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
