Traditional medicine is well established however holistic alternatives are natural and very effective for many ailments in pets. Chinese herbs have been used to cure illnesses for centuries. Below are some herbs to consider planting if you prefer alternative medicine options for your dog or cat.
- Ginseng – This plant come in two forms American ginseng and Chinese ginseng. Chinese ginseng is used to improve circulation, while its American counterpart reduces fever and respiratory tract disorders. Ginseng also increases energy, it is a perennial plant and grows best in cool climates.
- Dong quai – This simple herb can help with high blood pressure and allergies. It grows best in summer and autumn.
- Wild Yam Roots – These yams make for a great natural treatment of nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Natively from China, these roots grow best in temperate climates.
- Eyebright – Like you might guess from the name, eyebright is often used to soothe eye irritation, as well as allergies and sinus infections. Growing eyebright is challenging but rewarding, as you’ll require simultaneous grass-planting to deal with the parasitic eyebright.
- Ginger – This Greek-favored cure helps with migraines, motion sickness, and even blood clots. If you plan on growing this health favorite, it needs plenty of indirect sunlight and water, and hates the frost.
- Ginkgo – Ginkgo leaf extract can be useful for those with asthma, bronchitis, and even amnesia and fatigue. Ginkgo is relatively easy to grow in urban landscapes, just be careful not to overwater it.
- Goldenseal – This herb is great for tackling bladder infections, sinus congestions, and fungal infections. If you’d like to grow your own, use rich and moist soil in a well-shaded place.
- Goji Berries – These all function berries can help the liver, improve fertility, and help you live longer. They grow best in temperate regions.
- Cranesbill – This plant can help stop bleeding, heal canker sores, and also help with diarrhea. Don’t over-fertilize it, however, unless you like extra “leggy” foliage.
- Billberry – These bountiful berries can ease diabetes pain, treat eye conditions, and help with kidney disease. These berries prefer full sunlight for optimal growth.
- Barberry – These berries can help with skin conditions, infections, and diarrhea. Growing is not for the faint of heart, as the branches can tower over you at 9 feet tall.
- Black Cohosh – This buttercup can help with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Also, this is another plant that likes moist soil and a well-shaded area.
- Witch hazel – Witch hazel can help bowel syndromes, and even help soothe traumatic bruises. While witch hazel prefers moist, acidic soil in full sunlight, it can grow in many different soil conditions, even when partially shaded.
- Fo-ti – Another versatile plant, fo-ti can help with constipation, fatigue, high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction. While fo-ti can grow in sun or shade, beware putting it into high heat areas.
- Licorice root – Licorice root can help with ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throats. Licorice prefers rich soil and can handle sun or shade, but doesn’t like harsh winters at all.
- Althaea – Althaea is great for sore throats, ulcers, and irritated skin. This plant needs well-drained soil to grow in, though it can thrive in sun or shade.
- Peppermint – Delicious peppermint can actually help heal indigestion, gallstones, and headaches. Peppermint grows best in moist, temperate locations.
- Milk thistle – Milk thistle can help you with liver issues, and serves as a great antioxidant. Milk thistle can also thrive with moderate to low levels of watering.
- Noni Juice – Noni juice can boost your immune system, stabilize blood pressure, and soothe inflammation. The medical use of this awesome juice has been around for hundreds of years.
- Kava – This herb can help with insomnia and even nervousness. Kava also loves it nutrients, so make sure to plant it in a very rich soil.
- Polypodium Leucotomos – This favored fern can help with memory loss, skin irritation, and even disorientation. It grows well in temperate environments.
- Rhubarb – Rhubarb may reduce cancer risks, and serves as a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It also thrives very well in cold climates.
- St. John’s wort – St. John’s wort can work miracles, helping slow HIV and help with depression. It doesn’t do well with frost, and prefers moist soil.
- Saw palmetto – Saw palmetto can help out with stomach and bladder problems, as well as bronchitis. It prefers full sun and moderate watering.
- Senna – Senna is a great way to ease constipation. Make sure your soil has good drainage before planting.
- Tart Cherries – These delicious cherries can help deal with arthritis and diabetes, and may reduce your cancer risk. Growing your own takes a bit of patience—it will be 3 to 4 years before they appear.
- Tea Tree oil – Tea tree oil is versatile, helping treat athlete’s foot, acne, and vaginal infections. Getting your own requires “steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia.”
- Tribulus – Tribulus helps boost sports performance, as well as helping out with erectile dysfunction, infertility, and low libido. Temperate climates will help you grow your own.
- Valerian – Valerian helps relax you, and serves as a great way to fight insomnia. As pretty as they are, you should remove Valerian’s flowering stems as soon as they appear.
- Vinpocetine – Vinpocetine can help with stroke and vascular dementia, and may even serve as a treatment for those with Alzheimer’s disease. To get your own, you’ll have to grow lesser periwinkle first, and then extract the vinpocetine.
- White Willow – White willow can help ease inflammation and aches, as well as helping with fevers and chills. It prefers very moist soil.
- Yellow Dock – Yellow dock helps with digestion, skin irritation, and serves as detox for your liver. Like many weeds, it can grow in almost any climate.
- Fennel – Fennel plants can help boost eyesight, ease indigestion, and may even aid weight loss. These grow well in clay pots, and prefer moist soil.
- Oregano – This tasty treat gives you antioxidants and vitamins, and can help boost your brainpower. When growing your own, you should start harvesting when the plants are about 5 inches in height.
- Rosemary – Rosemary can help out with upset stomachs, headaches, and even cancer. This is a plant that needs little attention, just moderate water and sunshine.
- Dill – These high calcium weeds can help you stay focused and ease your indigestion. This is another one that doesn’t like extreme frost, so don’t stay frosty.
- Parsley – This wonder plant can cleanse blood, help with kidney stones, and even boost your sex drive. Use well-drained soil to grow your own.
- Borage – This herb helps with arthritis and eczema. Use full sunlight to grown your own bushels or borage.
- Thyme – Thyme can help with anemia, bronchitis, and indigestion. Thyme thrives in dry areas with lots of sunlight.
- Lovage – Lovage can help with menstrual problems, helps keep you focused, and eases kidney stones and sore throats. Lovage prefers fertile soil and partially shaded areas.
- Majoram – Marjoram can help relax your muscles, ease arthritis, and heal sprains. Don’t forget to grind the leaves into a paste and adding water to get the maximum benefit.
- Echinacea – This herb can help fight against colds, the flu, and even acne. It can thrive in cold climates, just don’t give it too much water.
- Garlic – Another wonder herb, garlic can help with colds, the flu, acne, and can even help you manage cholesterol and ward off mosquitoes. This grows best in rich soil in warm areas.
- Shitake – These magic mushrooms help ward off viruses, fight cancer, and boost your immune system. The ideal place to grow your own would be a dead hardwood tree in a moist area.
- Lavender – Lavender is great for soothing aromatherapy, provides a wonderful antibacterial, and eases headaches. Lavender prefers dry, sunny areas, but is very adaptable.
- Cayenne – Cayenne peppers can help prevent heart attacks, ulcers, and heal hemorrhoids. Be sure to give your peppers about 15 weeks to mature.
- Skullcap – Skullcap can help protect against rabies symptoms, as well as easing tension and blood pressure. Make sure you have well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine for your skullcap.
- Clove – Cloves can sweeten your breath, help with toothaches, and aid in indigestion. Give your clove tree plenty of rich soil, but avoid standing water like the plague.
- Juniper – Juniper berries can help you with gout, warts, urinary tract infections and even cancer. Make sure your planted juniper tree has lots of moist, well-drained soil.
- Birchwood – The acid on birch bark can actually fight cancer, and other parts of its branches go into many sports and pain relief creams. Birchwood grows best in areas of cool, moist soil that, challengingly enough, get lots and lots of sunlight.
With all medical decisions you should consult a doctor before you self-medicate even with natural holistic methods. Either way, we hope the herbs will cure whatever ails your 4 legged best friend and offer you a great healthy fun family project this summer.
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM