How to Effectively and Safely Use Herbs to Treat Animals

Herbal medicine can be a powerful tool in veterinary health. However, it can also do much harm. It is important to know some of the major differences between Western medicine and herbal remedies and to know key differences between species of animals so that the wrong herbs are not given, even with the best of intentions.

Things You'll Need

  • Books on veterinary herbal medicine by Alan Shoen

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify what specific health problem(s) your animal has, according to Western medicine as diagnosed and confirmed by a veterinarian.

    • 2

      Research your animal's conditions and herbs that can be used. Keep in mind what Western medicines it is getting. Also keep in mind that cats do not have one of the drug/herbal inactivating systems that dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs and people do, one of the reasons why cats should get no or low doses of aspirin (or its herbal equivalent, willowbark). Also keep in mind that herbs do have potentially deadly side effects if given in wrong combination or in wrong combination with Western medications.

    • 3

      Seek a veterinarian who uses herbs as part of his/her practice. Inform this practitioner about your problem and herbs you have found that may help your animal. Keep in mind that sometimes herbs are better for management of liver and kidney problems than veterinary drugs. Some examples include (a) liver problems (milk thisle is very effective), (b) kidney problems (Azodyl, a new and effective herbal combo remedy) and (c) immunosuppressed diseases such as Feline Leukemia and other viral diseases (Echanasia does not reliably work in animals, as proven scientifically).

    • 4

      Keep in mind that one must be careful about how much herbs you give animals, as they are often not measured in units typically used in Western medicine and various herbal manufactures have herbs with different potencies.