Herbal Medicine In Cats

By Allan Michael Taylor

Herbal treatments are viable treatment option for your cat, however one must exercise caution as many carry harmful side effects.

Since the dawn of man humans have being using herbs to treat various illnesses, it's only natural we'd want to try the same with our beloved cats.

There are many factors which influence the effectiveness of an herb, namely what portion of the plant is used, how old the plant was when harvested and how it was processed after harvest.

Most of the time there have been few to no studies on the effects of particular herbs on animals so your cat's health is not guaranteed in their use.

Various plants and herbs are often the base for conventional medicine so it's entirely possible for too much of an herb to cause something like an overdose.

One herb that is especially dangerous to cats is pennyroyal.

It makes a good insect repellent but it is highly poisonous to both cats and dogs and should never be used around them.

White willow bark contains salicylates and can work well as a pain and fever reducer.

Aspirin also contains salicylates and was developed from the white willow bark.

But just as aspirin is hazardous to cats so is white willow bark.

Another potential problem with herbal medicines are that they may interfere with the workings of more conventional medicines.

Take for instance bitter melon, it can increase the duration of insulin action thus wreaking havoc on regulating diabetes in a cat.

Regardless of these dangers, there are some herbs which can be a benefit to our cats and their health.

Echinacea can stimulate the immune system in general ways and contains no known levels of toxicity.

Although is has no toxic qualities you still need to be careful with Echinacea if your cat suffers an auto immune disease.

Marshmallow can ease coughing and also stimulates the immune system.

Licorice is good for easing skin inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. But one must also be cautious using this with any cats that suffer heart, liver or kidney problems.

Ginger can ease sickness experienced from travel and sooth the digestive system. But even too much ginger will be a bad thing, it can cause depression and should not be used on a pregnant animal.

Milk thistle is good for the liver, St. John's Wort can decrease anxiety and encourage relaxation.

Because so few studies out there focus on the use of herbal remedies with cats and because of the possible conflicts they may have with existing medication, one should only try herbals remedies under the instruction of a professional veterinary herbalist.

There are many veterinarians which use herbs and other natural remedies in cats, including acupuncture; many of these treatments can be combined with a conventional medical treatment.

Veronica Beale is a cat lover with a particular interest in cancer treatment in cats. She is very open to the use of natural therapies in cats. Her website is at http://www.catscancer.com

Article Source: Herbal Medicine In Cats

Alternative Herbal Medicine

Alternative Herbal Medicine
By Elizabeth Morgan

There are literally hundreds of herbal products available on the market to treat just about any symptom you may have. Many believe that herbal medicine is safer than other medicines because they occur naturally, but this is not so. Many herbal plants are poisonous and have not been properly tested. Some may even contain poisons that could make you very sick. And, if you have medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and many others, herbal products may worsen your condition. Also, if you are elderly, there is a whole new set of risks that could present themselves if you take herbal supplements.

Common herbal alternative medicines include garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, kava, melatonin, black cohosh, dong quai, saw palmetto and St. John's Wort. Garlic is used to treat infections, improve circulation, and maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Ginkgo biloba is believed to increase memory, and is used to treat vertigo, ringing in the ears and a number of other neurological disorders. Ginseng is a popular treatment to relieve stress, increase energy levels and stimulate the immune system. Kava has been around for over 3,000 years and is now being used as a muscle relaxant, diuretic and to help with insomnia. Physiologists recognize that Melatonin synchronizes our bodies with daily rhythms and is used as a sleeping aid. Black cohosh's primary use is said to relieve menopausal symptoms in women, as is Don quai. Saw palmetto is seen to benefit men with prostatic hyperplasia, and St. John's Wort is widely used as a mild antidepressant.

Alternative Medicine provides detailed information on Alternative Medicine, Alternative Herbal Medicine, Alternative Medicine Schools, History of Alternative Medicine and more. Alternative Medicine is affiliated with Chiropractic Clinics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan
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AIDS - Herbal Medicines for AIDS

By Peter sams

AIDS is a short hand term we have for describing someone with a very weakened defenses system. In 1980 and 1981, doctors in Los Angeles and New York became alarmed about the possibility of a new disease when they noticed that some of their homosexual patients had contracted rare forms of cancer and pneumonia.



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the new disease—now known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)—in June 1981. AIDS is believed to be caused by HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, which is mainly transmitted in one of three ways: in semen during sexual intercourse, from mother to fetus during pregnancy or delivery, and by the use of a syringe infected with the virus. HIV invades a person’s white blood cells and disables the body’s immune system.



A damaged immune system is not only more vulnerable to HIV, but also to the attacks of other infections. It won't always have the strength to fight off things that wouldn't have bothered it before.



As time goes by, a person who has been infected with HIV is likely to become ill more and more often until, usually several years after infection, they become ill with one of a number of particularly severe illnesses. It is at this point that they are said to have AIDS - when they first become seriously ill, or when the number of immune system cells left in their body drops below a particular point. Different countries have slightly different ways of defining the point at which a person is said to have AIDS rather than HIV.



Herbal medicine



Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of health care known to man. Herbs have been used in all cultures since history records were recorded. Herbal medicine has such an extraordinary influence that numerous alternative medicine therapies treat their patients with herbal remedies, including naturopathy, orthomolecular medicine, and ayurveda. Approximately 25 percent of all prescription drugs are derived from trees, shrubs, or herbs.



By using herbs in their complete form, the body's healing process utilizes a balance of ingredients provided by nature. The World Health Organization estimates that of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines, about 74 percent are used in modern medicine.



Much debate has circulated as to whether or not pharmaceutical companies should extract the potent ingredients from the herbs and synthesize their own man-made herbs, or prescribe herbs in their purest form.

Aloe vera has historically been known for assisting the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and for its properties of soothing, cleansing and helping the body to maintain healthy tissues. This plant has a reputation of facilitating digestion, aiding blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions. Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent overacidity - a common cause of digestive complaints.



Herbal medicine is also known as botanical medicine (in Europe it is known as phytotherapy or phytomedicine). An herb is a part of a plant that can be used for healing purposes (as a potion or remedy). An herb can be a leaf, a flower, a stem, a seed, a root, a fruit, bark, or any other plant part that can treat wounds, abrasions, cuts, and a number of other conditions. There are an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 plants on earth today.



Herbs contain a large number of naturally occurring chemicals that have biological activity. Herbs work in a similar fashion to antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs, and that is why there has been such a stirring furor about the pros and cons of both. In this debate, both drugs and herbs have been compared many times over. Herbal medicine is the most beneficial when it is used to cure chronic, ongoing diseases.

Read about Acne Cure and Treatments and Breast Enlargement Enhancement. Also read about Beauty and Makeup Tips

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Discover The Many Benefits Of Herbal Medicine

Author: George Watson

Today, it is no surprise to see everything labeled as natural or herbal. In just about any store you go in, all you see are millions of all herbal or all natural products including dietary supplements and herbal medicine products.



When did this tidal wave of herbal products start? One answer is that it all started when the media began to report widely on how important it is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.



Knowledge of the benefits of herbal medicines and natural tonics goes back to our ancestors thousands of years in the past. All the way back to 2800 B.C., scientists and storytellers have reported on humans experiencing the amazing healing and health benefits of natural herbal remedies. And now it is your chance!



In fact, herbal medicine has been a big part of human history for the last 5,000 years according to archaeology and written records. All the way up to today, people have used herbal medicine and treatments to aid in a wide variety of ailments to improve their health and well being.



When NOT To Take Herbal Supplements And Herbal Medicine



Many herbs have a long history of beneficial use and practically guaranteed health benefits. An herb, or botanical, is either a plant or part of a plant (like the stem only) that is used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic abilities. Although they are found in natural, herbal products are not guaranteed to be safe or without negative side effects. While they may come from plants, some plants (like certain mushrooms) are dangerous and can be damaging or poisonous to your health, instead of restoring it.



Unlike prescription drugs, herbal products are not clinically tested and proven to work for any particular ailment before they are marketed or sold to customers in health food stores like GNC (General Nutrition Center).



Also, the active ingredients in many herbal supplements and treatments remain unknown. Some supplements have been found some to contain metals, prescription drugs mixed in without any mention on the label, microorganisms or other substances.



Since most herbal products are not tested and certified by the FDA or other health authority, they may in actual fact cause health problems or complications. All of this is extremely rare as most companies do their own testing, and only use the beneficial types of herbs in their herbal products. Still, it may not be smart to try herbal products, at least before talking about it with your doctor, if you have any of these medical problems:



- High blood pressure

- Thyroid condition

- Parkinsons disease

- Blood-clotting problems

- Diabetes

- Heart disease

- Epilepsy

- Depression or psychiatric problems

- Liver problems

- Enlarged prostrate gland

- Glaucoma

- History of stroke or organ transplant



If you are pregnant or nursing, then you should take special care about using herbal products, as well as if you are about to have surgery. Some herbal products such as for weight loss or skin care are much less expensive than surgical procedures like liposuction or hiring a dermatologist, respectively. This is one other reason for the massive popularity of herbal treatments. So to always be on the sage side of things, make sure you always check with your healthcare provider before trying any herbal products you have a concern about.



It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor before using an herbal product if you are now taking any medications for a health problem. Often, an herbal supplement will not interfere with a prescription medication or even an over-the-counter product but it is always best to check with your doctor first. Some active ingredients in herbal medicines are known to interact with medications in ways that may be able to cause risks to your health.



Some benefits from herbal treatments and alternatives available on the market include but are not limited to:



1. Cost-effectiveness: Prescription drugs cost much more money than herbal medicines.



2. Lower Side Effects: Herbal medicines are generally a far healthier solution than prescription drugs due to potential harmful side effects caused by unpredicted body chemistry interactions. However as mentioned above, its important to remember that just because the word natural is included herbal medicines does not guarantee safety.



However, herbal medicines appear to have many advantages over traditional drugs, including a lower occurrence of side effects.



3. Effectiveness and Potency: Poor results with traditional drug treatments often makes people search for alternative treatments. Keep in mind, however, the potential of herbal medicines is different for everybody.



Genetics change from person to person, which affects how the ingredients work over time. Also a factor in the potency of an herb is the process and timing of harvest, as well as exposure to air and light



Ultimately, herbal medicine and herbal treatments have both weak and strong points. Keep in mind that herbal medicines are not a guaranteed and final solution to any health problem, but instead are generally effective at healing a health problem as well as being a wallet friendly solution.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/discover-the-many-benefits-of-herbal-medicine-176045.html

About the Author:

George Watson is a popular Weight Loss researcher. Read more about herbal medicine for weight loss at his weight loss pill review website, http://www.BetterWeightLoss.info