Slippery When Wet, Marshmallow Root for Equine Ulcer Relief February 15, 2015 13:32
In this day and age Ulcers are a reality all us horse owner's have top deal. Our common reaction is to reach out for pharmaceuticals that will help soothe and heal our distressed equine companion. These definitely have their place and nothing should stop you following your Vet's advice, they are the experts. However there are other options that you can consider for the treatment of equine gastric ulcers and one of those is Marshmallow Root.
One of the problems with modern day pharmaceuticals is that they contain compounds that neutralise stomach acid and anti-antibiotics. Whilst these aid in the direct healing of the ulcer, they can have adverse effects. Stomach acid needs to be acidic to help feed digestibility and we need some of the microbes in their stomach for feed digestibility and nutrition conversion.
Yet we have natural remedies as another tool at our disposal to help manage and heal equine gastric ulcers. There arethree or four natural remedies that can be utilized for the treatment of gastric ulcers, Slippery Elm, Aloe Vera Juice, Licquorice Root and Marshmallow Root, today I am concentrating my efforts on Marshmallow Root:
Marshmallow Root has the following properties:
- It is an Astringent - has a binding effect, helps bind and remove mucus
- Diuretic - Helps increase the flow and secretion of urine
- Demulcent - Soothes damaged or inflamed surfaces
- Mucilage - The herb protects mucous membranes and inflamed tissues
- Galactogogue - Marshmallow Root promotes the flow of milk in breastfeed mares
- Laxative - It stimulates bowel movement
- Vulnerary - Gives additional help in healing of wounds, by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth
- Nutritive - Helps assists in the process of nutrition assimilationMarshmallow Root (Althea Officinalis-Holy Hocks) has a high mucilage content, which when mixed in water does not break down and becomes a slimy substance. Marshmallow Root has a mucilage content of approximately 25 to 30%, whilst the leaves only contain approximately 16%. It is this high mucilage content that make's it an ideal natural remedy for the healing and management of equine gastric ulcers.We recommend feeding between two to five tablespoons per horse per day of ground Marshmallow Root and for horses with chronic gastric ulcers up to 8 tablespoons.
- *Remember when in Doubt Check It Out, always if you are unsure consult your Vet.
- Marshmallow Root when mixed with water and then when consumed by your horse coats their stomach lining, helping to cover the ulcer, thus protecting it from the digestive stomach acid and soothing the inflamed area. Whilst at the same time allowing the stomache to function normally, by not interfering with the stomach's natural acidity level and not harming the beneficial microbes in the horse's gut.