Ginseng—Panax quinquefolium
Goldenrod—Solidago virgaurea
Gotu Kola Root—Centella asiatica
Hawthorn Berry—Crataegus laevigata (Crataegus oxycantha)
Hawthorn berry stimulates blood flow, acts as a heart tonic and helps blood flow to the limbs. For this reason it is recommended for a recovering laminitic or a navicular horse.
Kudzu Root—Pueraria lobata, Pueraria montana lobata, Peurarium lobata, and kuzu.
Lavender—Lavendula species
Licorice Root— Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice reduces stomach secretions and protects mucosal linings. Therefore, it is used for gastric ulcerations and inflammation. Part of the Tummy Tonic Potion.
Marshmallow Root—Mallow sp.
This herb is another of the ingredients in the Tummy Tonic Potion. The root of this herb has wonderful demulcent and emollient properties.
Meadowsweet—Spiraea ulmaria
Milk Thistle—Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. Or Carduus marianus L.
St. Mary's thistle or milk thistle supports liver function. It is often given to a horse coming off high doses of antibiotics or one debilitated by a heavy worm infestation. It is also used for horses with compromised immunity. Claire gave this herb to Tamera her cushings/IR mare and to Lady her grey mare because of her melanomas. I also give this to my cushings/IR gelding Teage. This is an herb that should be fed long-term. It has potent liver protective properties but must be fed for 3 months before any benefits are gained.
Nettle—Urtica galeopsifolia
Parsley– Carum petroselinum
Peppermint—Mentha piperita
In Spanish it is called "Hierbabuena" which means good herb and... so it is. I have some growing outside by my water spicket. I often cut some and add to the horses' lunch buckets...they love it. Mentha Piperita stimulates digestion and fortifies the stomach and the nervous system. It is also useful for treating colds because it promotes expectoration. Mint also reduces intestinal gas and alleviates vomiting and nausea. It also regulates menstruation and relieves menstrual cramps. It is good for heart palpitations and soothing nerves. The plant eliminates bad breath and keeps flies, fleas and other insects away. Peppermint tea helps inhibit the absorption of iron. Peppermint oil sprinkled on a cotton ball also helps keep mice and rats out of the tack/feed room.
Red Clover– Trifolium pratense
Red Raspberry leaves– Rubus idaeus
Rosehips
Slippery Elm Bark—Ulmus fulva
This is a most valuable herb for gastro-intestinal issues and has been used in that capacity for years. It not only has a most soothing and healing action on all the parts it comes in contact with, but when made into gruel forms a wholesome and sustaining food for infants and invalids. It forms the basis of many patent foods. Of course, it is an ingredient in my Tummy Tonic Potion.
Spearmint-Mentha viridis
Thyme-Thymus vulgaris
Valerian-Valeriana officinalis
White Willow Bark—Salix Alba – was the original aspirin.
Beware of poisonous plants & herbs:
The following is my list of herbs/plants that should not be fed to horses:
Black Walnut, St. John's Wort, Castor bean, mistletoe, milkweed, rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, oleander, yellow star thistle, fiddleneck, bracken fern, locoweed, jimsonweed, tree tobacco, sudan grass, foxglove, lantana, horsetail.
For a more complete list visit the following sites:
http://www.manesandtailsorganization.org/toxic.html
http://meadowherbs.com/toxic.htm
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/
http://ohioline.osu.edu/b762/b762_24.html
http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/poisonousPlants.html
http://southcampus.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/trees-plants.mht
References:
Most of the information on the herbs on this page link up to Botanical.com (A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve)
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html
