Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
09 September 2007
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
The pharmaceutical and medical world have acknowledged the value of the Hawthorn plant for use in heart problems. Something that herbalists have known and used for thousands of years to treat a range of heart complaints. The Hawthorn plant we are talking about is the common English Hawthorn , or May bush, often seen growing in hedgerows. Herbalists have always used Hawthorn for safely supporting the heart and it is encouraging to see that the herbalists long standing practice is finally being acknowledged as beneficial by the Pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical companies have "discovered " herbs in the past and used them in mainstream medicine by extracting the active ingredients and using them in isolation, thereby altering the synergistic beneficial effects of the whole plant. These companies, often have then synthetically created the active ingredients, losing all but a faint thought of the original plant in its totality. However it's a step in the right direction, in bringing herbal medicine to people who may not have sought it out.
Congestive heart failure is a serious affliction, but it's still one in which some use of herbs can be extremely beneficial. One of these is hawthorn. In fact, for many herbal care practitioners, hawthorn is practically synonymous with heart. In fact, its history extends all the back to the first century A.D. The Greek herbalist, Dioscordes, reportedly used the herb in treating his patients.
This week we feature:-
- Feline - Osteosarcoma
- Canine - Anal Gland Problems
- Equine - Influenza Rehabilitation
- Human - Adrenal Collapse
- Home Remedies - Reflux
- Reader Feedback
Feline - Osteosarcoma
In cats, osteosarcoma accounts for 70% of primary bone tumors. Older cats (mean, 10 years) are most frequently affected. Osteosarcoma in cats behaves less aggressively than its canine counterpart.
Because of the rapid nature of osteosarcoma, treatment should be sought as soon as possible. The only trouble is that the most common sign, lameness and pain usually happens when it is already taken firm hold. It is also mistaken by owners at first as arthritis, stiffness or pulled muscle in which veterinarian care is usually not immediately sought.
Unlike its canine counterpart it has a much lower rate of metastasis and longer term survival can be expected with complete excision.
My Osteosarcoma Cancer Support Mix contains concentrated herbal extracts of; Bladderack, Comfrey, Equisetum, Golden Seal, Mistletoe, Parsley, Yarrow and Rosehips along with the Bach Flower Remedies Oak, Olive, Pine, Water Violet, Walnut and Wild Oat.
As well as the Super antioxidant to support the Immune system & our Anti Inflam for pain relief & discomfort.
Maritime Pine Antioxidant,
http://www.herbal-treatments.com/cat_maritime_pine_bark_extract_pycnogenol.html
Anti Inflammatory support;
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/cat_anti_inflammatory_mix.html
I also recommend that you place your cat on a diet of raw meat i.e.
Raw muscle meat with bones (chicken thighs and drumsticks or, better, a whole carcass of rabbit or chicken amounting to 2 kg; if you don't use a whole carcass, opt for dark meat like thighs and drumsticks from chicken or turkey)
Raw heart, ideally from the same animal (if no heart is available, substitute with 4000 mg Taurine)
Raw liver, ideally from the same animal (if you can't find appropriate liver, you can substitute 40,000 IU of Vitamin A and 1600 IU of Vitamin D--but try to use real liver rather than substitutes)
NOTE: If you cannot find the heart or liver and decide to substitute with the Taurine/Vitamin A and D, then remember to REPLACE the missing amount of organ meat with the equivalent amount of muscle meat. In other words, if you cannot find heart, you add another 400 grams of the meat/bones. If you can't find the liver, add another 200 grams of meat/bone. If your cat isn't already on a natural diet then introduce it slowly.
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/cat_osteosarcoma.html
Canine - Anal Gland Problems
There are a few things that may help with an anal gland problem. Keep your dog lean: overweight dogs tend to have more problems with their anal glands. Feed bones at least 3 times a week to ensure that some stools are hard. This will help with expressing a bit of fluid each time he goes to the toilet. Feed a high fibre diet eg. add pumpkin to meals.
If you feel that there is any component of infection in the problem, then consider using a course of blood cleansers, see
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_blood_poisoning.html
You can also add crushed French White Millet to the diet. It is high in silica, an important mineral supporting tissue strength and health.
Equine - Equine Influenza
This mix has been formulated to dramatically boost our horses natural recovery from coughs, nasal and respiratory infections so that they can speedily recover from a case of, or exposure to, Equine Influenza. This program will develop an immunity from re-infection from both the drug resistant bacteria and viral agents proliferating.
As an alternative look also at our chest and immunity mix which works in a similar fashion.
This chest and immunity tonic boosts immunity against all respiratory system infection, bacterial as well as viral and also treats infection. The herbs are extracted into organic cider vinegar that is also a valuable support ingredient in itself.
This mix is featured at;
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/horse_chest_immunity.html
Many trainers use the mix to treat the very first signs of infection and follow through for a week or so after the symptoms have gone. Others put their whole stable on the mix for a few days after any sort of exposure to a new environment or new horses coming into the stable. This course would run for around a month after all signs of discharge has gone to build things up back to 100% normal.
Colloidal silver is useful to fight off infection and will help you deal particularly with antibiotic or other exotic infections but on its own it does not build up the immunity.
Please note regular exposure to Rosehip Tea, Garlic and Molasses is a more suitable preventative sort of supplement to use in conjunction with the herbal mix.
Make up doses of strong Rosehips Tea. Say 6 tea bags to the litre of water left to steep until cold and then given to your horse either as a drench or used to dampen feed or added to drinking water or whatever. Ideally you should add a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy to each dose and then proceed to give numerous small doses by mouth over a few hours and then get a regular program of 4 to 6 doses per day each with the Rescue Remedy added.
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/horse_equine_influenza.html
Human - Adrenal Collapse
The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and consist of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Of the 50 or so hormones the adrenals make, only cortisone and adrenaline are recognized by most people. Some of these hormones must be produced to preserve life, while others help resist stress. Other hormones from the adrenals control normal energy output (along with the thyroid) and govern the breakdown of stored energy into quick energy sources. The adrenals control the body's potassium/sodium balance, which is vital for energy production.
The adrenal glands, can become 'exhausted' as a result of the constant demands placed upon them. An individual with adrenal exhaustion will usually suffer from chronic fatigue, may complain of feeling stressed-out or anxious, and will typically have a reduced resistance to allergies and infection.
Look after yourself with Rosehip and Liquorice teas.
Read more about the herbal treatments for anxiety and burn out at the websites below.
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/herbs_anxiety_disorder.html
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/herbs_burn_out.html
The adrenal glands secrete several important hormones that help maintain the balance of many body functions. Stress, fasting, temperature changes, infections, drugs, and exercise all stimulate the adrenals to release their hormones. When the adrenals release too few or too many hormones, the body responds differently to the everyday stresses of life.
Try Vitamin B supplement like Blackmores executive Stress.
Home Remedies - Reflux
1. Drinking more water and herbal teas-liquorice and chamomile would both be excellent . At least 4 glasses of water and two cups of liquorice tea each day.
2. Very Important. Start taking 1 flat teaspoon of slippery elm powder before meals and again before bed. Mix with small amount of yoghurt or mashed stewed fruit or banana. Slippery elm assists to heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract if taken regularly for 3 months and make digestion comfortable, reducing bloating and burping .
3. To assist with your work related stress, some form of yoga or meditation or diaphragmatic breathing (5 minutes twice daily) will help
4. Exercise at least 4 times a week for 30 minutes. Even walking and enjoying nature can be very uplifting and help put life in perspective.
5. Lifting the head of the bed with something the size of a brick (10cm) will assist with any acid reflux at night
6. No over eating or eating late at night or eating when stressed.
7. Chocolate, tomato, onions, spicy foods and fatty foods can lower the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter, so avoid these for now.
8. White flour and refined sugar can also be detrimental to healing.
9. Emotional issues are often at the base of digestive issues so I urge you to take up at least some of my suggestions to address this.
Reader Feedback
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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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