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.

Herbs - Chamomile

I have been patiently waiting for my chamomile plants to bloom so I can give it a try on the critters.... but those blooms are being evasive even though the plants are growing and spreading nicely. During my impatient wait, I gravitated towards commercial chamomile tea! Fresh is always best and more potent... but commercial tea is worth a try and quite effective.

Chamomile is very mild and gentle, even safe for use in puppies and yes, I've used it on the cat and kitten. It is served as a tincture... which basically means "tea". How do you get your pets to sit nicely and sip tea?... LOL (love that image!) .... we pour it on their food. No pinky finger extension necessary.

Chamomile has many wonderful uses in addition to its sedative qualities. It is helpful for expelling worms; antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, pain reliever and also helps relieve anxiety and insomnia. Useful for gas, indigestion and vomiting as well. I most appreciate the qualities of chamomile for its calming effects, tummy tamer and help in keeping those internal areas parasite and pain free.

To prepare I use a lidded glass jar that'll handle boiling water (one with a sealing lid is best that goes "pop!" as it cools). Depending on the size of the jar, add 1-3 bags of chamomile tea, pour boiling water over it, lid it and let steep till cool enough to refrigerate. I don't remove the tea bags. What I look for is a nice medium to dark amber color. If it's too light shake vigorously and see if that darkens the tea, otherwise reheat and add another tea bag. I like the sealing lids because I can let my jar sit on the counter a long time to cool and steep without any worries, but that's just me.

At meal times I pour the chamomile tea over their food enough to just wet it and mix in. Nestle's 14.5 pound self gets about 1/4 cup per day spit into two feedings. Jazz (24 pounds) gets about the same. Elvis the huge (130 pounds) gets about 1 cup per day, total. His tea is diluted with regular water for wetting his food (he likes it really wet!).

Why does Nestle get a larger portion relative to his size? Have you met this dog? ... LOL ... Nestle has more nervous issues than the other two by an order of magnitude. Anything that can assist this little guy in feeling more centered and calm in life is a gift. Elvis gets so much less because I'm aiming more at the healing, anti-microbial, pain relieving qualities for him with his diabetes. Same for Jazz.

Within days of adding chamomile tea to meals, my husband noted (more than once) how calm and content everyone seemed to be... most especially Nestle. His new calm makes receiving TTouches during stress much more effective as that impenetrable edge is not so impenetrable!

Chamomile can also be given topically to irritated skin by steeping flowers (or a tea bag), letting cool to a comfortable temperature then applying as a compress (soaked towel) to the affected area.

NOTE**
Some dogs may be allergic to the plant. Check for sensitivity first.
Do not give to pregnant or lactating bitches.

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

Nearly Time for Session 3

Oh, my goodness..... come the weekend, I'll be in my third TTACT (Tellington Touch Animal Companion Training) session!!! This session is being taught by Linda Tellington-Jones, the founder of the TTouch method. I can't convey how delighted I am! Last June when I was considering getting my feet wet in this whole TTouch thing, I attended a one-day seminar taught by Linda with my nutty Doxie, Nestle, in tow. So, I'm thrilled to be experiencing a whole training session with her. This will also put me officially at the "half way!" point of my training.

Linda, I'm told, goes more into theory and research behind the TTouches. This thrills me no end because learning the TTouch is a big part of what it's all about, but for me, knowing what's behind it is equally important to the whole picture. When I first learned of TTouch and read up on it, I was intrigued by the statement, "[d]on't need knowledge of anatomy to be successful". I immediately asked myself, "why?" and dove into that whole realm. Knowing that Linda will go into it in more depth, is a great thing for me and an essential part of what I do.... okay, what I'm LEARNING to do. LOL

Looking forward - I'll have 4 months to spend on case studies between session 3 and 4 and I'm very much looking forward to a good long stretch of time to expand myself, my craft and to help a bunch of deserving companion animals. Meeting new critters and their people is so much fun!
Case Studies
I am so thrilled - I've been contacted by an area obedience instructor who is interested in being a case study and sending out her students to me as well! This means a plethora of case studies for me and (hopefully) an end to my constant begging. LOL Back in the old days, students submitted FIFTEEN case studies per session, now it's five. I was worried about getting my minimum of 15 total during my training. Me hopes that worry is dead in the water.

Case Study @ Home
I met a new client over the weekend who was the first to come out to my home for a session. This went amazingly well! I have issues with my home only because of petty vanity.... the garbage pile that still needs hauling off to the landfill and a house that's well.... eclectic and old. But then, I am eclectic and old... so I have learned to accept this feature. LOL

The driveway is heavily shaded and that's where we worked. It was great! I loved having my playground equipment all set up and ready to roll when doggie and human arrived. Alice (the dog) has occasional issues with strange dogs and occasional insecurity. We worked on several TTouches to help her relax and walked through the labyrinth, ladder, etc., with ease. Alice later worked very well along with Jazz and then later with Jazz and Nestle. It was so nice to have "stranger doggies" handy without them having to hang in the car till their time to work.

I honestly had concerns about working at home, but this was so great that now I know my intuition was right. This is a special place to travel to and work with our fur friends. We live on the lake, on the main channel and I know this is special as I enjoy it daily and I love to share this gift with others. Someday I'll have the gardens & yard done to where even my petty-vanity can't get in the way. LOL .... so if you ever wander to my neck o' the woods...kindly forgive the mess. I'll feel better. LOL

Herbs
After scouring my local nurseries and studying up specifically on herbs for doggies, I've made an online order for those "hard to get" plants. What really excites me is an herb coming in that was historically used for sinus congestion. It occurs to me that such an "allergy" response in dogs is pretty much ignored, unless you really like giving antibiotics for sinus trouble. I like to avoid the whole antibiotic trip if at all possible as I feel this mode of healing is over used and not kind to the body in the long run..... human and animal alike. I like to reserve antibiotics as a last resort.

So, stay tuned. Nestle has minor sinus issues with "reverse sneezing" (as it's called.... it's really just inward snorting to clear nasal passages); I'm looking forward to seeing if this herb will offer some relief. IF so, I may end up working on herbal mixes for clients. How fun is that?! I'm learning all about drying, tinctures, etc.

Plants and animals.... my two favorite things on this earth.

Nestle - master gardening assistant, in charge of sticks.