Re: Medicinal Herbs for Cows

[Guest guest]

The book you mention is quite good. I plant medicinal herbs for my sheep--wild garlics, mugwort, and give them lots of free-choice diatomaceous earth to control parasites. Wormwood is strong, but I have never heard of a concern with transmission in milk--third-hand--if the pregnant or lactating woman herself took the herb that would be different.

I think you are onto something positive--

Gail

To: RawDairy Sent: Sun, May 30, 2010 1:01:12 AMSubject: Re: Medicinal Herbs for Cows

The only cautionary note I would ad here is that some people have adverse reactions to some herbs and this could be a problem if they happen to be members of the share. Also note that some herbs can create adverse reactions on pregnant women, those using other medications and with some specific medical conditions.

Kurtis

Medicinal Herbs for Cows

Hey all,

I am thinking about planting a medicinal herb garden for cows (and humans), outside of the milking barn at Trautman's farm. The herbs are going to be free-choice. Hopefully the cows will munch on the herbs while they are waiting to be milked, and after they have been milked. I have seen use garlic tincture in the vulva for mastitic cows, but we wouldn't want them eating garlic because we'd end up with some pretty pungent milk.

Two herbs I have thought about are Wormwood and Mugwort, which are both powerful medicinal herbs in the artemsia family. I already have a rather large wormwood bush in my personal garden, and a bunch of a very aromatic chinese variety of mugwort. I have also thought about vining hops along the outside of the milking barn, and someone suggested red raspberry. Perhaps some comfrey as well.

I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for herbs, or books/resources to find out more about herbs that are good for ruminants. Someone already suggested "Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable" by tte de Barclay Levy. Does anyone have experience with this?

-Bill

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Kurtis Staven

www.wildthingorgani cs.ca