Trophorestorative herbs. Say that three times fast! It’s quite the mouthful, to be sure. Despite the clunky name, more and more veterinarians and pet health pros are speaking about and turning to these nourishing herbs – thanks to their vast and varied benefits for better pet health.
What are Trophorestorative Herbs?
Trophorestoratives are a class of herbs well-recognized for:
- Their ability to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes,
- by restoring and supporting specific physical functions in multiple tissues and organs,
- thereby offering a gentle, natural, and effective approach to promoting overall pet health.
Key Trophorestorative Herbs for Pet Health
Key trophorestorative herbs that have shown excellent health benefits for pet patients specifically, include the following six botanical big hitters:
1. Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus laevigata) for Cardiovascular Health
Benefits: Renowned in traditional medicine for its cardiovascular benefits and antioxidative properties, hawthorn extract has been shown to:
- Support heart muscle functioning
- Decrease cardiac oxidative stress (a common contributor to cardiovascular disease)
- Increase the force of the heart’s contractions
Best Practices: Top-tier pet health supplements, like ThorneVet’s Heart Health Formula, include hawthorn extract in their formulation. It is a valuable addition to any care protocol for a pet patient who has a heart condition.
2. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) for Gastrointestinal Health
Benefits: Licorice root preparations have been used for many years for the nutritional support of the stomach and duodenum. This versatile herb – best in its deglycyrrhizinated form – possesses anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and adaptogenic properties. It is well known for its ability to:
- Optimize mucus production by gastrointestinal mucosal cells, which soothes mucous membranes
- Alleviate symptoms of gastritis, colitis, and other inflammatory GI conditions
- Promote an overall healthy GI tract
Best Practices: ThorneVet’s Gut Health Formula includes deglycyrrhizinated licorice in a fast-acting formulation that supports the health of the entire GI tract in dogs and cats. It is particularly useful for a companion animal who is suffering from poor digestion from food intolerance, indiscreet eating, poor quality pet food, an antibiotic regimen, or stress.
3. Ashwagandha for Nervous System Support
Benefits: Extracts of the root of Ashwagandha have a long history of medicinal use in various psychotropic indications, including insomnia and anxiety. At its simplest, ashwagandha acts as a gentle nervine – it calms the nerves and alleviates stress and anxiety.
Best Practices: Recognizing the ability of this potent botanical ingredient to support healthy nervous system function and to guard against neurodegenerative disorders, ThorneVet includes KSM-66 Ashwagandha in its Canine Cognitive Support formula. Ashwagandha is also particularly useful for the pet who is exhibiting signs of nervousness, hyperactivity, or behavioral issues, or the pet who is recovering from nervous system depletion due to a chronic illness or prolonged stress.
4 & 5. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) and Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) for Liver Health
Benefits: Milk thistle and dandelion root are widely recognized as powerhouse herbs for liver support:
- The active ingredient in milk thistle, Silymarin, exerts antioxidant activity that stabilizes liver membranes and neutralizes free radicals produced when the liver metabolizes toxic substances.
- Dandelion root extract also supports liver detoxification and improves bile flow, further promoting healthy digestion.
Best Practices: The liver plays an essential and multifaceted role – it encompasses metabolism, nutrient absorption, detoxification, and modulation of immune responses. Supporting this crucial organ is important for overall pet health, regardless of whether a pet presents with a liver issue or requires detoxification. Milk thistle and dandelion root can play a key role in doing exactly that. For this reason, ThorneVet’s Liver Support Formula includes both botanicals to offer comprehensive liver support for long-term better pet health.
6. Ginkgo biloba for Cerebrovascular Health
Benefits: The leaf of Ginkgo biloba, perhaps one of the most well-studied botanicals available today, has numerous benefits for both humans and dogs. This includes the ability to:
- Slow down cognitive decline
- Enhance cognitive function
- Protect the brain from oxidative damage
- Improve blood circulation to the brain
- Provide neuroprotective benefits
Best Practices: For an aging dog or one with cognitive decline, ginkgo biloba can improve mental clarity and help forestall the progression of cognitive dysfunction, making it the backbone of ThorneVet’s Canine Cognitive Support.
Incorporating trophorestorative herbs into any integrative veterinary practice can significantly enhance a pet’s health, longevity, and quality of life. It’s time to wrap your head around this tongue-twisting class of herbs and add their natural healing powers to your toolkit today.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Dr. Keith Weingardt is a 1999 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed acupuncture certification from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2004 and certification in herbal medicine at the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2006. He has started successful integrative veterinary practices in San Diego, CA and Portland, OR. He is a dedicated herbalist and enjoys working with the plants of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, he works as a consultant for ThorneVet, specializing in product development and continuing education.
