Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments
23 September 2007
Herbal Help for Humans and their Companions
Pet FoodStatistics from veterinary organizations and dog and cat registries show that the life span of America's companion animals is now half what it was in the 50s and 60s. Nowadays our pets are plagued by allergies, skin and coat problems, tooth and gum infections, urinary tract infections, parasites, digestive disorders, diabetes, cancer and immune disorders. These health problems were very rarely seen 50 years ago before the introduction of commercial pet foods.
The pet food industry convinces vets and pet owners that only commercially prepared foods offer complete and balanced diets. The industry claims that medical problems will be encountered by feeding owner-prepared diets. Unfortunately, commercially prepared diets are not always complete and balanced either. More importantly they offer no choice about quality and wholesomeness of ingredients, which is of utmost importance to holistic health. Look for recipes for homemade pet food at the following website: http://fiascofarm.com/herbs/recipes.htm
This week we feature:-
- Feline - General Immune Booster
- Canine - Kennel Cough
- Equine - Pattersons Curse
- Human - Osteoarthritis
- Home Remedies - Gingko Biloba
- Reader Feedback
Feline - General Immune Booster
The immune system works constantly to keep environmental disease forces at bay, including viruses, harmful bacteria, and external heat and cold. It also keeps our animal friend's normal control factors on course, keeping uncontrolled cell division in check. Our pet's immune system can get run down, making them susceptible to any number of dangers.
This formula addresses a weakened immune system which may include fatigue, recurrent illnesses, compromised immune system, recurrent upper respiratory infections, slow injury recovery as well as viral and bacterial infections.
The mix includes the following herbs ; MPB is a powerful antioxidant for general immunity, Liquorice for adrenal exhaustion and inflammatory conditions, Rosehips to strengthen circulation , St Mary's Thistle to boost the efficiency and health of the liver, Blue Flag and Kelp to maintain a healthy glandular and in particular thyroid function . Alfalfa will assist digestive issues and rebalance an acidic build up, while Skullcap calms the nervous system . This mix includes the Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy, Water Violet, Holly, Vine and Scleranthus.
Canine - Kennel Cough
The cough is just a bacterial infection like a chest and sinus infection in humans and it is no more fatal than these. However, prolonged infection treated with repeated doses of antibiotics become immune to the drugs and this is where the herbs are superior because they don't work by killing bugs but by supporting the dog's natural immunity.
One of the first formulations made for dogs was our Kennel Cough mix which is a combination of preventative and acute phase herbs extracted into organic cider vinegar.
This was 12 years ago and we have literally hundreds of owners and breeders using it as a preventative either seasonally or whenever a new dog comes to the kennel, and as a course whenever a dog shows the earliest signs of coughs.
Our clients end up having some on hand so they can make use of it at the earliest signs to prevent problems and reduce the need for antibiotics and all the rest, which are prescribed when an outbreak occurs.
It may be given at the change of seasons to the whole kennel just for 3 or 4 days instead of a vaccine.
When treating an active case it is good to continue the treatment for about 3 weeks after the cough has gone to build up the immunity back up to 100%.
If treatment is stopped when the symptoms have just gone you may consider that the immunity itself is still far from completely recovered.
Equine - Pattersons Curse - How To Protect Your Horses
If your horse is not nutritionally or environmentally stressed and is free to graze on healthy pasture at times and to choose what it eats, it will not go out looking to poisonous plants for missing minerals or to satisfy its subverted grazing instincts.
Human - Osteoarthritis
Eight mussels a day will keep the doctor away for osteoarthritis sufferers. A study has found that an oil in the shellfish is as effective as present medications.
The oil in the green lipped mussel of New Zealand may be better than such drugs as Celebrex and Vioxx, without side-effects, Georges Halpern of the University of Hong Kong said.
"I've not seen anything, including drugs, have such results," Professor Halpern said.
"The pain was better controlled, very, very much improved, and the toxicity is basically zero. When compared with anything existing, this is at least as good," he said. Omega-3 fatty acids in the mussel combat pain and swelling.
Australian researchers have previously proved the link in laboratory and animal studies, but Professor Halpern and his colleagues reported in the journal Progress In Nutrition that they have demonstrated its effectiveness in humans.
The team conducted a six-month placebo controlled study with 80 patients.
Home Remedies - Gingko Biloba (Maiden Hair Fern Tree)
Gingko Biloba is a herb I am using more and more with patients, definitely a herb for the modern person with a high level of stress and elevated blood pressure.
It seems some members of the royal chinese court were becoming a bit senile in their golden years. As the emperor looked out of his window, a voice whispered, " the tree you are now looking at will restore the minds of your relatives and friends." Not being one to ignore voices in his head, he instructed the staff to pick some leaves and create a brew out of them. The warm tea was served to those afflicted several times a day. Within weeks, the author noted that everyone of them had regained much of their lost memories. Ironically, studies regarding Alzheimer's disease show that Ginkgo biloba shows promise in the reduction of symptoms, at least at an early stage of the disease.
It has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (the bunching up like a cluster of grapes) and also regulates the tone and elasticity of blood vessels. It's been shown to improve circulation to both large arteries and the smaller capillaries throughout the body.
The leaf extract is extremely effective in the treatment and prevention of strokes, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. It is also licensed in Germany as a supplemental treatment for ailments such as asthma, transplant rejection, heart arrhythmia, heart attack, head injuries, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, depression and cerebrovascular insufficiency (stemming from arteriosclerosis).
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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