This week we had a bit of a problem in our household in the form of a sick cat. Our household has many animals with the bulk of them being my daughters “children” as she is not able to have them with her at this time.
She has two long haired cats; Aarik and Boomer and a collie mix dog; Patch.
For the most part we all get along with a few shining exceptions to the rule.
But several days ago I went to pick up Kris' cat Boomer and about got my hand taken off at the wrist. He was in big pain and I realized he had a problem urinating. This is a real issue with some animals; especially cats as they're prone to UTI infections and stones.
Of course the day I noticed this was Saturday.....great....double the cost at the vets.
Normally I have some things for animals in my medicine cabinet for all illness.
Cats however are much more selective in what they can ingest without issue.
In fact; many things that I can eat or drink are actually toxic to cats. Dogs are not quite as particular to their health but they also have things they cannot eat without problems.
I was sure Boomer had a UTI or a stone as he was having bloody urine and was distended in the stomach. So away we went after a quick call to the vet. Our veterinary office is located in a near by town; approximately 35 miles from my farm. Boomer was very uncomfortable but after we got him catheterized and a shot to help this issue; we were home again. I realized that he was not drinking enough and was probably not getting to the bathroom in a timely manner; which made me realize that I needed another cat litter box. Ideally you should have have one more cat litter box than cats in your household but I simply do not have enough room for four cat litter boxes! I actually had only two but found a place to put another one in the upstairs area; which is perfect for him as that is his sanctuary. Hopefully this will help but I also realized that I need to have some more basic herbs on hand for my animals.
The first thing you think of in any situation with an animal is how to stop pain. There are many things you can do for an animal in pain but there are also some things extraordinarily dangerous as well! The next thing to consider for your cat or dog is what to do to help the immune system; then there is the issue we've had to deal with; urinary tract infections. Also another thing to consider is eye and joint health as animals have these issues frequently and can cause serious problems if left untreated.
All these factors are important to the longevity and quality of health for your pet.
I will address only cats in this section as the list for dogs is much longer and should be addressed separately.
Here is a small list I've compiled but covers the basic needs of an animal. I also don't wish to give you the idea that this should be all you do for your pet. As I'm not as learned in veterinary herbs as in humans; I do suggest strongly that you consult your pets doctor before using these recommendations.
Eyebright works well to wash infected eyes and to sooth inflammations of the eye. Please consult your vet if conditions don't improve as the animal can go blind if it does not heal in a timely manner.
Poppy Seed is a good remedy to numb the pain and as a sedative.
Slippery Elm is a great herb to help inflammation; good for bladder spasms.
Ginger is a wonderful treat to help the stomach of upset; It's stimulating qualities are good to help remove toxins as well.
Milk Thistle is a very old remedy for the liver and is tops at helping with gall stones. It has properties of boosting the immune system and is known to help animals with tumors and diabetes.
Catnip is the age old remedy of being a stimulant to cats if smelled and interestingly enough; a sedative if ingested. It is not effective on all animals as a stimulant with approximately only 50% of cats responding to it.
Hawthorn is an effective herb to treat cardiac issues in both cats and dogs. It is long known to help by opening the blood flow to the heart; thus improving circulation and healing.
Another help for the cardiovascular system in cats is Ginko Biloba; especially the effects of aging.
Couchgrass otherwise known as Quackgrass is particularly effective in helping the urinary tract with properties of being anti inflammatory and as a demulcent. This would have helped Boomer immensity.
Dandelion is very effective in helping to cleanse the kidneys and work as a blood cleanser which is why people used to make dandelion tincture in the spring as the first sprouts came out of the ground. It tends to be a diuretic so keep this in mind when using this herb. This herb can cause issues with an already inflamed gall bladder so consult your veterinarian before using.
Bugleweed has been an effective way to treat types of thyroid disease in cats with great results; in hyperthyroidism only. Do not use with an animal suffering from hypothyroidism.
Chamomile and Valerian are both effective in treating agitation in cats; with soothing, calming properties. You can also use Lavender Essence on the skin under the coat on the back of the neck for extra help to calm an animal.
One flower essence I love to use for a nervous animal is to use Nature's Sunshine
Rescue Remedy. This combination of flower essences is perfect to help calm the cat or dog in tense situations. Put 4 to 6 drops on the skin under the coat at the back of the neck; repeating two or three times a day as needed.
It's important to remember that God gave us these beautiful creatures and it's up to us to give them the best life they can have. They can't speak to us as a child would so we need to be especially vigilant in their behavior and actions to note health changes. With herbs, essential oils and flower essences; along with a great diet and exercise; we can have a healthy, happy animal for years to come!
http://petremedycharts.blogspot.com/2010/08/herbs-to-treat-heart-disease-in-dogs.html
http://www.naturalark.com/herbpet.html
http://lostcatsofstarclan.wetpaint.com/page/Medicine+Cat+Herbs
Monday, March 14, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Losing a Friend
Today I lost a dear friend. Oh not the way it sounds; I lost one due to the well meaning intentions of my advice.
This all started a couple of days ago.....
I started out the day like I always do....checking and rechecking all my emails and social sites for people wanting answers to herbal questions and finding that I have no big issues to discuss; decided to hit a social site that is popular with all my friends.
As I was checking the site; noticed that a great friend and fellow alternative health enthusiast was discussing the dangers of a narcotic drug to a mutual friend that was prescribed by her doctor for pain. I put in my two cents and all hell broke out. I decided it would be best to step back and mull this over. After all; I didn't start the conversation and I didn't think it would be wise to fly off the handle. Never the less; today I decided that something more needed to be said and I said it. That was a mistake. The next thing I know; people are accusing me of wishing her death; accusing others of overstepping their boundaries and most of all; everyone getting in a heated debate over herb safety vs traditional meds.
The reason this was done was simple. I gave an opinion of something that was absolutely none of my business. Sure I did it in the spirit of friendship; thinking this person would actually help themselves to my knowledge and the co writer of this message. But what I have had to learn and re learn in the field I've chosen is this. Some people do not want my advice....some people do not want to quit high powered meds (even if they are dangerous and don't work well) and some people even may want to stay sick.
How can that be? The answer is as complex as human nature can be. First of all; a person has to realize why they are sick in the first place. Sometimes it's an old emotional issue that makes us hold onto our emotions and or try to “medicate” to make them go away. Sometimes it's a case of the person not knowing what to be if they aren't their illness. For instance a client of mine is convinced that they are never going to get well; but this illness keeps them full of warm fuzzys from well meaning friends feeling sorry for them. This person lives alone and has no one to make them feel special so they hang on to this illness as the only way they can get attention. If you asked them they would be appalled and deny this was happening. But when I put them on a flower essence they changed; so dramatically that they are now a much different person then a year ago!
This is a major undertaking in most people. You see we are taught by the medical field that disease hits us like a thief in the night; like a tornado or a mad dog; we don't know who will get it or how bad it'll be. This is not what alternative practitioners believe at all. In fact we believe that we are in charge of our health at all stages of our life. Our eating, and living choices are paramount to the health we have by those choices. Now having said that; yes we all die someday; but how long we live and how well well we live can be directly and indirectly be related to how this all ends up. Disease to us is a manifestation of how we take care of ourselves; not a Russian Roulette game with God.
It was mentioned today that herbs kill people too; that they are as dangerous as traditional meds are and that it's just a lifestyle choice which meds you wish to use. I would like to address this issue as it is probably the most incorrect of all the things said.
In the herbal world there are thousands of plants, roots and other parts of the plant kingdom that are utilized for the treatment of imbalances of the body. Some are used topically and others are able to be ingested.....some can be used for both purposes.
As an herbalist I find that most herbs are mild and extremely helpful in the world of health. While there are some that are considered cautionary and some even dangerous I don't see problems much in my line of work.
As an herbalist I treat the body; not the disease. I help the emotional person with liver herbs because a happy liver is a happy person. I recommend Aloe for the person with skin conditions as well as liver and kidney herbs to flush toxins from the body and therefore help the skin to heal. I don't use some herbs ever; such as Belladona or Blue Cohosh as they can be life threatening. They are unstable for use in someone that doesn't know their potential and I don't feel comfortable in dealing with potential problems.
However; in saying these things I find that most people don't have any issue with herbs at all. The biggest complaint I have heard is “I'm sick of taking pills!” or “ I have some diarrhea and don't like it”.....these are common complaints. It does get old taking pills; and there are many ways to help this; such as taking them all at once by opening them up and mixing with yogurt or blending in a smoothie (tastes awful though) but for most there are no issues.
The second complaint of diarrhea is a very common one; in fact not a bad thing at all when you consider what the body is doing. The body is designed to utilize food and water as best it can and then eliminate excess with the toxins in tow. If the body is toxic or stagnant; the tissues can become inflamed and sore; leading to health issues. This causes untold series of issues and will end in major disease if left untreated. So diarrhea is the body's way of eliminating a huge amount of toxins in a short period of time. Herbs help the body to actually work better to remove those toxins as well as utilize the food we eat and the water we drink. Now having said that; I don't recommend anyone having more than a day or two of diarrhea; and drinking lots of good clean water to replenish the fluids of the body. If you've ever had a bout with diarrhea you'll notice that you feel less heavy and tired after you replenish the body's water and nutrient intake in the following days. This is most helpful to the person as a whole as it eliminates many of the person's toxins easily.
The other issue I had with the idea of herbs being dangerous as meds was this. Traditional medications are very strong. In fact; the herbal world refers to most prescription and over the counter meds as poisons....which means that they are poisonous if taken in access. These medications are toxic if they are mixed with others and can actually kill a person by shutting down the body's functions. In contrast; if you take too much of most any herb; the most common side effect is diarrhea....the elimination of too much of something. When the amount of herb is back in balance in the body; the diarrhea leaves. Simple isn't it?
The point I'm trying to make here is this. Herbs are milder; more effective and for the most part less dangerous by far than the average aspirin at the drug store. This is an important distinction to make when you are faced with serious life threatening illness or disease.
So the next time you reach for the bottle of pills in your medicine cupboard; remember that the things you ingest can have a long term effect on all of you; not just the part that you are treating.
This all started a couple of days ago.....
I started out the day like I always do....checking and rechecking all my emails and social sites for people wanting answers to herbal questions and finding that I have no big issues to discuss; decided to hit a social site that is popular with all my friends.
As I was checking the site; noticed that a great friend and fellow alternative health enthusiast was discussing the dangers of a narcotic drug to a mutual friend that was prescribed by her doctor for pain. I put in my two cents and all hell broke out. I decided it would be best to step back and mull this over. After all; I didn't start the conversation and I didn't think it would be wise to fly off the handle. Never the less; today I decided that something more needed to be said and I said it. That was a mistake. The next thing I know; people are accusing me of wishing her death; accusing others of overstepping their boundaries and most of all; everyone getting in a heated debate over herb safety vs traditional meds.
The reason this was done was simple. I gave an opinion of something that was absolutely none of my business. Sure I did it in the spirit of friendship; thinking this person would actually help themselves to my knowledge and the co writer of this message. But what I have had to learn and re learn in the field I've chosen is this. Some people do not want my advice....some people do not want to quit high powered meds (even if they are dangerous and don't work well) and some people even may want to stay sick.
How can that be? The answer is as complex as human nature can be. First of all; a person has to realize why they are sick in the first place. Sometimes it's an old emotional issue that makes us hold onto our emotions and or try to “medicate” to make them go away. Sometimes it's a case of the person not knowing what to be if they aren't their illness. For instance a client of mine is convinced that they are never going to get well; but this illness keeps them full of warm fuzzys from well meaning friends feeling sorry for them. This person lives alone and has no one to make them feel special so they hang on to this illness as the only way they can get attention. If you asked them they would be appalled and deny this was happening. But when I put them on a flower essence they changed; so dramatically that they are now a much different person then a year ago!
This is a major undertaking in most people. You see we are taught by the medical field that disease hits us like a thief in the night; like a tornado or a mad dog; we don't know who will get it or how bad it'll be. This is not what alternative practitioners believe at all. In fact we believe that we are in charge of our health at all stages of our life. Our eating, and living choices are paramount to the health we have by those choices. Now having said that; yes we all die someday; but how long we live and how well well we live can be directly and indirectly be related to how this all ends up. Disease to us is a manifestation of how we take care of ourselves; not a Russian Roulette game with God.
It was mentioned today that herbs kill people too; that they are as dangerous as traditional meds are and that it's just a lifestyle choice which meds you wish to use. I would like to address this issue as it is probably the most incorrect of all the things said.
In the herbal world there are thousands of plants, roots and other parts of the plant kingdom that are utilized for the treatment of imbalances of the body. Some are used topically and others are able to be ingested.....some can be used for both purposes.
As an herbalist I find that most herbs are mild and extremely helpful in the world of health. While there are some that are considered cautionary and some even dangerous I don't see problems much in my line of work.
As an herbalist I treat the body; not the disease. I help the emotional person with liver herbs because a happy liver is a happy person. I recommend Aloe for the person with skin conditions as well as liver and kidney herbs to flush toxins from the body and therefore help the skin to heal. I don't use some herbs ever; such as Belladona or Blue Cohosh as they can be life threatening. They are unstable for use in someone that doesn't know their potential and I don't feel comfortable in dealing with potential problems.
However; in saying these things I find that most people don't have any issue with herbs at all. The biggest complaint I have heard is “I'm sick of taking pills!” or “ I have some diarrhea and don't like it”.....these are common complaints. It does get old taking pills; and there are many ways to help this; such as taking them all at once by opening them up and mixing with yogurt or blending in a smoothie (tastes awful though) but for most there are no issues.
The second complaint of diarrhea is a very common one; in fact not a bad thing at all when you consider what the body is doing. The body is designed to utilize food and water as best it can and then eliminate excess with the toxins in tow. If the body is toxic or stagnant; the tissues can become inflamed and sore; leading to health issues. This causes untold series of issues and will end in major disease if left untreated. So diarrhea is the body's way of eliminating a huge amount of toxins in a short period of time. Herbs help the body to actually work better to remove those toxins as well as utilize the food we eat and the water we drink. Now having said that; I don't recommend anyone having more than a day or two of diarrhea; and drinking lots of good clean water to replenish the fluids of the body. If you've ever had a bout with diarrhea you'll notice that you feel less heavy and tired after you replenish the body's water and nutrient intake in the following days. This is most helpful to the person as a whole as it eliminates many of the person's toxins easily.
The other issue I had with the idea of herbs being dangerous as meds was this. Traditional medications are very strong. In fact; the herbal world refers to most prescription and over the counter meds as poisons....which means that they are poisonous if taken in access. These medications are toxic if they are mixed with others and can actually kill a person by shutting down the body's functions. In contrast; if you take too much of most any herb; the most common side effect is diarrhea....the elimination of too much of something. When the amount of herb is back in balance in the body; the diarrhea leaves. Simple isn't it?
The point I'm trying to make here is this. Herbs are milder; more effective and for the most part less dangerous by far than the average aspirin at the drug store. This is an important distinction to make when you are faced with serious life threatening illness or disease.
So the next time you reach for the bottle of pills in your medicine cupboard; remember that the things you ingest can have a long term effect on all of you; not just the part that you are treating.
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