top 5 herbs to heal pain and inflammation in horses · synergism involves the use of complementary...

Top 5 Herbs to Heal Pain and Inflammation

in Horses

Discover the Top Herbs to Manage your

Horse’s Pain and Inflammation - Naturally

WhyHerbalMedicine?

Itisunderstoodthatanimalshavebeenself-medicatingwithherbsthroughouttime.Infact,

thesamecanbesaidforhumans.Didyouknowthatmanypharmaceuticaldrugshavebeen

developedasaresultofstudyingtraditionalherbalmedicines,extractingwhatareconsidered

to be the key chemical constituents, synthetically manufacturing those chemicals and

prescribing them at high doses? In many developing countries, a large portion of the

populationstill relyheavilyon traditionalpractitionersandmedicinalplants tomeet their

primaryhealthcareneeds,evenwheremoremodernWesternmedicalsystemsareavailable.

Sowhyuse herbalmedicineswhen there are pharmaceutical alternatives? Whatwe are

unabletoreplicateinpharmaceuticaldrugsisthemannerinwhichthemultitudeofdifferent

phytochemicals found in plant medicines work together synergistically to heal the body.

Taking a single chemical component from a plant and prescribing it at a high dose often

producessideeffectsthatarenotevidentwhenthemedicineistakeninplantform,asplants

tendtocontainjusttherightbalanceofarangeofphytochemicals.Thisisnottosaythat

plantmedicineshavenosideeffects,assomearetoxicwhenprescribedincorrectly.

Another factor to consider is cost. Herbalmedicines are often significantly cheaper than

pharmaceuticalmedicines, largelybecauseherbalmedicinescannotbepatented. Insome

cases,youcanevengrowfreshherbsinyourownhome.Forexample,parsley,peppermint

andgingercanallofferrelieffromindigestioninplaceofapharmaceuticalantacid.Ofcourse,

self-medicating has a limit and if you have a more serious, long standing or underlying

problem,consultationwithaprofessionalherbalistormedicalpractitionerisessential.

So is there a place for pharmaceutical medicines? Absolutely. There are times when

pharmaceuticalmedicationsareagoodchoicebaseduponavarietyoffactors. It isalsoa

very personal choice. Owner’s of competition owners encouraged to check with their

sportingregulatorforalistofprohibitedsubstances.ForFEIInternationaldisciplines,alist

of currently controlled substances can be found at

http://prohibitedsubstancesdatabase.feicleansport.org.

www.sacredhorse.com.au Page21February2016

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ASelectionofHerbsforPainand

Inflammation


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ArnicaScientificName:Arnicamontana

AlternativeNames:Leopard’sbane,Mountainarnica,

Mountainsnuff,Mountaintobacco,Wolf’sbane

Administration:Topicaluseonly.

UsesforPainandInflammation:

• Useexternallyasamildanalgesic(painreliever)andanti-inflammatory.

• Excellentappliedtopicallyinthemanagementofpainandinflammationassociatedwith

arthritis,sprains,bruises,soremusclesandinflamedinsectbites.

• Arnicaalsoaidscirculation,makingitusefultoassistvenousinsufficiency,suchasvaricose

veins.

OtherUses:

• Nil.

Combinations:

• CombinewithWitchhazel(Hamamelisvirginiana)totreatbruises,inflamedswellingsand

varicoseveins.

Contraindications:

• Donotapplytodamagedskinoropenwounds.

Interactions:

• Nonereported.


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Frankincense

ScientificName:Boswelliaserrata

AlternativeNames:Frankincense,

Indianfrankincense,Indianolibanum,

Mastictree,Salaiguggul(Indianfolk),

Shallaki(Sanskrit).Ayurvedic:

Gajabhakshyaa,Salai,Shallaki,Susravaa.

Siddha/Tamil:Kungli,Paragisambirani.

Administration:Orallyand/ortopically.


• Frankincenseisprimarilyusedasananti-inflammatory.Therangeofconditionstreated

include,butarenotlimitedto,arthritis(osteoandrheumatoid),gastrointestinalulcers,

inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract, chronic prostatitis, psoriasis, equine

asthma(heaves),laryngitisandbronchitis.

• Humanclinicaltrialsinpatientswithosteoarthritisandrheumatoidarthritishavefound

thatFrankincensereducespainandthefrequencyofswelling,preventsthebreakdownof

cartilage,decreasespainandincreasesphysicalfunctioning.

• Frankincenseisalsousefulinthetreatmentofpainbyproducingasedativeeffectonthe

nervoussystem.

• The anti-inflammatory activities of Frankincensemake it an excellent prescription for

pulmonary disorders, including equine asthma (heaves) and laryngitis. Anti-microbial

propertiesalsomakeiteffectiveinthemanagementofpulmonarydisorderscausedby

respiratorysysteminfections,suchasbronchitisandpleurisy.


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• Frankincensetakenorallyandappliedtopicallyisusefulinthetreatmentofinflammatory

skindiseasessuchaseczema,dermatitis(includingrainrotandEosinophilicGranuloma)

andpsoriasis.Itisalsousefulinthetreatmentofringworm.

• Frankincense can be used to stimulate circulation, which is a key factor in the

managementofarthriticconditions.

• Unlikepharmaceuticalnon-steroidalanti-Inflammatorydrugs(NSAID’s),Frankincensehas

notbeenshowntoresultinirritationorulcerationofthestomach.

OtherUses:• Anxiety(whenusedasaninhalantbyheatingtheresinoncoalsorvaporisingtheessential

oils).

• Basalcellcarcinoma

• Breastcancer

• Diarrhoea

• Fever

• Intestinalinfections

• Leukaemia

• Mouthulcers

• Ovariancancer

• Poorcirculation

• Skininfections

• Vaginalinfections

Combinations:

• The boswellic acids found in Frankincense are synergistic with glucosamine. Taken

together, Frankincense and glucosamine can be highly beneficial in the treatment of

osteoarthritisandrheumatoidarthritis.

• CombinewithCeleryseed(Apiumgraveolens)inthetreatmentofarthritis.

• Combine with Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) and Albizia (Albizia lebbeck) in the

treatmentofallergicconditions.


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Contraindications:

• Donotadministertopregnantmares.

Interactions:

• Maytheoreticallyinterferewiththeabsorptionofpharmaceuticaldrugs.


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Devil’sClawScientificName:Harpagophytumprocumbens

Alternative Names: Beesdubbetje, Duiwelsklou, Grapple plant, Grapple thorn, Kanako,

Kamangu, Kloudoring, Ouklip, Rankdoring, Sengaparile, Skerpioendubbeltje, Teufelskralle,

Toutje,Tou,Tswana,Tuberculedegriffedudiable,Woodspider

Administration:Internaluse.


• Devil’s claw is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It is particularly useful in the

management of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis (both osteo and

rheumatoid),backpain,neuralgiaandmuscularpain.

• Maybeadministeredtoaidinthemanagementofvenousinflammation.

• Aidsinthetreatmentofsore,itchy,inflamedskin.

OtherUses:

• Digestivestimulation

• Livercongestion.

• Loweringbloodpressureandheartrate.

Combinations:

• Combine with Celery seed (Apium graveolens), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) or

Meadowsweet(Filipendulaulmaria)inthemanagementofarthritis.


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Contraindications:

• Donotadministertopregnantmares.

• Nottobeusedincompetitionhorses.

• Nottobegiventohorseswithgastriculcers,asitmayincreasethesecretionofgastric

acid.

Interactions:

• Devil’s clawmay theoretically interact with the following pharmaceutical drugs: anti-

arrhythmics,anti-coagulants,anti-hypertensivesandcardiacmedications

• Devil’sclawislesseffectivewhenadministeredinconjunctionwithantibiotics,asitrelies

onintestinalbacteriaforactivation.


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TurmericScientificName:Curcumalonga

AlternativeNames:Haridra,Haldi,Indian

saffron,Jianghuang(rhizome),Yujin(root

tuber),Yellowginger.

Administration:Canbeadministeredorallyandtopically.


• Turmeric is a useful anti-inflammatory in the management of arthritis (osteo and

rheumatoid),skindisordersandequineasthma(heaves).

OtherUses:

• Anti-plateletactivitiesofferprotectiontothecardiovascularsystem.

• Detoxifiesandregenerateslivertissue,protectingagainsthepatotoxicity.

• Demonstratesanti-tumour/anti-canceractivities.

• Dyspepsia.

• IshighlytoxictoSalmonella.

• Lowerscholesterol.

• Pepticulcer

• ProtectsagainstDNAdamageinlymphocytes.

Combinations:

• CombinewithFrankincense(Boswelliaserrata)inthemanagementofarthritis.


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Contraindications:

• Highdosesmaycauseskinrashandphotosensitivity.

Interactions:

• Cautionisadvisedifadministeredwithanti-coagulantoranti-plateletdrugs.

Notes:

• Curcumin (theactiveconstituentofTurmeric) isnotwellabsorbedorally. To improve

absorption,administerinalipidbase(i.e.feedwithadietaryfatsuchascanolaorflaxseed

oil).


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WhiteWillowScientificName:SalixAlba

AlternativeNames:Whitewillow,Bailliu,

Willow,Willowbark

Administration:Administerorally.


• ThesalicininWhitewillowisconvertedintosalicylicacidbythebody(anaturalformof

aspirin). As such,White willow is most commonly used to treat pain, inflammation,

sciatica,neuralgia,rheumatism,osteoarthritis,headaches,colic,cramp,sprains,strains

andtendonitis.Itsanalgesiceffectsareslowerthanaspirin,howeveritsdurationislonger

andgastricsideeffectsareavoidedwithcorrectdosage.

• Thesalicylicacidhasalsobeenshowntoreduce feverwithoutcausingdamageto the

stomach,hence it is indicated inthetreatmentof influenzaandother fever-producing

conditions.

• Whitewillowmaybeused for various formsof arthritisbeing specific for rheumatoid

arthritisandothersystemiccorrectivetissueconditionswithinflammatorychanges.

• Externally,Whitewillowisusedtotreatwounds,ulcers,warts,calluses,bunions,corns

andacne.

OtherUses:

• Acne(pyoderma)

• Pleurisy

• Respiratorycatarrh

• Saddlesores/Galls

• Sorethroat


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• Toothache

• Ulcers(external)

• Warts

• Wounds

Combinations:• Combines well with other herbal anti-inflammatories, such as Devil’s claw

(Harpagophytumprocumbens).

Contraindications:• Donotadministertopregnantandlactatingmares.

• Nottobeusedincompetitionhorsesduetothepresenceofsalicylates.

• Nottobetakenbyindividualssensitiveorallergictoaspirinorsalicylates.Respiratory

sideeffectsandskinrashmayoccurintheseindividuals.

• Due to the salicylate content, caution should be exercised in individuals with aspirin

hypersensitivity, equine asthma (heaves), equine metabolic syndrome, diabetes,

gastrosis,haemophilia,liverdisease,impairedbloodclotting,kidneydiseaseandpeptic

ulcers.

• Side effects are uncommon, but may include nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort,

dizzinessandrash.

Interactions:

• Nottobeco-administeredwithaspirinandothersalicylate-containingsubstances,other

pharmaceutical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), anti-coagulants,

barbiturates/sedatives, methotrexate, spironolactone, phenytoin and valproate

medications.


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WhichHerbsShouldIChoose?

As you can see, the selection of herbs will depend upon the cause of the pain and

inflammation,e.g.arthritis,ulcersorrespiratorydistress, forexample. Itwillalsodepend

uponwhetheryourhorse isalready takingpharmaceuticalmedicationsandwhether they

haveanyothermedicalconditionsthatneedtobeconsidered.

Professional herbalists use the concept of ‘synergism’whenpreparing anherbal formula.

Synergisminvolvestheuseofcomplementaryherbsthataddressthewholebeinginanumber

of ways. For example, if a horse presents with arthritis and poor digestion/inability to

maintainweight,Iwillselectananti-arthriticherbwithasecondaryactionofstimulatingthe

digestivesystem,plusadigestivesystemherbwithasecondaryfunctionoftreatingpainor

inflammation.

Ifyouareeverstuckorunsure,thebestadviceistocallaprofessionalEquineHerbalistwho

candevelopapersonalprescriptionbaseduponyourhorse’suniqueneeds. SacredHorse

offerspersonalprescriptionstoclientsinternationally. Formoreinformationortomakea

booking,visitwww.sacredhorse.com.au


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Bibliography1. Australian Naturopathic Network 2003, ‘Australian Naturopathic Network’ [Online],

viewed31/01/2014,http://www.ann.com.au/

2. Bartram,T1998,‘Bartram’sEncyclopaediaofHerbalMedicine’,Constable&Robinson

Ltd,London

3. Duke,J.2002,‘HandbookofMedicinalHerbs’,2ndEdition,CRCPress,U.S.A.

4. Grieve, M 2014, ‘Botanical.com’ [Online], accessed 5th January 2014,

http://botanical.com

5. Hechtman, L. 2012, ‘Clinical Naturopathic Medicine’, Churchill Livingstone - Elsevier

Australia,Chatswood,Australia

6. Hoffman,D.2003, ‘MedicalHerbalism:TheScienceandPracticeofHerbalMedicine’,

HealingArtsPress,Vermont

7. Khare,C.P.2007,‘IndianMedicinalPlants:AnIllustratedDictionary’,SpringerScience+

BusinessMediaLLC,NewYork

8. Marciano,M 2014, ‘The Naturopathic Herbalist: BotanicalMedicine for theMedical

Student’[Online],accessed31/01/2014,http://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/

9. Reader’sDigest2006,‘Nature’sMedicines’,ReadersDigest(Australia)PtyLtd,Sydney,

Australia

10. Sayre, L 1917, ‘A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy’, Fourth

Edition,P.Blakiston’sSonandCo.,U.S.A.

11. Wynn,S.andFougère,B.2007,‘VeterinaryHerbalMedicine’,Mosby-Elsevier,Missouri

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