HERBSTALK 2012!

“HERBSTALK is a community event devoted to educating and inspiring the public about the common and safe use of medicinal herbs. During our day-long herb fest there will be educational talks and workshops geared towards herbal beginners of all ages.”

 ”We believe that  herbal education empowers people to take their health into their own hands and builds a vital connection to the natural world and the plants that sustain us.”

I am so excited that this event is being held here in Somerville!

Saturday, June 9
11am – 6pm
Arts at the Armory (a great place!)

I’m also thrilled to be doing a couple of classes – a basic one on using herbs with pets, and a more focused one on understanding Lyme Disease.  I am, however, only one of many herbalists participating to share herbal knowledge!  To check out the classes being offered and other event info, visit the HERBSTALK site.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus

Preventing Bloat

It has been said that those of us with Swissies fall into two categories: those with dogs who have bloated and those who will.  As such, we try to keep up with the latest findings in bloat research, but the reports are often confusing and even contradictory.  Soak the food before feeding.  No, wait – don’t soak the food.  Feed from a raised bowl.  No, actually… don’t feed from a raised bowl.  How are we to make sense of it when even the researchers don’t understand it?  How can we prevent it when we don’t truly know what causes it?

For this reason, bloat is especially challenging to approach from a holistic perspective — which is to go to the root cause of the issue.  Because we really don’t understand the source of the issue, it is more difficult to pinpoint the best methods of prevention.  There are, however, a number of things that we can do to reduce our dogs’ chances of bloating.

Of course, diet is at the top of the list.  When you consider that processed foods can take up to 16 hours to digest, it’s no wonder that many believe a balanced raw diet to be the best possible preventive measure you can take. Those who do feed raw report far fewer cases of bloat, so many bloat-prone breeds are gravitating more and more toward a more natural, raw diet.  Unfortunately, that’s just not practical for many.  Raw foods do provide enzymes crucial to the digestive process (which are destroyed in the processing of commercial food), but for those who cannot offer raw foods, a digestive enzymes supplement may be your dog’s best defense.

Perhaps more to the point of raw feeding, however, is the lack of grains.  Current thinking holds that bloat is caused by overacidity in the stomach, and grains are mostly acidifying.  When we consider that grains were added to processed dog foods as a cheaper way of increasing the protein content, it becomes clear that grains are not the dog’s preferred source of protein.  Dogs eat animals.  By adding so much grain, is it causing hyperacidity in the deep-chested breeds?  If you prefer feeding processed food, consider switching to a high-quality grain-free formula.

Another factor in digestive health is intestinal flora.  Although we know that antibiotics kill the good flora as well as the bad in the colon, we tend to overlook the fact that tap water from a public source does the same thing due to chlorination.  Healthy intestinal flora aids in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients through the intestinal walls, so we want to try to replenish as much flora as we can. Plain, whole milk yogurt is a good start and kefir is even better, but they offer only so many strains of good bacteria, so you may want to look into a good probiotic if you are concerned about your dog’s digestive health.

The easiest thing you can do to start supporting your dog’s digestion is to just make some tea and pour it over his or her dinner.  If you don’t have an herb shop nearby, check the local health food store to see if they carry bulk herbs.  (For the locals in Cambridge and Somerville, Cambridge Naturals in Porter Square has an excellent bulk herbs section.)  The first herbs that I like to start with for a dog prone to bloat are the acid reducers like Meadowsweet and Yellow Dock.  Meadowsweet’s high salicylic acid content makes it a great choice for dogs with aches & pains – especially rheumatic complaints in joints and muscles.  Yellow Dock may be the better option for those dogs with high liver values, hot spots, or constipation.

Herbs to aid the overall digestive system include Chamomile, Licorice, and Blessed Thistle. Chamomile is just a nice calming herb that tends to soothe the digestive system.  Licorice root encourages peristalsis, thus helping to keep things moving along, but should not be used for dogs with kidney issues. Blessed Thistle is a wonderful bitter specific to the stomach and spleen, so I like this herb for bloat-prone breeds. Of course, each dog is different and may benefit by different herbs depending on his or her constitution.

Stress is a huge factor in bloat.  Is your dog timid or nervous?  Nervine relaxants may be a nice addition to your nightly tea.  Scullcap is specific to jittery dogs (those who tend to be afraid of their own shadow), but any timid dog will benefit by it.  Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety can benefit by St. Johnswort.  Lemon Balm’s anti-depressive qualities make it very well-suited for digestive issues due to anxiety.  In thinking about stress, remember the exercise mantra – a tired dog is a happy dog…  Er-  just not after meals!

Some of the common aromatic herbs used in cooking are the best carminatives (herbs that dispel gas).  Fennel and Dill are a couple of good choices here.  Mints are wonderful carminatives (I like Catnip for dogs – it’s a nervine relaxant but a digestive stimulant), but should not be included if you use homeopathic remedies, as they tend to counteract the homeopathic.  Ginger is great for aiding digestion (and has anti-inflammatory qualities, which may serve the senior dog well), but is a very warm herb and I wouldn’t use it with dogs who tend to run hot  — especially in the summer.  For these dogs, Wild Lettuce may be a better choice.

Interestingly, another health issue common in my own breed (Swissies) is splenic torsion.  Just as the stomach can twist and torse, so too can the spleen (though this is not as common in other breeds).  This condition warrants its own article and I will not go into any depth here, but it is worth noting that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), organ systems consist of a pair of organs – one yin or solid and one yang or hollow.  In this system, the stomach is paired with the spleen (St/Sp), so supporting this organ system through a TCM perspective can be very beneficial for Swissies.  A couple of herbs specific to the spleen are Ginger and Astragalus. Astragalus is an immuno-modulator as well, and I can’t imagine any dog that wouldn’t benefit by a little Astragalus every day!

Of course, should your dog exhibit signs of bloat or torsion, he or she should be taken to a vet immediately.  If you use homeopathics, two to have on hand are Alumina and Carbo Veg.  Wendy Volhard suggests using Alumina as soon as pica starts, and Carbo Veg if it progresses.

Hopefully, you will never need it.

Lipoma

Regardless of the type of dog(s) sharing your life, regular grooming offers many benefits.  Brushing helps to keep the skin and coat well conditioned, and most dogs seem to enjoy it.  Massage is calming and improves both blood and lymph circulation (among many other benefits).  Just touching your dog on a regular basis, from head to toe, increases the bond that you share.  It also helps you to discover any lumps or bumps that may be developing, and have them checked out by your vet early.  With increasing rates of cancer in dogs, any bump can instill fear – but many are benign fatty tumors, or lipomas.

If you’re doing a web search for information on dog lipoma, you’re likely to read that it’s a normal part of aging.  When is a subcutaneous lump ever normal? It’s not; it is serving as an outward indication that something is out of balance in your dog’s body.

Technically speaking, a lipoma is a benign mass of abnormal adipose cells (which are fat cells with a greater affinity for spare fat calories).  More common in females, they are slow-growing and don’t spread to other parts of the body.  They do not involve hair loss, pain, or irritation. A lipoma can look and feel like a mast cell (or other type of) tumor, so a fine needle aspirate is always suggested, so that your vet can properly assess the lump. Because lipomas are benign and the dog is usually older, surgery is rarely recommended unless there is an associated issue such as bleeding, increased growth rate, or interference with mobility or functioning.

Obese dogs are more likely to develop them, but this is a no-brainer.  If your dog is overweight, (s)he is probably not active enough and/or is eating a diet high in carbs – both of which contribute to the formation of lumps.  The first step for any dog with any lump is to switch to a grain-free diet (gradually, of course). In grain-free kibble, the grain content is replaced with starches, such as potato, so check the carbohydrate content before switching.  Compare bags and if you have any questions about a food, don’t hesitate to call the dog food company.  They usually print an 800- number on the bottom of the bag and have staff available to answer your questions. Raw is best, but if you can’t feed raw yet want higher quality nutrition than processed kibble, consider a dehydrated raw diet like Honest Kitchen or Stella & Chewy’s.

The second step is to increase walks and other exercise.  Movement eases stagnation.  By getting the body moving, the channels serving it are allowed to flow freely, like highway traffic after the site of an accident.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (note: I am not a TCM practitioner, and this a generalization!), lumps are considered stagnant qi – the operative word here being “stagnant.”  In The Web That Has No Weaver, Ted Kaptchuck writes of stagnant qi: “this is a case of a pattern of deficiency turning into one of excess.”  It seems to me that lipomas are a textbook example of this.

Here in the West, tissue states were identified by the physiomedicalists in the 19^th century very similarly to the Eastern model, but ascribed different labels.  In this system, tumors are a form of stagnation which have progressed to a state of torpor.

Whether you view the stagnation from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (stagnant qi) or the physiomedicalist model (torpor), alteratives are the herbs of choice, here. Alteratives cleanse the blood, altering existing conditions by strengthening various systems and eliminating waste from the bloodstream. They’re especially useful where the body would benefit by improved blood structure and elimination of toxic excess and systemic waste.  Bitter tonics are especially indicated here, as they increase digestive secretions and help eliminate waste such as that incurred by processed (and usually carb-heavy) pet food.

I like to choose the herbs by looking at any other symptoms that the dog is experiencing.  Kidney function weakening?  Liver values going up? Thyroid slowing down?  How is digestion?  Red Clover and Alfalfa are always good choices, but think of Yellow Dock or Burdock if there are skin or liver issues (Burdock specifically stimulates metabolism and releases excess metabolic waste from the cells).  Nettles is great for the entire body (in fact, most seniors would benefit by getting Nettles every day), but may be alkalizing, so I would not recommend it for a pet with a propensity for struvite crystals.  Blessed Thistle is a bitter better suited for the more acidic dogs (and any dog prone to gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat).  Oregon Grape Root helps clear damp heat, so may be well indicated.  These are just several of many herbs that act as alteratives, and it’s important to find the ones best suited to your dog’s overall constitution.  I like to add Cleavers as a gentle way to aid lymphatic circulation, and Kelp may be added to the diet to help normalize metabolism.  Kelp is also useful in neutralizing waste in the body and breaking up masses.

If your dog does develop lipomas, massage should absolutely become a daily practice.  On the site of the lipoma(s), massage a salve or oil with Chickweed and Violet Leaf.  Every day.  For a long time.

Then, go for a long walk!

Pipsissewa

botanical names: Chimaphila umbellata, Chimaphila maculata

parts used: leaf & stem

Found in coniferous woods where the soil is relatively undisturbed by the compression of foot traffic, this little plant has a mighty action as a renal antiseptic. Its action comes not only from the tannins, but its stimulating action, as well. As a stimulant, it helps to clear stagnation (specifically of the lymphatic and renal systems) by warming and activating. Matthew Wood writes that it is indicated when the tongue is swollen with a white coating in the middle.

It also possesses astringent and antiseptic qualities, serving the urinary system where there is urinary tract infection or kidney inflammation. This is a gentler alernative to the harsher Uva Ursi, due to fewer tannins (thus better suited for older animals and long-term use).  Its stimulating and diuretic effect helps to keep the urinary tract flushed. As a lymphatic stimulant serving whenever there is any form of stagnation or swelling of glands, it is applicable for irritation of the prostate, as well.

Chimaphila maculata has darker leaves with pronounced veins

Pipsissewa is a hot plant, energetically. I remember taking a class over the winter with Sean Donahue, and we were working with Cayenne. I had taken my dog on a long snowy hike, and packed a little bottle of Cayenne tincture to experience the energetics of it during a break in the quiet woods. When I found a good spot to sit, I took off my backpack to find that the tincture was not there. (Interestingly, I had an inflammation on my skin due to food sensitivities, and Cayenne is contraindicated with any inflammatory condition.) We continued on our hike and toward the end, I was prompted to sample a Pipsissewa leaf. A few minutes after I chewed it, I was overcome with a heat so strong that I had to wipe beads of sweat from my face and take off my hat. So, thank you, Pipsissewa, for standing in for Cayenne!

It is that quality of heat that fires up the body to get fluids moving - especially in the kidneys and lymphatics. It acts as an alterative by getting the blood and lymphatics moving. In this sense, it was the perfect substitute for Cayenne, mentioned above, as it offered the energetics of HOT, but in an alterative form that can actually benefit skin conditions. By aiding in keeping the body’s fluids flushed and drained, it allows wastes to be eliminated via the proper channels, rather than creating inflammatory conditions as they are expelled through the skin (as in hot spots).

Pipsissewa is, unfortunately, in fear of being endangered. Its slow growth and specific soil requirements, along with past overharvesting, has caused it to be far less prolific than in the past. This is a gem of a little plant – let’s keep it safe!

Preventing Lyme Disease

Enjoy the woods - even during tick season!

Happy Spring! Call me crazy, but I already miss the snow. There is nothing like hiking through the woods under a blanket of white, with the air clear and crisp and the silence deafening. Yeah, sure, I’m looking forward to warmer weather and the green emergence of the plants (yea!) after a long winter hibernation, but I am very definitely not looking forward to the emergence of ticks – nor the spirochetes that many of them carry.

The first consideration when looking at Lyme Disease is prevention. Not all dogs bitten by a tick transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes will contract Lyme Disease (many don’t), and the determining factor is immune function. The safest and most effective way to prevent any health condition is to support the body in healing itself. The dog’s body knows how to do this (in fact, it does it every day), but there are ways we can help aid our dog’s immune function in conquering invaders.

Of course, the basis of health is nutrition. All systems of the body rely on vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, etc. which are provided by food. I won’t go into food here (see “The Importance of Food” for that), but will mention that dry kibble alone will not provide your dog with optimal immune support. It will sustain your dog; it will not foster a healthy response to pathogens. If you buy your dog food at a grocery store or big-box pet store, your dog’s immune support is most likely sadly deficient. The same is true of “prescription” or “science” formulas found in many vets’ offices. These foods are loaded with cheap fillers and even known carcinogens banned for use in human food, with one or two key ingredients to mask or suppress symptoms your dog is manifesting.

Even if you are feeding a quality food, a good multi-vitamin and -mineral supplement should be added, as well as digestive enzymes. The processing of dry food includes a heat process, which destroys the viabilty of enzymes and minimizes the integrity of essential vitamins and minerals. (If feeding raw and rotating meats, these supplements aren’t necessary.)

Another huge factor affecting immune support is vaccination. By giving all of the vaccines that Big Pharma dictates, we are lowering the immune function of our dogs. I’m not anti-vaccination; I’m anti-overvaccination. Bombarding the immune system with repeated combo vaccines throws it into disarray, compromising its ability to function appropriately (see http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm). I often wonder how many of the autoimmune issues and cancers we see in dogs are a direct result of this unnatural bombardment. Talk with your vet about a limited vaccine schedule using single vaccines.

Please do not allow your vet to vaccinate for Lyme. The Lyme vaccine was developed for use in humans, but was recalled after too many people suffered the symptoms of Lyme. So, as is the case when pharmaceutical companies spend oodles of money on things that are not approved by the FDA or later recalled, the vaccine was peddled to the veterinary community. Now, vets are seeing more Lyme in dogs who were vaccinated for it than in those who weren’t. There are a couple of reasons for this (see http://www.thedogplace.org/VACCINES/Lyme-Disease1-10062-Jordan.asp), but the bottom line is that the vaccine isn’t doing your dog any favors – just compromising the immune response. A far safer option is the Borrelia nosode.  Unlike the the Lyme vaccine, there have been no reported adverse reactions.  Connecticut vet Dr. Steve Tobin recommends a dosage of 60C once daily for one week, then once a week for a month, then once every 6 months. If your vet insists on the Lyme vaccine (as many still do), find another vet. Really.

With immune function as the basis, we can build on that during tick season by giving herbs which specifically combat Lyme and other spirochetal diseases. The easiest way is to make a strong tea and pour it over your dog’s dinner every night. Astragalus is an excellent choice during tick season, aiding the immune system. Cat’s Claw is another immunosupportive herb, especially useful in spirochetal disease and prevention, as it raises certain lymphocyte counts specific to Lyme. Japanese Knotweed is an important antispirochetal herb for use during tick season, shutting down the pathways in the body that spirochetes like to take. We’ll talk about these herbs in more depth in Part II; but here, we’re using the root, which is best decocted (or, simmered) to extract the full benefits. Some people like to make up a jar to store in the refrigerator for a few days, but if you don’t see yourself doing that, a strong tea is better than nothing.

In addition, add fresh, raw garlic to your dog’s dinner every night. Garlic contains hundreds of sulfur compounds, which parasites will not tolerate. Garlic supports almost every system in the body – especially the immune system – and acts as a natural antibiotic.

Many choose to apply topical flea & tick preventives like Frontline. While I understand the need to protect your dog against these parasites, chemical topicals are actually neurotoxins which are absorbed by the skin (“wear gloves when applying”). As such, they actually suppress the immune system because it’s so busy fighting against these invaders.  Kind of negates the action for which it was intended, and the reason so many dogs smeared with these toxins get ticks, anyway. Parasites love a weakened host because they’re an easier target. I prefer applying a natural spray before going into areas where ticks are likely to be present. Honestly, I don’t recommend most herbal bug sprays, because they usually just don’t work – especially for ticks. The only herbal ingredients I have found to be effective against ticks are Tea Tree oil and Neem. Tea Tree oil is very potent and must be used in small quantities (only a few drops per spray bottle). Tea Tree and Neem are pretty stinky, so I will add some Lavender and Rose Geranium to make the spray tolerable – as well as help deter other bugs. Generally, I’m not a huge fan of using essential oils at all with dogs – but tick season calls for special measures, and it sure beats chemical neurotoxins.

If your dog is bitten by a tick and you would like to take extra precaution, you can give the homeopathic Ledum at a dose of 1M, three times a day for three days. Dogs respond very well to Ledum, and there are no adverse effects, even  if there were no spirochetes transmitted by the tick.

Don’t let ticks keep you out of the woods!  Enjoy long and happy hikes with your dog.

Park Serve Day at the Middlesex Fells

Where: 300 Elm St, Medford, MA 02155
Date: April 16, 2011
Time: 9:00am–1:00pm

Park Clean Up at Middlesex Fells.  Meet at Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford.

Co-sponsored by Fells Dog Owner Group, Friends of the Middlesex Fells, New England Mountain Bike Association – Greater Boston Chapter, and the Massachusetts Sierra Club.

This is a Park Serve Day event.  The DCR will provide tools, including pick-up sticks, trash bags and work gloves. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing and to consider  using sunscreen and insect repellent.

FellsDOG encourages volunteers to make other arrangements for their pets, though leashed dogs are allowed a the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

“Herbalism is based on relationship – relationship between plant and human, plant and planet, human and planet. Using herbs in the healing process means taking part in an ecological cycle. This offers us the opportunity consciously to be present in the living, vital world of which we are part; to invite wholeness and our world into our lives through awareness of the remedies being used. The herbs can link us into the broader context of planetary wholeness, so that whilst they are doing their physiological/medical job, we can do ours and build an awareness of the links and mutual relationships.”
-Wendell Berry

Trivial factoid: Aspirin got its name from the “a” in acetylsalicylic acid and “spir” in the botanical name for Meadowsweet, Spirea. (Acetylsalicylic acid is converted from one of the medicinal constituents in Meadowsweet.). Interestingly, the plant wasn’t used in the formulation of aspirin, as French chemists synthesized salicin in the early 19th century and Felix Hoffman of Bayer rediscovered and marketed it. While aspirin may have the side effect of gastric upset, Meadowsweet in its whole form has a beneficial effect on the digestive process. Silly scientists!

Here’s to an Active 2011!

Today was a beautiful day for hiking, with the sun shining, the temperature mild, and the ground covered with snow.  Being the holiday week between Christmas and the New Year, more people were out in the woods with their dogs – and that is another reason why it was a beautiful day for hiking. Cruising along a trail, we’d suddenly be approached by a lab tearing toward us, mouth open in that goofy lab smile and tail spinning around like a propeller at the rear, or a group of dogs happy to find another friend to add to the pack, racing up and down the trail in an invitation to join them. Big dogs, little dogs, fluffy dogs, skinny dogs, young dogs, older dogs… but not fat dogs. Happy dogs, all.

As a canine herbalist, my specialty is in treating dogs using the medicinal actions of plants. Oddly enough, though, this is the third tier of canine health and a dog with a truly healthy lifestyle would need herbs only minimally.  I love formulating and mixing herbs like a mad scientist in the laboratory but, honestly, I’m happy when herbs aren’t even needed.

There are plenty of reasons why we’re seeing so many chronic health issues in dogs these days.  We over-breed, we feed dry, processed kibble, and we give combo vaccines until their immune systems don’t know which end is up. But they sit around, too. A lot.  We adopt a dog and expect him or her to sleep all day while we’re at work. But it’s not just health issues that we’re seeing. Vets are prescribing Prozac for dogs. Really. And one of the most frequently sought natural remedies for dogs is one to address separation anxiety.  Dogs are going stir-crazy.

We see dogs out on their daily or nightly walks, lumbering along next to their humans on our city streets, relegated to the 4 or 6 feet of their lead. Plodding along, stopping here and there to sniff at a urine mark left by another dog plodding along at his or her human’s side.

So, yeah, it was a beautiful day to be out on the trails, seeing all the happy dogs romping freely in the woods. Tonight, as they sleep, I hope their legs are twitching and paddling as they dream of their day running under the pines.

On this New Year’s Eve, I wish for all the dogs of Somerville to be tired and happy in 2011.

And no Prozac.

Kennel Cough

If you’ve ever had or heard a dog with kennel cough, you know the sound of the hacking cough that is its signature. While rarely life-threatening, the virus is airborne and spreads quickly in a closed environment of barking dogs (hence its name).  It is a viral infection caused by parainfluenza or canine adenovirus and is characterized by a dry, hacking cough. In fact, no other symptoms accompany the cough, such as phlegm or fever – just that raspy cough. If not treated properly, a secondary invasion may develop in the form of a bacterial infection (Bordatella bronchiseptica).  Bordatella then presents a more hoarse, moist, croupish cough.

Unless the infection has advanced to Bordatella, antibiotics are usually of little use here, and more an example of the overuse of antibiotics as dictated by the pharmaceutical companies. While indicated for Bordatella, please question your vet if (s)he prescribes antibiotics for kennel cough.

First- please give garlic!  Garlic fights infection better than any other single herb, and is specific to the respiratory tract, as the essential antibacterial and antiviral constituents found in garlic are excreted through the lungs. Give 1/4 bulb nightly for tiny dogs, 1/2 bulb for medium-sized dogs, and an entire bulb for largebreeds.  Contrary to what you may have heard, garlic is not dangerous to dogs (unless fed in huge quantities for extended periods); in fact, all dogs should get fresh, raw garlic every day to assist the immune system and help fight disease.

Any dog fighting an infection should be fasted and given vitamin supplements. The process of digestion takes a lot of energy, so when your dog is fighting off pathogens, allowing the body to use all of its resources for healing rather than digesting for a day is a good move.  Vitamins A, C, and E are most important in supporting the immune response, but you can also aid the immune system and healing process by giving a good whole-food multivitamin. Whole-food vitamins are better recognized and assimilated by the digestive system than synthetics (which are mostly just peed out), so spend your money wisely!

While I’m not usually one to suggest Echinacea, as it seems so overused now, this is one of the few conditions in dogs where it’s clearly indicated. Echinacea is effective in both viral and bacterial infections, and its action is specific to the upper respiratory tract. Though most effective when given at the first hint of symptoms (like the tickling in your throat before a cold comes on), dogs are more sensitive to the effects of herbs, and may respond well to its use.

More specific to bronchitis, Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is primarily an expectorant and may relieve the rawness associated with an unproductive, spasmodic cough.  A nice companion to Coltsfoot may be Licorice Root (Glycyrrhica glabra), with its antiviral and antibacterial properties – along with its demulcent action to help soothe the trachea.  Other herbs to consider are Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Goldenseal (Hydrastis spp – which is endangered, so Oregon Grape Root [Mahoma aquifolium] is a good substitute), and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata).

Dogs with any form of respiratory infection should spend as much time as possible outside. Breathing fresh air is key in clearing respiration, and our dogs spend so much time indoors, now.

Of course, feeding a quality diet, adding garlic and whole-food vitamins, and ensuring lots of outdoor activity will help to prevent a health condition, to begin with!

Happy and healthy dogs to all.