Many people rely on herbal remedies to treat some minor illnesses. With the use of natural ingredients most of which can be found in the home, these herbal remedies have been used in the olden times and are proven effective.
But what about with pets? Can using these natural ingredients be as effective in relieving certain conditions and treating their illnesses?
Unaware to some pet owners, the field of veterinary medicine is now slowly recognizing the importance of herbal remedies. Reports confirm that some Veterinarians are using herbal substances to replace the existing therapies they provide to animals.
Herbs, however, have multiple effects on pets sometimes not the same as their effects on humans. Certain plants have been found to provide double benefits. As example is Boswellia, a resin extract from the frankincense tree, that relieves pain in humans experiencing osteoarthritis and improves their walking distance and range of motion. When used on dogs, the product reduced inflammation in the dog’s joints after six weeks.
The smell of herbs have also been found to be most useful in aromatherapy. A study that investigated the effects of essential oils such as chamomile, lavender, peppermint and rosemary on dogs showed that the barking and moving of canines were reduced after being exposed to the scent of the oils. With this finding, using aromatherapy in shelter dogs has the potential of calming the canines and reducing noise among them which could mean a more peaceful environment not only for the animals and the shelter staff but as well as to visitors looking for a dog to adopt.
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