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CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds

Herb Glossary

Welcome to our Herb Glossary.
Use it to find out more about the healing properties of each herb and any possible contra-indications. All our natural herb mixes are successfully tried and tested.

Simple sprinkle the herbs over your dog’s dinner. Remember, as herbs usually take time to act within the system, it may take up to 6 weeks before you fully appreciate the benefit.

If you have any questions, please check with your vet or Ask Nicki

Please note that all herbs are alphabetically listed

A

HERB: Agrimony

LATIN NAME: Agrimonia eupatoria

PLANT PARTS USED: Aerial parts

ACTIONS: Astringent, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, mild diuretic, tonic, vulnerary, cholagogue

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Possible drug interations with anticoagulants & hypoglycemics

HERB: Aniseed

LATIN NAME: Pimpinella ansium

PLANT PARTS USED: Dried fruit

ACTIONS: Carminative, Antispasmodic

B

HERB: Blackcurrant

LATIN NAME: Ribes nigrum

PLANT PARTS USED: Corns

ACTIONS: Antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitoxic, antiseptic, anticancer, antioxidants

HERB: Black Pepper

LATIN NAME: Piper nigrum

PLANT PARTS USED: Dried fruit

ACTIONS: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

HERB: Burdock Root

LATIN NAME: Arctium lappa

PLANT PARTS USED: Roots

ACTIONS: Blood cleansing, liver & gall bladder stimulant, diuretic, nutritive, antioxidant, anticancer, alterative

C

HERB: Celery Seed

LATIN NAME: Apium graveolens

PLANT PARTS USED: Seeds

ACTIONS: Antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitoxic, antiseptic, anticancer, antioxidants

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Shouldn’t be used in animals with preexisting kidney disease and can interact with thyroxin & anticoagulants

HERB: Chamomile

LATIN NAME: Matricaria recutita

PLANT PARTS USED: Flowers

ACTIONS: Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, mild sedative, antimicrobial, stimulates digestion, expels worms, carminative

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not suitable for animals with auto-immune disease

HERB: Chaste Tree Berries

LATIN NAME: Vitex agnus castus

PLANT PARTS USED: Fruit

ACTIONS: Regulates female hormonal activity

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can affect the uptake of certain drugs so check with vet prior to use if on medication

HERB: Chilli Powder

LATIN NAME: Capsicum spp

PLANT PARTS USED: Fruit

ACTIONS: Rubefacient, vasodilator, counterirritant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, antiseptic

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can interact with certain drugs so check with vet before using if on medication. Can disturb digestive tract in some animals.

HERB: Comfrey Leaf

LATIN NAME: Symphytum officinale

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Vulnerary, demulcent, antihaemorrhagic, antirhuematic, anti-inflammtory

HERB: Cramp Bark

LATIN NAME: Viburnum opulus

PLANT PARTS USED: Dried Bark

ACTIONS: Antispasmodic, sedative, astringent

D

HERB: Dandelion

LATIN NAME: Taraxacum officinale

PLANT PARTS USED: Roots & Leaves

ACTIONS: Diuretic, cholagogue, nutritive, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, tonic

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can interact with certain drugs so check with vet before using if on medication

HERB: Devil’s Claw Root

LATIN NAME: Harpagophytum procumbens

PLANT PART USED: Root

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, bitter, tonic, antirhuematic, analagesic

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Has hypoglycemic action so shouldn’t be used by diabetics. Large quantities can affect treatment for cardiac problems. Can make ulcers worse

E

HERB: Echinacea

LATIN NAME: Echinacea purpurea

PLANT PARTS USED: Roots, leaves, stems & flowers

ACTIONS: Immunostimulant, antimicrobial, alterative, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, carminative

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can interact with certain drugs so check with vet before using if on medication

F

HERB: Fennel

LATIN NAME: Foeniculum vulgare

PLANT PARTS USED: Seeds, leaves & roots

ACTIONS: Stomachic, nutritive, anti-bacterial, antispasmodic, carminative, antimicrbial

HERB: Fenugreek

LATIN NAME: Trigonella foenumgraecum

PLANT PART USED: Seeds

ACTIONS: Nutritive, carminative, demulcent, laxative, hypoglycemic, expectorant, galactagogue, helps with anal gland problems, promotes appetite

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Can affect the uptake of certain drugs if taken at the same time. Not suitable during pregnancy. Not suitable for diabetics

G

HERB: Garlic

LATIN NAME: Allium sativum

PLANT PARTS USED: Bulb

ACTIONS: Anti-bacterial, stimulates immune function, anticancer, nutritive, antioxidant, expectorant, lowers blood pressure, antiviral, antifungal, tonic

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not suitable for anaemic animals. Can reduce blood glucose so be careful if using with insulin

HERB: Golden Road

LATIN NAME: Solidago spp

PLANT PART USED: Entire plant

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, diuretic, anticattarrhal, nephritic, anti-inflammatory, antilithic, antibacterial, antifungal

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Not suitable for animals with impaired kidney or cardiovascular function

H

HERB: Hops

LATIN NAME: Humulus lupulus

PLANT PARTS USED: Strobiles

ACTIONS: Sedative,diuretic, stimulates digestion, separation anxiety

HERB: Hyssop

LATIN NAME: Hyssopus officinalis

PLANT PART USED: Aerial parts

ACTIONS: Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, carminative, antispasmodic, sedative

L

HERB: Lemon Balm

LATIN NAME: Melissa officinalis

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Carminative, Nervine, antidepressant, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, hepatic, slows thyroid function

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not suitable for animals with hypothyroid problems

HERB: Liquorice Root

LATIN NAME: Glycyrrhiza plabra

PLANT PART USED: Root

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, adaptogen, antiviral, mild laxative, antiulcerogenic, immunostimulant, reduces itching

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Not suitable during pregnancy and for animals with diabetes, existing cardiovascular problems, kidney & liver disease

M

HERB: Marigold

LATIN NAME: Calendula officinalis

PLANT PARTS USED: Flowers

ACTIONS: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumour, emmenagogue, lymphatic, antispasmodic, cholagogue

HERB: Milk Thistle

LATIN NAME: Silybum marianum

PLANT PART USED: Ripe Seeds

ACTIONS: Hepatic, source of anti-oxidants, demulcent, cholagogue, galactagogue

HERB: Mint

LATIN NAME: Mentha spicata

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Antacid, carminative, antiseptic, astringent, analgesic, antispasmodic, aromatic, anti-emetic, nervine

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can antidote certain homeopathic remedies

N

HERB: Neem

LATIN NAME: Azadirachta indica

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, anthelmintic, astringent, wound healing, immune support, can benefit diabetics

CONTRAINDICATIONS: May enhance the effects of insulin

HERB: Nettle

LATIN NAME: Urtica dioica

PLANT PART USED: Leaves & stems

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, nutritive, hemostatic, anti-diarrhoea

P

HERB: Parsley

LATIN NAME: Petroselinum crispum

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Antispasmodic, carminative, nutritive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not suitable for dogs with kidney disease

HERB: Passion Flower

LATIN NAME: Passiflora incarnata

PLANT PART USED: Flowers

ACTIONS: Mild hypnotic, anodyne, antitussive,sedative, antispasmodic, insomnia

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Can be a uterine stimulant for some

HERB: Peony Petals

LATIN NAME: Peaeonia spp

PLANT PARTS USED: Petals

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, antidepressant, antispasmodic, coagulant

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not suitable is using anticoagulant drugs

HERB: Pumpkin

LATIN NAME: Cucurbita spp

PLANT PART USED: Seeds

ACTIONS: Nutritive, stomachic

HERB: Psyllium

LATIN NAME: Plantago psyllium

PLANT PARTS USED: Seed

ACTIONS: Antibacterial, laxative

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can alter the absorption of certain drugs so check with vet before using with other medication.

R

HERB: Raspberry leaf

LATIN NAME: Rubus idaeus

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves

ACTIONS: Astringent, uterotonic, nutritive, diuretic, laxative, mild sedative

HERB: Rosehips

LATIN NAME: Rosa spp

PLANT PART USED: Hips

ACTIONS: Nutritive, astringent, supports skin & urinary tract, source of vitamin C

S

HERB: Scullcap

LATIN NAME: Scutellaria laterifolia

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves, stems & flowers

ACTIONS: Sedative, anstispasmodic, anticonvulsant, nervine, moderates nerve transmissions, anti-inflammatory, astringent, tonic

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can interact with CNS depressing drugs

HERB: Seaweed

LATIN NAME: Ascophyllum nodosum

PLANT PART USED: Fronds

ACTIONS: Nutritive, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins, minerals & antioxidants, promotes healthy skin and coat condition, good for skin pigmentation and coat colour. Beneficial for oral health, helps to prevent plaque build up

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Not suitable for animals with hypothyroid problems

HERB: Slippery Elm

LATIN NAME: Ulmus fulva

PLANT PARTS USED: Inner Bark

ACTIONS: Demulcent, nutritive, astringent, anti-inflammatory

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Can alter drug absorption so check with vet before using if on medication

HERB: St John’s Wort

LATIN NAME: Hypericum perforatum

PLANT PART USED: Flowers

ACTIONS: Vulnerary, nervine, antiseptic, antiviral, antidepressive, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Can affect the uptake of certain drugs so check with vet prior to use if on medication. Don’t use within 48hrs of general anaesthetic as can strengthen its effects

T

HERB: Thyme

LATIN NAME: Thymus vulgaris

PLANT PARTS USED: Leaves, stems & flowers

ACTIONS: Antimicrobial, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, astringent

HERB: Turmeric

LATIN NAME: Curcuma longa

PLANT PART USED: Roots

ACTIONS: Blood cleansing, anticancer, analgesic, anticoagulant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, stimulant

CONTRAINDICTIONS: Not suitable for dogs with bile duct problems or gall stones

HERB: Vervain

LATIN NAME: Verbena officinalis

PLANT PARTS USED: Aerial parts

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