Why would a doctor choose to prescribe an herb, rather than a single active constituent such as those contained in a drug? It is true that a single active constituent may be more precisely characterized and that “extraneous” chemicals contained within the whole plant may complicate our understanding of its action? Doctors practicing botanical medicine believe, however, that prescriptions of whole plants provide these advantages: 1) synergistic action; and 2) safety.
Why herbs are different than drugs?
Herbal formulas concentrate a therapeutic principle (different herbs with potentially different mechanisms of action for the same problem).
Unique actions.
Tonic actions and nutritional aspects of herbal vs. drug therapy.
Prescription systems
Traditional herbal medicine is based largely on ethnobotanical data, usually from ancient cultures such as China (giving us “Traditional Chinese Medicine” or TCM) or India (giving us “Ayurvedic medicine”). These practitioners, ancient or present-day, use an “energetic” system defined by characteristics such as yin, yang, heat, cold, cool, warm, moist, and dryness that herbs possess or impart to the patient. For instance, an older cat that is thin and dehydrated (and Yin deficient) would receive a “moistening” Yin tonic herb. These are forms of “energies,” therefore; this kind of herbal medicine is sometimes called “energetic” herbalism.
Pharmacologic prescribing is more likely to be utilized by scientifically trained practitioners such as DVMs, MDs, and NDs. Since the science hasn’t caught up with herbal practice at this time, even scientifically trained practitioners rely on empirical knowledge (like their clinical experience) and traditional knowledge when deciding on an herbal prescription.
Quality control
Quality control is a major concern. Check out www.consumerlab.com for some product analyses.
|
Herb Form |
Preparation |
Comments |
|
Fresh plants |
Picked from the herb garden and fed fresh |
Not palatable in many cases |
|
Dried bulk herbs |
Available as whole, dried plant from health food stores and herb suppliers |
Dried herb may be mixed with food, but often unpalatable |
|
Dried powdered herb |
Available as powder, or more commonly in capsules |
May be mixed with food; may be unpalatable |
|
Dried extracts |
Available as powders, granules or capsules |
May lose active constituents in processing |
|
Tablets- pressed |
Dried herb is compressed with a binder to form firm tablets |
Found in many health food stores |
|
Pills |
Dried herb is compressed with a binder to form firm pellets |
Found mainly as Chinese patent herbal medicines |
|
Teas, Water infusion |
Hot water is poured over dried herb, steeped and allowed to cool |
May be flavored with bouillon; herb constituents sometimes not water soluble so this form is not the most desirable |
|
Oil infusion |
Dried or fresh herb is steeped in olive oil for about one month; usually for topical application |
Must be protected so that animal does not lick oil |
|
Decoction |
Herb is heated in water and simmered for 20–40 minutes |
May be flavored with bouillon; herb constituents sometimes not water soluble so this form is not the most desirable |
|
Tincture—alcohol extract |
Dried or fresh herb is extracted by soaking in 30–70% grain alcohol |
Unpalatable, however, preparation is likely to be more potent than water extracts (like infusions) |
|
Tincture—glycerin extract |
Dried or fresh herb is extracted by soaking in 40% glycerin |
By far the most palatable liquid herb form due to sweet taste of glycerin; potency much less than alcohol tinctures |
|
Poultice |
Boiled and cooled herb is applied topically |
Must be protected so that animal does not lick or destroy poultice |
|
Compress |
Cloth or gauze soaked with water extract (decoction or infusion) is applied topically |
Must be protected so that animal does not lick or destroy compress |
|
Standardized extracts |
One (presumably most active) constituent is concentrated to a consistent percentage in each batch of herb |
Consistency is a plus; preparation is semi-synthetic |
|
Ointment |
oil infusions of herbs are combined with beeswax and used for topical treatments |
Must be protected so that animal does not lick ointment |
Proportional recommendations for dogs and cats are as follows. Doses below are given q8–12h.
|
Species |
|
Tincture |
*Granules (tsp) |
Tablets |
*Patent pills |
**Capsule (500mg) |
Loose herb (tsp) |
|
Canine |
small |
5-10 drops |
1/8–¼ |
¼–1 |
1–3 |
1/3–½ |
½–1 ½ |
|
|
medium |
10-20 |
¼–½ |
1–2 |
3–5 |
½–1 |
1 ½–2 |
|
|
large |
20-40 |
½–¾ |
2–3 |
5–8 |
1–2 |
2–3 |
|
|
giant |
40-60 |
½–1 |
3–5 |
6–10 |
2–3 |
3–4 |
|
Feline |
|
5-10 |
1/8 |
¼–½ |
2 |
1/8–½ |
½ |
* concentrated extract
**may be powdered or concentrated herb so dose is more variable
Summary
Herbs are more than drugs and there are multiple systems to learn in prescribing them to their full potential. A more complete listing of single herbs, their characteristics and supporting science can be found in Wynn, 1999.
RESOURCES
Veterinary Herbal Therapy books
1. Wynn S, 2000. Emerging Therapies: Nutraceutical and Botanical Medicine for Small Animals, AAHA Press, Boulder, CO.
2. Schoen, A. and S. Wynn. 1998 . Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice. Mosby-Yearbook, St.Louis, MO
3. Huiesheng, Xie , 1994.Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Beijing Agricultural University Press, Beijing, China
4. *Schwartz, C, 1996. Four Paws, Five Directions.Celestial Arts Publishing, Berkeley, CA.
5. Wulff-Tilford M, and G Tilford, 1999. AllYou Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets. Bowtie Press, Irvine, CA.
6. Fetrow CW, Avila JR, 2000. The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines. Springhouse Corporation, Springhouse, PA.
7. Pizzorno J, Murray M, 1999. Textbook of Natural medicine. Churchill Livingstone, Baltimore.
8. Mills S and K Bone, 2000. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone, New York NY.
Training for Veterinarians
|
Chi Institute
9791 NW 160th ST
Reddick, FL 32686
Tel: (352)-591-3165
Fax: (352)-591-0988
www.chi-institute.com
Chinese herbal medicine
Healing Oasis Wellness Center
2555 Wisconsin St
Sturtevant, WI 53177
262-884-9549
FAX: 262-886-6460
Introductory courses in Western Herbal Medicine and Chinese medicine |
New Mexico Chinese Herbal Veterinary Medicine Course
1925 Juan Tabo NE Ste E
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505-450-4325
FAX: 505-332-4775
Chinese herbal medicine |
Websites
Veterinary
Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association
http://members.fortunecity.com/swynn/VBMA
Websites on Traditional Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine in Humans and Animals
http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/herblink.htm
Evidence based or scientifically oriented
HerbMed
http://www.herbmed.org
Excellent detailed monographs
Traditional
Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
http://chili.rt66.com/hrbmoore/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html