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Unfortunately, veterinarians are seeing many pets, especially dogs, with various forms of heart disease. The commonly used drugs are digitalis, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics. These medications bring with them a long list of unpleasant side effects. Wouldn't it be nice to have an alternative naturally derived substance that can provide cardiac support without the toxic effects? Hawthorn may be the answer for many. Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) is a herb with a long history of use as a cardiac tonic. Modern research is verifying its actions and safety. Hawthorn is a common European shrub with thorny branches and white flowers. It produces berries that have been used in jelly and tea. Researchers have identified many healthful substances in the berries, leaves and flowers. One group of compounds that has been identified is a number of flavonoids. These pigment substances make the heart a more efficient pump. Flavonoids accomplish this by several mechanisms. They increase blood supply to the heart muscle and decrease blood vessel resistance thereby reducing the heart's workload. The end result is better oxygenation of the heart tissue and the rest of the body, as well. Some of the flavonoids work like digitalis to stabilize the heart's rhythm. Hawthorn can also have a calming effect on the nervous system which can also improve cardiac function. Some flavonoids work like calcium channel blockers to regulate intracellular calcium levels. Another group of compounds that has been found in high levels in Hawthorn is called oligomeric proanthocyanadins (or OPC's for short). OPC's have potent anti - oxidant activity and are probably responsible for the fact that in people if a heart attack does occur, the damage to the heart muscle is much less in those who use hawthorne. Hawthorn berries are also high in B - vitamins and other important nutrients.		Here is a summary of Hawthorn's actions on the heart and circulatory system 1) Dilates the blood vessels, especially the coronary vessels, reducing peripheral resistance to blood flow thereby increasing circulation to tissues. 2) Hawthorne contains substances that protect heart cells. Medical studies have established that when hawthorne is present the heart muscle can survive on less blood and oxygen. 3) The flavonoids in Hawthorn work to increase oxygen utilization by the heart. There are some other factors to bear in mind. Hawthorn's action is not immediate. It usually develops slowly. It may increase the action of digitalis. It is not going to cure heart disease. How do I recommend it be used? I generally recommend a product that contains a mixture of berries, leaves and flowers. If a pet has been diagnosed with heart disease but is not showing symptoms or has early signs of heart failure and is not on medication, you can try a course of Hawthorn (4-6 weeks) and see if there is any response. If a pet is already in moderate to severe heart failure or is on conventional medications, consult with a knowledgeable practitioner before starting Hawthorn. In any of the above situations, I recommend working with a holistic practitioner to determine whether the condition is curable before resigning oneself to symptomatic treatment only. Russell Swift, DVM is a holistic veterinarian with a housecall practice spanning most of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. For more information on natural pet care including nutrition, herbs and homeopathy, call Dr. Swift at 877-BE WELL 2.
Many people ask if herbs are safe. As herb usage has increased in recent years, so have dire warnings, about the "dangers" of using herbal remedies. Various magazine and newspaper articles warn us that we can do "serious harm" to ourselves by using these "unsafe" and "unproved" remedies. It appears that this is because the FDA is proposing new rulers to tighten restrictions on the herb and supplement market. They are facing a great deal of opposition from consumers of these products who do not want to see some of their favorite supplements taken off the market. Hence, the FDA and other "orthodox" establishments appear to be conducting a publicity campaign to gain support for their proposals. Furthermore, they seem to be conducting a "witch hunt," searching for evidence that herbs and supplements are dangerous so they can convince the public of the necessity of these regulations. There have been numerous FDA "raids" in the past year searching for "unproved drugs" that are in reality simply food supplements. These dangers are highly exaggerated. It is far more dangerous to rely on drug medications than it is to use herbs or supplements. In fact, more harm probably will come to people from their "junk" food than will ever come from their use of herbs. It is not my intent to say that all plants are completely safe. After all, there are poisonous plants. It is not my intent suggest that some herbs do not require caution and prudence in their use. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule. When asked if animal testing of drugs and chemical safety could be applied to humans, one scientific wit replied, "If they confirm my opinions, I believe them. If not, I don't." "Herbs have been victimized by a scientific double standard," says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council in Austin, Texas, which promotes healing-herb research. "When animal studies show therapeutic value, many scientists say you can't apply the results to humans. But when even a single mouse suffers harm from any dose of a medicinal herb, these same scientists are up in arms, saying no one should use the herb." Life is inherently risky. Nothing is absolutely safe. Is chicken safe? Every year several Americans choke to death on chicken bones, and according to recent estimates, many thousands develop food poisoning, because chicken may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Yet, most people wouldn't hesitate to call chicken safe. Are automobiles safe? Almost 50,000 Americans die each year in car wrecks, yet just about everyone believes the automobile's benefits outweigh its risks. In 1993, there were between 180,000 and 190,000 deaths from prescription drugs, yet no one hesitates to use them. During the same period, there were zero deaths from herbs. So you can relax, continue taking herbal supplements, and continue feeling great! There are several herbs that I just wouldn't give up. Cats, particularly the Persians, fight two "Big Fs" --fungus and fleas. We have read that a cat that has a compromised immune system will break with fungus and that one with a strong immune system will be resistant. Therefore, I regularly put Echinacea or parthenium is a less expensive herb that serves the same purpose. I open the capsules and sprinkle into the food--no complaints from the gang and much healthier cats as a result.		When you see the dreaded "FUNGUS," don't despair. Black walnut does the trick naturally without all those dangerous drugs. You can put the extract directly on the lesion plus give some of the extract internally. In about ten days, you will see fur growing back. Black walnut has another added benefit in that it will parasite. So rather than resort to drugs to worm kittens, you can use black walnut. If you have a suspect carrier, you can give her capsule a day for several months. The other big "F," FLEAS, seem to be getting stronger as the season go by. We are probably creating mutant strains with the chemicals that many people use. We live in the woods and have two Samoyeds, so I wage a constant battle and refuse to give in to chemicals. First of all, the books say that fleas don't care to live on a healthy animal. So back to the Echinacea or parthenium. They also hate garlic, so add garlic to their food. (Once you have your cats on garlic, they'll eat anything in their food and only taste the garlic.) Brewer's yeast is another deterrent. They just hate those health foods in the cat's blood! What I personally use is tea tree oil. Every bath my cats get has tea tree oil in the shampoo. Into an 8-oz bottle shampoo, I put about 15 drops. This will kill fleas on contact and it's tearless. I also mix tea tree oil and water and mist the carpets and all areas where the cats go, including the litter boxes. Another of my personal favorites in slippery elm. Have you ever had a cat that has developed a case of "Hershey Squirts"? Well, we did. Several days later, all of our cats were in agony. I made a pan of slippery elm tea, and put it in their water dishes. They drank it! It stopped the diarrhea immediately. Slippery elm regulates the gastrointestinal system, so it also takes care of constipation. When you are weaning kittens, do you sometimes get little "messy butts" from the transition from sterile mother's milk to bacteria-laden food? We did--before the days of slippery elm. I just open a capsule and sprinkle the contents in their weaning formula. They love the flavor and there are no more "messy butts" to clean. Whenever we leave home, with or without cats, slippery elm is the first herb. It also takes care of upset stomach, gas, hiatal hernia (must drink it in tea form for this to coat the esophagus), heartburn, or anything else in the gastrointestinal system. Slippery elm is also highly nutritious so when the cats are dehydrated from the diarrhea, you are giving them sometimes that is nourishing them. It draws out impurities and heals all parts of the body. It is an excellent remedy for the respiratory system. It has the ability to remove mucus with stronger force than other herbs. Rumor has it that George Washington's troops survived the winter at Valley Forge on slippery elm! If any of you have questions that you would like to have me answer, please feel free to either call (1-800-887-4372) or write to me at Up With Herbs, 965 So. Saginaw Rd. Middland, MI 48640. Don't forget, I live in Michigan, so remember the time changes when you call. My hours are 10:00 until 6:00. I love talking to you, so don't hesitate to call. Until the next issue--have a naturally healthy pet!