The Benefits In Botanicals

Have  you ever seen your dog eating grass, herbs, cleavers, dirt, bark,  insects or even rocks?  Have you ever wondered why they do this?

Dogs,  like many other animals, can display behaviours of self-medicating  which is called zoopharmacognosy.  This is where they intentionally seek  out and eat things to address things such as nutritional deficiencies,  illnesses, injury, and inflammation, or to help reduce excess toxins in  the body.

Dogs have incredibly  sensitive noses and when given the option, they know what they need to  do!  They can perform this behaviour even when we, as their carers,  can’t identify any evidence of pain or illness!

This  is where introducing botanical supplements can help improve your  hound’s health, but it is a vast subject and nature is a powerful thing!  Caution should be taken to ensure you do it properly, but whether you  are using botanicals as a dietary supplement, for preventative health or  to assist in specific treating medical conditions, incorporating them  into your dog’s diet is a brilliant, holistic, and natural way to  support your dog’s health and well-being.   

…it’s just knowing where to start!

For  centuries, humans have utilised the natural world to treat numerous  medical conditions.  Countless plants are known for their medicinal, or  therapeutic, properties which are still used today in various forms.

Be  it teas, oils, tinctures, topical treatments, capsules, granules or any  other format, these natural products are often utilised in conjunction  with modern medicine.  Which is ironic since many modern medicines were  originally created from said plants.  That is before scientific advances  moved onto synthetic pharmaceuticals!

When  it comes to animals, like humans, botanicals have long been utilised  across history in supporting horses, livestock, and other domestic  animals, but it’s use declined due to the development of commercial dog  food (and the assumption of nutritional completeness) and furtherments  in veterinary medicine.  

As a  result, the general knowledge and use of botanicals has long fallen by  the wayside but thankfully due to human, and pet owner, health trends,  they are once again getting the spotlight!  Pet food producers have  taken note of the trends and preferences of owners looking to take a  more natural stance in their dogs care in recent years and have started  integrating more botanicals into food production.

It  tends to be higher end commercial diets that have these additives, but  even if they have some, there’s nothing to say you can’t supplement them  further!  Raw, fresh and DIY diets also greatly benefit from some  fashion of botanical supplement as well.

Botanical  supplements can help address nutritional gaps in the diet and can  improve several other aspects of your dog’s health, be it digestive,  immune, joint health or beyond.  

For  instance, some of the most well-known supplements are Seaweed, a  nutritional powerhouse, and Turmeric which is an amazing  anti-inflammatory for arthritis!  But that’s just the tip of the  iceberg.  The world of botanicals is vast, fascinating, and not a little  bit complicated.

Here are just a  few botanical examples to dip your toes into and start you on your  journey of maximising your hounds health!  You wouldn't believe the  benefits of some of the most common herbs and weeds!

Aniseed  – Aniseed has great health benefits for dogs. It can be used to aid  digestive issues such as nausea and gas. It can also be used to treat  respiratory problems such as congestion and coughs,

Blackcurrant  Leaves – This one is very multifunctional, but is great for removing  toxins from the body, improving immune system and circulatory health.  

Burdock  Root – This is brilliant for detoxification and purification of the  body.  Burdock is a well-known liver support and is good for the kidneys  and bladder.

Calendula – This helps promote healing of skin irritations and wounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Comfrey Leaves – This has multifunctional in supporting injury to bones and tendons, as well as support arthritis.

Cramp Bark – As the name suggests, this is used for cramps, pain, and swelling.

Chamomile – Good for generalised anxiety, it promotes relaxation and helps digestion.  It also helps with skin allergies.

Chlorella  – Chlorella is packed with vitamins, minerals and all nine essential  amino acids!  Full of antioxidants, omega 3 and glucosamine it is good  for literally everything from digestive health, detoxification, heart,  brain, and joint health!

Curly  Parsley – Rich in vitamin C, A and K!  Vit C for immune support, A for  vision and immune health, K for liver health and healthy blood clotting  systems.  Also high in folic acid, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory.   Is a diuretic and high in fibre so helps the body flush out fluids,  Good for kidney and urinary health.  

Celery Seed – As a diuretic with antiseptic properties, celery seed is used to relieve muscle spasms and lower blood pressure.

Chaste Tree Berries – Helps to stabilise hormone levels that are out of balance by supporting the pituitary gland.

Cleavers  – With silica, vitamin C, fatty acids, flavonoids, and tannins,  cleavers support the lympthatic system, kidneys, and urinary tract.

Devils  Claw – As a strong analgesic with anti-inflammatory properties, this is  routinely used to treat arthritis but can also be used to help with  liver and gallbladder issues.

Dandelion  – Different parts of the plant are good for different things.  Flowers  are high in antioxidants or polyphenols which helps boosts immune  system.  The leaves are nutrient dense, and a good dietary supplement  and the roots are a natural liver tonic and helps improve liver  function.  Dandelion also has anti-inflammatory properties which is good  for joint health!

Echinacea – A  massive immune boosting plant that helps prevent and treat infections,  improves wound healing and increases resistance to disease.

Fennel  – Rich in vitamins and minerals like iron and potassium, fennel  supports the immune system and many other bodily functions.

Fenugreek  – With strong anti-inflammatory properties, fenugreek is used for  numerous conditions such as digestive disorders, respiratory illness,  allergies, anaemia, and many others as well as lowering blood pressure.

Ginger – Good for digestion, ginger reduces nausea and vomiting, and is often beneficial in easing motion sickness.

Hawthorne  – Hawthorn is for the heart.  It helps improve cardiovascular function,  strengthens heart muscle, and promotes blood circulation.

Holy  Basil – With adaptogenic properties, Basil helps the body adapt to  stressors.  It supports dogs with anxiety and boosts the immune system.

Kale  - A rich source of vitamins, folate, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin,  pantothenic acid, iron, potassium, and phosphorus.  Great source of two  main antioxidants.  Adding small amounts of kale to your dog’s diet can  support vision, digestive and liver health as well as preventing  infections.

Lemon Balm - Lemon balm is a calming herb that can help dogs with anxiety and sleep.

Liquorice  Root – Another great anti-inflammatory with expectorant properties, it  can be used to treat respiratory issues and digestive upset.

Milk Thistle – This one is all about the liver.  It is helpful for detoxification, liver regeneration and health!

Marshmallow  Root – This is helpful as a straight herb or made up as a tea to help  digestive issues, such as gastritis.  It lines the gastrointestinal  tract and promotes digestion.

Marrigold  Flowers – With antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, marigold  can be used to help fight viruses, bacteria, and inflammation.

Mint  – Antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal, mint is an  all-rounder.  It is great for allergies or as a decongestant.  It is  often used as part of the treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

Nettle  – Antihistamine, high in naturally occurring iron for anaemic dogs,  diuretic and mild anti-inflammatory for urinary health, skin health,  vitamins, and trace minerals. Great for helping with rheumatism,  arthritis, eczema, and dermatitis.

Oregano  - Rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, it helps support  the immune system, digestion, and has anti-inflammatory benefits.

Passionflower – A natural calming agent, Passiflora helps to relax the body and aids sleep.              

Psyllium  Seeds – Routinely used to help treat digestive illness and disorders  such as constipation, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome and  inflammatory bowel diseases.

Rosemary – Rich in antioxidants it supports digestion and improves cognitive function.

Rosehip  –  This is another all-rounder that can be used to support respiratory  and circulatory health, the digestive and immune systems.  It also helps  treat arthritis!

Slippery Elm – Good for chronic digestive problems.

St  John’s Wart – This is good for the nervous system and addressing  anxiety, separation anxiety and aggressive behavioural issues.  It has  several other uses such as treating bites, stings and other minor skin  conditions, cuts and irritations.

Skullcap – Good for anxiety and calming due to its sedative effect.  It is helpful in treating epilepsy and excitability.  

Thyme – A natural antiseptic it is good for digestive health and encouraging appetite.

Wheat  Grass - This contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and  large amounts of chlorophyll.  It’s a great way to help complete  nutrient gaps in your dog’s diet and provides important antioxidant  protection.

Vervain – This settles the nervous system and assists with anxiety, reducing hysterical behaviour and treating epilepsy.

Valerian Root – As a natural sedation, it is used to reduce anxiety, aid sleep and control seizures.

Just  as a disclaimer, if you are going to investigate supplementing your  hound to address specific medical conditions you must do your research,  speak to your vet and where possible speak to a canine nutritionist,  herbalist or zoopharmagocnosist.  This is particularly important if your  hound is already on medication, as like any medication, there can be  contraindications to consider.  
There is a reason modern medicine originated in botanicals!

You can also consult the The Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association website!

When  introducing botanicals to your dog’s diet to start with small  quantities and gradually increase it to the recommended dose to ensure  there are no sensitivities!