Herb Basics

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A DOSE OF NUTRITION FOR YOUR PET

Many herbs can be used as nutritional adjuncts to a healthy diet. Here is a simple dried formula that can be used for most dogs, cats, and other animals.

GENERAL HERBAL DIETARY ADJUNCT

Combine equal parts of the following:

Spirulina
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale)
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Powdered flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Mix all of the ingredients and store the mixture in a glass jar. This formula can be fed at the rate of 1 teaspoon per pound of food given daily (1/2 teaspoon per pound of food for cats), as an adjunct to a natural diet. While this mixture may not fill all of a pet’s nutritional needs, it will complement his or her diet with foodlike concentrations of protein, vitamin C, B vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Source: Wulff-Tilford, Mary L. and Gregory L. Tilford. Herbs for Pets. Irvine, California: BowTie, 1999.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR COLD SORES

Cold sores can be painful, long-lasting, and embarrassing. If you’re about to develop a cold sore, you may feel tingling or itching in the area that the sore is about to erupt—usually at the corner of the mouth, but sometimes inside the mouth or on the nose. Usually, the sores will clear up by themselves in seven to ten days, but try some of these natural suggestions to help them heal more quickly.

• Avoid foods rich in arginine, an amino acid that may stimulate the virus that causes cold sores. Arginine-rich foods include nuts, seeds, grains, raisins, chocolate, and gelatin.

• At least one study has shown that the combination of vitamin C, zinc, and flavonoids can boost your immune system enough to speed the healing of cold sores and prevent recurrences. Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C, 25 mg of zinc, and 1,000 mg of flavonoids daily until the sore has healed.

• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has impressive antiviral properties, and studies have shown that lemon balm ointment speeds the healing of cold sores. The ointment is available at health-food stores; apply it two to four times daily.

• Garlic (Allium sativum) also has antiviral properties that may help stop recurrent sores. The moment you feel a cold sore coming on, try taking twelve capsules of deodorized garlic, then take three capsules every four waking hours for the next three days.

Source: Castleman, Michael. Blended Medicine. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale, 2000.

A HOMEMADE SPICY BLEND

This is an excellent recipe to have on hand during the winter, or any time you need a little kick. A dash of Peppered Sherry in a cup of hot soup works wonders to relive plugged sinuses. Homegrown fresh ornamental chiles will work well in the recipe, but any small dried chiles will work, also. Remember, the hotter the chile, the more potent the sherry. Wear rubber gloves when preparing the chiles, and wash your gloved hands with soap and water before removing the gloves. Keep your hands away from your eyes.