Animals should have the same access to natural remedies as their owners

Everyone has an opinion about natural remedies, some positive and some negative, but we know they work.

Herbs work because they are made up of a combination of chemical constituents, some identified and some not. Some of the identified constituents are deemed to be the active principles of the herb by the scientist. However these active constituents when isolated or pharmaceutically copied seem not to work in the same way. A case of the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts just as Herbalists have always known. What arrogance to think we can improve on nature. We also know homoeopathy works, despite what the Great Rand says. How do we know it works? Because it works with animals. An animal doesn't understand the placebo effect.

Then why the controversy?
Most negatives are based on ignorance or a misunderstanding of what natural remedies are about and what can be achieved by using them. At the other end of the scale are the "natural remedies can cure anything" brigades, a blind obsession for treating every complaint from bad breath to being run over by a bus, naturally and usually with Arnica. Putting this into perspective, bad breath we can treat, but the "run over by a bus" thing, a hospital and a Doctor (preferably one that knows what he is doing) are what I would recommend. So let's not be too over zealous in our beliefs. Sometimes it is not what to give by way of treatment, but what not to give and to point the patient in the direction of the appropriate treatment.

Having four Herbal Dispensaries in North Wales and North West England we daily treat people for a multitude of complaints.

The relationships we have built with our customers and patients has led in many cases to asking for help in treating their pets and although we do not, nor would not diagnose for animals, we found by researching natural remedies for animals and offering to put together herbal remedies asked for in our dispensaries for pre-diagnosed animals, our range has grown.

All our research has been carried out by Louise Idoux MSc (Herb. Med) MNIMH, our medical Herbalist and Jeremy Derek LCP MHMA, our homoeopath. Their research has enabled us to present a product that works, or your money back.

We are a caring company who believe people have the right to choose how to treat themselves and their animals, but to make that choice you need to have the right information and the right tools to work with. Our inspiration is our commitment to natural health for everyone and their pets.

For more information on our Phytopet range contact us on 01244813162 or visit www.phytopet.co.uk.

Fro information on herbs and herbal products contact The Herbarium on 01244 830702 or e-mail: info@theherbarium.co.uk. or visit www.theherbarium.co.uk, where you can ask the Herbalist questions about illnesses or herbs.