If herbs can impact genes so significantly, how will herbs
impact the Microbiome?
Grazing animals (Herbivores) have a unique microbiota due
to the fact that they have their head down grazing all day
long, eating plants, fungi and ingesting enormous amounts of
naturally occurring microbes. This feed becomes “compost“
for the microbiota (eco system) that exists in the horses GIT.
The horse being a mono gastric (unlike Ruminants) are hind
gut fermenters and require a simple high roughage diet (and
a healthy soil with plenty of Microbes) to ensure that the
conditions are perfect for the whole health of the horse.
Nutritionally, the microbiota contribute to the overall
nutritional profile of the horses as die off of microbes can
provide essentials like Vitamin B12 and other enzymes that
enable a better breakdown of the plant matter ingested.
Recent research done in Australia with Dr David Wood has
identified that “leaky gut” is a possible side effect of the
unhealthy Microbiota in a horse. Leaky Gut is commonly
understood in alternative human health as being the origin of
many chronic diseases.
Suggested Impacts on the Microbiota
• Chemicals, worming paste and anti-biotics are the main
considerations.
• Lack of good simple roughage
• An oversupply of rich hay, green grasses and too much fat
and grain
• Too many synthesised supplements (as extras or in the
premixed feed) which I feel can change the Ph of the GIT,
(imagine how too much fertiliser may impact the plants that
you spread it on)
• Over supply of pre-prepared feeds
• Feeds that contain Genetically Modified Organisms
Mineral supplements (they do not replace good food!)
Supplements can be useful. High Oxalate pastures and
supplements of magnesium and calcium is a good example.
However, I find that when I am treating very unwell animals
and people, removing supplements helps healing. Why?
In researching this idea further I have come across some
interesting ideas about synthetic supplements.
Synthetically replicated natural substances are crystalline in
structure,(in nature vitamins are never crystalline) and it is
suggested that these kinds of supplements enter the system
and can act like an antagonist, causing an inflammatory
response.
I have also found that clients who are too caring, and give
an over dose of vitamin and minerals supplements seem
to promote kidney problems and crystals in the bladder,
causing all kinds of urinary tract problems.
CATHERINE MCDOWELL
is the senior Herbalist
and Director of
McDowells Herbal.
McDowells Herbal has
been an instrumental
pioneer developing
accessable herbal
treatments to horse
and dog owners in
Australia for over 30
years.
Catherine write s for
many publications
locally and abroad
and will be a key note
speaker at this years
Equitana in Melbourne
2018.
The last 20 years has seen major developments in Herbs
and Food as an accepted course of treatment for Chronic
Generational Ailments in people.
Modern Medicine is keeping up with trends nowadays of
people seeking an empowered solution to their health,
and their families’ health. Most people these days also
acknowledge that their pet is part of their family.
Over this last 20 years, Catherine has maintained the
ongoing development of their herbal treatment programs.
Our clients are testimony to the care and consideration
that we give each case, and the reliability of the treatment
programs.
This has enabled us to have many respected Veterinarians
and General Practitioners from around the world work with
us, and refer to us in many cases.
Ongoing training and development within the practice is
allowing us to find a new direction of integrating a time
honoured classical herbal medicine with a more modern
approach, as our patients are no longer in our backyard.
Within this integration is a dedication to support General
Medical Practitioners who wish to use Herbal Medicine as
part of their patient options, and also Veterinarians , for the
same reason.
We treat people, horses, dogs and cats (as well as the odd
elephant, camel and llama!) around the world each day.We
currently have over 1500 human programs, and over 500
animal treatment programs.
If you add this complication to the idea of a leaky gut,
these crystalline particles are possibly moving
through the wall
of the intestine and causing inflammatory
havoc.
The profound affect this can have on systemic
inflammation is in my opinion the main cause
of significant health problems such as Equine
Metabolic Syndrome and Laminitis, influencing
my treatment protocols in the practice. At McDowells we only sell products which we would be
happy to use on ourselves or our own animals. We only
stock products which meet our rigorous standards based
on ethical sourcing of ingredients, natural chemical
free ingredients, a commitment to low environmental
impact and sustainability, cruelty free, safe to use and
demonstrated efficacy.
In people you see this all time with fluid build-up and
oedema. Lymphedema is one chronic condition that is
well managed with diet and herbs. Scientific research
for the presence of oedema in horses with laminitis.
A Scottish researcher named Susan Kempson was
one of the first to identify a new theory of the initial event
in the pathogenesis of laminitis. McDowells – the trusted name in herbal medicine for over
30 years.
Up until the presentation of Susan’s research it was assumed
that laminitis was caused by the restriction of blood to the
What we don’t sell says as much about our philosophy as
what we do.
You can get in contact with McDowell Herbal
via their website, facebook page or phone:
Mcdowellsherbal.com
https://www.facebook.com/mcdowellsherbal/
Clinic 02 6332 6799
Dispensary 6331 3937
61 Corporation Ave Bathurst 2795
March • April • 2018 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 29