Native Plants of North America for Equine HealthUseful botanical remedies for common equine ailments.

Woody Plants vs. Herbs

An “herb” is a flowering, seed-bearing plant with fleshy (rather than woody) stems.

Herbaceous plants include flowering perennials, most annual plants, some trees, shrubs, and vines.

“Woody” plants produce bark that covers their stems and other shoots.

Most “pasture weeds” are in fact healthful, beneficial plants.

Oregano, Marjoram, & Thyme

Oregano essential oil- Carvacrol and Thymol

Genera Origanum and Thymus

Antibiotic effects

Antifungal effects

Antioxidant effects

Administration- oil and fresh

Collection and preparation- whole plant

BasilOregano

Fennel

Antispasmodic

Expectorant

Anti-inflammatory

Administration- fresh or dried

Collection and preparation- Seeds and leaves

Raspberry

Uterine tonic- Fragrine

Antispasmodic

Nutritive- iron, calcium, magnesium

Administration- fresh or dry

Collection and Preservation- leaves and fruit

Red

Black

How to Distill Essential Oils

Here are two videos about making your own essential oil. Most oils are available commercially, but growing and distilling your own oils can be rewarding if you can obtain the equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDojS7PWWPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRZc3kaHyM

How to Dry and Store Herbs

To store herbs dry, simply expose the whole plant to dry, warm air. This is best done in a dark environment to maximize nutrient retention. Storage should be in dark, air-tight containers. Here are some videos to illustrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haf-_tqlpX0

http://video.about.com/gardening/Dry-and-Freeze-Herbs.htm

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Brett, N.D., Jennifer.  "Fennel: Herbal Remedies"  31 January 2007.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/fennel-herbal-remedies.htm>  14 February 2013.

Harman, J. 2002. The toxicity of herbs in equine practice. Clinical techniques in equine practice. 1:2. 74-80.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=23

http://www.thepracticalherbalist.com

Mastelic, J. et al. 2008. Comparative Study on the Antioxidant and Biological Activities of Carvacrol, Thymol, and Eugenol Derivatives. Food Chem.,  56 (11), pp 3989–3996.

Nostro, A., and Papalia,T. 2012. Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol: current progress and future prospectives. Universty of Messina, Italy. PubMed.

Nostro, A.; Marino, A.; Blanco, A.R.; Cellini, L.; Di Giulio, M.; Pizzimenti, F.; Sudano Roccaro, A., Bisognano, G. In vitro activity of carvacrol against staphylococcal preformed biofilm by liquid and vapour contact. J. Med. Microbiol. 2009, 58, 791–797.

Ostad, S. Et al. 2001. The effect of fennel essential oil on uterine contraction as a model for dysmenorrhea, pharmacology, and toxicity study. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 76:3. 299-304.

Rojas-Vera J, Patel AV, Dacke CG: Relaxant activity of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) leaf extract in guinea-pig ileum in vitro. Phytother Res 2002, 16:665-8.

Ultee, A. 2000. Bactericidal action of carvacrol towards the food pathogen Bacillus cereus. A case study of a novel approach to mild food preservation. Ph.D. thesis. Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-5808-219-9.

Westfall, R. 2001. Herbal medicine in pregnancy and childbirth. Advances in Therapy 18:1, 47-55