Herbs - Hemp

Early January 2010 I was assisting with admitting my Mother to a long-term care facility for her dementia/Alzheimer's way out there in California near one of my brothers'. During a "care planning" meeting, one of the very kind administrators was going over supplements, diet, etc., when she mentioned that Hemp oil is much higher in essential fatty acids (EFA's) than fish oils and she highly recommended it for our Mother. This was important because Mom had been carefully managing her cholesterol for many years and EFA's were an essential part of that regiment. .... Did I freak out when the hemp supplement was mentioned? No...but I was surprised as I had had no knowledge of this product existing or its benefits....legalness, etc.

Over a year later, I'm in an organic market and I run across a big-ol-bag of hemp powder and (to the horror of my friend), I purchased it! Which brought to mind the stigma of "Hemp" and a thriving population who haven't learned that there's a difference in organic hemp and the illegal bastard cousin of the stuff ~ which causes all sorts of interesting expressions.

There's hemp and then there's HEMP. They're all in the same family, but varieties differ in THC levels (that's the magic ingredient) by an order of magnitude. Commercial hemp powders and oils sold in organic markets contain almost no THC. Sure, the THC is its claim to fame, but this plant offers so much more.

Oils rich in EFA's are oily. I find feeding an EFA rich oil kind of dicey when it comes to dogs. I don't want loose stools to be the side effect. In fact, I don't want loose stools at all. Loose stools suggest an allergy, illness, or (in this case) a reduction in nutrient absorption. Traditional EFA oils have that one benefit going for them. Hemp offers a whole lot more: it cleanses the liver by burning fat; it is environmentally friendly being grown without pesticides; while oils contain omega-3 EFA's, hemp contains omega-3 AND omega-6; hemp is also high in protein (37%); it is easy to digest, and hemp is very high in fiber (43%).

I gravitated towards using hemp powders as a supplement when Elvis was diagnosed with diabeties. What woke me up was the commercial "prescription" diabetic diet produced by a famous kibble-making company found in every vets office. Obediently I followed along when the vet told me to switch to this RX diet. I then watched Elvis's blood sugar steadily rise over the following days to my complete and utter confusion and horror. THEN I read the ingredient label. Let this be a lesson.... read the labels! This "RX" kibble lists CORN as it's FIRST ingredient.

Remember what I told you about corn? Corn is a carbohydrate. The body burns it for fuel just like sugar. So, I freaked out a little bit. I donated the remainder of this expensive bag of crap and went back to our former (grain free) kibble. The vet was astonished when I informed her of all that had transpired. The dog food folks had told her that the "corn" was for fiber.
What an utterly crappy way to provide fiber for an animal with a sugar-regulating deficiency!!! I have no respect for the manufacturers of dog foods anymore... read the label. Don't believe their interpretation of the truth**.

Hemp powder is starting to sound pretty good after that! Loads of fiber, Omega-3's and Omega-6's, highly palatable, sugar free and protein rich. I put a large amount in the home brew I prepare every few days.

Now you know. Organic hemp contains no THC (or very little) and offers loads of benefits for you and your fur friends. Most health food stores will carry some variety of hemp supplement to try. I like the powder as it's higher in fiber... which is what Elvis needs.

Interested in the other benefits of organic hemp? Hemp was the plant originally used to make bullet-proof clothing before the invention of "modern" fabrics. Our constitution is written on hemp paper because of it's strength and lasting aspects. Hemp clothing is making a comeback as it's easy to produce and is long wearing. Hemp was the favored choice for marine rope long before synthetics came along. Hemp is natural. Nylon is not. So, some varieties of hemp are used for purposes other than clothing, rope, food supplements and the like.... those varieties are potent in specific areas and illegal in the US.... but, we're not talking about those hemps here. Night and day. Apples and oranges.

**I saw an ad a while back that pointed out that dogs and wolves are 90+% alike so they should be fed alike because that's the right thing to do. ....... Yeah, apes and humans are 99.7% the same but we don't eat the same stuff or look like twins! ......Ads will sell your sense of intelligence short at every opportunity. Use your noodle.

Herb Thyme

If you've ever grown your own herbs, you know exactly where I'm coming from when I say they are hard to beat and very worth your time and effort. Herbs are an important ingredient to every day health and well being. Our domesticated friends are no different. Although I have yet to witness great hoards of dogs converging upon vast corn fields to munch on ears of dried corn, they do forage on greenery. Add some well selected herbs to your dogs diet and you may witness real changes.

Truth about corn
Corn is a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are sugars. There are complex carbs and there are simple carbs. Refined white sugar is a simple carb, which means it is basically pure rocket fuel. Corn is a complex carb, which means the rocket fuel is released more slowly into the body. Corn, of the complex carb world is more "simple" than many of its complex cousins, like sweet potatoe. Sugars cause the glycemic index in the body to spike and then plummet. Instant fuel that is quickly burned off, basically. Complex carbs burn slower and last longer. If your dogs diet consists mainly of ground yellow corn, your dog is getting quick "highs" followed by a dramatic "crash" every time he eats.

Check out the ingredient label on your dogs food. Many of the inexpensive kibbles host corn as the first (most abundant) ingredient item. Think of this like feeding your kids hamburgers smothered in high-fructose corn syrup. Not a healthy way to be, yet many dogs live life this way. Is it any wonder there are more health issues with our canine friends? If we lived off meaty candy bars day in and day out, believe me, we'd be sorta nuts and ill feeling, too.

My recommendation is once you've figured out your dogs food ingredients, consider going lower glycemic. Although the kibble you convert to will be a bit more costly, you will find you won't need to feed as much of it because it's not full of "empty fillers" like corn. Fecal material will be less as well.... and probably gas production. Remember, corn is an inexpensive filler and makes producing the dogs food more economically viable to the company.

Herbs 101

If your dog is pregnant or lactating ~ consult an herbalist for animals before adding any herb to your dogs diet.


Grass isn't your dogs first choice in herbs... it's just easy to obtain and works like Pepto. Natural dried herbs added to their kibble will delight you in their palatability and 2-3 weeks later you'll start noticing improvements in the overall well being as well as a rich luster and feel to their coat.

Dandelions ~ If you have a lawn you probably have Dandelions. A generous amount of steamed dandelion leaves is an easy herb to add that has a nice flavor. It's also good for human consumption but I understand the aversion to eating something you typically mow.

Rosemary is so easy to grow, smells heavenly and is as good for your dogs as it is for you. Rosemary is both an anti-spasmodic, an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory containing salicin, a natural pain killer. It also strengthens heart and liver and stimulates circulation. I gather rosemary along with all the other herbs I steam, cutting them into bits and steaming till tender. I add this to the homebrew I cook... but it can also be kept in the refrigerator and added at each mealtime. ~ Do not give to pregnant or lactating dogs.

Sage is one of my favorites and fresh seems to make the hugest difference over commercially dried varieties. It has astringent and antiseptic properties. Not all sages are safe for doggies, artemisia sages should not be used internally. ~ Do not give to pregnant or lactating dogs.

Garlic - This can be grown or purchased in large containers in "minced" form. Either preserved in water or oil is fine. Dogs benefit from olive oil, same as we do. Garlic is a potent antibiotic, antiseptic and expectorant. Excellent for treating cough and respirator issues, mucus buildup and infections. It also helps repel skin parasites. Best combined with basil, parsley, oregano and thyme. .....I add a generous amount of garlic to my homebrew at the time of cooking. Garlic helps repel parasites. ~ Not for use in dogs under one year of age. May cause diarrhea (discontinue use if it does).

Mint family (including Catnip): all members of the mint family are excellent for soothing digestive disturbances, including gas, colic, indigestion and other internal aches and pains. This is also true for humans: Tums contains aluminum (which has been suggested to play a role in dementia). Historically Catnip was used for indigestion and colic in babies, personally speaking: when we experience tummy upset the sufferer goes outside and picks some catnip and eats that. Catnip his much more effective than it's commercial counterpart ~ and there's no aluminum in it. I add a large amount to my homebrew mixture for the doggies.


Chamomile flowers offer a gentle sedative safe for even young animals. It can be used to help alleviate anxiety, insomnia and indigestion. There have been tests to suggest a reduction in aggressive behavior in animals as well. Also a great choice for flatulence. ~ Do not use on pregnant or lactating animals. Note - some dogs are allergic to Chamomile. Consult an herbalist before use.

How to add herbs:

As a poultice to external areas, brewed to make a tea, dried, steamed.

I add my herbs in two forms: My fresh herbs are minced, steamed (and allowed to cool) and mixed in with their raw diet (what I call "Homebrew"). I retain the water from steaming and add that to the homebrew as well. ... I also purchase prepared dried herbs (specifically formulated for dogs) that are added at the time of feeding according to the manufacturers directions. These dried herbs contain plants I either have no interest in growing, or ones I simply can not find for growing in the garden.

~

Nestle's coat has always been dry and dull with flaky, dry, delicate skin. Recently he showed balding along the top-line of his tail coupled with a dramatic reduction in tail feathering. For a long-haired Dachshund, his coat wasn't looking good at all. His reactive way of being doesn't help matters in that stress effects the entire body.

Nestle began an herbal regiment about 6 weeks ago. It took two weeks for physical signs to emerge. His fur has gone from brittle, washed out and dull to being rich in color with a deep luster and soft, supple feel. His semi-bald tail is beginning to fill in with new growth and I add daily TTouches along his tail to promote blood flow to the area, helping to further stimulate the hair growth.

He's a bit calmer, too. This I can attribute to many things, herbs being an important part of that puzzle. TTouches and ground work finish out the puzzle for a whole dog doing very well in finding his inner calm. It's a process. I'm eager to share any new results once the chamomile blooms and I can add blossoms to his diet.... carefully.

If you're considering herbs for your dog, go for it. When in doubt, consult an herbalist on what to use and how much. For beginners, parsley, catnip, dandelion are safe.

Nestle enjoys his time with Linda Tellington-Jones
founder of TTouch

An "Aha" Moment

I love it when the umbrella of my mind opens and new things rush in. Honestly, I have to process for a while afterwards.

Nestle the Dachshund can be quite the character and he is not without his issues in life. Sometimes his umbrella is closed tightly in self preservation. Yesterday our umbrellas opened together and it was pure magic.

Nestle has issues with food. This has been developing over time despite brief remissions from endless creative techniques to quell and quiet this tyrannical behavior. I'm the one who carries out the feeding ceremony faithfully every day so it's a bit difficult to arrange TTouches when I'm scooping and preparing kibble. But, life found a way (Thank you, Dr. Grant; "Jurassic Park").

I came home with a new bag of dog food and plunked it down beside the storage bin where I would transfer it after attending other more pressing matters. When I came back there stood Elvis (the huge) checking out the wonderful smells of the food bag while Nestle stood perched on his hind legs (front paws on the bag) growling to claim this great find as HIS alone.

Pffft! Was my response in a light-hearted manner. The only way to get over a pissy kibble party was to go ahead and have a kibble party! After depositing the kibble in its storage container, I grabbed up a handful and sat down amongst the dogs and we proceeded to have ourselves a little "kibble party", everyone got a piece of kibble in turn. Nestle began this adventure from the back of his crate, nervous, growly and unsure but watched with great interest as Jazz (his mentor of the canine kind) and Elvis peacefully enjoyed kibble together. His resistance resolved quickly and soon Nestle was with us.

That night the misery that is feeding time was much reduced with a drastic reduction in growling and carrying on. It still occurs, but with repeated "kibble parties" the calm with feeding time continues to blossom and increase.

The Great Dog Food Debate

Ol Roy vs premium dog food (or any "cheap" food vs the premiums). You'd think that feeding grocery store/pet store dog food would much, much cheaper to feed your pet with no doubt nor debate. Open your umbrella and be willing to capture new truths.

Truth is that feeds (like Ol' Roy) contain a LOT of corn and fillers. That's what makes it cheap, there's much less of the ingredients a dog NEEDS to be healthy. Corn is a glycemic, a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are sugars. Sugar is a fuel that spikes the blood sugar followed by a sugar crash. A dog who consumes a high carb diet will need to eat a LOT to fuel the body, because it's not going to be as filling as higher quality, healthier ingredients. Think of eating a plate of cornbread day in and day out vs a hearty steak with a baked sweet potato. The steak will fill you and fuel you much more and for a longer period than the cornbread will. Other misleading ingredients may include an animal "meal".... that means the leftovers of that animal (bone, skin, fat, gristle, etc.)....not the flesh which is what your pet needs. I agree that "meal" is a good thing, but it's not the protein you'd like to believe that it is. It's more like the A1 that ads "oomph" to the steak.

Dogs switching to a higher quality diet will have a few days of adjustment. Pavlov's theory plays a part in that: dogs switching from an 8 cup-a-day diet to less than half that will feel cheated at first. Sugar addiction is the other factor. Soon though, they won't be begging for more and will feel more full, possibly leaving uneaten food in the bowl. That's okay! They aren't living on corn and floor sweepings anymore.

Once the dog has adjusted to the new, higher quality diet the owner may notice a drop in feed costs. Sure, the better food is much more expensive at the cash register, but the dog is eating much less.... which typically produces a significant savings. Don't you wish your gas tank were as easy to fix? .... Another benefit is much, much less fecal waste because the dog is using what he's ingesting rather than having floor sweepings express through his GI to your back yard.

Health benefits are the other effect. A high glycemic diet can well bring on diabetes which is a forever adjustment in diet and care and yes, more expense. Daily insulin injections, specialized diet and regular monitoring. Other effects can be arthritis and an increase in dental issues.

We don't feed our children a diet of candy, so why feed the dog something equally as harmful?
Even if you do feed a quality food, do check the ingredient label. I was shocked to learn that the specialized "diabetic" kibble sold only by a prescribing vet is actually more harmful as it's first ingredient is.... you guessed it: CORN. Even the vet was unaware of the negative effects of corn on a diabetic. Don't blame the vet... blame the pet food manufacturer. A prescription diet that is more harmful than a quality feed from a reputable dealer. Never take a bag of food for granted.

How do you find these higher quality feeds? I did a search on a specific brand and found ("Canidae", "Taste of the Wild", "Evo", etc.) a feed store near me; paid them a visit and received helpful advise, lots of education and made a few new friends to boot. I dare ya, give it a try and enjoy a healthier pet.