Interactive lesson

Herbal remedies for animals, step by step

Interactive lesson: which plants are safe for skin, teats and digestion, how to prepare them, which are poisonous and when to call the vet.

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The whole lesson as text

1. What herbs can and can't do

A herb is support, not a substitute for the vet.

Three roles — Herbal remedies are prevention, care and support. They don't replace the vet, or an antibiotic when one is needed.
What herbs can do — Care for skin, teats and cracked hooves. Provide fibre, minerals and an aroma that stimulates appetite. Be part of the feed and the browse.
What they can't do — Cure pneumonia, mastitis with a temperature or a deep, infected wound. Nor sort out bloat, colic or a birth.
A herb doesn't delay the call — Bloated flank, colic, an animal that won't get up, a high temperature with weakness: call the vet at once. No "let's try a tea till morning".

Why: Herbs care for the skin, help digestion, provide fibre and minerals, and some reduce parasite numbers. But a tea won't stop pneumonia, bloat or a blocked urinary tract.

There is serious research on calendula for the skin and on tannins against worms in ruminants. For wormwood, garlic, pumpkin seeds and apple cider vinegar the evidence is weak or missing.
Organic farming rules put herbal remedies ahead of chemicals, whenever they work.

2. Rules for safe use

Herbs are not harmless. Six rules protect the animal and you.

Only a plant you know — Pick only a plant you know 100 % for certain. No certain identification, no picking.
The species matters — What is good for a goat can be poisonous to a dog, a cat or a horse. Take extra care with cats and fish.
A little, then watch — Give a new herb in a small amount first and watch for a day or two: scours, bloat, a rash, refusing feed.
Write it down and ask — Write down what you gave, when and how much. Ask the vet about the withdrawal period before using milk, eggs and meat.

Why: Chamomile has poisonous relatives, yarrow looks like hemlock from a distance, and wild garlic (ramsons) is mistaken for autumn crocus and lily of the valley. What is good for a goat can be poisonous to a dog, a cat or a horse.

Pregnant animals, young animals and sick ones get only what you are sure of, or nothing without the vet's advice.
Don't mix herbs with medicines on your own. If the animal is already on a medicine, tell the vet what you are giving it.