How does the use of phytotherapy change everyday practice? What are the common prejudices against phytotherapy and what opportunities or possibilities does it have? Is it actually the same as homeopathy? These are questions that veterinarian Pia Ana Bittermann encounters more and more frequently. Here she gives us an insight into her practice and phytotherapeutic work.
In a nutshell, you could say that it means that in addition to my studies in veterinary medicine, I also decided to learn more about herbal medicine. And now, as a practicing veterinarian, I also work with herbal preparations.
There really are a wide variety of patients. But if I had to choose just one, it would be geriatric patients. So, it's mainly older dogs with chronic pain. In most cases, the musculoskeletal system is a weak point, especially in large dogs, and in these cases you can provide excellent phytotherapeutic support. For example, with willow bark, devil's claw and rose hip - these remedies have really resounding long-term success with geriatric patients.
That it is very often equated with homeopathy. And this is where the serious difference lies: Unlike homeopathy, phytotherapy is evidence-based, meaning that its effects are based on scientific findings. However, if you don't know this, it is an understandable reaction to say that you won't spend money on something that has not been proven to work. Unfortunately, this knowledge is often simply lacking.
In addition to the actual effectiveness, which is scientifically proven, there is also the factor of disease prevention. There are such fantastic phytotherapeutic options for keeping animals healthy... For example, when we think of the musculoskeletal system in dogs under a lot of strain or the development of healthy intestinal flora in cats and dogs. After all, it is of course much nicer for pet owners to have a healthy animal than to have to frequently visit the practice with a sick animal.
When knowledge is lacking? Education! I now have so many positive examples to hand, so it's not difficult to explain. And once the owners are convinced of the effect of a phytotherapeutic preparation, they are keen not to stop the treatment but to continue with it, for example in the case of a chronic illness.
Often, yes. But I have to add something else. It's not as black and white as it might sound. Phytotherapeutics are often used in combination with conventional medicine - for example, herbal stomach protection in addition to synthetically produced painkillers. This doesn't have to be mutually exclusive or contradictory. In my opinion, this is actually an absolute strength of phytotherapy. It can ideally complement and continue treatment with conventional medicine and does not have to replace it completely. Another positive aspect here is that the use of phytotherapeutics can minimize the strong side effects that some synthetic medicines have.
That it sometimes offers even more than conventional medicine. All synthetically produced medicines are designed to help against a specific ailment, a symptom. This is not the case in nature - devil's claw, for example, contains various ingredients - some of which help the musculoskeletal system, especially with degenerative joint diseases, but other ingredients support the digestive system. This means that the plants contain a complex mixture of active ingredients made up of a large number of chemical substances, so a broader effect can actually be achieved with the plant. I find that absolutely fascinating!
Of course, you're right, at least for now - but in some ways this is also changing. We are seeing more and more antibiotic resistance and this is where herbal therapy can also be used. Manuka honey, for example - it also has an antibacterial effect and we are seeing similar indications to antibiotics. This is of course a huge opportunity to get by without antibiotics. But there are of course also cases where antibiotics are still necessary. You could say that phytotherapy simply expands our toolbox and we have more options to choose from when we choose both from conventional medicine and from phytotherapy.
Interest is definitely increasing, which I personally think is great. This is the only way to spread the knowledge and use of phytotherapy.
People come to me and ask questions! I always think that's great - and various people do that, i.e. animal owners, colleagues and also veterinary nurses and veterinary surgery assistants who are interested. In the past - at least when I was studying and immediately afterwards - phytotherapy was unfortunately not such a big topic. So I'm all the more pleased that interest is continuing to grow.
The topic has come much more into focus. You read more about it in the media and find more information - on the one hand, this stimulates curiosity. On the other hand, many patient owners come to us vets and say that they want to try a herbal preparation first - usually because of the lower side effects and the good tolerance and acceptance of the animals. As we know, animals in the wild intuitively reach for the plants that are good for them and that strengthen and support them.
Do what many are already doing - approach colleagues, attend further training and learn more! I would really recommend each and every one of my colleagues to continue their education in this direction. It's simply more fun to have this slightly larger toolbox at hand in everyday life.
