Horse Illustrated Magazine

Various conditions respond to herbal treatments. Hilary Self, medical herbalist and director/co-founder of Hilton Herbs, offers some examples:

Hormonal conditions:
Chaste Tree (Vitex Agnus Castus) — hormone balancer
Cramp Bark — smooth muscle relaxant helps reduce cramping

Skin conditions including scratches, rain rot, sweet itch, dermatitis:
Calendula — anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, soothing, healing
Cleavers — supports lymphatic system in cleansing blood toxins
Burdock — cleanses tissues of waste products
Garlic — rich in sulphur, deters flies, antiseptic
Gota Kola — increases renewal of epithelial tissue

Cushing’s disease:
Chaste Tree (Vitex Agnus Castus) — has a similar action to conventional medication such as Pergolide
Bilberry — for improving circulation and helping with damage to nervous system
Goldenrod — for supporting microcirculation of kidneys

Stress related problems:
Valerian — strengthens and restores the nervous system
Scullcap — for anxiety, fitting, hysteria
Meadowsweet — for hyperacidity in the gut often brought on by stress, specific for ulceration

Arthritis, rheumatism, laminitis, navicular and general mobility:
Dandelion Root — liver support
Dandelion Leaf — cleansing, diuretic to help clear blood toxins
Devil’s Claw — anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Willow — anti-inflammatory
Cleavers — lymphatic cleanser
Ginkgo — circulatory stimulant
Prickly ash – for improving circulation to the extremities

Problems associated with old age:
Milk Thistle — liver
Rosemary — rheumatism
Marshmallow — soothing and healing to digestion
Slippery Elm — diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel
Dandelion Root — liver

Respiratory conditions such as dust allergies, allergic rhinitis, coughs, runny nose:
Garlic — expectorant
Thyme — antiseptic
Licorice — expectorant, soothing healing
Elecampane — expectorant, antibacterial
Plantain — refrigerant, reduces mucous production
Echinacea — immune support particularly for upper respiratory tract problems

Lowered immunity and viral infections:
Echinacea — strengthens and supports immune response, antiviral
Calendula — antiviral, antibacterial

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