generally.
- Maritime Pine to build up immunity at the deepest levels.
- Yarrow as an astringent tonic, blood tonic and a support to red blood cell production.
- Rosehips as the best upper level immunity tonic high in Iron, Vitamin C, Copper, Cobalt and as an adrenal and kidney tonic.
- Kelp to provide trace element support to the immune system and;
- Coltsfoot as a specific assistance to reduce a persistent cough.
All this sounds pretty complex but all the ingredients are safe and natural all work in harmony with your dogs own immunity to both deal with a current infection and to build up the immunity after brush with the flu to healthy levels essentially providing immunity against future infections.
Nowadays the secondary bacterial infections are now more drug resistant than ever before and that generally the modern dog has a much lower immunity generally in the 21st century than ever before, due mostly to human interference with its natural diet and lifestyle.
Sorry about the length of the explanation but Robert hates to miss any opportunity to get the whole (holistic) message across.
Equine - Anti-inflam and Arthritis and Rheumatism Mixes-What is the difference?
The anti-inflammatory is really a replacement for aspirin or Bute and deals with pain and inflammation to allow things to settle down and heal on their own.
The Arthritis and Rheumatism mix does a job on the blood chemistry which is behind the rheumatism as well as working on the bone changes which are behind arthritis. This was designed for an older horse who is suffering from age , wear and tear , to reverse these processes and make their life more comfortable. I recommend the AIH more for acute cases where I am often treating specifics which underlie the pain and inflammation separately
Human - Baldness
Robert once wrote to a patient "If you could see the top of my head you would see I don't have a cure for balding". Its true , however premature balding due to poor circulation and or tension in the scalp is easy to help with Herbs and Scalp Massage.
The Circulation Tonic I make up for this purpose is to be found on the link:
http://www.softwaresolutions.com.au/herbs_circulation_extremities.html
The other approach I use is for hormonally based premature balding primarily for younger men and this is found on the link:
http://www.softwaresolutions.com.au/herbs_baldness.html
this covers female alopecia and premature balding due to hormonal irregularity and the herbs work to bring this balance back into line.
He went on to say "I personally believe that the reason I have still more hair at 60 than my father had at 30 is that as a swimmer I always used a very short cut and have always massaged my scalp with a bristle brush and that this stimulated the circulation more than in my fathers day when longer hair was the fashion and regular combs were the only thing around."
Home Remedies - St Mary's Thistle
A THISTLE BY ANY OTHER NAME...
Otherwise known as St Mary's Thistle, Silybum Marianum (botanical name), Marian's Thistle, Milk Thistle and Holy Thistle (do not confuse with Blessed Thistle), the plant's many guises all relate to an old legend. The story tells of Mary (Maria) resting beneath the boughs of a thistle tree so that she may feed the baby Jesus. It is said that a drop of her milk fell on the plant's green leaves and there it stayed.
For over 2,000 years Europeans have used milk thistle seeds as a herbal treatment for liver disorders. The plant has been grown both as an ornamental and a vegetable. Virtually all parts of the plant have been used as food with no reports of toxicity. Over the past 40 years, intensive chemical, pharmacological, and clinical research has confirmed mechanisms of action and therapeutic value of silymarin in a wide range of human liver disease including toxic metabolic liver damage (such as fatty degeneration of the liver) and supportive treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Silymarin, derived from the seeds of the plant, has shown both protective and restorative effects in liver disease. Other components of the seed have proven useful in supportive therapy for death cap mushroom poisoning. The plant is a primary example of the usefulness of using historical efficacy as a starting point for the development of modern applications for medicinal plants.
The leaves of milk thistle provide a bitter tonic. The seeds are cholagogue (stimulates flow of bile from the liver). Leaves are used for common stomach problems like lack of appetite and dyspepsia. The seeds are used for liver, gallbladder, and spleen problems, and for jaundice and gallstone colic.
Reader Feed Back
Update on Chiefs Progress
Dear Catherine, Robert and team,
We have been following your advise and the results are unbelievable!! The lump in Chief's leg has disappeared!! We haven't been walking him, so are still yet to test if it is sore when used a lot, but the lump is completely gone. Wow!!!
I am going to take him for a walk today and see how he feels afterwards. I can't believe how quickly and affectively these natural remedies are working with Chief. They work slowly on us humans, but with Chief, he responds straight away.
Thank you so much for your help. I will let you know if it is still sore or not. I really can't thank you enough. We keep thinking his life may be over and you guys just keep on keeping him alive!! I don't doubt that if we had not turned to you for help, he may very well be dead by now and I think a lot of animals are dying prematurely due to the mainstream system of vets and the medicines and diagnosis they offer. They really are working against nature, not with it. What a shame.
I can't wait to tell the vet, I have changed vets and this new one is more open to other alternatives, the old one was very anti natural. So, it will be interesting to see his response when I tell him it works. They were going to cut him open etc etc. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts......again!!
Yours truly
Sandy Stojanov.
To read Chiefs story click on the site below:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/chief.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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