Whitethorn Herbals
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      • Intro to Shamanism Workshop: Connecting with Animals 16th & 17th Aug 2025
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      • Canine Trauma & AZ Wksp ONLINE Sat 4th Oct2025
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      • Equine Herbal Wksp (Applied Zoopharmacognosy) Foundation Live Online 7th & 8th June 2025
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News and Case studies

access to data base: extracts to offer dogs

6/3/2025

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CALLING ALL DOG OWNERS  !  Are you confused about which Essential oil or Herbal Extract to offer to your Dog?
Here at Whitethorn Herbals we have collated the most comprehensive online resource available for the dog owner using the self-selection approach based on 15 yrs + of research and practical experience in the field.
You can find out more here or read on:

In this extensive reference data base, you will have access to herbal listings for the following:
  • Physical Conditions - 45+ from abscess' to skin conditions to travel sickness
  • Behavioural Issues - 16 emotional states from grief to aggression to fear
  • Key Organ Support - Brain, Circulatory system, Gallbladder, Gut, Digestive system, Heart, Immune support, kidney support, Liver support, Lungs/respiratory system, Pancreas, Skin, Spleen
  • Medicinal Groups (5) - analgesics and anti-inflammatory, antivirals and antibacterials, hormonal balancing, wormers
Each different category lists the herbal extracts appropriate to offer for the issue listed within the specific category. The types of herbal extracts listed includes essential oils, floral/aromatic/hydrosol waters, powders, macerates and roots/dried herbs​.

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Within this resource you can choose from 4 different categories - Physical, Behavioural, Key organ support and Medicinal, each giving an extensive list of conditions and their corresponding herbs.  Extracts listed includes essential oils, floral/aromatic waters, dried herbal powders and roots. For a small fee this resource will take all of the guess work out of the self-selection or Applied Zoopharmacognosy approach!​
Happy Offering 😀 from Carly and  Team Whitethorn!
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Chica canters again after injury from 4yrs ago

26/11/2024

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Chica processing on herbs during her self-selection sessionChica processing on herbs during her self-selection session
Arnica flowers CO2 extract - Certified OrganicChica is a much-loved 17yr old Quarter horse in Arkansas. Unfortunately, she had a 'run in' with a chicken coop which left her with a nasty injury on her right hind fetlock which despite treatment from a couple of veterinary establishments, after a while became thick and stiff. If and when Chica cantered, she noticeably limped afterwards.

Her owner Sharla, was particularly concerned about the pressure the other limbs were under, as they needed to compensate in order to keep the weight off of her damaged hind.

Sharla contacted us after a friend of hers told her about the AZ approach and after filling out her feedback form, we sent over a Whitethorn Herbals Mini Kit full of extracts most likely selected by a horse with the issues that Chica was presenting with. As soon as they were received a session was booked and Carly worked with her owner through zoom guiding her through the session.

Chica fully engaged from the get-go and responded well. One of her key selections was Arnica CO2 - one of the most powerful extracts in our range that clears the shock and pain out of a historical injury.  She also selected Wintergreen, Peppermint and Yarrow essential oils - also strong analgesics.

Sharla continued to offer for the following week of the session and reported a week later in our catch up call that Chica had a better demeanour, felt her eyes were brighter and she was cantering and trotting more than she had since the injury.
Ten days later from our catch up call and we received a lovely message from a very excited Sharla, reporting that Chica had cantered 3 times that day with absolutely no sign of a limp afterwards.  And a final update this evening informs us that Chica has now been reintergrated to the main herd.

Good job Team Chica! ​
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Prof Huffman's visit an outstanding success!

24/7/2023

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essential oils, dogs, horses, self-selection, zoopharmacognosy, herbsProf Huffman & Team Whitethorn including Cora and Maisie
​We are delighted to say that Prof Michael Huffman's (from Kyoto University, Japan)  visit went extremely well with much information and ideas exchanged, plenty of laughter, good food and also some great advice on our research protocol. Prof Huffman is the leading researcher (particularly of primates) in the field of Zoopharmacognosy and has written many papers and books on wild animals self-medicating in their natural habitat. Prof Huffman wanted to come and see how the horse's ability to self-medicate worked in a domestic setting. So we introduced him to Earl and he was a model demo horse and an absolute Star!

Prof Huffman has a deep desire to help animals have a better life worldwide. I think we can all get onboard with that! 😍

He has requested that we give another demonstration to his colleagues at Duke University in North Carolina - which we will of course happily oblige.

After Mike (as he insisted we called him) left, the Team stayed on for a really Powerful Brainstorming session working on our vision for the future. It truly was an exceptional day and I personally am so grateful for all that helped make the day so special 🙏

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Prof Michael Huffman visits Whitethorns!

23/6/2023

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Prof Huffman - field researcher in ZoopharmacognosyProf Huffman - field researcher in Zoopharmacognosy
Really very excited about Welcoming Prof Michael Huffman to Whitethorn Equine Health on Monday 3rd July.

Whitethorn Team member Dr Silke Kleefeld contacted him earlier this year about a proposed research study and he is keen to get involved and as a result is visiting us to talk about our work here in Sligo.

Silke has put in a massive amount of work to put our Project brief together which involves using a Shimmer3 which currently has proven to be the most effective way to monitor horses stress levels through Electro Dermal Activity (see ref to study below).

We are very honoured that such a prominent member in the field of Zoopharmacognosy is taking time out of his global work schedule to come and meet the Whitethorn Team and hear about our work!

Golzari, K.; Kong, Y.; Reed, S.A.; Posada-Quintero, H.F. Sympathetic Arousal Detection in Horses Using Electrodermal Activity. Animals 2023, 13, 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020229

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Research Project Underway & Prof Huffman visit

23/6/2023

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Monitoring horses stress levelsMeasuring horses stress levels through Electro Dermal Activity during the self-selection process
Thanks to a significant amount of work carried out by Whitethorn Team member Dr Silke Kleefeld, we now have a project brief for our research study. This study will monitor and record stress levels during the self-selection process through the use of this guy pictured left (supplied by Shimmer research in Dublin) which moniters stress levels through electro dermal activity. This piece of tech was used earlier this year by Conneticut University to demonstrate how EDA is a more precise way of measuring horses stress than using the horse's heart rate (ECG). Professor Michael Huffman, Kyoto University, Japan, has shown an interest in our work and plans to visit us in early July. We are very honoured and excited to recieve such a prominent member in the field of Zoopharmacognosy to say the least! More about his visit and our research studies in the coming blogs.

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Latest news: Track system pilot & Brewer's yeast

22/5/2023

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Horses and track systems
Piloting our new track system! Russell gives it the thumbs up too!
Pictured left is part of our new track system that we are trialing on our summer grazing fields (roughly 5 acre field) for the horses. The track width varies in places and goes along side the river and our forest. 

Also to note that the summer grazing has an abundance of wild herbs such as eyebright, ladies mantle, ladies bed straw (used to stuff mattress') wild iris', meadowsweet, cleavers, violets and so on!
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We have noticed a significant increase in the amount of their activity which can only mean an improvement in their fitness and health! Definitely a success and we look forward to putting in place an all weather surface as soon as possible! 

Horses and Dogs herbs. Brewers yeast for microbiomeBrewers yeast for horses and dogs to support the microbiome in the gut
Our customers have been asking for Brewer's Yeast and after some searching we found a good quality source which is inactivated and preservative free from the continent (unfortunately we couldnt find any locally). As many of you will know, wherever possible, we always choose products and packaging that minimise the impact our services have on the environment.

​Brewer's yeast is selected by animals to improve and support the microbiome in the digestive system. The microbiome is often compromised by antibiotics, wormers, inappropriate diet and also stress. Offer dry on a plate - please do not mix into feed.  Click on the link for more details: Clays, Mud, Brewers Yeast & Beeswax

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Interview with Carly Hillier on Equitas.ie

16/3/2023

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Horses and herbs self-selectionInterview with Equitas.ie
  1. Delighted to be given the opportunity by Helen O'Hanlon from Equitas to spread the word about how we came to be and what we do:
  2. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
 I grew up in leafy suburban Surrey in Southern England. In those days the tv was black and white (I kid you not!) and of course there was no internet (how did we survive?) so I spent most of the time in the garden either making herbal potions and storing them in the tree house or building farms in the gravel drive. I used to move the gravel around to make hedges and roads and spent hours planning out my model farmyard and animals. Happy innocent days!

To continue reading go to:
www.equitas.ie/interview-with-carly-hillier-whitethorn-equine-health/ 

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DR SILKE KLEEFELD JOINS THE TEAM ?

15/2/2023

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Horses and Herbs ScienceA Big Welcome to Silke!
- We are delighted to announce that Dr Silke Kleefeld has joined the Whitethorn Team!

Silke will be heading up our Research projects 🧐which currently includes assessing the recovery rate of race horses when given the opportunity to self-select herbal extracts post-race vs race horses not having access to herbal extracts post-race 🐎.

​Silke has a PhD in Natural Sciences and came to Ireland in 1998 to work as a researcher at the National University in Ireland, Galway. She worked for over ten years as technical support within the area of Biomedical and Pharmacological Research and is now Senior Technical Officer within the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at the University of Galway.

​
As a horse lover, Silke was looking for alternative health methods to support her Connemara pony George and came across Applied Zoopharmacognosy ❤ After completing the Foundation and Masterclass Levels with Whitethorn Equine Health she became very interested in researching more about the mechanisms of how herbs help the body to heal. A Big Welcome on board to Silke!🙏🙏🙏

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DEAD SEA MINERAL MUD FOR WOUNDS!

15/2/2023

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Wounds and HorsesDead Sea Mineral Mud for wounds
DEAD SEA MINERAL MUD for puncture wounds!

One of the nightmares of horse ownership is a puncture wound - particularly near or on a joint. Your vet may advise antibiotics and to allow the wound to drain of it's own accord.
Dead Sea Mineral Mud can assist with that drainage by 'sucking out' the debris and pus. Apply liberally and allow to fall off when it has done it's job!

Dead Sea Mineral Mud is also great for mud fever and has been proven to be effective at speeding up healing wounds (see ref below for study).  However do not apply to stitches and always consult your vet if you are concerned about the health of your horse.
​

Click on the link to go to Dead Sea Mineral Mud

​Abu-al-Basal MA. Histological evaluation of the healing properties of Dead Sea black mud on full-thickness excision cutaneous wounds in BALB/c mice. Pak J Biol Sci. 2012 Apr 1;15(7):306-15. doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2012.306.315. PMID: 24163956.

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​EQUINE PHARMACOGNOSY at American University, Dubai

15/2/2023

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 Whitethorn Equine Health are very honoured and indeed humbled to be approached to teach Equine Zoopharmacognosy to students at the American University Emirates in Dubai.

The University approached us late last year and the Team have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create course content which is part of a wider program of Equine Complementary Therapies.

This is the first time that Applied Zoopharmacognosy has ever been on a University curriculum in the world and the Team at Whitethorn Equine Health are incredibly proud to be the first to represent this modality at such an esteemed establisment. 

For any that may wish to explore further click on the following link:
https://auedi.com/en/path/78

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    Author

    Hi! My name is Carly and I head up the Whitethorn Team. I am also a life long lover of Dogs and Horses. When my mare was having regular episodes of Colic I looked around for a solution and found Applied Zoopharmacognosy (also called the self-selection method and free choice botanicals). I was so impressed that I trained in this fascinating effective herbal approach and have gone on now to train others. That was over a decade ago  and I am now part of the Whitethorn Team and work with horses and dogs all over the world to help them restore emotional and physical health. As part of the support we offer, we also supply herbal remedies at our online shop along with providing workshops and one-to-one mentoring (Onsite & Online) on how to work with them.  We truly hope that you enjoy and maybe learn a little from our blog. Carly and the Whitethorn Team, Sligo Ireland

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Applied Zoopharmacognosy and offering plant extracts is not a substitute for veterinary care.
Consult your vet if you have any concerns for the welfare of an animal in your care
Always allow an animal to remove itself from an aroma and never put plant extracts in your animals feed
​ and always offer in a well-ventilated area

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  • Shop
    • SHAMANIC PRACTICE: WHAT IS IT? >
      • Shamanic Healing
    • HERBAL CLINIC
    • ESSENTIAL OILS, ABSOLUTES & CO2 EXTRACTS
    • DRIED HERBS, ROOTS & BERRRIES
    • HERBAL POWDERS
    • FLORAL/AROMATIC WATERS
    • MACERATES & FIXED OILS
    • CLAY, DEAD SEA MINERAL MUD, BREWERS YEAST & BEESWAX
    • KITS FOR CATS, DOGS & HORSES
    • ONLINE SESSION / MENTORING >
      • MENTORING
      • EQUINE ONLINE AZ SESSION
      • CANINE ONLINE AZ SESSION
    • GIFT VOUCHERS
  • Workshops
    • Shamanic Practice Workshops >
      • Intro to Shamanism Workshop: Connecting with Animals 16th & 17th Aug 2025
      • Shamanic Practice: Deepening your Connection with Animals
      • Solstice Circle online June 25
      • Journeying Guidelines & Drumming Link (for Whitethorn Shamanic Students only)
    • CANINE WORKSHOPS >
      • Canine Trauma & AZ Wksp ONLINE Sat 4th Oct2025
    • EQUINE WORKSHOPS >
      • Equine Herbal Wksp (Applied Zoopharmacognosy) Foundation Live Online 7th & 8th June 2025
      • Equine Trauma Wkshp & AZ Online Sun 21st Sept2025
      • Equine Injuries, Wounds & Rehabilitation with AZ Online Sun 16th Nov 2025
  • Zoopharmacognosy
    • What is Zoopharmacognosy?
    • Blog
  • ABOUT US
    • THE TEAM
    • What our clients say about us!
    • Our Ethos
    • Contact Us/Getting Here
    • Cust Service and T&C's
    • Whitethorn Clinic