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Chinese Herbal Therapy
Understanding Chinese Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has been routinely practiced in China for more than 2000 years, incorporating both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Although may people routinely associate Chinese therapies with acupuncture, the truth is that only about 20% of all traditional Chinese medicine patients receive acupuncture alone. The remaining 80% are treated with Chinese herbs or a combination of herbs and acupuncture.
As early as 4000 years ago, the Chinese inscribed words on bones and tortoise shells. Archeologists have found inscriptions for “herbal wine” on ancient bones excavated from the Shang Dynasty (16th to 11th century BC), leading them to believe that the application of herbal wine was the earliest historical use of Chinese herbs.
Today the long standing history and wisdom behind Chinese herbal therapy is being used to prepare herbal remedies using modern methods that best utilize the healing powers in the herbs. Many clinical studies have indicated that Chinese herbal therapy is extremely effective for treating a variety of medical disorders, including gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and behavioral problems.
New clinical evidence shoes that gastric ulcers in horses can be treated to restore health and in some cases, even prevented by utilizing herbal medicine. In cases with geriatric animals that have been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Chinese herbal medicine can often help shrink the tumor when chemotherapy is not an option, and also help increase the quality of life.
Perhaps one of the most appealing things about Chinese herbal medicine is that many problems can actually be prevented. For example, we take vitamins to compensate for specific deficiencies, but Chinese herbal medicine takes into consideration the whole animal and their own unique personality. Some animal personalities are more prone to physical problems which helps in the selection of the appropriate herbal treatment.
Chinese herbs can be effective for many conditions including:
Musculoskeletal conditions: pain management, trauma, arthritis, joint and muscle disorders, tendon and ligament problems, hoof problems
Behavioral problems: separation anxiety, mental stress, fearfulness, out of control behavior episodes
Internal medicine: gastric ulcers, anhidrosis, uveitis, heaves, endocrine dysfunction
Forms of Herbs and Administration
Herbal formulas come as a fine powder that can be top dressed over the grain. While many horses will eat the herbs without a second thought, some picky eaters may need a little assistance. Honey or molasses can be used to conceal the taste and texture of the herbal medicine.
How long does it take the Chinese herbs to work?
This depends on the condition being treated and the overall health of the horse. Some results may be seen in days whereas other conditions may require several weeks to show improvement.
A Word of Caution
Because herbs affect body organs and systems, and can have unwanted side effects if used improperly, you should consider them as drugs and use them with caution. In addition, most herbal preparations sold to the public are not safe due to impurities. The Chinese herbs prescribed by Dr. Reznicek are carefully formulated by Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine veterinarians, and are safe and effective when used as prescribed.
Chinese Herbs as part of Dr. Reznicek’s Treatment Protocol
Dr. Reznicek prescribes Chinese herbal medicines to amplify and prolog the effects of her acupuncture treatments, and to correct underlying imbalances. Dr. Reznicek selects the appropriate Chinese herbal medicine based not only on the clinical condition being treated but also on the underlying disease pattern. She has found Chinese herbal formulations to be particularly helpful for the following clinical conditions:
overall body pain and soreness
arthritis and chronic stiffness
emotional/behavioral problems
hoof problems
anhidrosis
equine recurrent uveitis
chronic respiratory disease such as COPD (heaves)
endocrine disease such as Cushings
gastric ulcers and chronic colic
skin problems
In addition, Chinese herbal medicines may be prescribed for long term treatment as a preventative and certain herbals are formulated to enhance performance.
979-877-5690
Holistic Veterinary Alternatives
7IL Ranch
5389 Mill Creek Rd.
Cat Spring, TX 78933
Home Equine Spinal Manipulative Therapy
Equine Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine
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