How does the use of phytotherapy change everyday practice? What are the prejudices, opportunities and possibilities? Is it actually the same as homeopathy? Questions that veterinarian Pia Ana Bittermann is increasingly confronted with - she gives us an insight into her practice and phytotherapeutic work.
Pia, you have an ÖTK diploma in phytotherapy – what does that mean?
In short, you could say that this means that in addition to my veterinary studies, I also decided to learn more about herbal medicine. And now, as a practicing veterinarian, I also work with herbal preparations.
These are really very different patients. If I had to choose one, it would be geriatric patients, that is, older dogs with chronic pain. In most cases, the musculoskeletal system is a weak point, especially in large dogs, and this can be supported excellently with phytotherapy. For example, with willow bark, devil's claw and rose hip - with these patients you can have really resounding long-term success.
That it is very often equated with homeopathy. And this is where the major difference lies: unlike homeopathy, phytotherapy is evidence-based, meaning that its effects are based on scientific findings. However, if you don't know that, it is an understandable reaction to say that you won't spend money on something that has not been proven to work. Unfortunately, the necessary knowledge is often simply lacking.
In addition to the actual effectiveness, which has been scientifically proven, there is also the factor of preventing diseases. There are extremely good phytotherapeutic options for keeping animals healthy... for example, when we think of the musculoskeletal system in dogs that are subject to a lot of stress or the development of healthy intestinal flora in dogs and cats. Because it is of course much nicer for the animal owner to have a healthy animal than to have to come to the doctor's office often with a sick animal.
How do you communicate this to skeptical owners or colleagues?
If you don't have enough knowledge? Education! I now have so many positive examples that 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, for example in the case of a chronic illness.
Often, yes. But I have to add something. 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 with synthetic painkillers. These do not have to be mutually exclusive or contradictory. In my opinion, this is actually an absolute strength of phytotherapy. It can ideally complement and continue conventional medicine treatment and does not have to replace it entirely. Another positive aspect here is that the use of phytotherapeutics can minimize the severe side effects that some synthetic drugs bring with them.
In your opinion, which aspect of phytotherapy is underestimated?
That in some cases it even offers more than conventional medicine. All synthetically produced medicines are designed to help with a specific ailment, a symptom. This is not the case in nature - for example, devil's claw 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 that is made up of a large number of chemical substances, so a broader effect can be achieved. I find this absolutely fascinating!
You're right at first, of course - but in a certain way that's changing. We're seeing more and more antibiotic resistance, and that's where herbal therapy can be used. Manuka honey, for example - it also has an antibacterial effect and we see similar indications as antibiotics. That's a huge opportunity to get by without antibiotics. But of course there are also cases where it's necessary anyway. You could say that phytotherapy simply expands our toolbox and we have more options to choose from - both from conventional medicine and from phytotherapy.
Interest is definitely increasing, which I personally think is great. Because this is the only way the knowledge and application of phytotherapy can spread.
How do you notice this increasing interest?
People come up to me and ask questions! I always think that's great - and different people do that, i.e. pet owners, colleagues and also veterinary assistants and practice assistants who are interested in it. In the past - at least when I was studying and immediately afterwards - phytotherapy was unfortunately not such a big topic. I am all the more pleased that interest continues to grow.
The topic has become much more of a focus. You read more about it in the media, you find more information about it - on the one hand, this stimulates curiosity. On the other hand, however, many patients' owners come to us veterinarians and say that they want to try a herbal preparation first - mostly because of the fewer side effects and the good tolerance and acceptance by the animals. Because, as we know, animals in the wild intuitively reach for the plants that are good for them and that strengthen and support them.
What advice would you give to other veterinarians who are interested in this topic?
What many people are already doing - talking to colleagues and attending training courses and learning something new! I would really recommend that each and every one of my colleagues do further training in this direction. It's simply more fun to have this slightly larger toolbox at hand in everyday life.
