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If you are treating yourself with holistic medicine and are thinking about treating your pets at home, GOOD FOR YOU. Nothing wrong with a little natural healing. But be careful... what may be good for you could possibly be harmful to your furred and feathered friends.

Do not give your pets: White willow bark - it's toxic to pets

Just as with humans, the following herbs are great to treat your furry loved ones: be sure to check with your vet or online for dosage amounts, because regardless of how fat your furry friend may seem, he or she isn't human.

Echinacea - Stimulates the immune system

Alfalfa - Stimulates the immune system

Seaweeds - Kelp, komba, nori, and undaria protect against bacterial agents (Should not be used on animals with autoimmune thyroid disorders)

Lavender Oi - Cleanse the wound, then apply one drop of lavender oil to aid in healing

Tea Tree Oil - To be used as an anti-microbial agent after cleansing the wound thoroughly

Aloe - For burns and scratches

Epsom Salts - Soaking itchy paws and abscessed nail beds in 1/2 cup salts per gallon of water for 10 minutes two times per day will relieve itchy paws and draw out infections

Peppermint (mentha piperita) - For digestive problems

Ginger - Helps with gas, diarrhea and car sickness; can also help with inflammation

Slippery Elm - Digestive aid for nausea and constipation; will also help with bite marks, boils, scratches, coughing, and vomiting

Acidophilus - When your pet is given antibiotics, the medicine will kill the good bacteria along with the bad; Acidophilus will help replace the "good" bacteria

Dandelion - Arthritis

Yucca - Brain disorders and nervousness

Chamomile - Mild sedative

Garlic - Adding garlic to your pet's diet will aid in flea prevention but do not use for long periods of time

Cinnamon - Mild anti-fungal and anti-bacterial

Essiac Tea - Natural treatment for cancer

For treating ear infection and irritation on your pet, warm about one tablespoon of olive oil and add two drops of tea tree oil, one drop of lavender and one drop of chamomile. Drip into and around the ear.

Please keep in mind, the treatments listed above are for dog and cat treatment. Please do further research before using any herbs on birds, although most are safe for our feathered friends, it's better to be safe than sorry.

by Beverly Lopez, Contributor