herbal remedies

[Quince]

I bought a magazine at Petsmart yesterday, it is called "Critters USA" 2002 manual. It is a buying and care guide for exotics. I really like this magazine (and recommend it) it has some very interesting facts. There is a section on herbal remedies and I was wondering if anyone uses these herbs to treat their pets? >

ARNICA>used for reducing pain and healing injuries.

PHOSPORUS>stops hemorrhage caused by injury.

HEPAR SULPHURUS>treats infection and stops its spread.

IGNATIA>treats anxiety and fear

RED RASBERRY LEAVES and SLIPPERY ELM> treats diarrhea.

NETTLE TEA, LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL> enhances dental health.

CALENDULA OINTMENT and WITCH HAZEL>Treats cuts.

DANDELION LEAVES and roots> Treats liver and kidneys, cleans the body.

PLANTAIN> (leaves or tea) Treats indigestion and is recommended for chins and rabbits.

ECHINACEA>treats colds and lung disorders.

[Rosikat]

Sounds like a really good guide. Thx Cindi!
I will go get one asap! :D

[Candycane]

I have that magazine too Cindi! I think it's great! lilchinchilla also sells a kind of herbal supplement, it is good for things like eyes and fur. My chins love it! Those are the only herbs that I use but the others sound interesting too. :)

[luvmychinnies]

That magazine sounds great but I think babusjka is the queen when it comes to herbal/homeopathic remedies...LOL She's so darn insightful! I'd run those by her to see what she thinks.
Serenity

[babusjka]

Serenity, you make me blush... :blush:

Yes, I've used a lot of these herbs. Great list and initiative, Cindi!! :D

For human purposes Arnica cream is good for bruises. Just dab some on the skin. Raspberry, I actually use the berries (yum! :p) when I feel a cold coming up (together with echinacea, vitamin C and Zink), witch hazel is antibacterial (good on pimples :cool: ), dandelion, yes, I sprinkle the dry leaves directly on the chinnies pellets or make tea on the roots.

Chamomille is also a good, calming herb that chinnies just love. Peppermint is an appetite stimulator. Vitakraft sells a box of chin goodies called "Nature kreuter" or something, a very nice mix of healing and stimulating herbs that can be sprinkled in the food dish once in a blue moon.

Yay, my favourite subject! :)

Babusjka

[Rosikat]

Sounds so amazing, babusjka. I didn't know herbs can be so helpful!! I think i really need that magazine. It will be very useful when Minny "barks" for stress relief. Wonder if the petsmart in canada do carry this magazine? :rolleyes:

[babusjka]

Thousands of years before our "western" medicine was discovered/created, ancient cultures used herbs and plants to make powerful and healing potions. Some of the modern medicine we use today are actually synthetic versions of natural remedies. Salicylic acid that we use as a painkiller (Aspirin etc) originates from the leaves of willow trees, for instance. St. John's wort is a natural antidepressive with the same basic functions as Prozac. (Even most heavy narcotic drugs are "derivations" of plants... and marijuana is a herb too...) Hence, while many of these natural drugs can be as potent as prescribed drugs, they could also cause side effects and I wouldn't recommend experimenting with them in acute situations when a professional treatment is essential.

With good guidance from experienced people (such as - probably - the authors of the magazine Cindi quoted) I don't think it's risky to try some mild herbs on our beloved chinnies, though. :)

Here's some more on the matter:
http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/pharm/asp/asp28.htm
http://detnews.com/2001/health/0105/18/h05-224606.htm
http://www.healthcentral.com/peoplespharmacy/pp_herblibrary/pp_herblibrary.cfm

Babusjka :sun:

[Quince]

Rosikat I bought it at the Petsmart on Molson Park Drive in Barrie, Ontario Canada. It is a $10.00 magazine but I think it was worth it.

Babusjka, how do you know what dosage to use? I have heard that some herbs can be toxic>how would you know? The magazine just lists herbs but not dosage. I am looking forward to dandelion season now! Did I tell that we live on dandelion lane>nope not kidding, dandelions everywhere in the fields!


Cindi:D

[babusjka]

Cindi,
when it comes to dosages for such small animals as chins, it's difficult. Homeopathic drugs for instance, are said to work better the SMALLER the dosage you take, so I think not overdoing it is the key. Often dosages are written on the package and since they're measured for humans around 50-80 kg, I would divide it down to chin proportions...

The last link I posted (Health Central) also lists dosages for all herbs on that site. Good one.

To find out if a plant or herb could be toxic, the second best thing from having a herb encyclopedia is to search for side effects with key words like "toxic", "warning" etc and the plants name on a search engine as Google for instance. Google is great, by the way. The far best search engine I've ever used. :)

As for dandelion (dried flakes), I think around half a teaspoon per chin a couple of times a week is about right, if you're not using it as a specific cure (kidney, bladder probs etc) where the dosage can be higher. As for fresh leaves, maybe a leaf every second day or so... :p

Babusjka

[chinkeep]

The dandelion is great. I have a rescue chin that had been neglected and malnourished and had Coccidiosis. When I got him, I could feel every single bone in his body and his shoulder blades stuck up badly. About three weeks ago, I went to GNC and got a bottle of dandelion root capsules, 500 mg each. I started by giving him about 100 mg sprinkled on yogurt and then about another 150 mg sprinkled on his food every night for about a week, then I cut it back to every other night and now about every 3 nights. Believe it or not, he will root in his food to settle the powder to the bottom and then lick the powder off the bottom of the food bowl. Well, he is gaining weight and has HUUUUUUUUGE poos now, and though I can still feel his shoulder blades a little, it's nothing like it was. He also had a hunched back which is slowly starting to look normal again.

Just my little success story with dandelion!