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HERBS FOR ANIMALS -
On reflection perhaps I should have called this piece
Herbs for Horses! Nearly all of these remedies were used by the European Gypsies
and they have proven their effectiveness through many generations. I am sure
that you too, will them helpful.
Most horses will take herbs when mixed with molasses or
honey. Many times a brew with strong tasting herbs can be disguised with black
currant syrup or honey, particularly if cider vinegar has been added.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) "Hop tops" young shoots given to
colts to condition them. A good tonic. Flowers fed in fodder to quiet restless
animals, 1 or 2 cups for young animals, 2 or 3 cups (1 cup equals 1 handful) for
adults.
Ivy, Common (Glechoma Hederacea) Very good for internal
cleansing after birth, 1 to 2 cups chopped herb for mares immediately after
giving birth. In treating retained afterbirth make a strong brew; in 1 pint of
water add 1 to 2 cups of common Ivy half pint drenches approximately every 3
hours. Do not confuse with Poison Ivy please!
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) Horses like this herb
so do sheep and goats. A good tonic. Parsley piert or Alchemilla arvensis is a
gypsy cure for stones and a tonic after treating colic. It has been said that
should man or animals take this herb on mid summers eve they could become
invisible!! I have not tried that one, maybe one would have to take Woad (Ivatis
tinctoria) to bring one back in sight.
Of course the bluish hue might startle a few animals and
people!
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Used by gypsies as a
spring tonic for horses, 1 to 2 cups of flowers cut up and mixed with mash or
corn brew in 1.5 pints of water.
Nettle, Common (Urtica dioica) Good forage dried for
horses, rich in minerals, lime, sodium, iron, chlorine and a naturally good in
protein value. Nettle juice mixed with nettle seeds is a good hair tonic: use
internally 1 cup of juice in the animals mash. Use externally to wash the coat,
it will give it a beautiful shine, beneficial for show or racehorses.
Oak (Quercus robur) Gypsies used the ripe acorns ground
and dried them and mixed them with wheat flour to make a gruel. The green cups
are very astringent and made into a strong brew are used to check bleeding
internally and externally, 1 to 2 oz to 1.5 pints water.
Poplar, Black (Populous nigra) Buds crushed in milk,
honey and wine a good tonic for horses. For sores, wounds, ulcers. Used
externally too (by making an ointment with the young buds).
Puffball (Fungus) Used to stem bleeding and promote
healing. Crushed and then applied to wounds.
Quince (Pyrus Cydonia. Hair tonic for manes and tails.
The peel is made into a brew 1 cup to 1 pint.
Sanicle (Sanicula europaea) Used as a talisman on banners
and shields to protect war-horses and hopefully their riders. Good fodder.
Effective for internal bleeding and wounds. Whole plant used make a brew or give
1 to 2 cupfuls of the herb in feed.
Scabious (Scabiosa arvensis) (Gypsy Rose) Cleansing and
antiseptic. A brew of the root and herb thickened with borax, removes old sores
and dandruff. Mix about 2 cups herb and root to one and a half pints water. Put
in 1 tablespoons of borax powder while still hot and stir well. Apply when
cooled.
Strawberry or Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Leaves
help prevent abortion, fruit good for nervous or slow horses. Foliage good for
show and racehorses. 2 cups of leaves or leaves and root daily or handful of
berries daily.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhus odorata) Horses love this herb. A
good tonic. Crush some or bruise the root and hold in the hand, they will
usually come to one. Native Indians used this trick to catch the wild horses.
Note make sure you catch the right horse!
Tea Plant (Indian tea, China tea), (Thea sinensis) Make a
strong infusion, 2 parts to 1 of vinegar, (cider if possible). Soak cotton cloth
when cold and apply. Very good for sun stroke, sunburn, fine burns. Dose
internally: 1 dessert-spoon cider vinegar to 3 tablespoons tea mixture. Make the
tea mixture with 2 tablespoons in 10 oz. hot water, add a pinch of cinnamon or 1
to 2 cloves or both. Give cold if possible.
Willow, White (Salix alba) Young shoots and foliage given
by gypsies for cattle and horses as a tonic
Willow (Salix caprea) Given to goats to calm their hot
tempers and cool their blood. I am not sure whether that means they gave it to
the old goats or not. What is good for the animals is good for man too!
It's easy to forget that the "beasts of the field"
originally taught us much of our herb law, (by our observations of them). They
deserve more consideration than we often care to give them nowadays. By using
these simple remedies we can do much to make their lives more comfortable and
productive.
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