ZOOPHARMACOGNOSY
What exactly is meant by Zoopharmacognosy?
Zoopharmacognosy refers to the process by which animals self-select plants, algae's, clays and minerals in their environment for the purposes of regaining health. This innate survival trait allows an animal to actively differentiate between plants in it's environment to eat, smell or apply topically to maintain wellness.
Zoopharmacognosy refers to the process by which animals self-select plants, algae's, clays and minerals in their environment for the purposes of regaining health. This innate survival trait allows an animal to actively differentiate between plants in it's environment to eat, smell or apply topically to maintain wellness.
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How can it help me and my horse?
This type of approach allows you to help your horse to literally lead the way on which herbs and plant extracts it needs to regain health. Plant extracts are offered according to the horses presenting symptoms and the animal by way of behaviour will indicate to the 'Offerer' which plant extracts it needs. Once a selection is made, the 'Offerer' will continue to offer until the horse's interest wanes. Self-selection has been shown to be effective in the areas of worming, bacterial infections, inflammation, wounds plus many different conditions. Click here to go to our list Plant Extracts by Conditions Whilst this is not a comprehensive list and is very much a work in progress, it will get you started! Click on the Welcome to Whitethorn Equine Health vid (3mins) to learn more about self-selection |
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Benefits of the this self-selection approach:
- Most effective way of using herbs as this approach addresses the specific needs of your horse's unique condition which varies from horse to horse even when showing the same symptoms. For example, one horse suffering from anxiety may select Barley Grass powder whilst another may select English Chamomile essential oil and another may select both
- Works on all levels - emotional, physical & mental. Many of the plant extracts work on the emotional element of health, such as grief and anger
- Less intrusive than most conventional methods and pharmaceutical preparations. Herbs work gently within the body and the horse always takes the appropriate amount for it's condition so there's no danger of over-loading or over medicating leading to toxicity
- The method of self-selection removes time consuming and sometimes costly guesswork. Your horse can tell you accurately what it does or does not need once you know how to read the signs. Go to our workshop page to find out more
- Brings a whole new level of connection and communication between you and your horse. Once your horse knows that you are 'listening to him/her' then channels will open up as never before
- Has a balancing influence on the body and works with the body's innate desire to heal
- Does not suppress symptoms - sending them inwards to surface at a later time
- Creates a stronger Immune System - this process works with the body as oppose to attacks
How does it work?
There are varying theories on how it works. However, one thing we do know for sure is that the taste bud receptors of the unhealthy animal become more receptive to the taste of the medicinal compounds that it needs to get better. For example, whilst normally an animal would find that Wormwood tastes bitter, when the animal has worms it's taste receptors alter to finding Wormwood pleasant. When the animal has has sufficient for it's condition the taste bud receptors revert back to finding Wormwood bitter. The same also applies to the nasal receptors and finding essential oils pleasant or unpleasant according to the needs of the body. To facilitate identifying plants horses have (as do all mammals other than humans) a secondary olfactory organ called the Vomeronasal Organ. The VNO is directly linked to the brain (via the Olfactory Bulb) and send signals to influence the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system which then have real physiological effects on the body. The VNO is also linked to the limbic system within brain. This collection of structures within the brain influences the emotional state of the horse as well as being responsible for forming and storing memories.
There are varying theories on how it works. However, one thing we do know for sure is that the taste bud receptors of the unhealthy animal become more receptive to the taste of the medicinal compounds that it needs to get better. For example, whilst normally an animal would find that Wormwood tastes bitter, when the animal has worms it's taste receptors alter to finding Wormwood pleasant. When the animal has has sufficient for it's condition the taste bud receptors revert back to finding Wormwood bitter. The same also applies to the nasal receptors and finding essential oils pleasant or unpleasant according to the needs of the body. To facilitate identifying plants horses have (as do all mammals other than humans) a secondary olfactory organ called the Vomeronasal Organ. The VNO is directly linked to the brain (via the Olfactory Bulb) and send signals to influence the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system which then have real physiological effects on the body. The VNO is also linked to the limbic system within brain. This collection of structures within the brain influences the emotional state of the horse as well as being responsible for forming and storing memories.
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The word Zoopharmacognosy was coined by Dr.Eloy Rodriguez - a biochemist at Cornell University, NY. The word is derived from ancient Greek- 'zoo' (animal), 'pharmaco' (remedy) and 'gnosy' (knowing).
Click on YouTube link to listen to a 15min Tedx talk by the leader in the field of Zoopharmacognosy, Prof Michael Huffman of Kyoto University |
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