Eastern Herbals
Why Eastern Herbals for Pets?
Pet herbs are becoming more popular as a means of treating many pet diseases. From a general perspective, pet herbs all originate from plants, animals, and substances occurring in the natural environment. In fact, many of our western pharmaceuticals originated from plants and herbs.
Broadly, two types of herbal schools of thought exist.
What Are Eastern Herbs?
Eastern herbs are generally organized into formulas containing many individual herbs in varying amounts. Formulas are prescribed after a diagnosis is made from an Eastern exam by a trained veterinarian only.
Using a recommended Eastern formula based on a Western diagnosis doesn’t work and diminishes the value of eastern medicine and the benefit of the herbal itself.
From an Eastern standpoint, herbs move Qi as well as tonify Yin and Yang. For those that don’t know, Yin and Yang are equal yet opposing forces that occur in all naturally occurring phenomena. Yin and Yang provide the basis for prescribing formulas.
For instance, Yin corresponds to nighttime, cold, or resting of the body.
Yang, on the other hand, corresponds to daytime, heat, and activity of the body.
Whenever Yin or Yang changes and loses balance, disease results.
Eastern herbal formulas for pets restore this natural balance.
What Are Western Herbs?
The Western equivalent to Chinese herbs is pharmaceutical drugs, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines. As mentioned before, both Western drugs and Chinese herbs exert effects based on a medical diagnosis.
Lately, though, Western herbs have become popular in the United States.
You can find many western herbs on the internet with claims of miraculous cures. However, don’t confuse western herbs with eastern formulas-two distinct differences exist.
First, western herbs treat symptoms of the disease without a medical diagnosis through the use of a single herb.
Second, eastern herbs treat an Eastern pattern diagnosis and come mixed in formulas for specific patterns.
Learn more about what to expect when giving your pet eastern herbs.
