An Introduction to Western Herbology: Exploring plants and medicine

I have an earache...

2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root.

1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.

1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.

1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.

1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.

2000 A.D. - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

Description

Western herbology is the study of herbs used by American and European countries for healing diseases and conditions. The herbs are plants we have frequently heard of, or even grow in our own gardens, find by the roadside or have in our pastures. Only a small amount of direct companion animal or equine research has been completed, but using the scientific and energetic principles of the herbs, it is easy to translate the human data for veterinary use.

Western herbology is based on observations from centuries of experience along with an understanding of the pharmacology of the herbs and modern research. Many of the old texts, from the 1800’s and earlier are still valid sources of information as the authors of the day wrote detailed observations about cases they treated.

History

Herbs are the oldest form of medicine having been used by most cultures for centuries. Any history of veterinary medicine would incomplete without many references to herbal medicine, as herbs were the primary form of medicine until the 1900’s. The actions of some herbs are well-documented and studied, by independent researchers as well as drug companies since many present-day drugs are derived from herbs.

Interestingly as one studies herbs from around the world, the same plants were used for similar conditions in parts of the world that had no contact with each other.

Theory

Herbal medicine is frequently seen as a substitute for drugs, with herbs given based on a simple idea that a particular herb is useful to treat a certain condition (peppermint for the digestive tract, for example.) But there is much more to thinking holistically and applying all the powers that herbs have. Some herbalists pay attention to the energetics of disease and match it to the energetic of the herbs. For example, Cinnamon is warm herb, so it would treat a cool condition.

Each herb usually has an affinity for a particular organ, or multiple organs. In a formula, herbs will be used that affect that organ (Solomon’s seal for connective tissue, or nettles for kidneys).

Herbs contain a multitude of components that act synergistically to give a response. In many cases a particular compound is known to be effective for a certain problem, but if isolated, that compound may become toxic (white willow bark is not toxic, aspirin is). Herbalists combine herbs and take advantage of the synergistic effect of the compounds.

Treatment with herbs

Herbs can be used to treat many conditions in all species. Much research has been done to show the plants have active medicinal components. Most illness, injuries can be treated with herbs, though surgical problems may still need surgery. Herbs can be combined with conventional medicine, and many clients are currently doing this often without informing the attending veterinarian. Herbs are powerful medicines, and can interact with drugs so it is advisable to know the herbs being used in each case (Harman).

Herbs are generally slow to make a clinical change, so some clients will not wish to wait for the response. Healing occurs in weeks to months rather than days. However, the healing that place is often more complete and longer lasting than drug therapy.

Generally western herbs are used to treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, chronic respiratory disease, immune system aberrations (diseases such as Lyme, as well as autoimmune conditions), skin diseases such as allergies, gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or chronic diarrhea. Acute conditions can also be treated, but it is much less commonly done in practice.

The use of herbs and formulas

Herbs can be used as an individual herb or in a formula. Formulas can simple, with a just a few herbs or complex with multiple herbs.

Within a combination, a useful formulation will have herbs that act synergistically more effectively than when used alone. Formulas should be knowledgeably put together, as some herbs enhance the effects of another, while other herbs may inhibit the effect of one ingredient. Because there are many chemical compounds in each herb in a formula, traditional western research finds it difficult to isolate the active principle and decide exactly how formulas work.

Since most herbs have been in use for centuries, their safety is well proven by clinical experience, but not yet by scientific research. The few cases of adverse effects of herbs are often heavily covered in the media, however the adverse effects of drugs are rarely publicized beyond the insert sheet, unless thousands of people become involved. Most cases of adverse effects from herbs have involved incorrect usage of herbs by unqualified practitioners and lay people.

The quality and efficacy of the formula is dependent on the herbalist or manufacturer, who may or may be well educated. Interspecies differences in sensitivities to herbs are important, so herbs that are safe in humans may not be safe for certain animal species.

Administration of Herbs

Doses for herbs vary approximately with the metabolic rate of the animal. In other words, cats require significantly more herbs per pound than horses or cows. Horses generally respond well with two to four times the human dose, as long as the herbs are of high quality. The dose of herbs is usually about 30 grams per day but less os often just as effective. Horses eat the raw whole or ground herbs readily and are capable of digesting raw herbs, while small animals are more responsive to processed herbs, either in capsules or in concentrated tinctures. Raw herbs have a shelf life of only 1-2 years, while herbs processed as alcohol extracts and capsules last longer.

Cats are extremely sensitive to alcohol in preparations and care must be taken to evaporate it or use a glycerin-based product. Cats are more sensitive to some herbs so care needs to be used in selecting herbs that are safe.

External preparations of ointments and gels are available. These are made by mixing the herbs with lanolin, oils, beeswax, honey or water-soluble gel. Wound healing preparations are the most common and clinically give rapid healing with minimal scarring. Healing time is consistently decreased. Compresses can be made by soaking a cotton cloth in a hot tea or infusion. Poultices can be made with fresh or dried whole herb with a carrier such as water or vinegar.

Quality

There is very little quality control in the natural products industry, and the herbal companies can be just as bad as any other. Individual quality companies take a great deal of care in quality control and are willing to answer all questions as to how they accomplish this. The veterinary industry has an organization that is currently working towards quality control (National Animal Supplement Council, NASC). It is best to use companies that are members of NASC.

Herbs are plants, and the harvesting of some herbs has brought some plants to the point of being endangered species. Some plants are easy to cultivate and harvest (chamomile, Echinacea, milk thistle), or are plentiful or even invasive in the wild (teasel, Japanese Knotweed). Other plants are difficult to grow (goldenseal), or have a better action if harvested in the wild (ginseng). These plants are frequently overharvested, leading the demise of the species in a given area or across the world. Slippery elm is becoming endangered in most areas, but does still have some locations where it is plentiful. Companies that ethically harvest plants pay attention to these details and do not decimate the wild populations. These are the only companies that should be used as suppliers.

Training

As with any form of medicine, the potential for abuse and incorrect use does exist. The correct use of herbal medicine requires training and an understanding of the disease process. The Veterinary Botanical Medical Association is the main source for veterinary information and education. It has an excellent list serve, continuing education programs and information for all herbalists. The College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies has online courses at all levels designed for veterinarians. Most other courses are for human practitioners, however many are very useful to veterinarians.

Veterinary Botanical Medical Association. www.vbma.org

College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. http://www.civtedu.org/

Herb Research Foundation. http://www.herbs.org/herbnews/

American Botanical Council. www.herbalgram.org

Naturopathic colleges. http://www.aanmc.org/

References

1.Wynn S, Fougere B. Veterinary Herbal Medicine. Mosby Elsevier, St Louis, 2007.

2.National Animal Supplement Council, PO Box 2568, Valley Center, CA 92082, 760-751-5022, bookoutw@aol.com, www.nasc.cc

3.Harman JC. The toxicology of herbs in equine practice. Clin Tech Eq Prac, 1(2):74-80, 2002.

4.O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF: Immunological and haematinic consequences of feeding a standardized Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) extract to healthy horses, Equine Vet J 34(3):222, 2002.

5.Schoen A and Wynn S (eds): Botanical medicine, in Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice. St Louis, MO, Mosby 1997 pp 299-451

6.Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. Wynn S and Marsden S. St Louis, MO, Mosby, 2003.

7.Tilford GL, Tilford MW. All You Ever Wanted to Know about Herbs for Pets. Bow Tie Press, Irvine CA. 1999.

• 8.Veterinary Botanical Medicine Associationwww.vbma.org
• 9.Self HP. A Modern Horse Herbal. Kenilworth Press, Buckingham. 1996.
• 10.de Bairacli-Levy J: Herbal handbook for farm and stable, Emmaus, 1976, Rodale Press.

11.Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkman J (eds): Herbal medicine, expanded commission E monographs, Newton, 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications.

12.Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. London. Downloadable version: http://archive.org/details/culpeperscomplet00culpuoft

• 13.

Companies that supply herbs ethically harvested

Herbalist and Alchemist. http://www.herbalist-alchemist.com

Hilton Herbs, USA distributor www.thehealingbarn.com

Mountain Rose Herbs. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Animal Essentials www.animalessentials.com/

Gaia Herbs www.gaiaherbs.com/

Eclectic Institute www.eclecticherb.com/