Herbal Medicine
Herbs, plants, fungi, animal products and minerals have been used since the beginning of human history to treat many ailments and maintain health. Plants have co-evolved with humans and animals, and have many innate healing mechanisms that we can utilize to heal ourselves and our pets. At CAWC, the veterinarians and staff are very familiar with Western and Chinese herbal therapies for various conditions. Integrating both Western and Chinese herbal therapies is a common approach to achieve wellness in our animal companions. Herbal formulas can be used to treat a variety of elements such as:
Western Herbal Medicine or Botanical Medicine uses plants, roots, bark and flowers to treat diseases and promote health. Herbal medicine has been used to treat many ailments associated with digestive, respiratory, circulatory, immune, endocrine, and nervous system issues. Herbs also help to detoxify and remove waste from the body. We are all familiar with herbs and some of their benefits. For example, cranberry can be useful for bladder inflammation and infections, while Co Q 10 and Hawthorne Berry can be useful for heart issues. Flaxseed and coconut oil have been used for skin and hair health. Milk Thistle is a good liver detoxifier. Herbs such as Echinacea, Astragalus, and olive leaf can be used to modify the immune system, and medicinal mushrooms have been used to help treat cancer as well as stimulate the immune system.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is perhaps one of the oldest and most successful forms of herbal medicine still currently in use. Herbs have been meticulously studied and their therapeutic properties recorded as far back as 206 BCE. Each herb has a multitude of active chemical compounds that are responsible for how an herb accomplishes its affects. These compounds have been studied by Western science for at least 50 years to determine their mechanism of action. In Chinese medicine as few as three, and as many as 20 herbs are commonly combined together into a particular formula. These formulas all have a specific goal to achieve balance and health. Our pets respond very well to the use of Herbal Medicine in their treatment regimes, and we are proud to be able to offer our expertise in this holistic service to our clients.