Medicinal plants for animal health

Throughout history, phytotherapy has always been used; in this article we tell you how you can protect the health of your pets by using some medicinal plants. 

From the moment their healing properties were discovered, medicinal plants have been used throughout history. Although they are mainly used to treat various conditions that affect humans,  some medicinal plants can also be used to improve animal health . In this article we tell you about some of them.

Medicinal plants for animal health

When we talk about herbal medicine , we are referring to a practice that has been carried out for thousands of years. Both traditional and current medicine have based their methodology on medicinal plants or herbs. The key element that makes these plants beneficial to a greater or lesser extent is the so-called active ingredient .

The active principle of each plant is due to a series of substances or molecules that have a certain positive therapeutic effect for the organism. The extraction of the active ingredient takes place in different ways.

This applies to both human and animal health. However, it is important to clarify that not all medicinal plants are completely harmless , as some natural components can interfere (or even be potentially dangerous) with the health of our pets.

For this reason, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian before starting a treatment based on medicinal plants for animal health. These will resolve all our doubts regarding the type of treatment, doses and other issues. If after talking to your vet you decide to use these herbs, we advise you to keep in mind some useful details that we present below.

Rosemary and juniper: aromatic and healthy herbs

Rosemary, a plant known to all, has more frequent use than we think in animal health. The main reason for this is that it is often used as a natural preservative in pet foods. In addition to this use, rosemary is a source of vitamin B6 and calcium , it also has antioxidant properties.

Its use is also indicated to keep fleas away from dogs. Through the application of an infusion of rosemary, the antiseptic power of this plant is released and a slight relief is given to the itching felt by the animal.

Juniper shrubs ( Juniperus communis ) also hide numerous beneficial properties. Among the best known are its diuretic and antiseptic power , which help improve the health of animals suffering from urinary tract infections.

But juniper can also be applied to treat, for example, the ailments caused by intestinal parasites . In this sense, it has been shown to be highly effective in fighting some species of parasitic worms in cats.

Milk thistle: one of the best medicinal plants for animal health

It is one of the medicinal plants par excellence, so its application in veterinary medicine is also common. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) is a very common herbaceous plant in most soils. One of the active ingredients of this plant is silymarin .

This compound acts on liver cells as a protector of the liver and gallbladder . It is indicated for the treatment of certain liver diseases and, in some cases, it can be administered to animals to purify this organ and metabolize certain drugs.

Other herbs useful for our animals

In addition to the plants described, there are many others containing beneficial active ingredients for our pets . These include aloe vera , which offers numerous topical benefits. Another great skin conditioner is yarrow extract, to be applied to wounds.

In conclusion, we remind you that it is extremely important to consult a veterinary expert before applying any natural treatment. In this way, we will be sure to leave the health of our pets in good hands.

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