[Welcome Page] [About Witcheylady]   [About My Favorite Herbs] 
[Natural Flavorings] [The Herbal Blends/Mixes]  [Potions Home page]
 [Testimonials]  [Links}

Devil's Claw 'N More- Not Just for Horses

Originally, when I created the Devil's Claw 'N More blend it was intended just for equine use- but things happen, and as my mother likes to say, necessity is the mother of invention, well.... except she says it in Spanish.
This is the story of how I started using this blend on dogs.

Freddie Zero, our border collie is my right hand man. His job is to herd the horses. He will actually go and get the horse I ask him for.
About six years ago, Freddie fell into an irrigation ditch and injured his shoulder while playing with our other dog. With rest he appeared to recover well, however it did seem to give him some problems in July and August, Arizona's humid season.  A year and a half ago,  I felt  forced to retire Freddie from his herding duties. Freddie's limp had  persisted for several months and this time I couldn't blame it on the humidity....no more herding the horses for Freddie. I was afraid to even allow him in the stall area or pastures for fear he'd try to run with the horses and hurt his shoulder even more, or worse yet.....get stepped on.  Our vet confirmed severe arthritis in his shoulder and prescribed rimadyl. Reluctantly, I gave him the rimadyl for a week. Quite honestly, the improvement was minimal and Freddie continued to limp. I did some research on rimadyl and became concerned with the possible side effects. This was not a drug I wanted to give Freddie on a long-term basis. I shared my concerns with  Dr. Eleanor Kellon, my horses' equine nutritionist. She agreed that rimadyl was probably one of the most toxic veterinary drugs on the market.
I thought about my Devil's Claw 'N More blend--why couldn't it help Freddie??? I went into my mad research mode and confirmed that all  six herbs in the blend were  safe for dogs.   Dr. Kellon agreed that the herbal blend would be a much safer alternative for Freddie. So, I started mixing the powder in with Freddie's food. Within four days Freddie's limp was totally gone and in a week he was back to herding the horses for me. Freddie will be 10 years old next July .....and he is still my right-hand man.


FREDDIE- Doing what he loves.
MULAN ....doing what she loves....



Hi Claire,
    I want to thank you for the herbs that you sent for my Labrador Retriever, Mulan.  I think I told you that she was diagnosed with arthritis, with little hope of ever being free of pain and limitation without some pretty toxic medicine.  Today, about a month later, Mulan is running and playing without limitation.  She loves to catch the ball in the air, which requires some pretty high jumping.  Before your herbs, she had completely stopped running and jumping and was laying down in the field and the yard.  Mulan is only three years old! I was very saddened by that -- she was not her usual jovial self, and seemed to be in constant pain.  Today, thanks to the Devil's Claw 'N More that you sent, Mulan is back to herself - a very happy dog.  Thank you, Claire.
 
Marlie Brooks


For more testimonials see our TESTIMONIAL page


About the herbs in Devil's Claw 'N More...

Devil's Claw 'N More is a blend of six powdered herbs specifically chosen for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

 Devil's claw  has strong anti-inflammatory properties and is extremely helpful for sufferers of arthritis and inflammatory diseases. Devil’s claw has been reported as helpful in reducing swelling, relieving pain and  improving joint mobility. The British Herbal Pharmacopoea recognizes devil’s claw as having anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties.
It is not recommended for those who suffer from stomach inflammation, ulcers, or digestive disorders.
Side effects are rare. Devil’s claw should be avoided during pregnancy as it has been suggested that it stimulates the uterine muscle. Devil’s claw has extremely low toxicity.

Celery seed   is a traditional remedy for nervous stomach. However, a series of scientific studies conducted 10 to 30 years ago found that celery seed essential oil contains compounds that are mildly tranquillizing and helpful in relieving arthritic pain.

Boswellia  commonly known as Frankincense has recently become very popular in herbal preparations for dogs, horses and people.
It effectively shrinks inflamed tissue, the underlying cause of pain, by improving the blood supply to the affected area and enhancing the repair of local blood vessels damaged by proliferating inflammation. This ability is attributed to chemical compounds in the gummy extract, scientifically known as boswelic acids.
In one study conducted at the Government Medical College in Jammu, India, nearly 60 percent of arthritic patients tested, experienced good to excellent results against stiffness and pain. Over three-quarters of the patients in the study were either bedridden or incapacitated from doing normal work. Within two to four weeks after starting on the B. serrata extract, they reported a lessening of morning joint stiffness, pain, and improved grip strength. In another study of 26 patients suffering from arthritic knees, dramatic improvement was experienced within four weeks.
Veterinarians are putting Boswellia serrata to good use. I. L. Jaques, D.V.M., of Seattle, has reported considerable improvement among both cats and dogs suffering from arthritis. Patrick J. Moloney, D.V.M., of Louisville, found that boswellia improved the condition of horses with a variety of chronic soreness and arthritis.

Ginger root   has been used to control or prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness; as an anti-inflammatory (a drug that reduces pain and swelling as in arthritis), a cold remedy, an aid to digestion; a remedy for intestinal gas; and to help relieve nausea in cancer patients who are having chemotherapy.

Rosehips are often fed to horses to horses recuperating from illness or injury to help restore the immune system and aid with tissue repair. The vitamin C in rosehips acts as a natural antihistamine, and the bioflavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Rosehips can also help alleviate gastric inflammation and diarrhea.

White willow bark  along with meadowsweet is one of the original sources of aspirin. In its herbal form, willow is a gentler but more effective equine therapy. Willow bark will reduce fever, and joint and muscle inflammation. This herb can be fatal to cats. For this reason Devil's Claw 'N More should not be given to cats.
Information on these herbs was gathered from the books and references listed in my About My Favorite Herbs page


Click on the door & return to our Herbal Blends page

[Welcome Page] [About Witcheylady]   [About My Favorite Herbs] 
[Natural Flavorings] [The Herbal Blends/Mixes]  [Potions Home page]
 [Testimonials]  [Links}