People have been using herbs and other plants for their healing properties for thousands of years. Many of today's drugs are derived from herbs, but some people believe the plant itself can be a more effective medicine than its pharmaceutical cousin. Herbs can act to tone or invigorate the body or to remove toxins from it. Among other things, certain herbal remedies have been found to hasten the healing process, build up the immune system, and inhibit tumor growth.

Types of Herbs

Traditions of herbal treatment are divided. Chinese herbal practitioners tend to use combinations of herbs to treat problems. Western herbal practitioners are more likely to use a single herb. Both methods can be effective. Among the herbs a holistic veterinarian may use are cranberry for urinary tract infections; garlic, which helps fight bacteria; ginger for nausea or motion sickness; milk thistle for liver disease; and raspberry tea or raspberry tablets to help ease delivery of puppies. Certain herbal preparations have a relaxing or tranquilizing effect. These include kava kava, Saint John's wort, and valerian root.

Using Herbs Safely

Although they might seem like gentle and harmless remedies, herbs are powerful stuff. Just like pharmaceutical drugs, they can have side effects. Used incorrectly, they can be toxic. Among the herbs or herbal oils that can be toxic to dogs are pennyroyal oil, tea tree oil, comfrey and hops.

Give your dog herbal remedies only on the advice of your veterinarian. If he's not familiar with herbs, seek out a veterinary herbalist. Working with your veterinarian, the herbalist can determine whether the remedy you want to try is appropriate for your dog's condition and how it will interact with other medications your dog may be taking. For instance, some herbal remedies and cortisone drugs tend to counteract each other's effects.

Bach Flower Essences

Floral extracts known as Bach flower essences were developed for human use by an English doctor in the early twentieth century to help heal emotional imbalances. Today, they are often used to help dogs as well. The best known of these is called Rescue Remedy, which is frequently used to soothe dogs that have suffered a trauma or feel anxiety in certain situations such as riding in the car, staying at a boarding kennel, or visiting the veterinarian. Other flower essences that can benefit dogs include crab apple, which helps to purify wounds and is useful for dogs that lick themselves frequently; mimulus, for shy dogs or dogs that are fearful of loud noises; olive, for dogs that seem tired or lethargic; and walnut, for dogs that need help adjusting to a new place or situation.

Flower essences are among the herbal remedies that are safe and gentle, and they may certainly be an effective adjunct to your dog's health care. However, they should never be substituted for a proper veterinary diagnosis or necessary behavior modification. If your dog is lethargic for more than a day or two, you need to find out why, and if he's afraid of the noise made by thunderstorms or the vacuum cleaner, you can seek help from a behaviorist.