Pawprints in History: The Timeless Use of Herbs For Dogs.

andrea090170
Jul 4, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Sep 27

The bond between people and dogs goes back thousands of years - and it’s not just about companionship. For as long as humans have turned to herbs for healing, our canine companions have been right there beside us, often sharing the very same remedies.

From the temples of ancient Egypt to the monasteries of medieval Europe, herbs have always played a role in keeping dogs healthy, calm, and full of life. Let’s take a walk through time and see how our ancestors cared for their four-legged friends.

Ancient Civilisations: Egypt, China, and Beyond

As far back as 3000 BCE, the Egyptians were making herbal salves and tinctures. Garlic and thyme were prized for their ability to ward off infection, remedies that would have been used not just for people, but for the animals they depended on.

In ancient China, herbal medicine was rooted in balance. Texts from nearly 5,000 years ago mention ginseng and licorice root, herbs that boosted vitality and aided digestion. Dogs, who shared homes and lives so closely with humans, likely benefited from these treatments too.

Greece and Rome: Knowledge Written in Stone

The Greeks and Romans approached herbs like scholars. Hippocrates and Dioscorides carefully recorded how plants like chamomile, fennel, and mint could ease everyday ailments. Their writings survive to this day.

Dogs were not left out - cumin was given for digestion, rosemary for breathing troubles. These remedies show just how deeply herbs were woven into daily life, for both people and their faithful companions.

Medieval Europe: Monks, Manuscripts, and Hunting Dogs

During the Middle Ages, monasteries became centres of herbal knowledge. Monks grew vast herb gardens and recorded remedies in precious manuscripts. Dogs, vital to hunting and protection, often received calming herbs like valerian root before a big hunt.

This era also marked the beginnings of organised veterinary medicine. Works such as Liber de arte veterinaria included herbal care for animals - proof that our ancestors valued natural remedies for their working dogs.

Modern Day: Ancient Wisdom, Fresh Approach

Fast forward to today, and many of the same herbs remain trusted allies.

Turmeric for sore joints.
Milk thistle to support the liver.
Lavender to calm anxious pups.

We may use capsules, tinctures, or sprays instead of stone bowls and scrolls, but the heart of it hasn’t changed: herbs are still helping dogs live healthier, happier lives.

A Journey That Continues

Looking back, it’s clear that herbal medicine for dogs isn’t a passing trend - it’s a tradition thousands of years old. Each time we sprinkle turmeric into food or mist lavender on a dog bed, we’re continuing a story that began in the ancient world.

By honouring that history, we keep the bond between humans, herbs, and dogs alive - pawprints that stretch across time.