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Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments 01 July 2007 Herbal Help for Humans and their CompanionsThe loving space created by Reiki which allows you to open and explore yourself, the flow of balancing energy through your being, and the self-love you show by allowing yourself this experience are all that is necessary for healing. After a Reiki session, you need to get grounded before you drive home. You may also find that the healing can continue for two to three days after the session. During this time, emotional material may continue to surface. You may also find that your dreams are more vivid than usual. This week we feature:-
Feline - Diabetes Melitis Formerly referred to as sugar diabetes this is a failure of your cat's pancreas to regulate blood sugar. There are two types of diabetes mellitus: - Type I (also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) Requiring Daily shots of insulin. - Type II (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus). Dietary changes usually reverse this condition. Feline Diabetes Mellitus can often be managed, but it will require a significant amount of dedication on the part of the cat's owner. The most common symptoms of a cat with feline diabetes mellitus: Your veterinarian can diagnose the disease by taking into account the symptoms just described & confirmed by tests on the cat's blood and urine. Feline Diabetes Mellitus occurs in cats of all breeds, ages, and genders, and the exact cause of the disease is unknown. However, it is known to most commonly affect older, obese cats, and males are more commonly afflicted than females. Therefore, attempt to keep your cats at a healthy weight, particularly older cats and males, and take any cat to a veterinarian at the first sign of symptoms. As a herbalist we look at Diabetes as being much more a reflection of a metabolic imbalance than of a diseased pancreas as such and by using herbs this condition can be rebalanced with a focus on metabolic harmony and tonics for the Liver and Pancreas specifically. Such is the blend of herbs in my Feline Conditioning Mix to be found on my website on: http://www.herbal-treatments.com/cat_conditioning_mix.html As eye problems are often associated with diabetes the addition of my eye wash will assist in reversing this condition by maintaining the health of the eye itself. See link for dosage information: http://www.herbal-treatments.com/cat_eye_wash.html Dietary changes are really important as your cat will require to eat a raw & natural diet to assist in balancing the Blood sugar levels & reducing the weight if obese.
Canine - Diabetes We all know about the Pancreas because we know it is involved in Diabetes and that it is somehow responsible for managing blood sugar through producing a substance called insulin. Diabetes Mellitus is a group of conditions in which there is a deficiency of the hormone insulin or an insensitivity to it. Insulin is produced in the islet cells of the pancreas and is normally responsible for controlling blood concentrations of the body's main fuel, glucose. In normal animals, insulin does this by preventing glucose production by the liver and ensuring that excess glucose derived from food which is not needed for energy is put into body stores. In a diabetic animal there is insufficient insulin to switch off glucose production by the liver or to efficiently store excess glucose derived from energy giving foods. This means that the blood concentration of glucose rises and eventually exceeds a level beyond which the kidneys let glucose leak into the urine. This loss of glucose in urine takes water with it by a process called osmosis and causes larger volumes of urine to be produced than normal. The excessive loss of water in urine is compensated for by thirstiness and increased water consumption. The principal clinical signs of an animal with diabetes mellitus are therefore excessive urination and excessive water consumption. In addition, diabetic animals tend to lose weight because they breakdown stores of fat and protein (muscle) to make glucose and ketones (an alternative fuel) in the liver. Other clinical signs diabetics may include: cataracts, increased appetite, exercise intolerance and recurrent infections. If the production of ketones by the liver is excessive a condition called ketoacidosis occurs which makes the animal very unwell. The two common herbs supportive of the pancreas are oats and fennel. Oats as in rolled oats porridge, which used to be a human breakfast staple before the introduction of a myriad of less healthy, highly sugared and processed breakfast cereals. Fennel as in fennel seeds which can be eaten a pinch at a time as is common practice after meals right through Asia and the Middle East. Oats can be given to dogs with just a little hot water poured over it. My herbal mix includes Chamomile, Oats, Comfrey, St Mary's Thistle, Bladderack, Rosehips, and Fennel. To this mix I add the Bach Flower Remedies Walnut, Scleranthus, Red Chestnut, Wild Rose and Centaury. Equine - Cataracts I have a wonderful herbal eye wash formulation that addresses inflammation dramatically and slows cataract progression; it will also cure any infection and support the health of the eye itself. You need to begin with this urgently. It is further described on my web site at; http://www.herbal-treatments.com/horse_eye_wash.html The eye wash is in the form of a concentrate, so it is important to dilute it with 3 drops only in a small quantity of luke warm water or colloidal silver 20ml more or less. Then the diluted wash may be gently syringed over the eye twice daily to begin with. http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_colloidal_silver_antibiotic.html To assist with the stress of the condition, dose the horse with Rescue remedy 20 minutes prior to each eye application. http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_rescue_remedy.html Just pull out the lower lip and place a good squirt into the mouth. After each eyewash, reward the horse with a treat like carrot or garlic dipped in molasses. After a couple of months of twice daily application, I would be interested to reassess the case and perhaps make further recommendations. Kelloshiel Park Update http://www.kellosheilpark.com Kelloshiel park is a property dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of horses using an holistic approach, it is a chemical free environment that encourages healing on all levels. It offers supervised spelling and rehabilitation for all medical conditions as well as offering agistment for mares in foal and for growing out young stock. There is an onsite accredited herbalist. Their rehabilitation approach for thoroughbreds includes an integrated program of diet, herbal treatments with an onsite herbalist, specific training and the controlled build up of workloads under close supervision. Kelloshiel also offers agistment services which range from shared spelling/ growing-out to private paddocks with full livery and private tack and feed storage facilities. Kelloshiel Park is now offering clinics and courses. 1. Colleen Brook a talented teacher, horsewoman and showjumping rider is coming in August to assist you to educate your horse beyond the dressage arena and improve your own riding skills. Lunch Provided. Cost $120-$150 for 2 days. 2. Mel Flemming, a level 4 Parelli instructor is conducting a clinic to impart her intimate knowledge of the human-equine connection. For all dressage enthusiasts, pony clubbers and jumping riders. Dates and cost TBA 3. Jane Clothier uses "Equine Touch" to gently heal horses. Over 3 days you will learn this safe and simple method. Cost $450.00 includes lunch. Limit of 4 participants. http://www.softcontact.co.uk For all information contact Cath the manager on 0428 378 000 Human - Adult Onset Diabetes Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate and carries with it long term serious problems with eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. We all know about the Pancreas because we know it is involved in Diabetes and that it is somehow responsible for managing blood sugar through producing a substance called insulin. Hormonal and nervous system messages are being exchanged between each system of the body and the individual members of each system constantly, all aimed at tuning the entire metabolism to respond to the day to day and moment to moment demands of this most complex of machines, the human body. Pancreatic conditions seem to develop in individuals more from emotional causes, than most. In particular, an emotional deficit best described as a lack of sweetness in their lives, and I don't mean a lack of lollies. Adult onset diabetes mostly comes on slowly and can be intercepted at any stage of its development if it is caught before regular insulin injection become necessary. If insulin has been used for some time it is more difficult to turn the disease around as the pancreas has shut down completely due to the insulin. It is vital to try to keep a balance of blood sugar levels. And reduce the likelihood of any long term complications. Dietary changes and the inclusion of the two most effective herbs into that diet offers a real chance of rebalancing this sort of diabetes and rather than have to look forward to a lifetime of insulin injections it is worth a great deal of effort to make the changes required. The two common herbs supportive of the pancreas are oats and fennel. Oats as in rolled oats porridge, which used to be a breakfast staple before the introduction of a myriad of less healthy, highly sugared and processed breakfast cereals. Fennel as in fennel seeds which can be eaten a pinch at a time as is common practice after meals right through Asia and the Middle East. I see the pancreas as a more sensitive organ than most and when treating it, I rely on herbs to support the associated systems as much as those supporting the pancreas itself. This approach seems to work well and the pancreas seems to function best when all its metabolic partners are happy. The herbs I include in the mix are: Chamomile, Oats, Comfrey, St Mary's Thistle, Bladderack, Rosehips, and Fennel. To this mix I add the Bach Flower Remedies Walnut, Scleranthus, Red Chestnut, Wild Rose and Centaury. 20 drops three times daily of this mix taken with Chamomile Tea to which a little Fennel has been added will quickly give additional support to the pancreas and help it to restore normal function. Sensible diet and eating patterns with oats included daily, are normally sufficient, along with the herbal tonic, to stabilise the illness and prevent it developing to require daily insulin injections. The long term emotional/ relationship situation in which a Diabetes sufferer finds themselves, and which is most often is a significant factor in the illness, may be the most difficult factor stopping ones ability to get completely over diabetes but just accepting and being aware of these factors is a help even if one is able to do little about it. Home Remedies - Galangal It is used medicinally for digestive problems, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. It has been used for sea sickness, headaches, spleen enlargement, catarrh, bronchitis, rheumatism, foot pains, liver and gall bladder disorders, sore gums, as well as used as a respiratory and heart stimulant, and as a treatment for impotence. A drink, made from grated galangal and lime juice, is valued as a tonic in Southeast Asia. Galangal is a specific herb for a sluggish metabolism; also used as a body deodoriser and breath cleanser, as well as a tonic and aphrodisiac. Hildegard of Bingen, herbal writer of the 12th Century, esteemed galangal for indigestion, deafness, arthritis, to lower high blood pressure and improve circulation, and relieve stomach and heart pain. She said, "If there would be a herb to wake up the dead, then galangal would be the first choice". Dose: To make as a tea; infuse 1/2 teasp. of powdered rhizome in 1 cup of boiling water, steep 10-15mins, drink 1-3 cups a day. A tincture is applied to skin complaints including tinea and ringworm. Try cooking with spices as the Thais do, so that the food itself is easier to digest, but digestive and carminative herbs can also be taken as supplements or post-digestive tonics, sort of like an after dinner aperitif. A chocolate covered mint is hardly comparable to galangal! Today, galangal is available in the fresh vegetable section of the supermarket, frozen food section in Asian food stores, as a powder in the spice department. It has an incredible aroma of its own but combines well with other carminative spices such as star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. These spices can be added to a pot of one's favourite tea, making a "masala chai" or, for those inclined, they greatly enhance another traditional winter favourite, hot buttered rum! "We acknowledgement Isabell Shipard and her wonderful book , "How I can Use Herbs in my Daily Life" and website. Reader Feedback We value your feedback so much that we are making it easier for you to send us a sentence or two. Please fill in the form below and click 'Submit' Wishing you and your companions the best of health and happiness. Yours Truly, Judith Burton for Robert McDowell |
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