What Plants Should you Start with?
There are some very ordinary herbs, well known and easily grown,
that you might like to try on your dogs. In fact, some may already have a home in your yard! These well-known herbs are easy
to use, and can be used fresh, as a “tea” or dried and put in your dog’s food.
Thyme: There are many varieties of this culinary
and decorative herb. Any of the culinary varieties can be used medicinally.
Thyme is great in case of coughs. Sweeten
a tea with some honey to improve the taste.
Use the tea in cases of colitis, gas and other stomach upsets as well.
Feed the dried herb to help expel worms, especially hookworms. Use 1 teaspoon per pound of food for dogs.
Chamomile: A pint-sized flower, most often used to calm and relax.
Try it for separation anxiety or before a trip to the vet.
It is also used for all kinds of digestive upset,
especially when your animal experiences anxiety. Combine it with a little lemon balm as a tea for nervous stomachs.
The cooled tea can also be used as a skin wash or compress. Use on skin inflammations such as those caused by fleabites
or other allergies. It is also useful discouraging bacterial or fungal contaminations on the skin.
Another use
for the tea is as a comforting eyewash for infections or irritations. Filter the cooled tea and dilute with saline solution
before using in the eyes. Use a plain washcloth that you keep exclusively for that purpose, and rest briefly on your animal’s
eyes, or use a dropper or spritz it into the eye.
Chamomile is also an excellent herbal wormer. Although it may
work more slowly than some other herbs or medications used for this purpose, it will also reduce the stomach inflammation
associated with parasites.
For further information and ideas, take the assessment quizzes on my forms page: HERE
Calendula: Also known as pot marigold, this makes a lovely garden flower as well
as wonderful healing herb. It is most often used topically. A tea made from the flower petals used on wounds speeds healing
and prevents infection.
The cooled tea can also be used as a wash or compress for minor cuts, bites, abrasions
and burns. It will reduce pain and swelling in addition to healing the wound.
Calendula infusion can be used as
an eyewash in the same manner as chamomile.
Dandelion: This ever-present weed should never be looked upon as an undesirable.
Not only is it good to eat, but it is good for what ails you, too. It is highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, C, K, D
and B-complex. It also contains many minerals, especially potassium.
You can feed dry or fresh leaves directly
by adding some to your pet's food, using about 1 teaspoon dry or 3 teaspoons fresh per pound of the animal's weight.
Make a tea by steeping dry or fresh leaves or leaves and root in boiling water or broth. Let sit until cool then strain.
Use dandelion whenever you want to improve digestion and potty routines. It helps promote appetite, perk up digestion,
and invigorate the liver. It acts as a powerful diuretic (leaves) and a gentle but effective laxative (root). It does not
use up any of the essential potassium in your canine’s diet or bodily systems, a problem with veterinary prescribed
diuretics.
Dandelion is also an anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic. As such, using the dried portions of the
plant in your pet’s food will automatically improve the aches and pains experienced by older dogs.
Using
herbs in the best way for your dogs is important. Take the assessment quizzes found on the forms page HERE
Alfalfa: Though you may not be growing
this forage plant, it is readily available in feed stores, or you may have a neighbor who purchases it for horses. Another
highly nutritious herb, it is the best herbal remedy for arthritis. It can be fed in the same manner as dandelion.
Alfalfa is makes the urine more alkaline, which makes it useful in bladder irritations.
Mint: One of my favorite garden herbs for dogs
is a bed of mint, particularly spearmint (as shown), tucked away in a corner of the yard, or their doggie area,
just for their use. Many dogs enjoy the scent, and will even roll in it, giving you a lovely-smelling pooch!
An addendum to the Mint plants, is PENNYROYAL - an absolutely essential member of the doggie
herb garden. The herb Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), is a member of the mint genus; crushed Pennyroyal
leaves and foliage exhibit a very strong spearmint fragrance. Besides letting your dogs roll in it, it is great to take a
huge handful of leaves and roll them in a neckerchief and tie it around your dog's neck as a collar. It works great for
fleas! The herb will dry in the collar, and be good for at least a couple of months (dried herb works well too) Another similar
use is to stuff a canning jar with leaves, and cover with apple cider vinegar. Let sit for several months, strain, and use
as a final rinse after bathing your canine family member. Do NOT use internally though!
Parsley: A few sprigs of fresh parsley, chopped fine,
added to your dog’s dinner plate helps freshen the breath and relieve gas, and bloating. Use about 1 teaspoon of fresh
herbs in each meal.
For the assessment quizzes, go HERE
REMEMBER: Do your research before
trying anything on your dogs, just as you would for yourself. Serious conditions may certainly require Veterinary intervention.
If you want to grow the plants, buy them from a reputable nursery or mail order herbal supply house, or grow from seed. If
purchasing dried herbs, be sure they have not been treated with any chemicals during their growing period.
