Coughs & Colds Are Doing The Rounds: How To Combat Them With Herbs

By Jackie Rive at www.brookbyherbs.co.nz 
Helping horses and dogs live healthier and happier lives, naturally.

I've heard a lot horse owners complaining about the coughs and colds that seem to be doing the rounds at the moment (not just the horses either, the owners seem to be suffering as well!) So I have pulled together a brief outline explaining which natural herbs can be used effectively to help combat colds and viruses. I hope you find it of some use in battling those nasties!

Four different categories of herbs are utilised to help combat the common cold.

First, herbs that stimulate the immune system to fight the infection are used during and possibly to prevent colds. Echinacea and Asian ginseng are two examples in this category.

Second, herbs that promote a mild fever, hence sweating (known as diaphoretics) may be useful. Because a fever is a sign of the immune system working, it may be that diaphoretics are also immune stimulators like the first category. Elder, boneset and yarrow are three examples.

The third category includes herbs that may directly kill the viruses that cause colds, based on test tube studies. Goldenseal, myrrh and usnea are examples.

Finally, some herbs are used just to alleviate symptoms such as sore throats. These herbs tend to be high in mucilage and are soothing and anti-inflammatory or have tannins that are astringent. Marshmallow and red raspberry are two examples. Symptom-relieving herbs may have other active constituents and mechanisms of actions. As you can see in the following list, many herbs fit in more than one category, such as goldenseal (immune stimulating and antiviral).

Immune-stimulating:

Asian ginseng, astragalus, boneset, echinacea, eleuthero, goldenseal, hyssop, linden, schisandra, wild indigo.

Diaphoretic:

Boneset, elder flower, hyssop, linden, yarrow.

Symptom-relieving Astringent (soothe sore throat):

Blackberry, blueberry, red raspberry.

Mucilage (soothe sore throat):

Marshmallow, mullein.

Reduce nasal stuffiness:

Eucalyptus, peppermint.

Relieve aches and pains:

Meadowsweet.

Miscellaneous sore throat relief:

Sage, yarrow.

Brookby Herbs have developed natural herbal products to help your animals combat colds and viruses. For horses we offer Echinacea Organic Plus, a natural antibiotic that also boosts the immune system and Breathe Free, a natural expectorant for treating respiratory problems such as viral coughs and colds. It will help to soothe away any irritations and unblock the airways.

Organic Immune Booster for dogs is a certified organic blend of herbs which enhances your dog's general well-being and protects against common dog health problems like kennel cough symptoms.

Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals.

Brookby Herbs Launches in Australia!!

By Jackie Rive at www.brookbyherbs.co.nz 
Helping horses and dogs live healthier and happier lives, naturally.

Brookby Herbs, New Zealand’s leading family owned supplier and manufacturer of natural and organic herbal healthcare products for pets has successfully cracked the Australian market this month.

The range can now be purchased from a number of physical and online outlets throughout Australia, including Horse Supplies Direct in New South Wales and Natural Horse World in Tasmania. An Australian based manufacturer has also been brought on board to produce and distribute the brand’s selection of dry herbal products.

Brookby Herbs founder and Managing Director, Jackie Rive, believes that there is a growing international market for natural herbal healthcare for
pets.

‘As people across the world become more health conscious and increasingly aware of the food and supplement choices they make, they are also turning their attention to the health of their pets,’ explains Jackie. ‘This trend can already be seen in countries such as the United States where, according to a recent industry report released by the Packaged Facts market research company, annual retail sales of organic and natural pet food are expected to grow three times as fast as pet food sales overall through 2015. Pet owners are paying more attention to the feed and healthcare supplements they are giving their dogs, cats and horses and are starting to recognise the benefits a more natural and holistic approach can provide.’

According to Jackie, New Zealand’s clean, green image also gives producers of natural and organic products in this country an advantage.
‘Consumers overseas think of New Zealand and automatically imagine a healthy, pure environment. This perception is ideal for Kiwi pet care brands offering natural and organic alternatives,’ says Jackie. ‘We already have a large customer base in the United States, who purchase through our website and we now have the interest from Australia as well. It is definitely a market that is expanding, despite the global economic slowdown.’

Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals.

Rosehips- A Brilliant Anti-Oxidant Food for Horses.

By Jackie Rive at www.brookbyherbs.co.nz 
Helping horses and dogs live healthier and happier lives, naturally.

Rosa Canina- Dog Rose

Dog Rose is native to Europe and is considered a weed in parts of Australia which is unfortunate as it has such wonderful health giving properties for both ourselves and our horses. The hips of the dog rose were a popular sweetmeat in the Middle Ages. The term sweetmeats usually refers to candy or sweet confections. Doctors in the Middle Ages often concealed bitter medicine in candy form, so that it was more palatable to patients. However, many patients believed that medicine wasn’t working unless it tasted awful.

Constituents: Rosehips contain vitamin C , A, B 1, B 2, B 3 and K, flavonoids, tannins, invert sugar, pectin, plant acids, polyphenols, carotenoids, volatile oil and vanillin.

Rosehips are a fabulous herb or fruit for ensuring great health for both horses and humans. Because of the Rosehips anti-oxidant properties they are a brilliant food for maintaining good health. Research has shown that antioxidants protect the body against certain diseases such as cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases

Antioxidants can protect against free radical cells which can damage tissues and are implicated in causing many diseases. Excessive free radicals are caused by poor nutrition , stress and damaged tissues. Infections will lower your horses vitamin c levels and this can also inhibit the growth and repair of cartilage and bone tissue if it is constantly deficient.

Rosehips have an important role to play in neutralising free radicals therefore they are a wonderful food for keeping your horse healthy and in peak condition. Research has established Rosehips as the highest source of flavonoids and biotin which is great for strengthening horses hooves as well.

Naturally occurring vitamin C has been found to be far more readily absorbed than artificial vitamin c, therefore the benefits of feeding rosehips to horses should be an obvious choice.

Rosehips are a great source of Iron and can be used to rehabilitate weak kidneys .They are also a good tonic for liver based ailments and can help build a barrier against infection.

Rosehips can be made into a tea by mixing 2 dessertspoons of granules into 1 liter of boiling water and steeped until cool. This tea is then poured over your horses feed. For those of you who don’t have time to make your own tea then Brookby Herbs have a Rosehip and Garlic tonic in cider vinegar already made up for you and available through selected stockists.

For a Free on-line herbal guide “37 herbs & remedies for fabulously healthy animals” visit http://www.brookbyherbs.com/

Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals.