Herbal Remedies for Ringworms on Cats

As the University of Illinois notes, the name ringworm is a misnomer, as parasitic fungi are responsible for producing its characteristic itchy, patches of raw skin. In addition to being an incredibly painful experience for your pet cat, ringworm is potentially dangerous to any humans around it, as it is contagious and can spread from pets to people. Fortunately, there are several herbal remedies that can help.

  1. Butea Seeds

    • Butea seeds are kidney-shaped, reddish-brown seeds that come from the Indian butea tree. They are typically between an inch and an inch-and-a-half long, and have wrinkles and veins covering their exteriors. As A Text Book Of Materia Medica notes, folk medicine practitioners use the seeds as an anthelmintic, or a treatment for parasites. For optimal results, grind up the butea seeds and mix them with lime juice to create a paste that you apply externally to the affected areas of your feline.

    Charota

    • Charota is another plant that is native to India, and is an herbaceous member of the Cassia genus of plants. This particularly unpleasant smelling plant can grow nearly three feet high and produces small, pale yellow flowers. According to Purdue University, in Ayurveda, which is an ancient Hindu system of medicine, practitioners use the seeds and leaves of charota to treat parasites, including ringworm, as well as several other conditions. As with the butea seeds, you should grind up the charota to form a topical paste, which you can then apply to your pet.

    Castor Oil

    • Castor oil is a light yellow fluid that manufacturers extract from castor beans, which are the seeds of poisonous castor bean plants. The plants are native to North Africa and the Middle East. While more common uses of the oil include creating oil-based coatings like varnishes and paints, and ingesting as a purgative, the University of Florida notes that some people also use castor oil topically for treating ringworm. For best results, simply rub some of the oil on to the affected patches of your cat's fur.

    Neem

    • Neem, or the "divine tree," is a tropical Indian tree, which produces a worm-resistant, mahogany-like wood. According to the Conscious Life, in addition to using its timber for constructing furniture, people in India eat its flowers and shoots as vegetables, and use its leaves as spices. In Ayurveda, practitioners use the extracted oil from the tree as an external treatment for inflammatory fungal infections, including ringworm. You can apply it to your cat just like castor oil.

    Warning

    • Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve the above-mentioned treatments, and even though a remedy is natural or herbal, it may not be safe for your pet. Always consult with a veterinarian before applying any ringworm treatments to your cat.