Healing Herbs for Pets

From Dr. Janet Starr Hull's Healthy Newsletter
http://www.janethull.com/newsletter/0407/
April 2007

Those of us who have pets will tell you that they are like members of the family. So, for those with furry family members - and some that may not be so furry - here are a few natural remedies for some common pet problems.

Ear Infections and Ear Mites - Apply garlic-mullein ear oil, 3-4 drops, twice daily. And because dogs and cats have especially long ear canals, make sure to massage the ears well to get the oil all the way down the canal.

Fleas - here are several natural remedies:

Herbal bedding - Dry mix dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, and clove buds. Crush the botanicals well and fill a muslin bag with herbs and put in the pet's bed or if your pet has a cedar filled pillow, just add the botanicals to the cedar chip mixture.

Herbal flea collars - dip a heavy string into a combination of essential oils containing eucalyptus, citronella and sage, let dry, then securely wind the string around your pets collar.

Natural flea and tick dip:
2 cups, packed, of fresh rosemary and/or peppermint
1 quart boiling water
4 quarts warm water

Pour the just boiled water over the fresh herbs and let steep, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain and add the liquid to 4 quarts of warm water, saturate the animal and let it air dry.

Herbal Flea Spray - spray your pet with an herbal mixture of: chamomile, valerian, licorice and witch hazel. Prepare an infusion using one tea bag of each herb, and when it's cold, mix with witch hazel.

Worms - prevention and removal

Garlic is a good preventive for parasites. Chop it into your pet's food (or use a powder form). Usually if given when your pet is young, they will develop a taste for it.

Adding a few drops of wormwood tincture or Black Walnut Tincture into the food or water bowl can remove parasites, too.


This article was last modified April 30, 2007 7:00 AM.
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