Herbs and Spices That are Safe, Beneficial for Dogs
The following provides a partial list of herbs and spices that are safe for dogs to ingest. Some are also safe and effective for topical applications as well…as noted in section 2.0 above make sure you do your research prior to providing any herb or spice to your dog for ingestion or topical application...
❀Alfalfa
❀Aloe Vera multiple health benefits
❀Anise multiple health benefits
❀Arnica Montana multiple health benefits 
❀Astralagus
❀Bayberry
❀Barberry Bark
❀Bilberry
❀Burdock
Latin name: Arctium
Applies to:
has obmenouluchshayuschim, kroveochistitelnym, antiseptic, antibacterial, diuretic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, lactiferous, krovoochistitelnym, hypoglycemic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory action, improves drainage of the lymphatic system
has antitoxic action, used for gastric ulcers, stomach bleeding, chronic gastritis and pancreatitis,
kidney disease, arthritis, arthritis, rheumatism, gout,
in diseases of the blood and lymph,
used in treatment of diabetes.
❀Basil multiple health benefits
❀Beebalm
❀Beans
Latin name: Phaseoli pericarpium
Properties:
- has hypotensive, anti-sclerotic effect, normalizes metabolism
- has a stone - dissolving, wound healing, diuretic, anti-inflammatory action
- is used to treat hypertension, rheumatism, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, kidney stones, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and bladder, dropsy, sciatica, salt metabolism disorders, diseases of the pancreas.
❀Calendula
❀Catnip
❀Cat's Claw multiple health benefits
❀Cat Thyme
❀Cayenne
- Should never be ingested but can be used topically;
- Topical application:
- Cayenne in small quantity can be used as a topical treatment;
- The Capsaicin from cayenne peppers can be added to creams and gels as capsacin is a natural pain reliever and also has excellent antibacterial properties to help fight infection.
❀Chamomile multiple health benefits (1)
❀Chevril
❀Chickweed
- good for dental care – oral rinse, fight plaque and bacteria
- good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor
- Curcumin offers a vast array of health benefits
❀Dandelion
Latin name:Taraxacum officinale
Applies to:
as a restorative remedy for anemia and fatigue, has a calming effect for nervous disorders, improves metabolism, activating function of the liver, kidney, intestine, reducing the symptoms of intoxication
to improve digestion, constipation, flatulence
diabetes, cholecystitis
in the treatment of tuberculosis
apply liver disease (jaundice, hepatitis), inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and kidney stones.
❀Dill
❀Dong Quai multiple health benefits
❀Echinacea
- treat ear infections
- good for dental care – treat infected teeth, infected and bleeding gums, oral rinse
- ocular health;
- for treatment of eye infections
- good source omega 3 fatty acid
❀Galangal
❀Garlic multiple health benefits also...
- treat ear infections
- protect from insects and parasites
❀Gingko
❀Gloxinia
❀Green Tea - decafinated multiple health benefits also...
❀Golden Seal
- Multiple health benefits including...
❀Horse Chesnut
Latin name: Aesculus hippocastanum
Properties:
- lowers blood clotting, strengthens capillary walls of veins
- prevent the formation and promotes the resorption of blood clot
- are used for hemorrhoids, vascular spasm, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, ulcers, leg and varicose veins, myalgia and neuralgia, inappropriate secretion of bile, chronic digestive disorders
- for the treatment of thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency with limfostazom
❀Irish Moss
❀Indian Strawberry
❀Juniper Berries multiple health benefits
❀Lavender
❀Gloxinia
❀Lemon Balm
❀Lemon Grass
❀Lemon Verbena
❀Licorice multiple health benefits
❀Lovage
❀Mother and Stepmother
Latin name: Tussilago farfara
Applies to:
strong antibacterial agent in the treatment of cuts and poorly healing wounds, has expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic action. respiratory diseases and respiratory tract, catarrh of the stomach and intestines, in diseases of the liver, kidneys and bladder, with scrofula and dropsy.
❀Majoram multiple health benefits
❀Marshmallow root
❀Melissa
Latin name: Melissa officinalis
Applies to:
mobilizes the body's defenses, has antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiemetic and analgesic effect, is used in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gall bladder, as a sedative with nervousness, as cough, antiviral, tonic after infectious and colds, normalize the activity of the heart.
❀Milk Thistle multiple health benefits
❀Mint
- good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor
Latin name: Mentha piperita
Applies to:
promotes appetite, reduces the acidity of gastric juice, reduces nausea, has choleretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, sedative and analgesic effect, enhances coronary and cerebral vessels, ducts of the gallbladder, reduces menstrual bleeding, in diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
❀Mullein
❀Nettle
❀Oat
❀Oregano
❀Oregon Grape
- treat ear infections
- good for dental care – treat infected teeth, infected and bleeding gums, oral rinse
❀Plaintain
❀Peppermint
❀Penny Royal (external use only)
❀Red Clover
❀Rooibos Tea multiple health benefits also...
❀Rosemary
❀Sage (1)
Latin name: Salvia
Applies to:
has a calming, disinfectant, expectorant, astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, diuretic, epithelial tissue plumping reduces the permeability of cell membranes, the walls of blood and lymph vessels, has antiseptic properties, delaying breeding golden stafillokoka, increases the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract, has a negligible effect antispasmodic, used to rinse with acute tonsillitis and chronic tonsillitis.
❀Sarsaparilla
❀Saphora Japonica
Latin name: Sophora japonica
Applies to:
- hypo- and avitaminosis R., cases involving violation of vascular permeability, hemorrhagic diathesis
- in diseases of the liver, kidney, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, asthma, hypertension, angina pectoris, thrombophlebitis
- is a means toning the nervous system, normalizes metabolism and helps stop the process of salt deposits and the formation of stones.
- safe for dogs that are not pregnant
❀Slippery Elm multiple health benefits
❀Spearmint
- good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor
❀Strawberry
❀Tarragon
❀Tea Tree Oil
- Only use in diluted carrier such as almond or olive oil in a ratio of 50:50
- Not for ingested use!
- Only for topical use with great caution and should NOT be ingested by dog via licking, breathing in vapor etc.
Latin name: Thymus vulgaris
Properties:
- has immunostimulant, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic effect, antimicrobial, antiviral, expectorant
- calming effect on the central nervous system
- activates the secretion of gastric juice, pancreas, stimulates appetite
- acts saharosnizhayusche
- take with tracheitis, bronchitis, inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines, anemia, tachycardia hormonal origin.
❀Turmeric - multiple health benefits
❀Uva Ursi
❀Valerian
❀Wormwood (a dewormer that should only be used under the supervision of a holistic
veterinarian)
1 note - these herbs are safe for a pregnant or lactating dog when used as a culinary herb. Do not use essential oils derived from these herbs as part of a pregnant or lactating dog's diet.
3.2 Herbs and Spices That are NOT Safe for Dogs
The following provides a list of some of the herbs that are harmful to dogs…
- Cocoa
- Comfrey
- Paprika
- Pennyroyal (ingested use)
- Pepper
- Salt
- Tea Tree Oil (must only be used in diluted carrier such as almond or olive oil in a ratio of 50:50)
- Nutmeg
- Mace
- Ma Huang (Ephedra) use under supervision of a holistic veterinarian only.
- Wormwood (a dewormer that should only ever be used under the supervision of a holistic veterinarian)
(Credits: extracts from the writing of Karen Rosenfeld, OttawaValleyDogWhisperer, Holistic Behavorist and Wellness Specialist)