VETERINARY HERBAL MEDICINE (Phytotherapy)

What is Veterinary Herbal Medicine?

Veterinary Herbal Medicine, or Veterinary Phytotherapy, is the study of plant-medicines and their therapeutic application in animal healthcare and the treatment and prevention of disease. The application of herbal medicines in human and animal healthcare has a long and colourful history that can be traced back millennia. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in herbal medicine from around the world.

Traditional herbal knowledge is now being confirmed and updated by research, scientific insights and clinical experience. Applied appropriately, herbal medicine has proven to be a very effective modality to treat a variety of diseases in animals. The use of roots, buds, seeds, peel, wood, leaves, bark and flowers are prescribed in the form of teas, tablets or tinctures and can also be applied externally in creams, gels and ointments. An individual preparation is formulated for the animal patient by the herbal veterinary surgeon.

Integrating herbal medicine into your practice will help to provide optimal health in your animal patients alongside the use of other therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, physiotherapy and essential oil therapy. Conventional medicine cannot always provide satisfactory relief from disease or symptoms and often there is no other conventional treatment available for conditions such as viruses, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Herbal medicine offers the opportunity to support and prevent certain conditions where there is no conventional equivalent available.

Meeting owner demand and providing an effective holistic healthcare programme for animal patients is becoming increasingly popular around the world and it is only a matter of time before conventional treatments are used only for surgical procedures.

Veterinary Herbal Medicine: Course Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO HERBAL MEDICINE

Explore the history and development of herbal medicine and consider the philosophies and medical models underlying the great herbal traditions of the world. Discover how veterinarians are integrating herbal medicine into clinical practice, and the roles veterinary herbalists are playing in research and industry. Hear how animals are naturally medicating themselves with herbs in the wild.

BOTANY & HERB GARDENS

The study of Botany provides important tools for the veterinary herbalist. Acquire a working knowledge of botanical terminology, taxonomy, plant morphology and physiology, and learn how to identifying and gather herbs on regular herb walks. Learn how to design and create your own culinary and medicinal herb garden and go on field visits to famous herb gardens.

PHYTOCHEMISTRY & PHARMACOLOGY

Biochemistry and pharmacology are foundation sciences in herbal medicine. Explore the theories explaining medicinal plant activity. Uncover the complexity of plant biochemistry and learn about the structure, properties and functions of the chemical constituents of herbs. Investigate the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of herbal medicines and look at the ways herbs affect an animal's physiology. Consider the toxicology of herbal medicines, their contra-indications and potential side-effects. Compare the actions of herbs to pharmaceuticals and learn about herb-drug interactions.

PHARMACOGNOSY & DISPENSING

Visit an herb processing facility and learn how to assess the quality of herbal medicines. Evaluate the effects that various growing, harvesting, processing and storage techniques have on herb quality. Explore the ways of formulating herbs for veterinary use, and learn how to determine the appropriate dosages. Gain experience at creating herb poultices, decoctions, and herbal creams. Discuss the details of setting up your own herbal pharmacy. Learn about the various regulatory bodies and relevant laws affecting the practice of Veterinary Herbal Medicine.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Explore the role of reflective practice, research and clinical audits in veterinary practice. Examine the personal and professional challenges of being a veterinary herbalist. Examine the vet/client/patient relationship and develop more effective communication and counseling skills. Discuss the process of successfully integrating herbal medicine into veterinary practice.

NUTRITION & NUTRACEUTICALS

Explore the relationship between diet and herbal medicine. Examine the basic principles of the various nutritional models and how they apply to animals. Discuss possible interactions between foods and herbs, and how to use food as a preventative medicine and to support herbal therapy. Learn about the role of nutraceuticals in veterinary medicine.

CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY

Discuss the issues surrounding the conservation and sustainability of medicinal plants. Critically assess the various sources of herbs including wild crafting and commercial suppliers. Learn about the substitutions available for endangered herbs. Visit local herbal and conservation habitats.

MATERIA MEDICA

Materia medica is the core subject in veterinary herbalism. Examine individual herbs and discuss the botanical, pharmacological, pharmacognostic and therapeutic aspects of each, along with its clinical indications, contraindications, formulation and dosage. All the herbs are discussed from a modern scientific and traditional therapeutic perspective, with additional understanding from relevant clinical experience and research. During the practicals, experience the taste, smell, feel and unique medicinal properties of various herbs for yourself.

HERBAL THERAPEUTICS

This section deals with the clinical application of herbs in veterinary medicine. Adopting a systems approach, common diseases and syndromes are explored by means of case studies. Learn how to select appropriate herbal remedies, individualise treatments, modify prescriptions and evaluate a patient's response to treatment. Explore ways of integrating treatment strategies by modifying drug treatments, introducing nutritional changes and other treatment strategies. Learn how to dose appropriately in different individuals and different species, and recognise side-effects and adverse reactions. Explore complex disease patterns and learn how to prioritise goals - addressing symptoms as well as underlying causes of disease.

RESOURCES & RESEARCH

Become acquainted with the wealth of resources available to the veterinary herbalist - Internet, books, email lists, suppliers, etc. Review the growing evidence-base for Veterinary Herbal Medicine and learn how to access clinically relevant information quickly and easily.

 

Once again an inspiring, interesting and enjoyable course,
with the gift of a beautiful weekend as well - Barbara Jones MRCVS