Herbalism - Safe Practice
1. Patch Test
If the remedy is a liquid simply rub on a patch of bear skin; dry powders will need to mixed with a little oil or water and then applied to the skin. Wait 24hrs-48hrs and then assess for signs of irritation such as redness, itchy skin, swelling. If there are no signs of an adverse reaction in 24-48 hrs you can use the remedy.
2. Starting Dosage - always begin with a starting dose smaller than the recommended dosage and build gradually each day. For example, give a â…“ of the recommended amount to test, if no adverse reaction then increase by a third each day until you are at the recommended dosage.
3. Moderation & Respect - It is recommended that you always give the least amount for the alleviation of symptoms. Textbook dosages are wide - you may need less or more. If any negative reactions occur reduce dosages or stop and contact me. Dogs may need remedies for longer or shorter periods than stated.
4. Be Methodical -introduce a single remedy or food at a time so that you can easily exclude a negative reaction. Being methodical also helps to stop interactions that could occur by mixing remedies. It is recommended you keep an observation diary and track any changes for foods/supplements given, stools and water intake.
5. Herbal Changes. Your dog may stop wanting a remedy or suggested food, trust them. Not every herb will suit each dog, in complex cases it may take a few attempts to find the best formula. It is recommended to assess dietary changes every few months to assess nutrient value. It is recommended to give rest days or alternate herbs at least every 6 weeks.
6. Cleansing - the body is not ‘stagnant’ so expect changes in symptoms. Skin eruptions, loose stool or vomiting are all natural ways the body can rid toxicity. Rebalancing is a normal part of the healing process. Anything that lasts for more than a couple of days should be assessed by a veterinarian.
Storage: All herbs and oils received should be transferred into brown, airtight bottles and stored in a dark cool, dry cupboard. Fish oils must be kept in the fridge. Creams should be stored in the fridge during warm periods. Potions should not be used after the consultation period without advice.
Consultation Information
You must have a diagnosis from your veterinarian or doctor before consulting. I recommend keeping in good communication with your veterinarian or doctor.
It is advised to keep an observation diary. Include water intake & urine output, energy/alertness, need for warmth or cool, stool frequency and type (soft, greasy, foamy etc.). In the cases of nutritional consultations please include all food provided and the amounts per week. Please send your records to me before your final 6 week consultation, necessary to create the final plan.
I recommend testing Urine Ph (you can buy the strips from the chemist); do this at the beginning of the consultation and then at regular intervals. It is best to take a test from urine first thing in the morning or at consistent times. Please keep a note of the results. Your veterinarian can also organise urine tests.
Regular check-ups and bloods are recommended, especially in serious cases. Blood tests are recommended at the beginning of treatment and anytime after 6 weeks (in serious cases) or every 6 months - 1 year (senior dogs). Please include previous blood results if you have them.
Reducing Environmental Toxicity - Titre tests can help avoid unnecessary vaccination and provide peace of mind over immunity. wormcount.co.uk can analyse stools to see if your dog has worms, avoiding unnecessary intake of pharmaceuticals. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you. Also consider toxins in the home and try switching to organic and/or natural cleansers.
Contraindications It is vital you consult with your veterinarian if you are giving pharmaceuticals or have planned surgery as contraindications can apply. Many herbs contain blood thinning compounds and must be stopped 2 weeks before surgery. Some herbs can potentiate or reduce effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. should make a note of all remedies and additional supplements / pharmaceuticals given and record any reactions (good or bad) that follow.
Nutritional intolerances and allergies: Reactions can be mild such as a loose stool from turmeric (too heating for some dogs) to a serious allergen - as with any substance or food. Natural is not necessarily safe! Patch testing is recommended before using any remedy or food. Given a serious allergy can be life threatening and therefore it is a good idea to test out remedies in the mornings, rather than at night or when medical attention is limited. Whilst I have never come across a serious allergy it is best to be safe.
Realistic considerations
Currently we have around 70 canine patients and they have all improved, including my cancer canines, only four patients have not responded to date. Whilst naturopathy is very effective not all dogs will respond or some maybe too weak to cope with the healing process. I can not guarantee healing or that my recommendations will be successful. Sometimes it may take multiple consultations to find the root cause. A combination of diet changes, herbal or supplemental additions and/or topical treatments are the most successful. You should follow instructions for full effectiveness. I cannot be held responsible for lack of effect due to incorrect application of my knowledge.
Administration
Polite Request: for ease of administration I would appreciate if you could open a google.mail account so we can easily share documents; this system makes it very easy for file sharing relevant documents and consultations.
Please e-mail via our website www.leafretreat.com under ‘contact us’ to place orders or book consultations; alternatively you can telephone.
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Data
You give me your permission to keep your address and contact details for my records only, this will not be shared. You give your permission for me to use photographs and share successes across web and facebook pages. Your names will not be given out unless prior permission is sought. Within our groups it is asked that confidentiality remains between ALL members.
Copyright
My work is copyrighted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Please kindly recommend me rather than passing on my advice. Do not share remedies between other dogs for safety as my potions are bespoke and tailored to an individual dis-ease or dog. I include all ingredients list for safety, but please respect my formula’s and food lists as it is hours of precious research and I could loose credit for my work.
Disclaimer:
By joining my website and taking my advice you are understanding that:
I am not a doctor or a veterinarian. I am a holistic therapist which means I use nature, nutrition and herbs to heal. My advice should not be used instead of seeking advice from your veterinarian. You choose to accept my advice and it is your decision to follow my advice. Any advice you take from myself is at your own risk; if you are unsure please stick to conventional medicine.
Herbs, supplements and nutrition are still very much in scientific infancy; however herbs have been used safely for many years. The information I collect is constantly evolving and therefore recommendations may change, always consult for the most up-to-date information. The contents on my pages are for general information only and not intended to take the place of any medical publications, nor are they to be relied upon for the purpose of diagnosis or treatments of dis-ease. I cannot take any responsibility for any loss or injury due to a result of information on this page.
Please note, the most effective way to heal is by healing the whole-body, tailored to the individual and therefore do not recommend commercial foods or specific herbs for a single complaint. ‘PubMed’ is a good resource for allopathic information on particular conditions.
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