Erbs, seeds, bone meal

SEEDS:

Chia Seeds

“Chia, or Salvia Hispanica, is known today as the forgotten crop. Domesticated in 2.600 BC, chia is a flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Central America. It was cultivated by the Mayans and Aztecs and one of the main foods of their diet and was even used as trade currency. Aztec warriors and runners are said to have sustained themselves on just a tablespoon of chia seeds a day, providing them with abundant energy and endurance.

Because of the plant’s ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods, chia seeds were considered quite magical. Due to its superior nutritional value, chia became a holy seed among these ancient civilizations, used in religious ceremonies and offered to their gods.

Related to the mint plant family, there are two varieties, white chia and black chia. Chia oil is a component of many ointments due to its emollient properties. Each seed is potent enough to prevent infections, with 19-23% protein, which is gluten free, 34% oil and 25% fiber. Chia seeds offer an excellent source of B vitamins and they are loaded with important Omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Omega Fatty Acids

Chia has 3 times the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids as salmon! Omega-3 is important to balance out Omega-6 fatty acids and promotes healthy:

• Cells
• Immune system
• Skin and coat
• Joints
• Brain development and maintenance
• Eye development and maintenance
• Growth

And it reduces inflammation too. Two tablespoons of chia seeds provide a 3 to 1 ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. fatty acids

Fiber

Increasing dietary fiber can help when bowel movements are a concern. Fiber will alleviate constipation, generate regularity and help in weight loss. Dogs that suffer from impacted anal sacs will also benefit from more fiber. Chia seeds provide 34 grams of fiber per 100 grams of seeds.

Endurance, Weight Loss And Diabetes Support In One Package

Chia can absorb 10 times its own weight in water and generates a gel which can be consumed. The gel slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugars. Stable blood sugar levels contribute to naturally high levels of energy. By doing so, chia supports normal insulin function and sensitivity, blood sugar regulation and glucose tolerance. The added benefit of slowing down digestion enables full absorption of nutrients while dogs feel satiated longer.

Due to the highly absorbent qualities of chia, fresh water should always be available.

And More

Chia contains more calcium than whole milk, more iron than raw spinach and more magnesium than broccoli.   Chia is non-allergenic too and an excellent source of phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron and zinc.

Convenience

Chia stores very easily for long durations, unlike its competitor flax seed. There is no taste or scent for even the pickiest of dogs to turn their noses up at. The dosage is quite potent, with only 1 teaspoon for small dogs or 2 teaspoons for large, or 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight. Feed in seed form, soaked in water or ground; sprinkle on top or mix into food. Look for milled, organic chia seeds whenever possible.” from http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/chia-for-pets/

Flaxseeds

“HERE’S A FEW WELL KNOWN BENEFITS OF USING FLAX FOR DOGS:

Make sure that you always use ORGANIC, COLD PRESSED flaxseed.  Be sure to only use ground flax aka linseed so that your dog’s body can absorb it.  The fiber contained in the outer husk can absorb large amounts of water, which allows it to swell and become a soothing gel once your dog ingests it.  When using an oil, you also want to make sure that it is organic, cold pressed and unrefined.

Here’s what flax can do for your dog:

• • Can help with skin & coat.

• • Flaxseed Lignans are often recommended for the treatment of Cushings Disease to help restore thirst and urination regularity.  Add 1-2 mg of Lignan for each pound of your dog’s body weight.

• • Linseed (flax) is also recommended for IBS patients.  Flaxseed is known as an adaptogen helping dogs with both loose stool and constipation.  It should be organic and again it MUST be ground and given slowly until you reach the maximum recommended dosage.  All dogs are different, so use common sense and if your dog shows signs of the stool becoming soft, back down and adjust until you see the stool remain firm and formed. See recommended dosages below.

• • The Budwig Diet is popular in the treatment of cancer and includes cottage cheese and flaxseed.  Flax slowed the growth of breast cancer and melanoma.

  Again, a toxin free fish oil is recommended first, but if for some reason you need to use flax instead, then you should use one that is pure and offers all three major fatty acids, and remember to refrigerate it and use it within two months.”

from https://yourolddog.com/flaxseed-for-dogs-and-how-to-use-it-correctly/

Sunflower Seeds

“Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds?

Sunflower seeds are safe for dogs in moderation and with a few precautions. First, any sunflower seeds you feed them should be shell-free. Second, the seeds should be salt- and flavor-free.

Are Sunflower Seeds Good for Dogs?

They aren’t necessarily the healthiest thing you can give your dog, but they aren’t toxic or inherently bad for them. Sunflower seeds are a natural source of fatty acids that are necessary for your dog’s skin and coat health. The seeds are naturally high in iron and vitamin E and free from saturated fats. They’re also high in various other vitamins, minerals, and monounsaturated fats.

One ounce of sunflower seeds meets your dog’s daily requirement of vitamin E, but truthfully, if your dog is on a high-quality food, it’s unlikely they’ll need much supplementation. Also, dogs aren’t designed to chew or digest seeds or nuts, so frequent amounts of seeds are going to come out undigested or cause some dietary upset.”

from http://smartdogowners.com/sunflower-seeds/

Sesame Seeds

“Sesame seeds have been grown since prehistoric times, and were one of the first crops to be processed for their oil. They were brought to the United States from Africa during the late 17th century.

Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper and a good source of manganese, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, molybdenum, selenium and dietary fiber. They also contain sesamin and sesamolin, unique substances that belong to a group of fibers called lignans, which have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and increase vitamin E stores. Sesamin has been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage. In a study published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, sesame seeds were found to have the highest total phytosterol content.

Juliette de Bairacli Levy, author of The Complete Handbook for the Dog and Cat, routinely included sesame seeds in her dogs’ diet, crushing them to make a paste we know as tahini, lightly roasting the seeds and adding them to meat meals – and even making a version of the traditional energy bar, which you can do too. Simply combine 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of toasted sesame seeds and a ½ teaspoon of sea salt.” from http://animalwellnessmagazine.com/top-7-seeds-for-your-dog/

Pumpkin Seeds

“The seeds of this well-known vegetable are also among the world’s healthiest foods. One ounce of seeds contains almost nine grams of protein, along with amino acids, fiber, iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, folic acid and niacin. Pumpkin seeds are also a valuable source of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, tryptophan, iron, copper, vitamins A, B, E, and K, and zinc, as well as Omegas 3 and 6.

Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which paralyzes and helps eliminate worms from the digestive tract. Studies have shown that adding pumpkin seeds to the daily diet helps reduce inflammatory response due to conditions like arthritis, and helps prevent calcium oxalate stone formation.” from http://animalwellnessmagazine.com/top-7-seeds-for-your-dog/

HERBS:

“Purple Passionflower(Passiflora incarnata) or sometimes called Maypop is a beautiful perennial vine grown in zones 5-9. Not only are the flowers unique and beautiful, Purple Passionflower has a long medicinal history. Native Americans have long used Passionflower for various maladies including palpitations, epilepsy, high blood pressure, anxiety and insomnia. It’s great claim to fame is it’s calming effect. Scientists believe passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making the individual feel more relaxed. Passionflower is considered a safe herb for both human and animal alike when used in moderation.

Passionflower Medicinal Uses:

Besides being a beautiful vine with gorgeous flowers for your enjoyment, Passiflora incarnta also has medicinal uses for your pooch.

• Anxiety – Helps with fear of loud noises such as fireworks and thunder, separation anxiety, and travel anxiety
• Seizures – Works by increasing the GABA levels in the brain

Dandelion has been used for years in folk medicine. It was brought to America by early settlers not only as a food crop, but also in part for medicinal uses. A prolific reproducer, dandelion soon naturalized across America. Not only in lawns and fields, but in sidewalk cracks and vacant lots in urban areas. The French called it dent-de-lion which translates to “lions tooth”, referring to it’s toothed leaves.

All parts of the dandelion can be used, flowers, leaves and root. Dandelion is very rich in protein, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, B, C, D, G and E which make it a great addition to your dog’s diet.

Health Benefits

• Known as a bitter herb or “bitters”, dandelion is often used to aid and improve digestion
• Has diuretic properties helping to eliminate excess fluids in the body
• Often used as a liver tonic, the dandelion root stimulates bile production and circulation throughout the liver
• Great for detox helping to remove toxins from the body” from http://dogherbals.com/

The health benefits of rose hips include their ability to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, relieve various respiratory conditions, prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, increase urination, regulate your digestive system, boost the immune system, increase circulation, and help to build strong bones.

Rose hips are actually the fruit of the rose plant and usually forms in late summer and autumn, after the rose plant has been pollinated. Once the rosebud falls off, many people forget about roses, but the fruit of the plant is yet to come! The color is typically red, but it can also be orange, purple, or black. They are some of the most nutritionally packed fruits of any plant, which is why they have become such a desirable and sought after product in markets around the world. Historically, rose hips have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years by cultures such as the early populations of the Americas, as well as various parts of Europe. from http://www.caninearthritisandjoint.com/rosehips-for-pets.html

Chamomile

Soothe Irritated Eyes

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s considered a soothing herb, which means it can be used to ease your dog’s eye troubles.

“Chamomile will take down swelling and inflammation of the skin around the eye, as well as treat infection in the eye,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian, certified and accredited veterinary acupuncturist, and herbal and food therapist.

To use it, Morgan suggests brewing a cup of tea with a chamomile teabag. “Allow to cool, then use the teabag as a compress on the eye,” says Morgan. “Repeat two to three times daily.”

Relieve Itchiness or Skin Inflammation

Chamomile reduces swelling and has anti-microbial properties to help heal skin infections, Morgan says. You can use a pot of cooled chamomile tea as a rinse after bathing to ease irritated or itchy skin, allowing it to drip dry on your dog instead of towel drying it off.

“The tea can also be applied locally to inflamed areas or hot spots,” says Morgan. “Compresses or tea bags from brewed tea can be held on sore areas for a few minutes to bring relief.”

One important thing to keep in mind: While chamomile may provide some relief in mild cases of itchiness or irritation, it’s important to have an exact diagnosis as to the cause of the itching to truly address the problem, says Dr. Christie Long, a veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist. Skin inflammation and itchiness can be a symptom of food or environmental allergies, an insect bite or sting, fungus or mites, Long says.

Ease Gastrointestinal Issues

Chamomile can help relax muscles in the stomach and bowel (the herb is an antispasmodic) which in turn decreases gas and pain, Morgan says.

However, Long warns against using only chamomile to treat GI disorders, as their presence could indicate a serious problem.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to know what is causing the GI issues, as there are many causes in dogs and only treating at home with chamomile may delay making an important diagnosis,” she says.

Calm a Stressed Out Dog

Chamomile is often used in humans for its anti-anxiety effects, and it may work the same way on dogs, according to Morgan. “Chamomile contains chemicals that relax smooth muscles, including those found in blood vessels and the digestive tract,” she says. “This secondarily reduces anxiety, perhaps by decreasing blood pressure.”

Because chamomile’s effect on reducing anxiety are mild, it is typically combined with other herbs (valerian, for example) in veterinary-approved calming products, according to Long.

How to Give Your Dog Chamomile

Chamomile can be given to your dog as a tea, powder or fresh ground herb added to food, or as a capsule, says Morgan. What form is better and at what concentration depends on the symptom you are treating, the size of your dog, and his overall health, making it essential to talk to a vet before giving your dog chamomile or any other type of herb or homemade treatment.

Goldenrod

ls also known as woundwort and Aaron’s rod, golden rod has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and astringent actions.
Uses: Golden rod is used to treat kidney and urinary infections and stones. It can also be used to treat respiratory catarrh and arthritis. …. We grow most of these herbs in the garden, so easy as picking a fresh leaf and crushing adding boiled water to it, let it steep for 5 minutes then let it cool.
Give a cat 1/2 teaspoon orally or in food 2 x daily. Double the amount for dogs. from http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/herbs.htm

CHICKWEED (Stellaria media)
Allergies, Appetite, asthma, blood poisoning, boils, bronchitis, cancer, colon problems, cleansing, constipation, diabetes, hay fever, hemorrhoids, inflammation, rheumatism, skin problems, sore throats, swelling, tumors, ulcers.
Use in rheumatism where the pains shift a lot; also it helps control dietary fat metabolism. A common garden weed, chickweed is a vitamin and mineral- rich herb. It is rich in B complex vitamins, iron, copper, calcium and zinc. It can be used externally to relieve itching, and has wound-healing and emollient properties.
Uses: Chickweed is usually used to treat itchy skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, boils, wounds and bruises

Turmeric

I know it sounds crazy, but research shows it’s true … turmeric (the spice used in curries and mustards) with over 6,000 studies to its credit, is found to trump a lot of fancy, expensive drugs.

• Arthritis drugs
• Steroids
• Chemotherapy
• Inflammatory bowel disease drugs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

These are a whole lot of reasons to give your dog turmeric! So let’s take a closer look at this handy little spice (we’ll show you how much to give and which dogs shouldn’t get turmeric in a bit).

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin – which is essentially its active ingredient. Curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer activities. It can help fight diseases like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues, Alzheimers and more. from http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/turmeric-dogs/

Kelp is a recognized food supplement for humans. Now vets and advocates of an holistic approach to pet health recommend it for dogs and other animals. This seaweed is rich in natural salts and minerals, and it has a number of benefits for your dog’s health

Thyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary Glands

Kelp is known for being iodine-rich. Thyroid problems are often associated with an iodine deficiency, and kelp as a natural source of iodine is a long-standing medical treatment for people with thyroid problems. The rich mix of iodine and other minerals in kelp makes it an ideal supplement to keep your pup’s entire glandular system, particularly the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, in healthy working order. This in turn ensures your dog’s metabolism works efficiently, which is an important element in maintaining a healthy weight. If your pet has hypothyroidism, where the thyroid function slows down, kelp is recommended as a supplement to the standard thyroxine treatment usually prescribed by vets.

Allergies and Fleas

Anything which helps flea control is good news for dog owners. Diane Stein, in her book “The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats,” says after three weeks of kelp supplementation there is a noticeable reduction in fleas on animals who have an infestation. This suggests that kelp repulses fleas and that using the supplement regularly is a useful addition to chemical flea treatments. Kelp also reduces itchiness in those dogs with skin allergies and improves the overall condition of your dog’s skin and coat.

General Health

Kelp also supports many of your dog’s other body functions. It cleanses the digestive system and keeps its juices balanced. Because it is high in iron it fortifies the blood, which then helps the heart to pump more efficiently. In older dogs especially it is recommended for strengthening the immune system, which can protect them from a range of diseases. Also, dogs on kelp supplements are thought to heal faster from surgery, because the amino acids in the seaweed support tissue repair. And it could help you and your dog to live longer. The Japanese have long maintained that eating seaweed is a source of their longevity.