Introduction

One of the topics I am asked about on a regular basis, is which herbs are useful for “tummy troubles”.  A little vague, and much of the time people mean intestinal (diarrhea, gas, constipation) but reflux and regurgitation are also common themes. Symptoms may be mild, moderate or even severe, but they are always disturbing to the owner, usually unpleasant for the dog, and from a clinical perspective, clear signs that something is off balance. Diet is critical, restoring a healthy microbiome is essential but yes, indeed – in most cases, anyway –  herbs can help.

In most cases, very first thing to assess is diet, and in the case of diarrhea, we need to check for infection or parasites. In this article I want to clarify some of the herbs we can use for various digestive issues, but it’s important to know what is causing the issue, work with diet and, if indicated, veterinary meds. Any condition that lasts more than a few days,  or is accompanied by other symptoms – fever, vomiting, malaise – requires immediate veterinary care.
Most owners know that food intolerance, or feeding too much fat, dietary indiscretion, or just too much volume of food overall, can result in diarrhea. This manifests mostly as “soft ice cream” stool, although it can be more severe, mucusy, and involve straining. If we have had a dietary indiscretion, the problem will usually clear up within a few days of bland diet.  If the issue is intolerance, it likely won’t and the first step is to evaluate the diet and make changes accordingly. Liquid, dark, or bloody diarrhea with straining, is often (but not always) a bacterial issue and may require medication – it’s a case to take to the vet especially if it persists.    The type of diarrhea really helps point us in the direction of cause, but even so there are cases that don’t fit the norm. But diarrhea is not the only digestive upset I see, of course: many dogs are constipated (low fiber, low fat, low volume, liver issues, old age) and this is usually more easily managed than diarrhea. Upper GI distress presents with vomiting or regurgitation, discomfort right after eating/reflux, and inappetence. All of these conditions can be helped with dietary adjustments – and with appropriately chosen herbs. Dietary management is a whole other topic, in this article let’s look at herbs.

As always, the first step in herb selection is to understand we are looking for specific actions, and seek herbs that will provide them. Too often in holistic circles, when an owner asks for herbal help for her dog, the response is a tired list of the same popular herbs used for the condition, and this is true for all canine conditions, not just digestive system issues. So we hear slippery elm recommended for reflux, for diarrhea, for constipation, for IBD, for IBS and everything else you can think of, as well as pumpkin, which is believed to possess unique magical powers (it doesn’t) and should be added to all diets for all dogs and all conditions.

It’s frustrating to deal with as a group owner and to see everywhere else…to be fair, slippery elm is a fabulous herb with properties that do, in fact, help a broad range conditions’ but is not a panacea and for some dogs, it can exacerbate symptoms. The way to approach herb selection is to understand the actions of the herbs and how they might address a problem. So, let’s look at the actions that can help with digestive system distress. These include

• Anti-nausea – self-explanatory, reduces nausea – ginger, fennel, lemon balm

• Carminative – helps release trapped gas – dill, fennel, caraway

• Laxative – stimulates peristalsis to move stool – senna, cascara sagrada

• Aperient – stimulates bile production, gently supports bowel movements – dandelion root, burdock, slippery elm

• Astringent – tones and tightens tissue to prevent laxity, leaky gut – cranesbill, blackberry root, rose

• Demulcent – soothes dryness and inflammation with mucilaginous polysaccharides (slimy carbs) – slippery elm, marshmallow, plantain

• Vulnerary – supports healing – calendula, turmeric

• Antispasmodic – relieves painful spasms – crampbark, chamomile

• Analgesic – relieves pain – corydalis, Boswellia, Jamaican dogwood

• Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation – many herbs, including rose, wild yam

• Anti-microbial- many herbs including goldenseal, Oregon grape, thyme

• Bitter – helps stimulate gastric juices to facilitate digestion –  dandelion leaf, yarrow

• Nervines – useful wherever there is a nervous system connection, chamomile, catnip, monarda

Now, acquainting oneself with herbal actions is foundational for anyone who is interested in expanding knowledge from “conditions-based” (or ‘this-for-that’ style herbalism, which isn’t really herbalism at all) to holistic,  but when your dog has an upset stomach or colitis, that’s not the time to hit the books and start learning, but rather, to have a roster of easily accessed, safe and effective herbs to work with, and a good idea how to prepare and dose them.  While there are dozens of herbs in the repertoire that address digestive distress alone or in formula, here are a handful of the most accessible and useful for the average owner. Again, if symptoms persist, veterinary testing and diet changes are indicated.

Herbs for the Digestive System

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) 

Ginger is considered a specific in any conditions exhibiting nausea. Can be taken as a tea (1 tsp dry ginger powder, or 1 TBS fresh ginger root in12 oz hot water, covered and steeped 15 minutes), or sprinkled into food, but the tea is more potent – must be mixed in with food and best to combine in formulation with balancing herbs like marshmallow.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, Chamomilla nobile)

Relaxing and cooling antispasmodic that reduces bloating and cramping pain; potently anti-inflammatory. Best taken as a warm tea, brewed only for 5- 10 minutes or it becomes bitter…bitterness that in itself will have digestive benefits but moreso for humans – dogs will often refuse long brewed camomile, in my experience. When I use chamomile to treat nausea with kidney disease or as the result of chemotherapy, I use either a capsule form or the electuary (recipe at bottom of page). I like a gentle infusion best for dogs who vomit when under stress, or have some inflammation (often as a result of medications of chronic poor quality food). Small amounts throughout the day work best, as is often the case with herbal medicine.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Topically and internally for dryness, irritation, inflammation, and infection, especially of the GI tract, skin and lungs. Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, ulcers, dry coughs, allergies, edema from fluid imbalance originating in dryness, as a drawing poultice, and moisturizer.   Dissolve  2 teaspoons in 6 ounces cool water (powder) and steep until gel forms; add to food directly but keep away from medications. No set dose but start small – 1 tsp twice daily for small dogs, one Tbsp for medium and a quart cup for large/giant breeds; increase or decrease as indicated.

Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

General all-purpose soother, safe for long-term use, often used in formula to moisten and cool. A cold-water infusion is made by steeping 2 TBS of dry root (not powder) in 1 pint of cold water, four hours to eight, is the method of choice.  Use similarly to slippery elm. Read more here: Slippery Elm and Marshmallow – a little differential

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)  

A soothing and mildly warming vulnerary that also has carminative effect. Useful for healing and repairing tissue topically or internally; excellent with yeast or bacterial overgrowth. Use as a tea or glycerite, if using alone aim for 1/8 cup daily for small dogs, ¼ cup for medium and up to a full cup daily for larger breeds (divided into 3 servings). Combines well with Wild Yam, Ginger, Agrimony for leaky gut,preferably with appropriate diet changes.

Wild Yam  (Dioscorea  villosa)

This root soothes the pain and cramping associated with gallbladder dysfunction, especially in the case of gallstones. Its is useful for the pain and spasms associated with gassiness as well, provided that carminatives are combined with it. I use for generalized GI inflammation as well, in formula as given below.

Fennel  (Foeniculum vulgare)  

Excellent all-around carminative, warming in nature and good for deficient and/or spasmodic GI tracts. I often add to infusions that are on the cold side and need some gentle warming.  Relieves gas and bloating. The dose is  ¼- ½ cup infused in hot water, 2-3 times a day in food if given alone;  tincture dose is .5 – 1.5 ml per 20 lbs,2 – 3 times a day but I rarely use fennel tincture alone in this way.

Crampbark  (Viburnum opulus)

Useful for painful cramps that can occur during bowel movements, sometimes associated with colitis. The tincture captures its aromatic constituents best; I use glycerin and make my own s it can be difficult to find commercially. Decoction works well (long simmered herbal tea) with several Tbsps. of the strained end-product used 3 -4 times a day for a larger dog; use less for smaller individuals.

Goldenseal  (Hydrastis canadensis) 

Premier digestive anti-bacterial – also bitter, cholagogue, astringent . Dose is 5 – 10 grams per 8 ounces water, then administered at ¼ – ½ cup per 20 lbs bodyweight, 3 x daily.  Goldenseal is best used under supervision of a clinical herbalist, and should not be used with puppies, pregnant females or with high blood pressure.

There are many other herbs that can be highly beneficial, including agrimony, catnip, plantain, and very much with serious conditions such as ulcerative colitis or IBD, but these are best prescribed and monitored by an experienced clinical herbalist.

Some Simple Formulas for Infusion

The formulas below are some examples of how we might combine herbs with various actions to most powerfully address common digestive complaints. All can be prepared as described below and all will keep up to three days in the fridge.

To make the infusion, combine all herbs as listed in a clean bowl, mix well and spoon into a sterile Mason jar (labelled). Cap tightly and store in a cool dark space. Us ½ tsp to 4 ounces hot water to infuse; cover tightly and let the infusion sit for 10-20 minutes, before straining and serving. Often the amount of infusion to give has a range; you can start small especially if the dog is sensitive and work up to a medicinal dose. Some teas will be more pleasant than others, if your dog rejects the tea, try mixing into a high value food such as tripe. If he or she rejects it in any food, you can work with a glycerite or even capsules. (Dose depends on method of preparation, size of dog – feel free to ask me if you are unsure).

A Simple Formula for Flatulence and Mild Tummy Upset

Actions: carminative, anti-spasmodic, nervine

Applications: gas and mild bloating, IBS, any nerve-related disorder such as thunder phobia

• 2 parts Chamomile  (Matricaria chamomilla)

• 1 part fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

• 1 part lemon balm (Melissa officinale)

• 1 part cardamom seed (Elettaria cardamomum)

Astringent and Vulnerary Tea

Actions: astringent, vulnerary, demulcent, anti-inflammatory

Applications: IBS, mild but intermittent diarrhea, leaky gut

• 2 parts calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• 1-part rosepetals (Rosa spp)

• 1 part marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

• ½ part Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Anti-Diarrhea Blend

Actions: astringent, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immunosupportive

Applications:  dietary indiscretion, mild infection, liquid stool with straining

• 2 parts Blackberry root (Rubus fruticosus)

• 1 part Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, purpurea)

• 1-part Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

• 1 part Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquafolium)

• ½ part Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Leaky Gut Tea

(especially useful in tandem with a specialized diet)

Actions: anti-inflammatory, tonifying/astringent, demulcent, vulnerary

Applications: long term medication use, long-term cereal-based diet, intermittent loose stool with mucus, vague symptoms such as recurrent er infection, slow wound healing and malaise.

• 2 parts Elecampane (Inula helenium)

• 1 part Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

• 1-part Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

• 1 part Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra) NOTE: leave licorice out if your dog has high blood pressure or kidney disease

• ½ part Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• ½ part Orange Peel (Citrus x sinensis)

• ½ part Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

• ½ part Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

A simple electuary for relief of nausea

Electuaries are a simple but effective way to administer herbs to dogs; simply warm some good quality honey, and stir in powdered herb until a soft paste is formed. This makes is easy to gently apply the paste to a dog’s mouth, although some may spit, my personal experience is that many will accept it and you can get more herb into the dog, than struggling with tea they really don’t like.

For example: with Vestibular disease I like to add slippery elm, powdered ginger and chamomile powder to warmed honey, allow to solidify and then roll into pastilles to feed by hand – often just applying to the roof of the mouth. This helps calm the nausea associated with the condition and encourage the dog to start accepting food. This formula has value with dogs who are inappetent due to kidney disease, although I leave the chamomile out with them.

A Word on Peppermint

I have to leave this now with a line or two about the popularity of peppermint tea for mild upper gastric distress in dogs. Peppermint is a lovely tea,and can be useful for some upper GI discomfort, but it can seriously backfire if used for reflux – can actually exacerbate symptoms. It is also contraindicated with gastric ulcers and if you are giving the drug cylcosporin. Because of peppermint’s potential to backfire and even induce diarrhea if used to excess, I don’t recommend it for dogs. In case you were wondering why it’s absent from my list; it’s a great example of how using herbs “for something” without more specifics, may not be helpful – and can even make matters worse.

Again – chronic gastro-intestinal issues require dietary evaluation, targeted microbiome work, done under the guidance of a seasoned professional -usually first and foremost. This article is a basic introduction to which herbs to consider for short term/acute issues and is not a replacement for veterinary care at all. It  just scratches the surface of what we can accomplish herbally, with dogs who have digestive complaints, but hopefully I have pointed readers in the direction of how to think about herbal selection and use – matching the actions of a given herb with the symptoms and constitution of the dog. Much more on the topic in my Practical Herbalism course, and coming later this year, my mini course on digestion ( which will include diet of course).

Feel free to ask anything, here or at catlane@thepossiblecanine.com