Now on Squidoo!

Check out our Qi Blends remedies – now on Squidoo! All the blends are there – with information, directions, dosage, and more!!

http://www.squidoo.com/dogantiparasite

About Chinese Herbs

About Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal medicine has been used in the treatment of humans and animals for over 2,000 years. It is based on combining herbs together to promote balance and healing. We call our herbal formulas “Qi Blends” since they are blended together to promote health and restore harmony to the “Qi” (or vital energy) of dogs. The aim of any treatment with Chinese herbs is to bring the body and emotions into balance. We’ve identified the areas of imbalance that most often lead to health problems in dogs and chosen herbs to address them. Balance is achieved in Chinese medicine by addressing: • Yin & Yang – Yin and Yang are opposites. Symptoms can be looked at in terms of yin/yang parameters. For example, dampness is yin and dryness is yang. Cold is yin and heat is yang. An herbalist’s job is to apply the theories of yin and yang to the patient. For a dog with sores on the skin – are they wet looking or dry? Are they red (indicating heat) or white (indicating cold)? Similarly with a cough – does it sound wet and phlegmy or dry? Is the dog hyperactive (indicating heat) or lethargic (indicating cold)? • Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids – Qi (vital energy), blood, and body fluid are fundamental substances that sustain health. Imbalances in these three areas can cause a variety of imbalances for a dog. Qi, blood, and body fluids can be weak and deficient, in which case they are unable to nourish the body and function properly. Deficient qi can cause fatigue or dull achey pain. Deficient blood and body fluids can lead to dry, itchy skin. On the other hand – qi, blood and body fluids can be excess and overflowing in which case they become stuck or stagnant. Qi and blood that are stuck can cause a sharp, fixed pain that may be severe. On the emotional side, stuck qi can cause frustration and irritability. To attain balance, these three vital substances need to be strong and healthy in their flow. • Channels and Collaterals – The channels and collaterals are considered to be a series of connecting passages through which qi and blood flow. The primary channels are indicated by the lines that are shown on acupuncture charts such as the one shown below. (insert chart pic) Eleven of the 12 primary channels are named for organs they are associated with. It’s important to note that these organs in Chinese medicine are not the same as their western counterparts. The Chinese Kidney, for example, may have some of the same functions as the western Kidney, but it is a much broader concept than simply the anatomical organ. Chinese organs have emotions associated with them. The Chinese kidney is associated with fear. They also have an associated tissue and orifice. The tissue of the Chinese kidney is bone and the orifice is the ear. Therefore, hearing problems, brittle bones, and a feeling of fear indicate imbalance in the Kidney meridian. The anatomical kidney may be perfectly healthy in this scenario, but herbs are required to treat the Kidney meridian.

If you go to www.qiblends.com, click on “Our Blends” for a detailed description of each blend. Here we describe how the above theories apply to each product. Instead of treating a disease or symptom with just one medication, our blends treat the dog as a whole. The treatment principles explain how the blend uses herbs to balance the yin, yang, qi, blood, and body fluids, as well as the channels and associated organs. We find that the balance and interaction of all the ingredients together are more important than the effect of each ingredient on its own.

Herbal Treatment for Dogs with Bladder Problems

Painful or difficult urination is a common symptom seen in many dogs. This is partly because house training forces dogs to hold urine longer than they otherwise would. Also, many dogs eat a diet heavy in rich and fatty foods, setting off a process that leads to bladder pain and problems.

In Chinese medicine, painful urination, urgency, dribbling urine, and other symptoms of bladder infections are caused by a build-up of dampness and heat in the Urinary Bladder.

Dampness comes about when the Qi (energy) of the Spleen is weak and deficient. Remember, organs in Chinese medicine are not the same as the organs of Western medicine. The Chinese “Spleen” has very little to do with the anatomical spleen. The Chinese Spleen transforms food into energy by separating the “clear essences” (which become energy) from the “turbid waste” (which is excreted). Rich, greasy, and fatty foods damage the Spleen. Turbid waste then builds up in the body in the form of dampness.

Frustration causes the Liver Qi to stagnate and gives rise to heat. Dogs become frustrated when they are left alone for too long, if they can’t play all the time, or if there is stress in the household. The heat generated from the Liver combines with dampness from the Spleen and pours down into the Urinary Bladder meridian.

Damp-heat in the Urinary Bladder causes painful urination, dribbling urine, and urgency. Over time, damp and heat can congeal and cause crystals, sand, or stones to form.

I’ve had a lot of great feedback for my “Bladder blend” formula which is part of my herb line, Qi Blends.
Bladder Blend includes herbs that are used to dissolve stones, but if you suspect your dog has stones or if there is blood in the urine, please follow the advice and prescription of your veterinarian. For more information on Bladder Blend and other Chinese herbs for dogs, please visit www.qiblends.com.

Gracie’s Joint Pain & Chinese Herbs

My first case study is about Gracie, a dog near and dear to my heart. Gracie is prone to getting joint pain – particularly in her knees and hips. At times she hobbles on three legs, unable to put any weight on her hind leg.

From a Chinese medicine perspective Gracie suffers from “Bi pain.” The translation of “Bi pain” is painful obstruction. When a dog has pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, bones, or joints, it falls into this category. Pain from arthritis is largely looked at as “bi pain” in Chinese medicine.

According to the theories of Chinese medicine, the factors that cause “bi pain” are wind and dampness. Change in the location of pain indicates wind. Heaviness, swelling, or numbness indicate dampness. Wind and dampness will commonly combine with either heat or cold.

Gracie was treated with Qi Blends Joint & Muscle blend. Qi Blends is the line of Chinese herbs that I created specifically for dogs. We’ve launched with 12 blends – 10 internal blends which are mixed with food. Two of the blends are topical – an ointment for itching and a powder for hots spots and sores.

Gracie does very well with Joint & Muscle blend, which has the primary function of treating “bi pain”. After taking the herbs for several days, she began to run and play with youthful vigor. For the most part she appears to be pain free. Since joint pain is Gracie’s weakness, it will sometimes creep back up on her. But when it does re-emerge, a few doses of Joint & Muscle blend is all it takes to take care of it.

Welcome Pet Lovers!

Chinese herbs have been used in the treatment of both people and animals for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese legends tell of animals guiding humans to plants for their medicinal benefits. In modern times, Chinese herbalism is practiced and taught throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

How can Chinese herbs benefit your dog?

Read on for information about herbs for dogs and other pets. We’ll be bringing you success stories, theories and explanations of Chinese herbalism, general holistic health information, and more!

For the healing and overall care of your dog, there is no substitute for professional veterinary care. Holistic Vets can be found throughout the country.

For information on our line of herbal formulas for dogs, check out Qi Blends.