Our Ingredients
This page lists some of the herbs used in our canine health products, describing some of their uses and some of their history. It makes no medicinal claims for products manufactured by SP Equine Health and Herbal.
DEVILS CLAW ROOT
(Harpagophtum procumbens)
The Devil's Claw plant grows in Southern and Eastern Africa, and has been credited with having great success in dealing with many illnesses, particularly with arthritis and artero sclerosis.
It has been shown that the diuretic effect of Devil's Claw has a relieving effect on the heart; it has a revitalising effect on the muscles and joints in cases of rheumatism and arthritis urica. It also has a favourable effect on chronic inflammations of the urinary tract, of the mucous membrane, the digestive system (particularly the stomach) as well as beneficially influencing the liver and gall. Devil's Claw does not contain any toxic substances, and is totally beneficial to the whole body system.
It has been noted that the healing process is speeded up if, during treatment, generous quantities of Vitamin C are given. It is known that sufferers of very irritating skin conditions have also effectively applied Devil's Claw tea directly to the area of inflamed skin. Reports suggest that this method of application relieves the irritation within 24 hours and sets up the healing process.
Devil’s Claw has been clinically tested particularly in Germany, where the plant has achieved particular fame.
Learn more about clinical testing of Devil's Claw.
TEA TREE OIL
(Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea Tree Oil is a broad spectrum antiseptic and a very effective biocide against bacteria, fungi and insects. Generally, essential oils are volatile oils extracted from the leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, stems or barks of plants, and reflect the fragrance or aromatic constituents of the plant.
Tea Tree Oil is an essential oil distilled [steam distillation process] from the leaves of the paperbark tree species Melaleuca alternifolia. The tree is indigenous to the moist, sub-tropical coast of north eastern New South Wales and south east Queensland in Australia, and has evolved its own natural defences against disease and its own natural ability to repel insects
It is important to note that the Tea Tree Oil referred to here, is the species Melaleuca alternifolia, and NOT any other species of Melaleuca which are being marketed, incorrectly, as genuine Tea Tree Oil.
Learn more about how Tea Tree Oil works.
CHASTE TREE BERRIES
(agnus castus), Chaste Berry, Monks Pepper
This is another herb which has been used for centuries. Traditionally, it has been used to help regulate the hormone cycle in females (in medieval times it was used to decrease the monk’s interest in the opposite sex!)
In both bitches and mares it is used to help cope with unsociable behaviour at the times of the season - the ‘moody mare’ syndrome. In bitches it is also used to help control false pregnancies. It can also help to increase milk production and generally aid lactation.
There is a reference in Homer’s The Iliad to chaste tree berries as a symbol of chastity and for warding off evil spirits. The ancient Greeks used them to stop haemorrhages after childbirth.
Learn more about how Chaste Tree Berries work.
VALERIAN ROOT
(Valeriana officinalis), Phu, All-Heal, Capon’s Tail
Valerian has been used to promote sleep and was used to calm nerves and stress by victims of air raids in the Second World War.
It is described as being a calmative, antispasmodic and sedative, although it doesn’t have a tranquilising effect.
The Roman botanist Dioscorides, who was a surgeon in the Legions of Emperor Nero, wrote De Materia Medica, a five volume book widely regarded as being the most influential herbal book in history and as the influence of modern pharmacopeias. Here he describes Valerian as being aromatic and diuretic. Galen, another Roman botanist gave it the name Phu as a reference to its distinctive and sometimes offensive smell.
John Henslow, a professor at Cambridge University and mentor to Charles Darwin, discovered a 15th century writing that describes using Valerian to stop men fighting. It is also mentioned in Micheal Draytons Polyolbion as being used in a tea for cramps.
In 1592, Fabius Calumna claimed to have cured himself of epilepsy by using Valerian. It has an effect like Catnip with cats and in mediaeval times was used in the Great Plague to attract and trap rats, it has also been suggested that The Pied Piper covered himself in Valerian to lure the rats from Hamelin!
ECHINACEA
(Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea), Black Sampson
Echinacea has deservedly been described as one of the ‘wonder-herbs’. It is antibacterial and antiviral. One of the most important actions is its ability to stimulate the immune system. This has been proven in many tests, both in vivo and in vitro. Certain constituents cause an increase in the secretion of free radicals and interleukin I, possibly explaining its activity against infections and in some antitumour systems. It has also been shown to interfere with bacterial activity, localising the infection and stopping it spreading
Originally found in North America, it was used by the native Indians to treat respiratory infections, snake bites, colds, eye infections and was used by the first European settlers to treat saddle sore on horses. The Swedish botanist Linnaeus gave it the name Echinacea.
RASPBERRY LEAF
(Rubusidaeus L.)
Raspberry Leaf has been used for centuries to facilitate birth. It is usually drunk as a tea throughout pregnancy for maximum benefit.
Extracts of Raspberry Leaf appears to affect only the pregnant uterus, with no activity on the non-pregnant uterus.
It has been shown to have a strong uterine relaxant effect, which has been demonstrated on animals on many occasions (Henning.W “Lebers. Unter. Forsch”, Bamford “British Journal of Pharmacology”, Becket “Brit. Journal Pharma.”)
FENUGREEK
(Trigonella Foenum-graecum), Birds Foot, Greek Hay-seed
Fenugreek has been used for a number of reasons; it was regarded in high esteem for medicinal and culinary purposes by the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome.
The Egyptians used it as one of the many spices used in their embalming techniques, and the Greeks used it to flavour cattle food (hence Greek Hay-seed) It has been used for settling stomach upsets and even for diabetes. More recently, scientists have discovered that it contains chemicals that are similar to the female sex hormone estrogen; lack of this hormone can lead to menopausal problems so the addition of Fenugreek to the diet could alleviate these symptoms.
It also contains substances that increase appetite by working on the nervous system.
GARLIC
(Allium Sativum), Poor Man’s Treacle
Here is an herb that everyone has heard of. In the war the Garlic juice diluted with water was used to treat wounds when medicines were scarce.
It was first written about some 4000 years ago, it was a form of currency in Egypt in 2500 BC, and about 6 Kg could get you a healthy slave! Homer’s Odysseus used it to prevent him being turned into a pig and escape the fate of his crew.
In 1722 Marseilles was suffering from a terrible plague, Garlic was the main ingredient in “Four Thieves Vinegar” which was used as excellent protection from the plague carrying fleas.
ELDERBERRIES
(Sambucus nigra), Black Elder, Pipe Tree
Elderberries were used by the Romans as a hair dye; they boiled the berries in wine and washed the head in this mixture which turned the hair black.
It has been used in countries that have harsh winters (i.e. Russia) to help ward off colds and as a treatment for colds, also to add pigment and colour where a lack of sunlight causes colour to fade, for example “snow nose” or “winter nose”.
HAWTHORN
(Crataegus oxyacantha), May Blossom, Whitethorn, Ladies’ Meat
In the middle ages Hawthorn was used as a heart tonic, it is good for high blood pressure as it lowers blood pressure and good for the blood circulation in general.
Hawthorn was said to be a sacred plant as Jesus wore it on the Crown of Thorns, and there is a country superstition that says the flowers of the plant still smell of the Great Plague.
