Part 1                          HERBAL REMEDIES

Simply stated Herbs are Food.  Whatever the body doesn’t use will be eliminated
without major side affects.  Combinations of two or more herbs seem to work better
in the body than a single herb.   Think of how much better it is to travel, shop, or
start/finish a project with a couple of friends.   You have a support group that works
together.   Herbs act much the same way.   Each has benefits that target specific
areas of the body.   Used in combinations, they work together to strengthen and
heal. Herbs contain vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber and other essentials to
promote healing and strengthen the immune system.

When we first started the transition from meds to herbs we read books, talked to
people who were using them, and learned which herbs dealt with the most common
ailments.   We started a simple herb garden.  Chamomile is one of my favorite
plants.  It grows in most soils, smells a little like apples, can be dried, prepared as a
tea, great for the digestion and the goats love it too.   Tarragon, Thyme, Garlic,
Chives, Oregano…all the makings of an Italian dish…and easily grown.   What
about Dandelions?   You think they’re just a weed?   Think again!  (Ever heard of
dandelion wine?)  Dandelions are just the spring tonic humans and animals need to
cleanse the liver and blood.  They are high in  iron, natural vitamins A and C,
potassium, selenium, and zinc.  The goats here on the ranch can’t wait for the
plants to appear in the spring…they really love munching on them.   Although I
can’t grow every herb out there, having access to “fresh from the garden” with
those I can grow, makes all the difference.

Example: Whenever upper respiratory problems arise, we use a combination of
Echinacea, Golden Seal, Fenugreek, Thyme, and Mullein.
Example: Slippery Elm, Chamomile, Plantain, and Rose Hips combine to relieve
lower intestinal, scours, or loose stools.
If herbs are taken at least 3 times a day over a course of a few days, they work
better than just once a day…just like food, the body needs to be nourished
frequently.
Red Raspberry is an excellent herb for after kidding.  It tones the muscles and
nourishes the uterus.

Warts, cysts, skin eruptions we use Garlic Oil. We break open a Garlic Oil capsule
and spread over the area…what’s left of the capsule is given internally.  I’ve been
amazed at how quickly the body responds to this remedy.  Yes, we had a Doe who
had a wart on her chin and using the garlic oil treatment it soon disappeared.

Any plant in the Artemisia family is a natural wormer; sagebrush, mugwort,
southern wormwood to name a few.  Most of these plants grow wild and goats will
seek them out as needed.  There are several Internet sites that sell a natural
wormer combination with Artemisia as a main ingredient.

We use many combinations of herbs for the animals and ourselves.  Some of them
grow wild here on the ranch and some we give in capsule form. We see how effective
they work and the results are a healthy and happy goat.