Herbals That Are Safe for Dogs

Herbal medicine has been practiced for thousands of years, first by using the plants in their natural state and, once chemical analysis became available, by extracting and purifying the ingredients. Plant extracts still form the basis of the majority of medicines. A 2008 fact sheet by the World Health Organization showed that some 80 percent of people in developed countries use alternative medicine, and this trend is being expanded to include pets.

  1. Safe Herbals

    • A long list of herbs can be used for dogs, including some of the best-known such as calendula, turmeric, garlic and ginger, Oregon grape, slippery elm, echinacea, licorice and valerian. Dogs have a much shorter digestive tract than humans, so administer the herb in the form of a tincture, which your dog will more easily absorb than tablets or other solid forms.

    Herbs for Gastric Conditions

    • Licorice, slippery elm and ginger are all used for gastric conditions. Licorice soothes irritation and swelling and helps colitis, gastritis and diverticular problems. Ginger is well-known to help nausea and is useful for motion sickness as well as sensitive stomachs. Slippery elm soothes and protects the dog's digestive tract and is good for nervous or sensitive stomachs. It can also be used for constipation, diarrhea and stomach ulcers.

    Treatments for Skin Conditions

    • Calendula is an all-round remedy for skin conditions that promotes healing while soothing the irritation of skin allergies, wounds and insect bites. Garlic and echinacea taken internally help boost the immune system to fight mange infestations, and a tincture of lavender makes a soothing rinse for dogs with visible mange or a flea allergy rash.

    Herbals for Mouth and Gums

    • Dental problems are common in dogs, and bad breath, bleeding gums and tooth infections are costly to treat. Oregon grape, echinacea and calendula are all useful in tincture form when applied topically to the gums using a cotton swab. The effects are antiseptic and soothing, and the herbs promote healing.

    Combat Aging

    • Herbs are excellent treatments for aging dogs. Gingko biloba has been proved to be effective in treating age-related disorders such as senile dementia, depression, hearing loss, dizziness and vertigo. It helps to improve circulation and cognitive dysfunction, which is the equivalent of Alzheimer's syndrome in dogs. Turmeric helps to stimulate the liver's production of bile and acts as both an antioxidant and a blood thinner.

    Anxiety and Stress

    • Valerian is particularly effective in combating anxiety in dogs. It contains a natural sedative and helps to alleviate pain, muscle contractions, epileptic seizures and heart palpitations. Although high dosages can lead to intestinal problems and it should not be used for dogs about to have puppies, the advantage of valerian is that it can be given ahead of time. If your dog gets anxious when you leave the house, a dose about an hour before leaving will help to keep it calm.

    Immune System Boosters

    • Echinacea has been shown to increase the production of white blood cells, and both mistletoe and echinacea stimulate the immune system. This helps your dog remain healthy and strong enough to fight off diseases and infections.