Chinese Medicine Basics: Herbal Medicine for Pets
Balance is the goal for all Chinese medicine treatments and herbal formulas. As we go through life, our bodies tend to fall out of balance, and the same is true for our pets. Chinese medicine uses natural therapies to re-establish the body’s healthy balance by nourishing what is weak and reducing what is too strong. While some pets will require surgery, medications, and lab tests to fully heal from their conditions, Chinese herbal medicine can help support them in their healing or be used to preventively against future disease and pain.
Qi
Qi is the energy that gives us life. Consider the exuberance of a young puppy. This dog has abundant qi and as such is more likely to fend off disease and heal more quickly from injury. As pets age or if they become ill, their qi declines and they have less vitality. Chinese herbal supplements can help boost your pet’s natural qi and energy.
Blood
Blood is another key aspect of a healthy pet. Injury, illness, and disease, however, can lead to problems in the blood. Blood may become stagnant and cause pain, it may diminish and cause weakness, or it may be involved with serious conditions like hemangiosarcoma. Chinese medicine uses many natural herbs to improve blood quality and stop bleeding.
Balance
According to Chinese medicine, balance is the secret to health in both pets and humans. Chinese herbal supplements restore the imbalances that cause your pet pain, discomfort, or stress.
The Chinese Medicine Organ Systems and Pets
Like humans, pets have a connected system of organs, channels, and tissues that make up a healthy body. The main organs include the Heart/Pericardium/Small Intestine, Liver/Gallbladder, Spleen/Stomach, Kidney/Bladder, and Lung/Large Intestine. Each organ system includes not just the physical organs, but the associated acupuncture channels, internal connections, sense organ, muscle groups, emotions, and more.
For example, the Kidney system is not simply the Kidney organ, but a channel that runs along the back, knees, and legs, internal connections to other organs, the ears, bones, and the emotion of fear. As such, the Kidney system may be supplemented with herbs to treat varied issues like hearing loss, anxiety, or knee pain!
Our Chinese herbal supplements are formulated with key herbs that work to address the specific organ system imbalances to improve the overall health of your pet.
Common Pet Care Treatments in Chinese Medicine
Holistic veterinary medicine is growing as a natural way for pet owners to take care of their furry family members. Many veterinarians learn veterinary acupuncture to help boost their patient’s health. Acupuncture is commonly used on pets for pain conditions, musculoskeletal issues (like hip dysplasia), skin conditions, anxiety, and other pet problems. Chinese herbal medicine is a natural choice for many vets to ease suffering and strengthen energy in animals.
Chinese Herbal Formulas for Dogs, Cats & Horses
Herbal medicine can easily be formulated for your pet’s specific care needs. Speak with your veterinarian about the possible Chinese herbal supplements and dosing strategies that can help your pet heal. At Best Chinese Medicine, we are happy to provide some commonly used pet care products for both internal and topical use.
Special Chinese Medicine Products for Pets
The following are a few popular herbs and formulas that pet owners love.
Yunnan Baiyao: Yunnan Baiyao is a famous formula used to treat trauma, bleeding, and pain. It has become a popular remedy for pets suffering from bleeding cancers, wounds, or Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in racehorses. Click here to read more about using Yunnan Baiyao for dogs.
Available in capsule form: This product is sixteen 250mg capsules and one red “emergency pill” in a blister pack– a useful form to give to most household pets.
Also available in powder form: This product is Yunnan Baiyao powder (same formula as above), but not encapsulated– a useful form for larger animals and/or topical applications.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tincture: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is easy to incorporate into your pet’s food and can help with back, leg, and hip pain due to arthritis, overuse, or old age.
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan: Ming Mu Di Huang Wan uses Six Flavor Rehmania as its base and then adds herbs that benefit the eyes and clear heat from the Liver channel. It is a specialized Chinese herbal formula dedicated to eye health that can address chronic uveitis, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in pets.
Click here to read more about Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (and the family of formulas to which it belongs) to learn about the beneficial effects that go beyond just benefiting the eyes.
Turkey Tail mushrooms: Turkey Tail mushrooms are good for dogs. They help fight infection, boost liver function, and even combat cancer. Best of all, they are safe and easy to administer. Learn more about turkey tail mushrooms by clicking this link to our blog post on the topic
Turkey Tail Mushrooms– by Real Mushrooms are available as a powder or in capsules.
Shop our Collection of Chinese Herbal Remedies for Pets
Chinese herbal medicine is not just for humans – your pets can also greatly enjoy the health benefits of herbs and supplements! Shop our collection of herbal supplements to enhance the health of your dogs, cats, or horses.
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