Mary Allen
The right medicinal herbs for dogs offer the perfect basis for a fit start into spring. Especially in summer, it is a good idea to do a spring cure with medicinal herbs for your dog. Because the medicinal plants have an invisible and stimulating effect on your dog’s organism, similar to the sun. We will show you which 16 medicinal herbs are particularly health-promoting for dogs!
Medicinal Herbs for the Dog: This is Important to Note
Many herbs are already known to us from the kitchen. They enrich all kinds of dishes with their diverse tastes. However, some herbs also have positive effects on the body and mind. Not only do bipeds benefit from this, but dogs can also use the plants in a variety of ways. However, you have to be careful here. Some herbs we love can even be toxic to dogs. It is therefore important to pay attention to what you give your four-legged friend to eat. In the case of sick or pregnant animals, the dietary supplement should always be discussed with a veterinarian in order to rule out any risks or interactions. Likewise, medicinal herbs should never replace a visit to the vet for dogs. Professional medical help is and remains the first choice in cases of illness and injury.
Plant Medicinal Herbs for the Dog Yourself
Of course, you can also create your own herb garden. This not only makes your home look nicer, but you can also enrich the diet of your four-legged friend first-hand. For minor ailments, you can also plant a natural medicine cabinet. However, one should make sure that the herbs remain untreated. Chemicals, pesticides and mineral fertilizers should therefore be avoided.
Chamomile as a Medicinal Herb for Dogs
Medicinal herbs dog: chamomile effect:
Chamomile can work wonders not only for humans but also for dogs. In the case of gastrointestinal complaints, like many medicinal herbs for dogs, it can calm the stomach and fight inflammation or cramps. Chamomile can also help with allergies, skin or coat problems.
Use:
Chamomile can be administered either in dried form or as a chamomile tea to alleviate the symptoms. In addition, the plant can be used as a swab or wrap on affected areas or wounds.
Fennel
Effect:
Fennel primarily soothes the digestive tract. In addition, the plant contains various vitamins and nutrients such as vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and sodium. The tuber is also low in calories and is therefore also suitable for dogs on a diet. In the case of respiratory diseases, fennel tea is also often used to soothe the respiratory tract and loosen mucus.
Use:
Fennel can be fed to your dog both cooked and raw. Fennel tea is also suitable for combating flatulence, digestive problems or respiratory diseases in your four-legged friend.
Oregano
Effect:
Not only popular on pizza, but oregano can also help your dog. This herb is very popular for coughs or bronchial problems. But flatulence, digestive problems and parasites can also be combated with oregano. The plant is also said to have a cancer-preventive effect.
Use:
Oregano is best fed either fresh or as an oil. Furthermore, the herb is suitable as a remedy for bad breath. To do this, simply rub some diluted oregano oil into the toothpaste or directly onto the teeth and mucous membrane of your four-legged friend.
Garlic Mustard is a Medicinal Herb for Dogs
Effect:
This wild herb has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and expectorant properties. In folk medicine, garlic mustard was used for worm diseases. As one of the medicinal herbs for dogs, it cleans from the inside out and is therefore ideal as a spring cure. Although the leaves smell like garlic, you can safely give them to your dog. Because, unlike real garlic, the medicinal herb does not contain any allicin, which is toxic to dogs.
Use:
You can collect them fresh all spring, crush them and mix them with the dog food. Both the leaves and the flowers can be used.
Parsley
Effect:
Parsley benefits your dog’s bladder and kidneys. In addition, the plant helps against bad breath. But the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system also benefit from the herb.
Use:
Parsley should only be fed in small amounts. However, you have to be careful with pregnant dogs with gallstones or kidney stones. These four-legged friends should not touch the herb.
Lesser Celandine
Effect:
The small green leaves are full of vitamin C, which is particularly good for the body after the winter months. The medicinal herb gives your four-legged friend energy and boosts metabolism.
Use:
Cut half a handful of leaves into small pieces and sprinkle over the dog food. Lesser celandine should only be used until the plant flowers. Then it forms protoanemonin, which is incompatible for humans and animals.
Basil
Effect:
Basil is not only an important part of bruschetta but can also treat various symptoms of your four-legged friend. Many vitamins and minerals, together with the antimicrobial effect, form an excellent home remedy for bacterial and viral infections. Basil also has a positive effect on arthritis and has a calming effect on some dogs.
Use:
Basil can be fed in moderate amounts with a clear conscience. The plant is suitable in both fresh and dried forms.
Mint
Effect:
On the one hand, mint smells very good and, on the other hand, it is a suitable remedy for nausea, flatulence or other stomach problems. The plant contains many antioxidants and has an antiseptic and disinfecting effect. It also helps your four-legged friend breathe fresher.
Use:
Too much mint can trigger liver or kidney problems. Therefore, you should also pay attention to the amount here and not feed too much mint. From time to time, the herb can simply be mixed with the usual dog food.
Daisy
Effect:
The daisy not only looks pretty but is also full of valuable ingredients: essential oils, bitter substances, iron, flavonoids, tannins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, saponins and vitamins A, C and E. This means it has a metabolism-stimulating and diuretic effect Effect. It also supports wound healing and disinfects.
Use:
The plant can be used fresh, as a tea or as a tincture. If you want to use it for wound healing, the plant should be crushed and applied to the wound. For a daisy tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of daisies and let steep for 10 minutes.
Birch Leaves
Effect:
The leaves contain, among other things: essential oils, tannins, bitter substances, flavonoids and vitamin C. This makes them anti-inflammatory and diuretic.
Use:
Pour a cup of hot water over 2g birch leaves and leave to stand for 15 minutes. After that, you should strain the leaves. Now you can either chop up the birch greens and mix them with the feed or add them as a tea.
Nettle
Effect:
Another of these medicinal herbs for your dog is nettle with its many minerals. It stimulates the metabolism, cleanses from the inside and awakens the spirit after the winter months. A stinging donkey is also particularly suitable for your dog’s joint diseases, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Use:
Again, you can add the leaves to the dog food, but you should steam them first. In the case of joint problems, it is even better to administer the stinging donkey as fresh juice.
Meadowfoam
Effect:
This plant is a real power herb! Meadowfoam tea stimulates the liver and bile and works great as a cure for spring fatigue. It also strengthens your dog’s immune system!
Use:
Cut into small pieces or add to the feed as tea. For the tea, you can brew two teaspoons of the herb with 250 ml of water.
Goutweed
Effect:
The so-called “Zimperleinkraut” with its ingredients (potassium, flavonoids, vitamin C and iron) is a real all-rounder! It supports kidney, bladder and bowel function and flushes accumulated uric acid from the body. It is also said to help with rheumatism and gout. In addition, the medicinal herb has an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect.
Use:
Pluck the young shoots freshly and mix them into the dog food.
Dandelion
Effect:
Weeds can be found almost everywhere in spring! Dandelion has a high proportion of bitter substances and potassium. These ingredients have a blood-purifying, diuretic and positive effect on the stomach, liver and bile. In addition, such medicinal herbs stimulate the dog’s metabolism.
Use:
The freshly picked leaves can be added to the feed. All ingredients can be used to make tea.
Chickweed
Effect:
Chickweed has a very high vitamin C and saponin content! The small plant promotes wound healing and helps with itching and coughing. It is also useful for eye infections, as well as bladder and kidney infections in your dog.
Use:
The medicinal herb can either be fed fresh or pressed and applied to wounds as an ointment. For a tea: pour 2 teaspoons of chickweed with 250 ml of boiling water, cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes and then abseil down.