Tag Archives: Herbs for Pets

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Alfalfa

Name:  Alfalfa

Latin:  Medicago Sativa

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Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Alfalfa is a fairly deep rooted plant, and thus picks up trace minerals from the soil.  Because of this action, it can be used as a cover crop, and then some of it plowed under to doubly enrich the soil.  It contains essential digestive enzymes and amino acids.  It is quite rich in vitamins, and can be used as a tonic infusion for regular use, although the taste may be a little “green” for many.  It can be used as a blood thinner, and a detox herb.  Some athletes use it for increasing endurance and energy.  As alfalfa is one of the vitamin rich tonic herbs, it can be used to assist in a variety of conditions, as malnutrition or lacking in specific nutrients can make just about any condition worse.  Alfalfa is also a galactagogue, which means that it assists in increasing the production of milk while nursing.  It can also be used as a gentle substitute for estrogen after menopause.  There are also signs that it helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.

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Uses for Pets:  Arthritis, blood disorders

Directions & Warnings:  None known

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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Name:  Licorice

Latin:  Glycyrrhiza glabra

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Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Licorice acts as a stimulant for the immune system.  It also decreases inflammation.  It can be used for Laryngitis, and will help to clear the throat of mucous.  It can be used as a mild laxative.   As it is more soluble in water than milk thistle, it is sometimes more useful as a liver aid.  Due to its innate sweetness, it can be useful in combination with bitter herbs, as it lends a natural sweetness beyond that of sugar.

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Directions & Warnings:  Due to the way in which licorice effects the liver, it should be used with care, or avoided entirely, by dabetics.

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Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Name:  Passionflower

Latin:  Passiflora incarnata

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Used for:  Is a good herb to use to ease the effects of stress.  Can help to calm anxiety and ease nervous tension.  Good herb to include in preparations for headaches, if stress is a factor, and can also assist with asthma.  Used as an alternative to sedatives for both people and animals.  Passionflower is one of the herbal pain-killers, although not in the pharmaceutical drug sense.  Rather than deaden nerve endings, it soothes and nourishes the nerves and muscle tissue.  Can also be used as an antispasmodic.

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Directions & Warnings:  Preparations involving passionflower should be tested for the first time at a point when tiredness will not be an issue.  For some people it is a fairly potent sedative.

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Osha (Ligusticum porterii)

Name:  Osha

Latin:  Ligusticum porterii

Other Common Names:  Singer’s Root, Rattlesnake Root, Bear Medicine

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Parts Used:  Root

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Used for:  This root, in tincture form, has the capacity to stop anaphylactic shock and other allergic reactions, as well as ameliorate the effect of some venoms.  However, osha root is over-harvested, and comparatively rare, so should be used with respect to those factors.  I have quite a few allergy issues, due to what appears to be a growing sensitivity to many of the chemicals used in perfumes and soaps and…  So far osha has been an amazingly fast-acting solution to my throat starting to constrict and itch.  It has also allowed a woman I know to actually interact with cats, which she has always loved, but was allergic to.

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Directions & Warnings:  Over-harvested and rare plant.  Use with respect, and try to find cultivated supplies, rather than wild-crafted.

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Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Name:  Burdock

Latin:  Arctium lappa

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  This herb is used to cleanse the blood and strengthen the liver.  It is one of the primaries used for detoxification and health for the body’s cleansing systems.  It attracts heavy metals and radioactive isotopes and removes them, if eaten.  It is under research for cancer prevention as it is theorized that it will help to reverse pre-cancerous cell changes.  Burdock is also known as a “cooler” of inflammatory conditions, acting beneficially for arthritis and similar ailments.

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Uses for Pets:  Seborrhea, pyoderma, theumatoid diseases

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