Herbal Medicine
A traditional solution to a modern problem
Herbs – loosely defined as plants that contain ingredients with active therapeutic properties – have been used as medicine for thousands of years, in many cultures. Modern pharmaceuticals are, with few exceptions, derived from chemicals found in plants. Over time, a tremendous amount of clinical experience has indicated which herbs work well for which conditions, while modern science has proven the efficacy of these herbal medicines. Herbs may be administered as a tea, tincture, granular extract, in oil, fresh, or dried. Herbs shine where many drugs fail. They work best as a team, in combinations that offer synergistic health benefits.
Gut Health
Lots of people are talking about the health of the gut as it affects the health of the whole body, and animals are no exception. Herbs and other plants can help promote a diverse and healthy gut biome. This helps produce a healthy appetite, and healthy elimination habits. Herbs are both medicine and food!
Liver & Kidney Function
The liver and kidneys work quietly and diligently to perform the normal, natural detoxification processes required for daily life. These organs of elimination can become damaged from poor circulation, auto-immune disease, toxin ingestion, or adverse drug reactions. Multiple herbs have been identified that can support liver and kidney cells, so they can do their important work. Herbs can also improve microcirculation, those tiny blood vessels where nutrient exchange happens. We can use herbs to improve the function of drugs!
Pain Relief
Many pharmaceutical pain medicines cause strong side effects, such as nausea, stomach ulcers, liver disease, and impaired kidney function. This is where herbal medicine comes in! Herbs can succeed in relieving pain where drugs have failed - and they do so with few undesired side effects. Used together, herbs and drugs can offer superior pain relief to even the most fragile animal. Animals are excellent at masking or hiding symptoms of pain, and even the most devoted pet parent doesn’t realize how bad it is. Herbal pain relief in combination with the other therapies offered in my office can add years of youthful vigor to your beloved animal’s life!
Which Herb to Use
While it’s easy to find herbal medicines online and in the pet food shop, herbs work best when used to address the health of an individual - not to address a specific disease. It’s important to know not only which herbs, but which part of the herb is used, and how it’s prepared, in order to maximize the benefits while avoiding the pitfalls of substandard or even harmful products. I use a combination of high quality OTC and veterinarian-only herbal medicines to offer the best for your pet.
Which herb to use?
It’s easy to find herbal medicines online and in the pet food shop, some are even good quality! However, herbs work best when used to address the health of an individual - not a specific disease. It’s important to know which part of the herb is used, and how it’s prepared, in order to maximize the benefits of herbal medicine while avoiding the pitfalls of substandard or even harmful products. I use a combination of high quality OTC and veterinarian-only herbal medicines to offer the best for your pet.
