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About Veterinary Herbal Medicine

About Veterinary Herbal Medicine

Cats, Dogs, Herbal Medicine

Information

About Veterinary Herbal Medicine

Since prehistoric times, humans have been using plants, animals and other products found in nature to cure and alleviate disease. It was only in the 19th century that chemicals were gaining in popularity and subsequently used in what we now call the “Modern Medicine Era”. In the last decade the development of new druks has now begun to reach its limit.

We see this in the increase in “incurable chronic diseases” and most recently in the development of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. For this and many other reasons, including ecological health, there is a major demand for Sustainable Medicine. Traditional Oriental Medicine is one of the main components in this drive in Sustainable Veterinary Medicine.

Traditional Oriental Veterinary Medicine has four main components; Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy and Tui-na. Over the last 50 years the popularity of complimentary medicine has grown exponentially in the Veterinary community and in the past owners society. Of the four oriental modalities, Herbal medicine is the easiest to integrate into a Veterinary practice.

 

purple flower field under white sky during daytime

We Recommend Ying Tang herbal formulas.

 

The Source

Where to find safe effective herbal formulas?

In TCVM the liver is in charge of tendons and ligaments and bosses the other organs around. The wood element opens the eyes. Wood animals are good at the competition and have great musculature, self-confidence, and an air of purpose. The negative side comes when they are prevented from doing what they want and they can become angry, frustrated, or even aggressive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers

Is herbal medicine safe for animals?
Generally herbal medicine is deemed safe for animal use.
Not all natural remedies are completely safe and effective. Herbal medicine is no exception. Some of the ingredients in herbal formulas can cause severe side effects and drug interactions.
Make sure you use herbal formulas prescribed by a trained veterinary herbalist.
Who can prescribe herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is not regulated by the MCC or the SAVC for the use in animals. It is however important that you consult a veterinarian before giving any natural medicine to your pet.
Where can I find herbal medicine for my pets?
Be very careful of the source you use for herbal medicine. Natural over the counter medicine is not regulated or tested and some may be deadly toxic when given incorrectly.
Do not buy and give human herbal formulas to your animals. Our physiology differ significantly from our pets. Cats are especially sensitive to plant intoxications.
Only use herbal formulas prescribed by your veterinarian. AnimalQi supplies only the best JingTang formulas to veterinarians.
Ask you Veterinarian to find out how to source there herbs to you.
Is herbal medicine expensive?
Some of the veterinary herbal formulas are imported and this may be a bit expensive. To ensure you are using safe and effective herbal remedies please only use reputable safe brands. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Will herbal medicine replace my pets regular prescription meds?
Never change your pets medication without consulting your veterinarian!
Herbal remedies have been very successful in reducing the dosages of prescribed medicine and in most cases your veterinarian can wean off some of the chronic medications with the help of herbal medicine.
How long do I need to give the herbal medicine?
This will depend on the response seen by the patient and the disease being treated.

About Food Therapy

About Food Therapy

Cats, Dogs, Nutritional Services

Information

What is Food Therapy?

Food has been used as medicine in China in both humans and animals for thousands of years. Food as medicine was initially recorded in Zhou-Li written during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC to 256 BC). Food therapy is the art and science of using selected food ingredients and/or superior herbs to feed each individual based upon their inborn tendencies, age, species, geographical location, personality, and current disharmony or disease process. The goal is to treat or prevent illness and maintain health by using the foods according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM) fundamental principles. The main fundamental principles of TCVM food therapy are Xing/Thermal Energetics, Wei/Tastes, Brain Zheng/Pattern Differentiation and cook pot analogy.

Xing or Thermal Energetics of foods

An Ancient Oriental Healing Art.

Pathogenically, Xing refers to the nature or basis of a disease, which consists of two major categories: Hot and Cold conditions.

Hot conditions include: Heat, Heat toxin, Damp-heat, Summer Heat, Yang excess pattern or False heat due to Yin deficiency. These hot conditions are often called Yang disease.

Cold conditions refer to Cold, Damp, Yin excess pattern or False cold due to Yang deficiency. These cold conditions are also called Yin disease.

Therapeutically, Xing is the thermal nature or energetics of each herb or food. Huang di nei jing defines the most important TCVM treatment principle: hot conditions are treated with cold, while cold conditions are treated with heat. The Xing of foods simply refers to the primary post-indigestion effect of food on an individual’s body.

The various methods of food preparation can alter the energetics of foods. The initial Xing or thermal property of a food changes from most cool to most warm in the following order:

  • Raw, chilled-most cool.
  • Steamed or poached-cooling.
  • Boiled-neutral.
  • Stir-fried-mildly warming.
  • Casserole/baked-most heating.

Foods have both Xing and Wei. Xing is the Qi (energy) of foods. The Qi is the light, aromaic part of the food derived from its property, nature and aroma. The Wei, meaning taste, is the substantial, nourishing aspect. Food that is not fresh rapidly loses its Qi.

Wei / 5 Flavours of foods

An Ancient Oriental Healing Art.

Sour (Wood) – has astringent or holding/gathering quality.
Bitter (Fire) – has draining and counteracting dampness quality.
Sweet (Earth) – has tonifying and moistening quality.
Pungent (Metal) – has dispersing quality that promotes Qi and blood flow.
Salty (Water) – has softening and detoxifying quality.
Bland (Water) – drains dampness from the body.

Xing or Thermal Energetics of foods

Horses and companion animals have relative different TCVM patterns, even when in good health, depending upon their various life stages, including pregnancy, parturition and nursing.

Example: Nursing mothers and growing puppies consume Qi; thus, Qi-building foods should be used daily. Nursing consumes massive amounts of blood to form its modified ultrafiltrate called milk, therfore, blood tonifying foods should be fed every day to nursing mothers.

Foods by Category

Principles and Elements (Phases)

Pet Personalities

Pet Personalities

Cats, Dogs

Information

What’s your Pet Personality?

Wood: The General

Organs: Liver and Gallbladder

In TCVM the liver is in charge of tendons and ligaments and bosses the other organs around. The wood element opens the eyes. Wood animals are good at the competition and have great musculature, self-confidence, and an air of purpose. The negative side comes when they are prevented from doing what they want and they can become angry, frustrated, or even aggressive.

Personality Traits:

  • Dominant
  • Speedy
  • Impatient
  • Bossy
  • Competitive
  • Quick to anger
  • Adapts to change quickly

Prone to:

  • Hypertension
  • Stroke
  • Allergy
  • Depression
  • Hysteria
  • Neurosis and eye problems

Fire: The Emperor

Organs: Heart

In TCVM the heart is considered to be the ruler of general mental state. Fire animals are usually very eye catching and tend to be finer and more delicate. They love attention and are friendly to people. They are playful and love to be with others. Fire animals like to show off and have and audience.

Personality Traits:

  • High energy
  • Easily excited
  • Extroverted
  • Enjoys physical contact
  • Social butterfly
  • Difficult to calm down

Prone to:

  • Heart disease
  • Restlessness
  • Heat stroke
  • Sudden death
  • General and separation anxiety

Earth: Feeds Others

Organs: Spleen and Stomach

In TCVM the spleen is in charge of the overall digestive proses, muscle formation, general strength and holding muscles and organs in place. Earth animals tend to be the easiest to train and are sweet natured and very food motivated. Earth animals are safe, grounded, reliable and dependable. They like to be comfortable and working hard is not appreciated.

Personality Traits:

  • Nurturing
  • Supportive
  • Loyal
  • Easy going
  • Kind

Prone to:

  • Worry
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Edema
  • Cholic
  • Diarhea
  • Obesity

Metal: The Prime Minister

Organs: Lungs and Large Intestine

In TCVM the lungs function is to move water throughout the body and to acquire and distribute cosmic Qi (oxygen). Metal animals like a regime and order. Training should be regular, routine and scheduled. Metal animals associated with strength and accuracy, they are also polite and see extreme behaviors as breaking the rules.

Personality Traits:

  • Aloof
  • Dignified
  • Confident
  • Leader
  • Neat
  • Excellent self control

Prone to:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Frequent colds
  • Cough
  • Skin issues
  • Constipation

Water: Water Manager

Organs: Kidney and Bladder

In TCVM the kidneys govern water, flight or fight, bones, sex organs, hormones and the essence of life. It is important to start training at an early age to help them overcome stressful situations and to introduce them to as many people and environments as possible. Increasing water pets self confidence will help their personality bloom. They respond best to positive reinforcement, as punishment can worsen bad behavior. Water pets take a long time to gain trust, and if they are rushed, they will run, both mentally and physically.

Personality Traits:

  • Loving with Family
  • Suspicious of strange smells, people, places and sounds
  • Cautious
  • Introverted
  • Quiet

Prone to:

  • Lower back and hip pain
  • Infertility
  • Edema
  • Depression
  • Urinary infection
  • Deafness
  • Panic attacks