Cautious Hints
March 29th 2011 09:52
Phoebe wondering if any of the plants are edible
I love using herbs for both myself and the animals I meet. However there are a few cautions to keep in mind.
Just because a herb has wonderfully qualities, remember it may not have the same biochemical reaction within a different species' body.
Horses and humans can easily utilise herbs like calendula, meadowsweet and white willow bark. However for a cat these herbs can be fatal. The reason for this the salicylates are not processed by a cat's body in the way we can. The other issue most of us with an ache and pain don't have to take into account is prohibited susbtances, and a herb high in salicylates could test positive if you are competing until certain rules.
In times of stress, a popular herb at the moment is St John's wort. It is not widely known that it can be phototoxic in humans and some people will get skin reactions if their body and the sun combine in certain ways. In horses and dogs, if they are out in the sun, can get some very nasty phototoxic reactions and end up with raw patches of skin on their body which they try to rub and relieve contstantly.
The garlic bulb is another one popular with people who want to ward off bugs. Some humans can be intolerant of garlic and they can recognise this and avoid the addition of it to their food. In dogs its long term use has been linked to a form of anaemia. In horses, if given at the same time as pharmaceutical drugs, their body can later manifest skin issues when given garlic again (or if it is continued). Some cases of lymphodema in horses has been associated with garlic use as well.
Other little hints with herbs:
St Mary's Thistle is a great herb if an animal has been poisoned or suffered from a toxic reaction, however if there is any signs of anaemia, please do not give this herb.
Comfrey is often toted as a herb for healing bone fractures, it is a great herb but care does have to be careful with horses as their liver seems more susceptible to the pirralizzadine alkaloids its contains so keep use to a short term application. There are other herbs that combine to help with repairing the body that may be more suitable, expecially with younger horses, as their bones and bone plates may still be growing and the use of comfrey may not be advisable because of this reason.
Remember it is not just a matter of giving this much of this or that herb. When combining herbs the dose will change depending on which herbs you combine, this will often determine the amount of each herb you give. A good herbalist will know this and combine herbs to get the most of the synergy of combining herbs.
| 45 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog