What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Chinese Herbal Medicines would more appropriately be called Chinese Medicinals, as they contain not only plant material, but also minerals and animal parts. Over the last several years, alternatives to endangered species used in medicinals have been found and animals that are utilized in formulas are now farm-raised. In addition, many animal products have been replaced with herbal or mineral products in classical formulas. Chinese Herbal medicine remedies are composed of formulas which call for specific percentages of substances within the formula. They are available in several forms, but herbal medicine for pets is given mostly as powder, capsules or teapills. They are usually mixed in with food, but can be given orally as well.

How should I use herbal medicine for my pet?

Chinese medicinals for pets are used along with or in place of western medications to help prevent a disease from becoming more serious, as well as to treat and cure disease. Because they are naturally occurring materials, they are well assimilated by the body. Side effects are generally limited to gastrointestinal effects – vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. The dosage used to start the medications is generally half of normal for a few days to make sure your pet will tolerate it well, and then increased to full strength.  Herbal therapy for pets allows the body to heal at a much faster rate than acupuncture alone, and helps reduce the need for more frequent acupuncture sessions. For pets who cannot tolerate acupuncture, herbs are often very efficacious by themselves. In young healthy animals, the herbals are designed to be given for a short period of time. In older animals, or animals with chronic health issues, once the condition has improved, a lower dosage may be utilized to maintain health. In many cases there are Chinese herbal combinations to treat conditions where no conventional drug western exists. Most Chinese medicinals can be used alongside western medications, safely and effectively.