Ive been pondering the transition phases between the end of Summer and Autumn, how natural rises in ACTH in horses and gut dysbiosis in both species can lead to increased reactivity and aggression.
Its amazing how the very herbs prevalent in the Summer, I.e those high in volatile oils that have strong antimicrobial actions, therefore help rebalance bacteria, are also the very same herbs that assist with endocrine rebalancing (another known trigger for reactivity). And in addition they also have a positive effect on the CNS to reduce tension, anxiety and reactivity.
These herbs are all in the summer abundance series, so if its gut dysbiosis, anxiety, endocrine dysregulation or reactivity through trauma, the herbs will give you the answers.
Isn't nature amazing!
Sharing our members' wins so you can see how amazing the herbal journey is and how it might support your own animals. โค๏ธ๐ฟ๐พ๐
Medicinal herbs provided consistently and in line with the animals' intuitive ability work wonders. Some animals may select a huge amount of one herb, others may only select small mouthfuls to support change. ๐ฑโค๏ธ๐ถ
Some herbs, especially those rich in bitters and tannins, may only be chewed and spat out; it is enough to have profound effects on them. ๐ฟ๐พ
Callie this week had a flare-up of itching and irritation; she has allergies and while the flare-ups are much, much smaller since working with herbs, they do still pop up every now and again. ๐๐๐ฑ
It's amazing how during an active flare-up she selected lots of Sulphur-rich herbs, great for assisting detox pathways and helping with skin conditions. She also took to chickweed a little, and Louise was able to support her further with essential oils. ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ง
You can introduce your dogs to herbs by providing a little setup like this. Start off with popular local forage herbs and build your knowledge from there. ๐ถ๐ฑ๐
Your animals will guide you as they have the anatomy, physiological processes, and built-in intuition to do so. ๐พ๐ฟโค๏ธ
A day after her flare-up, Callie selected only minimal herbs as the previous day's ones had done their work, and she was feeling much better. ๐ฑ๐โค๏ธ
Seasonal herbs are free herbs, and their medicinal benefit is astounding. ๐ฟ๐๐พ
Go Louise and Callie! ๐โค๏ธ๐ฟ๐ถ
๐ด๐ฟ The route of administration reveals all ๐ธโจ
๐
If animals lick an essential oil or hydrosols on the top of their tongue, the components go through to digestion, this may be to provide physical support to their digestive system ๐ฟ๐ its a slower route of administration and as the compounds get assimilated through digestion they can go on to effect a host of different systems, the liver, the kidneys, the blood, the brain etc. But its a slow process, it takes time to work and for those products to be assimilated.
It is why drugs like paracetamol take 20 mins to work and why your advised to repeat the dose every four hours or so๐ฟ๐ด
๐ If animals lick the essential oils and hydrosols on the bottom of their tongue, the compounds go directly into their bloodstream, offering a more immediate and systemic effect. its the super highway for constituents๐ธโจ This can be preferable for adjustments in the endocrine system, to remove inflammation, to reduce pain quicker or to initiate healing for an injury.
Its why some allopathic remedies are given under the tongue, vit B12 spray for example. It just saves a lot of time and hassle and the route of administration has an immediate effect.
By allowing horses and dogs to choose how they receive liquid botanicals we honor their freedom of choice and give them the power to support their own well-being. ๐๐ ๐ด๐ธโจ
Here is a cool video one of our practitioner students took last year, such a great example of route of administration and the ability to choose.
Herbal Shenanigans doors open now.
https://www.animalbotanical.co.uk/HerbalShenanigans1
i wanted to share this little offering video from one of our students last week. a lovely example of the flehmen response, left and right nasal inhalation and essential oil use.
Just the cutest.
1. **Emotional Processing**: Horses are highly sensitive and emotional animals that can perceive and respond to subtle cues in their environment. The limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions and memory, plays a significant role in how horses experience and express emotions. Emotional processing occurs when horses interact with the constituents in essential oils through the limbic system.
2. **Creativity**: Horses do exhibit problem-solving skills, adaptability, and learning through exploration. Horses have the ability to learn new tasks, navigate obstacles, and engage in activities that require mental flexibility. Providing essential oils and opening animals up to new and novel experiences can stimulate a horse's cognitive abilities and encourage creative thinking.
3. **Logic**: Horses possess cognitive abilities that allow them to make decisions, assess risks, and respond to stimuli. The prefrontal cortex, which is associated with higher-level thinking and decision-making, plays a role in a horse's ability to process information and make logical choices. When horses inhale essential oils they are building memory on the medicinal value of each oil offered and storing this information for when the medicine may be required. They will then actively seek out these medicines. Logic at work :)
horse gorse winter wonders
๐ฟ 3 Top Tips to Provide Herbs for Animals ๐พ
Hey there, Today, we're sharing three top tips to help you provide your own herbs to our horses and dogs. Let's get started!
1๏ธโฃ Tip #1: Observe and Learn ๐ง๐
Take the time to observe the animals in your care closely. Notice their behaviors, preferences, and any signs of discomfort or imbalance. By understanding their needs and paying attention to their natural instincts, you can begin to identify which herbs may be beneficial for them. Remember, each animal is unique, so it's essential to tailor your herbal offerings to their specific requirements.
2๏ธโฃ Tip #2: Create a Safe Herbal Haven ๐ฑ๐ก
Designate a special area where your animals can explore and interact with a variety of herbs. This can be as simple as a small garden plot or even potted plants placed strategically around their living space. For horses this can be a speciifc space in a field or their stable.
3๏ธโฃ Tip #3: Offer Choices and Observe Responses ๐ฟ๐
Just like us, animals have their preferences! Offer a selection of herbs and observe how they respond. You may notice them sniffing, nibbling, or even avoiding certain plants. These responses can provide valuable insights into their individual needs and preferences. Pay attention to any positive changes in their behavior or well-being after interacting with specific herbs. This feedback will guide you in refining your herbal offerings over time.
Remember, the journey of providing herbs to animals is a continuous learning process. Be patient, open-minded, and always know the session is theirs, regardless of what is wrong with them or what we perceive is beneficial.
Mostly have fun and enjoy the process like Rodney and MIk, one of our students from a few years ago ๐ xx
We had such a fantastic weekend inside our training.Everyone has been creating and making some awesome rubefacient rubs. Getting herbal medicine making in fantastic ways.We joined in and now have a warning rub that can be used for muscle aches, to get blood flowing in cases of degenerative conditions like sprain or strain and to help our animals out in times of need.Probably best not to use for the really hairy ones like our Oody but for legs and tendons. Excellent! #herbs #medicine #making #community #animalhealth #herbalmedicine #intuitivemedicine #connection #animalbotanical #herbalshenanigans #herbsforhorsesandhounds
loving our students who are all starting to connect with some of the few winter herbs we have available.
This year I introduced Ivy to the list.
So many wonderful qualities including for the respiratory system, blood sugars, some anti parasite action and good for arthritic and degenerative conditions.
So definitely a winter herb we all want to experience and offer to our animals.
The overwhelming thoughts are that this is such an often overlooked and ignored herb because it is so abundant.
English ivy is tenacious, keeps us firmly rooted but always growing and expanding forwards. A protector. Indicated for enhancing psychic abilities so she will also be added to plant spirit this year.
She also makes an ace cup of tea, slightly sweet, calming and incredibly steady
You can offer to your animals direct from the hedgerow, make a herbal infusion, allow to cool and offer that way too.
With so much equine and human respiratory problems this year she will really help to unstick the hard phlemgh and break it up to be expelled.
Here are 2 of our student Mia's horses showing just how quickly she works to initiate a cough reflex.
loving our students who are all starting to connect with some of the few winter herbs we have available.
This year I introduced Ivy to the list.
So many wonderful qualities including for the respiratory system, blood sugars, some anti parasite action and good for arthritic and degenerative conditions.
So definitely a winter herb we all want to experience and offer to our animals.
The overwhelming thoughts are that this is such an often overlooked and ignored herb because it is so abundant.
English ivy is tenacious, keeps us firmly rooted but always growing and expanding forwards. A protector. Indicated for enhancing psychic abilities so she will also be added to plant spirit this year.
She also makes an ace cup of tea, slightly sweet, calming and incredibly steady
You can offer to your animals direct from the hedgerow, make a herbal infusion, allow to cool and offer that way too.
With so much equine and human respiratory problems this year she will really help to unstick the hard phlemgh and break it up to be expelled.
Here are 2 of our student Mia's horses showing just how quickly she works to initiate a cough reflex.
While we are on planet Ivy.
The lovely student Kirstey and her dogs monty and shilo. ๐
Kirstey also made a tea for the dogs too as you can see in the videos below
"Shilo didn't really want any of it - the cutting, the tea, or the discarded plant.
Monty enjoyed tearing the plant into shreds (not really eating it), he did the same with the discarded herb. But seemed to enjoy the tea!
An hour later I let him out the back to toilet and in he runs with an Ivy branch and starts tearing this up ๐
(He has never shown any interest in the Ivy previously)!
๐พ
Many years ago my previous beautiful dog Bailey used to sniff the Ivy (we had growing in our back garden), - he'd go completely still, lift and hold one paw up as if going into a trance - it was absolutely fascinating to watch (would have been amazing if I had a video of him ๐)".
We now know that this kind of staring and processing is actually the dogs and horses interacting with the herbs compounds and constituents. Perhaps, physically or emotionally, perhaps just connecting with source.
We now consider this to be a significant interaction. ๐
We know that a dogs sense of smell far exceeds ours, and that volatile oils effect the emotional processing parts of the brain so it makes it easier to fit the puzzle together.
Kirstey then went on to offer some oils ๐
"I sat down and sniffed them and let both dogs join in.
Monty couldn't get enough of Patchouli - he asked me to place a drop or two on the floor so he could roll in it - he has never reacted like this to an EO before! โค๏ธโค๏ธ๐พ๐พ"
Topical application of oils and botanicals releases endorphins that help reduce stress, they also can be used to aid elimination of toxins and for emotional processing reasons.
Botanicals are the best!
Thank you Kirstey Lee for sharing shilo and monty with us
Monty belonging to Kirstey.. Found some ivy to bring into the house Kirstey offered ivy tea and fresh herb too but no interest. Monty then runs outside retireves his own and brings it back for this. I noticed that he is being very specific about what he is chewing and interacting with. He is smelling each piece bit by bit. ivy contains anti microbial agents and saponins (among a host of other constituents) perhaps the saponins are strong and he is just releasing a few. Perhaps he needs some antimicrobial actions around his mouth and jaw. He is certainly interacting and gaining lots of enrichment and ensuring he gets the right bit. I wonder if he knows where each constituent in the herb is... on another note....I am reminiscing about pointless being on in the background. I used to love pointless and not watched the beeb since being in costa rica #herbs #herbalist 'herbalmedicine #zoopharmacognosy #animals #pethealth #innatebotanicalselections #herbalshenanigans
Canโt help but love these little eyes ๐
dont wait to step into doing something that you love. it might take you to costa rica to work with strays, or south africa to work with elephants, or the kitchen to work with your own dogs, or the yard with your horses. What ever and where ever it takes you it will change your life ๐
