About herbs

The forgotten medication

When we look back in the history of mankind herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat medical problems, ease pain and help with healing. Once steroids and antibiotics were discovered the use of herbs was neglected. The effects of the synthetically produced medication were so powerful that it made herbal treatment sound weak.

Complexity versus simplicity

In conventional medicine one substance in high doses treats one problem in one way. Herbal extracts contain up to several hundred substances that have different actions and result in far fewer side effects. Different herbs can also be combined to work synergistically to optimise the desired effects and minimise the undesired effects.

Restoring balance within the body

In my opinion, the most powerful effect of herbal medicine is the stimulus on the whole of the body and its organ systems. Herbs, with their complex and wide range of active constituents, are able to help the body regain balance and to enable it to overcome illness or disease.

Research

Recent research worldwide mainly in human herbal medicine has lead to a new recognition of its importance. Advanced knowledge and technical equipment enables the analysis of active constituents of plants and therefore gives a new understanding of their healing power.

In human medicine in France phytotherapy is a recognised part of conventional medicine, while in Germany herbal prescriptions are used alongside synthesised drugs. In veterinary medicine in Germany many vets are using herbal preparations as first choice medications.

Wild animals and herbs

If we look at animals that are living wild in their natural habitat it has been observed that they choose certain plants to treat themselves.

Monkeys for example eat parts of specific plants that have a bitter effect and therefore help with digestion. There are also plants that have an anthelmintic effect, which means they kill or assist in the expulsion of intestinal worms. Theses plants are eaten regularly by certain species. Even our domesticated animals would eat certain parts of plants in certain circumstances if available.

The future

I am a strong believer that herbal medicine will become a vital part of veterinary medicine. No conventional medication has the ability to treat illness, improve wellbeing, restore balance and prevent disease.