Winter hints for pets
July 18th 2009 01:26
Gentle herbs can enhance quality of life during the colder months. Centuries ago Physiomedical herbalists attributed ills to 'cold' entering the body. Herbs that stimulate circulation and introduce warmth are a perfect choice during our winter season.
Ginger is very warmng. Often stomach upsets settle with a ginger tea if you place a slice or two of fresh ginger in the bottom of a mug and cover with boiling water. You can add a slice of fresh ginger to your dog's drinking bowl or for a horse 2 to 3 slices in a water bucket. If you try this, always have plain water available in case they don't like the taste of ginger.
For older creaky bones you can can take capsules of ginger. Your dog can have ¼ to ½ teaspoon powdered ginger added to a meal, and for a horse one teaspoon in each hard feed through the colder months.
Circulation stimulants yarrow and gingko and nettle in a prepared blend like Country Park Animal Herbs Winter Blend
can act as a seasonal tonic when combined with herbs like clivers and dandelion that help the body stay efficient in its elimination of waste. Bodies can become clogged and sluggish in winter.
The benefit of professionally created blend made from cut herbs, is you can make tea for yourself before adding the manufacturers recommended dose to your dogs bowl or horse's hard feed.
For animals who lose condition in winter, fenugreek seeds are an appetite stimulant and soothing to the respiratory tract. For a dog the dose range is ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon depending on weight. You only need to add one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to a horse's feed. As the seeds are difficult to digest unassisted, steep the seeds in boiling water for ten minutes.
With this flu season, there are plenty of respiratory herbs that are warming – elder flowers and echinacea can be supported by demulcents like mullein and licorice root if a cough is hard to shift.
To ward off winter bugs, there is always the traditional favourite, garlic. It stimulates white blood cells vitality to fight off infections. You can easily take a fresh clove a day, powdered garlic or granules is kinder on a dog's stomach, and horses can have ½ to 1 tablespoon a day of garlic granules. (avoid if you or your animal are known to be anaemic).
When you decide to use herbs through the chillier months, keep it simple. Rarely will you need more than 6 herbs, often 3 will cover off across all the issues you want to address. If you get confused you have probably chosen too many herbs and need a herbalist to help you narrow down your selection.
This article is for general educational purposes only and not intended to replace professional advice. For cats, as they assimilate herbs differently do not administer, any herbs before consulting with a professional familiar with feline physiology.
Ginger is very warmng. Often stomach upsets settle with a ginger tea if you place a slice or two of fresh ginger in the bottom of a mug and cover with boiling water. You can add a slice of fresh ginger to your dog's drinking bowl or for a horse 2 to 3 slices in a water bucket. If you try this, always have plain water available in case they don't like the taste of ginger.
For older creaky bones you can can take capsules of ginger. Your dog can have ¼ to ½ teaspoon powdered ginger added to a meal, and for a horse one teaspoon in each hard feed through the colder months.
Circulation stimulants yarrow and gingko and nettle in a prepared blend like Country Park Animal Herbs Winter Blend
The benefit of professionally created blend made from cut herbs, is you can make tea for yourself before adding the manufacturers recommended dose to your dogs bowl or horse's hard feed.
For animals who lose condition in winter, fenugreek seeds are an appetite stimulant and soothing to the respiratory tract. For a dog the dose range is ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon depending on weight. You only need to add one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to a horse's feed. As the seeds are difficult to digest unassisted, steep the seeds in boiling water for ten minutes.
With this flu season, there are plenty of respiratory herbs that are warming – elder flowers and echinacea can be supported by demulcents like mullein and licorice root if a cough is hard to shift.
To ward off winter bugs, there is always the traditional favourite, garlic. It stimulates white blood cells vitality to fight off infections. You can easily take a fresh clove a day, powdered garlic or granules is kinder on a dog's stomach, and horses can have ½ to 1 tablespoon a day of garlic granules. (avoid if you or your animal are known to be anaemic).
When you decide to use herbs through the chillier months, keep it simple. Rarely will you need more than 6 herbs, often 3 will cover off across all the issues you want to address. If you get confused you have probably chosen too many herbs and need a herbalist to help you narrow down your selection.
This article is for general educational purposes only and not intended to replace professional advice. For cats, as they assimilate herbs differently do not administer, any herbs before consulting with a professional familiar with feline physiology.
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