Herbs of North America for Equine and Human Health

Many common ailments that occur in the management of equids can be alleviated through the administration of natural products. These remedies typically have fewer side effects and higher acceptance level than more conventionally prepared drugs. North America is a vast and diverse landmass with highly variable ecosystems and environments. This allows for a high diversity of organisms throughout the continent. Many of the plants that are available to foragers in North America have various medicinal properties, from highly effective remedies to those that simply help alleviate symptoms.

Today we will look at the medicinal properties of common garden plants and native herbs that grow in North America. Some common frustrations of horse caretakers are skin conditions, intestinal irritations, respiratory difficulty, and discomfort when females are experiencing pregnancy or estrous. The plants we discuss have properties that may help alleviate these conditions.

OREGANO, BASIL, MARJORAM, and THYMEMost plants in the genera Origanum and Thymus contain oils called carvacrol and thymol. These chemicals have been found to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. Essential oil of oregano has a very low toxicity for horses and most other animals.

Antimicrobial- Carvacrol has been shown to have antibiotic effects on several bacteria, ranging from common E-Coli to the equally dangerous bacteria Pseudomonas. It works by damaging the cellular wall/cytoplasmic membrane and inhibiting cellular reproduction in these bacteria. The essential oil also has shown effectiveness against drug-resistant strains of bacteria, giving scientists hope to use this derivative against MERSA and related pathogens which have previously required broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Antifungal- Thymol and Cervacol have both been shown to be toxic to some plants and most fungi. A study by Atatürk University in Turkey suggests that these toxic effects may be useful as fungicides, herbicides, and possibly as insecticides. Carvacol works to inhibit the growth and reproductive capabilities of the fungus it was introduced to. The study in turkey found that carvacol was more effective in controlling phytopathogenic fungi than commercially available fungicides.

Antioxidant- Thymol has been shown to have a high antioxidant effect when introduced to oxidizing lipids. This effect of oregano oil has not been researched in depth, so the implications of oregano oils as antioxidants are unknown. However, medical science is very interested in researching the uses of these chemicals.

Administration- The most useful applications of these plants are in the form of oils and fresh leaves. If using fresh leaves, they can be macerated or chopped to make a rough paste, and applied topically similar to a poultice for skin conditions. Alternatively, the whole leaves can be ingested orally as an aid for worming, bacterial infection, and possibly even viral infection. If oil is used, several drops under the tongue or between lips and gums will be effective for internal use. Topically, oils can either be dropped directly onto the skin condition or a gauze pad can be saturated with the oil and bandaged on top of the condition. This last application is also helpful in cases of ringworm in humans.

Collection and preparation- The most useful parts of the plant are the leaves, but collecting depends upon the intended form of the final product. If drying or using fresh plants, the leaves are all than need to be harvested. If the intent is to distill oil, the whole plant may be harvested, sans roots.

FENNEL

Antispasmodic- Fennel has been widely studied as an antispasmodic used for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation in humans). It acts on smooth muscle, particularly on the respiratory system and digestive tract. This allows the bronchial passages to open and promote air exchange.

Expectorant- Fennel oils and juices containing trans-anethole and other chemicals act to increase the output of respiratory tract fluid by interacting with the mucosal linings and the smooth muscle of bronchial tissues. This allows for the expulsion of excess mucous and other debris from the respiratory tract.

Anti-Inflammatory- The anti-inflammatory effects of fennel are largely linked to it’s antispasmodic effects. Anethole has been shown to reduce inflammation levels in intestinal tissue as well as respiratory tissue. This is possibly due to its strong effects on smooth muscle. In both the respiratory and digestive tracts, the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects of anethole lessen constriction on these spaces and allow for increased activity.

Administration- The flavor of fennel is typically highly desirable to horses, leading them to want to eat too much of the raw plant. (Eating too much may induce a type of anesthesia, but is not highly toxic) Feeding the whole plant raw or the seeds in food can be highly effective. Brewing the seeds and leaves into tea can also be useful.

Collection and Preparation- Typically the seeds are easily harvested and dried for further use, however the leaves and stalks are also easy to dry and store for later. The large basal leaves that form a tasty addition to salads can be fed raw to most animals with good effect; this large, moist, part of the plant is difficult to dry, however.

RASPBERRYUterine Tonic- the chemical fragrine acts to tone musculature and facilitate more efficient muscle contractions. Unfortunately these effects have not been studied in humans or horses specifically, but other laboratory animals have shown very positive effects. Having increased muscle tone can make carrying a pregnancy more comfortable, and everyday uterine activities more healthful. It has also been shown that the tonic effects of raspberry can limit complications such as early or late parturition, and post-partum hemorrhage.

Antispasmodic- In 1941, fragrine was isolated as a uterine antispasmodic. It has been shown to have muscle relaxant effects in guinea pigs, particularly in the GI tract. This can aid in the reduction of intestinal distress and nausea, as well as limiting pre-parturition contractions.

Nutrition- Raspberry fruit and leaves provide many minerals and nutrients that are necessary for developing fetuses, regardless of species. Calcium, magnesium, and iron are all very important to pregnancy and estrous, as both preparing the body for pregnancy and carrying a fetus require large amounts of iron and calcium, while magnesium aids in the formation of bones and electrolyte balance. Magnesium and calcium balance one another when muscles contract and relax.

Administration- Both the fruit and leaves are useful fresh and dried. The fruit is highly palatable, and can be given both as treats and in the food. The fresh or dried leaves can be given in a similar manner, or brewed into tea. Raspberry tea can be given simply in a bucket, or soaked into a grain-style meal.

Collection and Preservation- Berries should be collected without the attached stems, which have thorns on them. This is easily done by gently pulling the ripe berries off of the plant. Berries can be given fresh or dehydrated for storage. Leaves should be trimmed to avoid bruising them, and either given immediately or dried for future use.

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http://www.thepracticalherbalist.com