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by Helen Massingham-Howells
On reflection perhaps I should have called
this piece Herbs for Horses! Nearly all of these remedies were used by the European
Gypsies and they have proven their effectivness through many generations. I am sure
that you, too, will them helpful.
Most horses will take herbs when mixed with
molasses or honey. Many times a brew with strong tasting herbs can be disguised with
black currant syrup or honey, particularly if cider vinegar has been added.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) "Hop tops" young
shoots given to colts to condition them. A good tonic. Flowers fed in fodder to
quiet restless animals, 1 or 2 cups for young animals, 2 or 3 cups (1 cup equals 1
handful) for adults.
Ivy, Common (Glechoma Hederacea) Very good
for internal cleansing after birth, 1 to 2 cups chopped herb for mares immediately
after giving birth. In treating retained afterbirth make a strong brew; in 1 pint of
water add 1 to 2 cups of common Ivy half pint drenches approximately every 3 hours.
Do not confuse with Poison Ivy please!
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) Horses
like this herb so do sheep and goats. A good tonic. Parsley piert or Alchemilla
arvensis is a gypsy cure for stones and a tonic after treating colic. It has been
said that should man or animals take this herb on mid summers eve they could become
invisible!! I have not tried that one, maybe one would have to take Woad (Ivatis
tinctoria) to bring one back in sight. Of course the bluish hue might startle a few
animals and people!
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Used by
gypsies as a spring tonic for horses, 1 to 2 cups of flowers cut up and mixed with
mash or corn brew in 1.5 pints of water.
Nettle, Common (Urtica dioica) Good forage
dried for horses, rich in minerals, lime, sodium, iron, chlorine and a naturally
good in protein value. Nettle juice mixed with nettle seeds is a good hair tonic:
use internally 1 cup of juice in the animals mash. Use externally to wash the coat,
it will give it a beautiful shine, beneficial for show or racehorses.
Oak (Quercus robur) Gypsies used the ripe
acorns ground and dried them and mixed them with wheat flour to make a gruel. The
green cups are very astringent and made into a strong brew are used to check
bleeding internally and externally, 1 to 2 oz to 1.5 pints water.
Poplar, Black (Populus nigra) Buds crushed in
milk, honey and wine a good tonic for horses. For sores, wounds, ulcers. Used
externally too (by making an ointment with the young buds).
Puffball (Fungus) Used to stem bleeding and
promote healing. Crushed and then applied to wounds.
Quince (Pyrus Cydonia) Hair tonic for manes
and tails. The peel is made into a brew 1 cup to 1 pint.
Sanicle (Sanicula europaea) Used as a
talisman on banners and shields to protect war-horses and hopefully their riders.
Good fodder. Effective for internal bleeding and wounds. Whole plant used make a
brew or give 1 to 2 cupfuls of the herb in feed.
Scabious (Scabiosa arvensis) (Gypsy Rose)
Cleansing and antiseptic. A brew of the root and herb thickened with borax, removes
old sores and dandruff. Mix about 2 cups herb and root to one and a half pints
water. Put in 1 tablespoons of borax powder while still hot and stir well. Apply
when cooled.
Strawberry or Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Leaves help prevent abortion, fruit good for nervous or slow horses. Foliage good
for show and racehorses. 2 cups of leaves or leaves and root daily or handful of
berries daily.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhus odorata) Horses love
this herb. A good tonic. Crush some or bruise the root and hold in the hand, they
will usually come to one. Native Indians used this trick to catch the wild horses.
Note make sure you catch the right horse!
Tea Plant (Thea sinensis) (Indian tea, China
tea), Make a strong infusion, 2 parts to 1 of vinegar, (cider if possible). Soak
cotton cloth when cold and apply. Very good for sun stroke, sunburn, fine burns.
Dose internally: 1 dessert-spoon cider vinegar to 3 tablespoons tea mixture. Make
the tea mixture with 2 tablespoons in 10 oz. hot water, add a pinch of cinnamon or 1
to 2 cloves or both. Give cold if possible.
Willow, White (Salix alba) Young shoots and
foliage given by gypsies for cattle and horses as a tonic
Willow (Salix caprea) Given to goats to calm
their hot tempers and cool their blood. I am not sure whether that means they gave
it to the old goats or not. What is good for the animals is good for man too!
It's easy to forget that the "beasts of the
field" originally taught us much of our herb law, (by our observations of them).
They deserve more consideration than we often care to give them nowadays. By using
these simple remedies we can do much to make their lives more comfortable and
productive.
About the author: Helen Massingham was born
in England and has lived in Canada since 1967. She has spent most of her life
working with animals, both on her father's estate and in the Far East. Long a
proponent of Herbal Medicines for animals she is Regional Vice-President of the
Canadian Equine Society.
This Article is taken from The Herbalist,
newsletter of the Botanic Medicine Society. COPYRIGHT Dec 1988. Membership in the
Society is $25.00 Canadian per year. You receive four copies of the Journal each
year and help to promote herbalism and botanic medicine throughout Canada.
THE SOCIETY HAS NO PAID OFFICIALS and is run
entirely by volunteers from among the membership. If you would like more info please
write: Botanic Medicine Society. * P.O. Box 82. Stn. A. * Willowdale,
Ont. CANADA. M2N 5S7.
Reprinted with permission.
Copyright 1996, 1998 by The Herbalist, Lori Herron, R.N.and Alternative Nature
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