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Veterinary Herbal Medicine

Veterinary Herbal Medicine. By, Penny Tompkins. Description. Herbal medicine is a traditional practice dating back over 5000 years. It is a system of using whole plants and plant extracts in the treatment of disease and maintaining health.

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Veterinary Herbal Medicine

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  1. Veterinary Herbal Medicine By, Penny Tompkins

  2. Description Herbal medicine is a traditional practice dating back over 5000 years. It is a system of using whole plants and plant extracts in the treatment of disease and maintaining health. May also be referred to as Phytotherapy, Pharmacognosy, or Alternative Medicine.

  3. Description Medicinal herbs contain a variety of pharmacologically-active ingredients with each one having its own unique combination and properties. Herbal medicines are classified into categories according to what they contain in their composition. Constituents include acids, alcohols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, phenols, tannins, volatile oils, and many more.

  4. Conditions Often Treated With Herbs Include: COPD Laminitis Digestion issues Diarrhea Arthritis Skin allergies Liver Respiratory issues Heart Kidney

  5. Examples of Veterinary Herbal Medicine: Willow bark- provides salicylate for pain relief. Digitalis or foxglove- effective for the heart and helps in all aspects of cardiac function. Dandelion- used as a diuretic and also provides potassium. Periwinkle or Vinca- comparable to the potent cancer drug Vincristine. Yucca- used as an anti-inflammatory. Similar tothe effects of steroids, but with out the harmful side effects. (McDowell, 2010)

  6. Advantages Medicines are derived from all natural sources. Herbs have a variety of healing powers with the capability of balancing emotional, mental and physical problems. Many plants synthesize substances that help to treat disease and maintain health in animals. Herbal treatment may also help with nutrition because they contain vitamins and minerals, which synthetic drugs do not. (Scanlan, 2010)

  7. Advantages Even animals have an inherent instinct for herbal medication to help with their health problems. Sick animals tend to eat plants with secondary metabolites, such as tannins and alkaloids. These phytochemicals often have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. (Strogdale, 2008)

  8. Disadvantages A number of herbal remedies may cause side effects. It is of crucial importance in herbal medicine (phytotherapy) that plants are identified correctly. Inappropriate formulation, or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life threatening or fatal. (Scanlan, 2010)

  9. Disadvantages Some herbal medicines have not consistently shown to be effective. There is a possibility that herbal medicines and synthetic drugs may interact, causing toxicity to the patient. Herbal remedies can also be dangerously contaminated. Suppliers and herbalists must establish the safety and efficacy of the plants before recommending for medical use. (Strogdale, 2008)

  10. Where To Find Information: Herbal medicines should be selected by a veterinarian who has knowledge on herbal treatments. Skilled veterinarians will give recommendations based on the needs of the patient after examining the behaviors, medical and dietary history, and the animals environment including diet, emotional stresses, and other factors. The veterinarian will carefully select the appropriate herbal treatment according to the desired properties and benefits.

  11. Summary Whether you are treating for a minor skin irritation or a more serious medical condition, herbal medicine can help in a variety of ways. The use of herbs and their powerful effects may be a great method of treatment for your pet with all natural properties. The formulations used with herbal medicines are generally gentle, minimally invasive, and do not carry the same side effects that synthetic drugs usually cause.

  12. References McDowell, R. (2010). Herbal Treatments. Anti-Inflammatory. Retrieved from http://www.herbal-treatments.net Scanlan, N. (2010). What is Holistic Medicine? American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved from http://www.ahvma.org Strogdale, L. (2008). Veterinary Herbal Medicine. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49 (8): 802

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