Are you wondering what to give a horse with a cough? Autumn and winter can be a miserable time when equine coughs are around. It’s a time when colds and viruses are circulating freely amongst our horses. Herbs can be a wonderful natural remedy for an equine cough and can be used as a preventative as well as a remedy. If we remember that most modern medicines originated from herbal medicine we know we are in good hands. Immune Booster Plus is a perfect remedy when your horse has an equine cough.
There are four different categories of herbs that are commonly utilised to help combat an equine cough as well as the common cold, and we will discuss the different herbs as we go. To start with prevention, we must first look at boosting the immune system, so it is better able to fight off any bugs.
Herbs such as Rosehips which contain vitamin C are wonderful for overall health, and they are said to improve strength in the hooves as well. Kelp is another general herb which is brilliant for its natural composition of vitamins and minerals. It is stacked full of goodness and can easily be added to your horses daily feed.
Herbs that directly stimulate the immune system to fight the infection are used during and possibly even to prevent colds when given before the obvious signs of illness. Echinacea and Asian ginseng are two examples in this category. They are ideally given at this time of year when you know bugs are circulating and the herbs can quietly be working before the bugs start flying.
Herbs that promote a mild fever, hence sweating (known as diaphoretics) may be useful when horses have colds and viruses as this helps fight the infection. Because a fever is a sign of the immune system working, it may be that diaphoretics are also immune stimulators like the first category. Elder, boneset, and yarrow are three examples.
The third category of helpful herbs includes herbs that may directly kill the viruses that cause colds, based on test tube studies. Goldenseal, myrrh, and usnea are examples. These herbs have been shown to work directly on viruses so can also be helpful when your horse is unwell.
Finally, some herbs are used just to alleviate symptoms such as sore throats. These herbs tend to be high in mucilage and are soothing and anti-inflammatory or have tannins that are astringent. Marshmallow and mullein are two examples. Symptom-relieving herbs may have other active constituents and mechanisms of actions. As you can see in the following list, many herbs fit in more than one category, such as goldenseal (immune stimulating and antiviral).
Immune-stimulating:
Asian ginseng, astragalus, boneset, echinacea, eleuthero, goldenseal, hyssop, linden, schisandra, wild indigo.
Diaphoretic:
Boneset, elder flower, hyssop, linden, yarrow.
Symptom-relieving Astringent (soothe a sore throat):
Blackberry, blueberry, red raspberry.
Mucilage (soothe a sore throat):
Marshmallow, mullein.
Reduce nasal stuffiness:
Eucalyptus, peppermint.
Relieve aches and pains:
Meadowsweet.
Miscellaneous sore throat relief:
Sage, yarrow.
Therefore when it comes to knowing what to give your horse with a cough this year, think about the wonderful array of possibilities in the natures medicine chest. Immune Booster Plus is the perfect remedy.
The results can be swift and very satisfying when you know you are feeding natural goodness to your horses. If you are looking for a specific immune booster, then you could also look at the Echinacea root extract.
Buy here our Immune Booster Plus.
