Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
24 December 2006
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Peace on earth and good will to all. |
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
"Blissors not stressors",The nervous system can take a battering at Christmas. This is a time of year that can be very stressful and difficult socially, travel wise and also financially.
When suffering from anxiety, depression or feeling tight and stressed you need to consciously focus more on "Blissors not stressors", address each one of the following areas to achieve a more balanced and happy life. Ultimately we have to remember to nourish all our senses. Creative activities and nature walks are some of the best ways to achieve this. Look at:-
Stress Management - yoga, breathing, meditation.
Exercise - gentle and daily.
Nutrition - Eat "SLOW" foods ie seasonal, local, organic, whole. Cut back on alcohol and coffee.
Social/ Spiritual - relaxing with friends and family, acknowledging beliefs and life philosophies.
Education - ongoing interest and motivation in learning.
In 2007 look out for our new well being section with suggestions for health in all body systems
This week we feature:-
- Feline - Hyperthyroidism
- Canine - Ticks and Lyme’s Disease
- Equine - Queensland Itch
- Human - The Hangover
- Home Remedies - Don’t go past the Simple Dandelion
- Reader Feedback
Feline - Hyperthyroidism (This is the latest on our newish cat site)
http://www.herbal-treatments.com/herbal_treatments_for_cats.html
Hyperthyroidism (also called thyrotoxicosis) is one of the most common diseases of the middle-aged and older cat. It effects many systems of the body caused by an increase in the amount of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) produced by an enlarged thyroid gland. It was first documented in cats almost 30 years ago but the cause of the disease has been elusive. Although the enlargement in the thyroid gland is caused by a tumour called an adenoma, it is non-cancerous.
The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism in cats include weight loss, increased appetite (although some cats have depression and decreased appetite), vomiting, increased thirst and urination, hyperactivity, and diarrhoea. The high levels of thyroid hormones can cause the development of heart disease, and these patients may have a heart murmur, difficulty breathing, high heart rate and arrhythmias.
The herbs I include in my Thyroid Regulator mix are: Rosehips, Dandelion, Bladderack, Fennel, Blue Flag and Chamomile. To this mix I add the Bach Flower Remedies; in addition for an overactive thyroid I include Rock water, Rescue Remedy, Walnut, and Scleranthus.
Canine - Ticks and Lyme’s Disease
Also See:
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/dog_tick_lyme.html
There are many sources of tick infection found in canines. Lyme disease, Tracker dog disease, Ehrlichiosis and Biliary infection are some of the names you might be familiar with that result from tick bites in animals across many countries. Tick infection is caused by a tick-borne bacteria which infects several domestic animals including horses, cattle, dogs, and cats.
The way out of it all is simple. Address the fundamentals of the immune system and the metabolic harmony which have lost direction. Support the organs and processes of elimination and the whole situation can begin to rebalance itself.
The most common symptoms in the dog is arthritis affecting more than one joint. The joints are painful, warm and swollen. Other signs are fever, loss of appetite and swollen lymph glands. Generally, the only sign you will see in your dog is that it is reluctant to move. The disease can vary from acute to chronic depending on the dogs immune system.
If the dogs immune system is not effective then chronic symptoms will begin to show such as anemia, eye problems and bleeding episodes.
There is a great deal we can do for Tick bite Disease and for the history which went back all the way to the original blood poisoning incident.
The fundamental problem can be summarized as a toxic shock to the metabolism from which the system has never fully recovered.
1. The main mix includes Dandelion, Echinacea, Red Clover, Nettle, Yarrow, Wormwood, Mistletoe and Thuja as well as the Bach Flowers Crab Apple, Olive, Sweet Chestnut.
2. Maritime Pine Bark to support the immune system found at:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/maritime_pine_bark_extract_pycnogenol.html
Equine - Queensland Itch
Queensland Itch is known by many names depending on where you live, Sweet Itch, Summer Eczema or Midges.
Midges breed in wet marshes and in the decaying vegetable matter along rivers and lakes .The horse may become restless and uneasy when the midges bite as they normally bite in swarms. The midges bite along the dorsal region of the horse, forehead, withers, rump and base of tail.
However it is only a proportion of horses that develop an allergic sensitivity to to the bites. This reaction starts as small itchy nodules that the horse will rub and bite at until hair is lost and skin becomes reddened and scaly and crusts form.
The treatment for Queensland Itch includes herbs to strengthen the nervous system as well as the immune system, liver and blood quality.
Feeding a balanced natural diet will help create a healthy horse with a strong immune system that will not predispose it to an overly reactive response to any insect attack.
Include fresh herbs in the diet such as Nettle and Dandelion to boost blood circulation and quality, I particularly recommend Rosehips for boosting the immune system when treating Queensland Itch.
My Queensland Itch mix includes Blue Flag, Cider Vinegar, Chamomile, Fresh Garlic, Euphorbia, Fenugreek, Fresh Horse Radish, Kelp, Marshmallow Herb, Mullein Herb, Nettle Herb, Pine Bark, Rosehip Granules, Yarrow and Vervain along with the Bach Flowers Impatiens, Walnut and Rescue Remedy.
More information can be found at the following article:
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/articles_queensland_itch.html
The treatment for Queensland Itch is given internally just mixed into water and then into feed so there is no need to put anything on the skin itself. This not only makes it easier to treat but it addresses the real problem which is actually a problem of the blood quality and immune system and not an external infection.
The treatment also includes Rosehips which you can read about below:
http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_rosehips_granules.html
Human - 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 - Dandelion.....don't go past the Simple Dandelion
Dandelions have a thick tap root, dark brown, almost black on the outside though white and milky within, the long jagged leaves rise directly, radiating from it to form a rosette lying close upon the ground. The leaves are shiny and without hairs, the margin of each leaf cut into great jagged teeth, either upright or pointing somewhat backwards. All parts of the plant contain a somewhat bitter, milky juice (latex), but the juice of the root being still more powerful is the part of the plant most used for medicinal purposes.
Young Dandelion leaves make delicious sandwiches, the tender leaves being laid between slices of bread and butter and sprinkled with salt. The addition of a little lemon-juice and pepper varies the flavour. The leaves should always be torn to pieces, rather than cut, in order to keep the flavour.
The dried Dandelion leaves are also employed as an ingredient in many digestive or diet drinks and herb beers.
Dandelion Coffee is a natural beverage without any of the injurious effects that ordinary tea and coffee have on the nerves and digestive organs. It exercises a stimulating influence over the whole system, helping the liver and kidneys to do their work and keeping the bowels in a healthy condition, so that it offers great advantages to dyspeptics and does not cause wakefulness.
Dandelion is very nourishing and high in vitamin A. It is a blood, kidney, and liver cleanser and tonic. Dandelion is useful as a diuretic and one of the best natural sources of potassium. This makes it an ideal balanced diuretic even with oedema related to cardiac conditions. Its cholagogue action makes it an ideal remedy for inflammation and congestion of the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion root has a significant cleansing action on the liver and stimulates bile production. It is also mildly bitter and a gentle laxative.
Dandelion's bitter taste stimulates bitter receptors in the mouth and by reflex activates the entire digestive tract and the liver. It increases the flow of digestive juices thereby improving digestion and assimilation and enhancing the appetite. Dandelion cleanses the liver by increasing bile production and flow through the liver. Thus giving support to the liver's work as the major detoxifying organ in the body.
Dandelion root is one of the best detoxifying herbs. As is works on the liver and gallbladder to help convert waste products it also assists the kidneys to remove the toxins through urination.
Pick and eat a young leaf as you walk past - each time!
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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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