HERBAL MEDICINE

Have you ever wondered about herbal medicine? Chinese herbs have been used to treat ailments for thousands of years. The idea behind Chinese medicine is that there is an underlying imbalance of the body making it susceptible to illness or pain. When the body and all of its parts are in balance, there is health. Acupuncture and herbs are the basis for Chinese medicine. They can be used together, or separately. They can also be used alone or in addition to conventional medicine.

There are very few side effects associated with Chinese herbs. In addition, they are rarely used longer than for 6 months at a time and, often times, are only needed for 2-3 months. In other words, they are used to help put the body back into balance. Once balance has been restored, the herbs are no longer needed. Some individuals, however, will be prone to re-occurrence of certain imbalances. Therefore, in some, the herbs may need to be re-started from time to time.

In order to choose the correct herbal formula, a practitioner experienced in Chinese medicine needs to evaluate the animal in person. A thorough history is needed as well as an assessment of the animal including the appearance of the tongue and the quality of the animal’s pulse. The herbs can be added to the animal’s feed twice daily and effects are generally seen within 2 weeks.

Common conditions that respond well to Chinese herbs include: laminitis, navicular syndrome, gastric ulcers, anxiety, tendon injuries, heaves, allergies, EPM, Lyme disease, and much more. Call our office to learn how Chinese herbs might benefit your animal.