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SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME |
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An herb garden holds a
wealth of help for your furry friends.
We are all much too quick to race into giving antibiotics and steroids
to our animals when very often we have solutions to their health issues right
at hand. Sage (salvia in Spanish) is excellent for skin infections and
ulcerations of the mouth, skin and digestive tract. Its primary medicinal uses are as an
antiseptic, astringent, antispasmodic and it expels intestinal gas. Not bad for the humble garden herb! To make a tea take 1
tablespoon of dried leaves, cover with almost boiling water and stir until
lukewarm. Save the leaves for use as a
poultice for bacterial or fungol infections. The leaves, flowers and small stems can all
be used. Cautions include avoidance
of the sage oil because it can cause skin irritations. Avoid use of sage in pregnant or nursing
animals and those taking anti-convulsive therapies. Rosemary – romero Rosemary is known to have
calming effects and can be used for animals recovering from traumatic
experiences and even shock. It has
anti-spasmodic effects on the heart and other smooth muscles. It is used as a tonic, anti-depressant and
even to repel insects. The doseage
is 1/8 teaspoon of tincture per 20 pounds of weight up to 3 times a day. Rosemary in the food serves
as a natural barrier against food –borne bacteria and scientific studies have
proved its effectiveness against fungi as well as E coli and two strains of staph. When adding
it to the food use ¼ teaspoon of powdered rosemary
to each pound of the homemade diet.
Leaves, stems and flowers are all used. Do not use the oils in an
undiluted form or with pregnant animals. Thyme – tomillo Thymol is
the agent in thyme that is good for an antiseptic of the mouth and throat and
for fighting gingivitis. In fact, it
is the active ingredient in many mouthwashes and tooth pastes! Of course, if you are feeding your dog raw,
meaty bones there should be no problem with gingivitis! In the digestive tract it
is useful as an antispasmodic, for dyspepsia, irritable bowel and
colitis. It even helps expel
parasites, especially hookworms which are common here. For parasites the dried or fresh herb can
be fed with the food: 1 teaspoon per
pound of food. A tea can be used
externally for fungol and bacterial infections and
internally it may help with urinary incontinence. Do not use an essential oil
of thyme in or on your animals. All of these plants are
available here and grow easily in planters.
We also have various sources for dried herbs, how to make tinctures,
teas, etc., and
information about how to use all of them properly. H |