"The good thing about plants is they don’t have such strong side effects as medicines that have drawn out the active ingredient without the tempering effects of the rest of the plant," explains Dr. Gerald Buchoff of Holistic Pet Care in West Paterson, New Jersey. Here, he runs through a list of powerful plant medicines that you and your dog’s vet will want to know more about.
Hawthorn - Renowned cardiologist Dr. Stephan Sinatra is a fan of this plant, which works on cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure by dilating blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure and improved circulation. "Hawthorn is helpful in almost all cases of adult heart disease," Dr. Buchoff says.
Milk Thistle – A potent antioxidant that detoxes the liver and regenerates damaged liver cells, "It’s used to treat liver disease (acute and chronic), it’s also useful to protect the liver when administering antiparasitic herbs such as Black Walnut, Wormwood, or Aspidium, or drugs that can cause liver damage," such as steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. [link to TheEyesHaveIt.doc]
Valerian – A sedative that calms and promotes sleep in animals, "It’s used to treat anxious pets, including those that suffer from separation anxiety," Dr. Buchoff explains. It’s also helpful for dogs afraid of thunderstorms, or any creatures that don’t travel well. And used in conjunction with Skullcap, it suppresses seizures in dogs with epilepsy.
Astragalus – Also known as Huang Qi, this is "a very potent immune system stimulator for cancer and infectious disease treatment" that works safely during chemotherapy; it also helps dogs suffering from chronic conditions resulting from compromised immunity, such as mange. "It’s not always appropriate in every case, so don’t use it without a vet’s advice," Dr. Buchoff warns.
Licorice – "It acts somewhat like cortisone for adrenal gland cases, and where a non-drug anti-inflammatory is needed," such as a sprain, Dr. Buchoff says. Because it suppresses the immune system, it’s also used to treat allergies.
Grindelia – A cough suppressant and expectorant, it manages respiratory infections such as kennel cough, and is used "to treat almost all diseases of the respiratory system," Dr. Buchoff says. "It’s also great for treating poison ivy on people," he adds.
Yarrow – An effective, inexpensive antibiotic and hemostat, "it’s used to stop bleeding and also repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes," Dr. Buchoff says. Used in wound care to accelerate healing, its natural anti-inflammatory property makes it a painkiller, too.
Black Walnut – "A powerful herb to remove parasites such as ringworm," Dr. Buchoff says, it causes tough cases to dry up in as little as 24 to 48 hours. "Always use milk thistle with it to protect the liver," Dr. Buchoff cautions.
Uva Ursi – "Helpful in treating pets with bladder infections," it works against kidney stones and incontinence, and is also an effective kidney flush.
