Bugleweed: An excellent cardiovascular system strengthener. Has calming
and a mild diuretic action as well. Has been proven as a post-traumatic
treatment for nerve related pain. Good for hyperthyroidism. Slows rapid
heartbeat. relieves spastic coughing in cats. Most extracts have alcohol
in them but this is not enough alcohol to in any way harm a cat. Two to
six drops of an extract five times daily is a good starting dose for
cats. Bugleweed is virtually free of dangerous side effects. One
caution, do not give if cat is suffering from Bordetella or pneumonia.
Cough suppression may counter the holistic principles of using herbs and
might be dangerous by suppressing a symptom that is trying to tell you
something. Also, as in most medicants, do not use in pregnant or nursing
animals. Do not use in animals with depressed thyroid functions.

Catnip: Catnip is a gentle carminative, meaning it expels gas from the
digestive system, and is antispasmodic so eases cramps from various
causes. It is also a mild sedative that calms nerves and promotes
restful sleep, as well as mild intoxication when sniffed. When eaten, it
provides a different relaxation, calming the stomach and relaxing the
nerves, but without the mildly erotic sensation most cats get from
sniffing the herb. About 20% of cats lack the gene that causes the
attraction to catnip. It is good for high-strung animals that have bouts
of vomiting after stressful events. Ten to fifteen drops of a
glycerin-based tincture can be administered for every 20 lbs body
weight, ten to twenty minutes before it is subjected to stressful
circumstances. If traveling or other longer stressful events, put the
tincture in the cat's water. Start with twelve drips per eight oz water.
If the cat doesn't respond, add six drops at a time until you see the
desired calming effect. Dried catnip can also be sprinkled in the cat's
food, but it's liable to make the cat roll in his/her dinner!

Couchgrass (Quackgrass): Couchgrass provides Vitamins A and B, iron,
rough fiber and silica. The roots, however, contain the most medicinal
value: an excellent tonic and disinfectant for the urinary tract, a
soothing, anti-inflammatory coating for the tissues that soothes and
calms, a saponin-based diuretic with mild antimicrobial activity. It is
also used as a specific remedy for chronic cystitis and urethritis. A
tea of the root will lessen pain during urination and reduces
inflammation. It is also a bacterial inhibiting agent. Works well as an
antimicrobial when given with Ecinacea, thyme, Oregon grape or
cultivated (not wild) goldenseal, but is weak alone. Used to treat
symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Couchgrass has no toxic
effects, but an excessive amount can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Make
sure the herb is clean of pesticides, since most people think it is a
pest weed and regularly spray to eliminate it. Dosage for a decoction of
one heaping teaspoon of the chopped, dried root, or two heaping
teaspoons of the chopped fresh root in eight oz of water for 20 minutes
is 0.5 to 1 milliliter (about 20 drops) two to three times daily, or add
to drinking water. Use glycerin or alcohol tinctures at half the
aforementioned dosage, diluted in water.

Echinacea: Echinacea supports healthy immune functions on several
levels: cellular, blood and lymphatic, and also shows measurable
antimicrobial qualities. Echinacea needs to be given on a regular basis
starting with a health animal. It's capacity to fight infection is
severely limited if the animal is already ill. Give it at the very first
sign of any possible infection. However, once the infection has set in
it can still be given with a boost of another antiseptic herb like
Oregon grape, usnea or organic goldenseal. You need only add about ten
percent of these fortifying herbs to the echinacea. Can be applied
directly to the skin at point of infection to aid healing. A glycerin
based extract is generally considered the best because the sweeter taste
of the vegetable glycerin helps mask the unpleasant taste/tingle of the
echinacea, which may make your pet foam at the mouth. Alcohol based
extracts do not have this helpful sweet mask. A conservative rule of
dosage for cats is ten drops of an herbal tincture three times daily.
Echinacea is also a good anti-microbial for mouth and urinary tract. It
is also a good treatment for bacterial and fungal infections of the
urethra and/or bladder. When combined with marshmallow and couchgrass it
has a good anti-inflammatory and demulcent action. It is a good
poultice, if available dried or fresh, for insect bites. Do not give to
animals with abnormal immune functions like diabetes mellitus, leukosis,
feline AIDS, lupus, severe allergies, or asthma.

Ginkgo: Ginkgo is especially useful for treating vascular deficiencies,
including the effects of old age. It helps prevent blood clots. It helps
regulate the tone and elasticity of blood vessels, making them stronger
and less susceptible to degenerative disease. Some tests have indicated
that Ginkgo may even help alleviate some of the degenerative,
age-related cases of chronic depression or abnormal behavior. It is also
a good tonic for weak kidneys. Combining Ginkgo and Hawthorn has been
used to treat feline renal failure in its early stages. (My store
carries this combination). Ginkgo nourishes the nervous system, urinary
incontinence, seizures, neuralgia, skin problems, chronic digestive
upset, and cardiac arrhythmia. A typical dose of Ginkgo extract for
elderly animals or ones that are beginning to show some signs of
cerebrovasular deficiency, loss of kidney function, or impaired
circulation in extremeties is anywhere between 0.25 milliliters and 0.76
milliliters of liquid extract, two or three times daily, for each 10
pounds of body weight. You should consult a holistic or herbal
practitioner for a good workup of your pet's condition before starting
to dose with Ginkgo. The only cautions for Ginkgo are common sense.
Since it aids in lessening clotting, don't give it to an animal already
on blood thinners, or have a clotting disorder. Do not give after recent
surgery, due to risk of bleeding. Excessive doses can give a healthy
animal diarrhea, nausea, and restlessness. Again, do not give during
pregnancy or lactation.

Hawthorn: Proven to be one of the best and safest vascular tonics. It
dilates the vessels of the heart and brain which increases circulation
and has the added effect of increasing blood flow while decreasing
resistance to the flow. It has antioxidant properties and steadies and
strengthens a weak or erratic heartbeat. Animals that are under daily
stress, like performing animals, racehorses, etc. benefit from a daily
dose. It has been used in conjunction with herbs that strengthen kidney
function to treat early signs of kidney failure. It is one of the safest
medicinal foods, on a level with raspberries and rose hips. A good dose
for a cat is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of powdered hawthorn berry added to the
food (it actually tastes good) per meal. If the cat won't eat the
powder, try making it into a tea and pouring it over the food or use a
low-alcohol extract.

Licorice: A fast acting anti-inflammatory agent. Contains Glycyrrhizin,
which has a chemical structure similar to cortisone, and a similar
action. It is also anti-microbial and an immunostimulant. Relieves pain,
itching and inflammation. Can be applied to the skin as a tea, salve or
oil infusion. Good for liver diseases, acting as a detoxifier. Excellent
treatment for gastrointestinal problems, bronchial problems and is
anti-viral and anti-bacterial. A conservative dose for cats is five to
ten drops of the herbal tincture or extract two times daily. Over a long
period of use licorice could cause water retention, hypertension, loss
of potassium, sodium retention, and cause hyperactivity of the adrenals.
In large doses it could raise blood sugar.  Not recommended for
long-term treatment. Switch out to one or more herbs with similar
actions if long-term treatment is called for. Consult a qualified
herbalist. It also has estrogenic properties that could affect uterine
functions and can be used to treat uterine dysfunction. Do not give to
pregnant or nursing animals.

Marshmallow: Used to treat surface problems of the skin and internal
mucous membranes because of its high mucilage content. Particularly
useful in feline lower urinary tract disease and related diseases. It is
also a soothing upper respiratory treatment, especially in cases with a
dry, raspy cough. Relieves insect bites and stings, abcesses and skin
inflammation. Has anti-microbial and immune-stimulating properties which
make it good against bacterial infections. If you use a tincture, make
sure it has no more than 20% alcohol. Glycerin is better in this case.
In treating colon problems, the chopped, dried root is better than the
extract, since it needs to make it all the way to the colon, which the
extract may not do. The extract can be poured into the animal's mouth
(right!) or make a tea by steeping one teaspoon of dried root in 8 oz of
water. For a cat, 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled tea is a good dose. Good
for helping to expel furballs. For lower intestinal tract problems like
constipation, add 1/4 teaspoon of the powdered root to the pet's food
each meal. For swollen anal glands, in this case a gel cap works with
the cat's short intestinal tract to get all the way to the affected
area. If you want to attempt a suppository (am I being funny?) you can
use an ear syringe to apply a little of the tea - cooled! Marshmallow
can lower blood sugar so do not give to hypoglycemic pets. It may,
because of the high mucilage content, retard or prevent full absorption
of some drugs.

Nettle: An excellent addition to food for cats that need extra vitamins.
Add about 1/3 teaspoon to cat's food each meal. Nettle has
anti-inflammatory properties and is good as an eyewash for
conjunctivitis. Use just enough to tint a saline solution like that used
with contact lenses a light greenish color. Use three to six drops with
an eyedropper in cat's eyes two or three times a day. Nettle is also a
good skin and coat rinse. There should be some human shampoos on the
market that are herbally based containing this herb or add the extract
to castile soap obtained from the drug store for a wash to help relieve
flea bites and itchy skin. For allergies, the tincture or tea given
before the start of allergy season and taken throughout it will help
allergic rhinitis. The only cautions are, if you plan to harvest it
yourself, wear protective clothing and gloves and harvest only younger
plants. Older ones have gritty particles that will irritate kidneys.

Skullcap: A most effective herbal nerve tonic. It has been used to treat
epilepsy, convulsions, multiple sclerosis and hysteria. It has sedative
and anti-spasmodic properties. It is especially good for nervousness and
excitability in cats. It does not, by itself, cause drowsiness, so the
animal will stay alert, but calm. For epileptic cats, give 0.25 to 0.5
milliliters of tincture two or three times a day. For nervousness or as
a pain reliever, give up to 0.5 milliliters up to three times daily for
one week. Do not use in cats with liver conditions. Do not use long-term
without consulting an herbalist. May stimulate menstruation, so do not
use in pregnant animals.
 

Plus One - Activated Charcoal: Used in cases of poisoning. Administer
immediately at first inkling animal (or human) has ingested a poisonous
substance. Administer as much as you can get them to take. Get them to
the vet or doctor as soon as possible.
 

The Original Herb Co., 9353 KW Cortana Place, Baton Rouge, LA 70815,
store phone: 225-201-0772 or 225-752-8516

Home address: 16154 Woodlawn Acres Ave Baton Rouge, LA 70817.

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