Horse, thou art truly a creature without equal, for thou fliest without wings and conquerest without sword. ~ The Koran

 

 

Chinese Medicine and Herbals

Chinese medicine is a system of medicine based on thousands of years of experience treating and preventing disease. The medicines used include over 3000 plants, minerals and animal products. The Chinese Medicine practitioner evaluates the patient as a whole, looking for subtle imbalances both within the patient and the patients interactions with the environment. Single plant herbal formulas are commonly referred to as "western" while multiple herb formulas are considered in Chinese Medicine. These formula are based on properties such as hot, cold, warm and cool and five tastes including pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. The herbal formulas are designed to treat an underlying imbalance by having affinity for meridians or organs and are not used to mask clinical signs as most western medications are designed to do. Because of this, herbs are said to have a "deeper" effect than acupuncture and so are excellent for chronic or long standing problems. Herbs are generally gentle and well tolerated and given over a much longer period of time than most Western medications. They are designed to lead the body back into balance and are used to treat a variety of health conditions. Because herbs are complex and have a variety of activities (including nutritional, antioxidant, etc..) the practitioner must be educated not only in herbal prescription, but in Chinese Medicine pattern diagnosis so the appropriate herbal formula will be prescribed. There are multiple patterns in Chinese Medicine for what would be defined as one disease in Western medicine. Herbs, as any medicine, are not without side effects and drug interactions. A thorough history and exam are an integral part of the diagnosis and any western veterinary treatments will be noted and considered in the development of a treatment plan. Chinese Herbal medicine offers some wonderful alternatives for the integrative management of chronic diseases and aging and can help give that edge back to the performance animal who "isn't quite right".

Education and Training

 

Chi Institute West Coast Veterinary Herbal Course

IVAS Chinese Veterinary and Herbal Medicine Certification Course

 

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