AHS – FACING THE EQUINE CHALLENGE
HOLISTICALLY – THE HERBAL WAY
By
Lynne Wilhelm
(Article appeared in the SAH Feb. 2012 - Special report – AHS and herbs article 2 (2 pp))
What role can herbs play in boosting the immune system during the AHS season?
Tonics: These are herbs that strengthen and stimulate either a specific organ or body system, or
the entire body. System tonics nourish and tone the whole body and assist in keeping body
systems functioning efficiently. Tonics can be used to assist in warding off health problems and
play a specific role in ensuring that the horse is at its own particular peak of health and vitality. The
horse owner will sense that there is an improvement in the general experience of life for the horse.
Helping the body to cleanse itself: There are many safe herbs that can be used to support the body
in the process of eliminating toxins, waste products and poisons. If certain areas of the body have
been particularly under toxic pressure then additional assistance can be given to these areas.
The immune system: One of the ways a body defends itself is to make itself resistant to disease
and to become immune to any attacks by a virus or bacteria. There are some wonderful herbs
available that not only stimulate the immune system but may actually assist in attacking viruses and
bacteria as they enter the body. Herbs that boost the immune system, along with herbs containing
anti-viral properties are a safe and effective way of making sure that the horse has the best chance
possible of fighting diseases such as African Horse Sickness, West Nile Virus and Equine
Influenza.
What do we mean when we talk about treating AHS holistically?
Body systems can easily become imbalanced for a number of reasons. These include, but are not
limited to, an imbalanced diet and/or deficiency and stress (which may be emotional, physical or
environment related). These contribute to the weakening of the body and put strain on the various
organs.
How seriously the horse reacts to the AHS virus depends on many factors, including the above. To
treat AHS or any infection, we first need to restore the normal resistance of the body. This means
ensuring the health and vitality of all body systems.
During the fighting of infections, herbs assist in eradicating microbes and encourage the body’s
own defences to fight. This is done by means of antimicrobial and antiviral actions. The three herbs
mentioned as immune boosters above are excellent herbs to use. Artemisia absinthium herb
(Wormwood), Artemisia abrotanum herb (Southernwood – milder than the Wormwood), Salvia
officinalis herb (Sage) and Allum sativum (Garlic) are examples of herbs that contain anti-microbial
properties.
Herbs that assist in ridding the body from toxins and waste material are equally important in
preventing a suitable environment for microbes in which to breed. Two excellent examples have
already been discussed.
When considering treatment or support of horses that have contracted AHS, it is wise to treat the
body symptomatically, while eradicating the virus, to give it the best chance of protection and
recovery.
Administering herbs to fight AHS
After seeing the results during the outbreaks last year, even of confirmed mixed forms that vets
have given up hope for, there is no doubt that herbs are very effective in assisting in cases such as
AHS. Many veterinary surgeons are also taking note of these remarkable results.
Although there may be no or little scientific evidence for combinations of herbs used, there is
certainly scientific evidence of the efficacy of individual herbs used in herbal formulas. Single herbs
have many beneficial actions. However, when combined, herbs can support each other and
enhance their actions on the body.
I have found that powdered herbs are the most effective to use and easier to administer in
conditions such as AHS. They can be mixed with water to make a paste and syringed into the
horse’s mouth if the horse is not eating.
Herbs can be used in conjunction with other treatments (including pharmaceuticals) or on their own.
For herbs to be effective, it is important to make sure that they are used to eradicate the virus and
the symptoms of the disease. They must be used throughout the duration of the disease to be
effective.
Herbs and herbal mixes are not miracle cures or treatments, but simply a God-given means to help
the horse fight the disease and restore the body. There are no healing claims or guarantees – not
even pharmaceuticals can do that. However, I feel they do give the horse a greater chance to fight
and win the disease and, in fact, cure diseases such as AHS.
Having said that, I do not advise anyone to use herbs as the sole treatment for AHS or any other
serious condition, unless under the direct guidance of an experienced person in the field.
What actions of herbs on the body are needed to assist in AHS cases?
1)
Herbs containing anti-viral properties – these are herbs that strengthen the horses immunity,
promote resistance to invasive infection, assist in eradicating the virus and offer protection
from secondary bacterial infection
2)
Herbs that assist in eradicating the symptoms and supporting the body – herbs can be used
to support and strengthen the body and bring the body systems back into alignment, making
sure they are functioning correctly as well as to protect the areas of the body that the AHS
virus attacks.
3)
Herbs high in anti-oxidants and anti-septic properties are useful as are herbs that are rich in
potassium to assist in replacing that which is expelled from the body due to the diuretic action
of the herbs.
4)
When looking at the symptoms experienced in the cases of AHS I dealt with last year, it
becomes clear that it is important to assist the body in the following ways:

To facilitate cleansing and stimulating the removal of excess fluid, toxins and waste
products from the body thereby reducing the swelling caused by oedema - in doing so,
the herbs will also begin eliminating the fluids in the heart and lungs.

Calming the nerves, reducing stress and anxiety including nervous exhaustion.

Relaxing and soothing tight, sore muscles.

Alleviating pain, neuralgia and inflammation.

Alleviating spasms, abdominal cramps and relaxing the gut.

Alleviating respiratory conditions and lung disorders.

Easing breathing.

Reducing fever through perspiration and eliminating toxins through the skin (although it
is believed that reducing a fever is not advisable unless dangerously high due to it being
the body’s own way of fighting infection, due to the cause being eliminated by the antiviral herbs and the toxins being eliminated through the skin, this is a very effective way
of facilitating the body to work through the fever).

Toning the kidneys and liver.

Purifying the blood and removing acid from the body.

Eliminating inflammation, swelling and stiffness in the joints.

Supporting, strengthening and protecting the heart, as well as normalizing heart
functioning.

Allowing oxygen-rich blood to get to the heart and regulating blood pressure.

Improving blood circulation to the body, including the limbs, heart and the brain.

Improving oxygen flow to the brain.

Assisting in preventing hemorrhaging.

Promoting healthy gallbladder, pancreas and spleen function.

Eliminating gas and intestinal flatulence as well as gastrointestinal inflammation and
infection, easing stomach cramps, colic and indigestion.

Cleansing the lymphatic system.
What are the safety precautions of herbs and what dosages does one give?
Certain books give an indication of the safety level of herbs. One such book is the Botanical Safety
Handbook by the American Herbal Products Associations, edited by Michael McGuffin, Christopher
Hobbs, Roy Upton and Alicia Goldberg. In this book, herbs are classified according to classes:
Class 1 being 100% safe. It is always best to stick to these herbs; however, this is not always
possible, as some of the most effective herbs are not considered Class 1 herbs.
It is also advisable not to take information from only one book, as some authors may differ. If the
herbs are not Class 1, other factors need to be taken into account, examples being that some herbs
are not suitable for pregnant mares because of their stimulating action on the uterus such as
Wormwood mentioned above. Furthermore, one needs to be careful with for example Willow bark,
which needs to be used with caution on a horse that is allergic to aspirin or other salicylates and if
the horse is on any medication that may thin the blood. Garlic may taint the mare’s milk.
I have not included safety precautions of the herbs mentioned above as I prefer to not only take the
safety precautions outlined in medical herbal books, but also the condition that each individual
horse presents into account when considering the herbs to use. Some of the herbs mentioned
above do come with safety precautions, others although they do have safety precautions it is safe
to take them in small doses but not a therapeutic range on for example a pregnant mare. Please
do not use them on your horses until you have familiarised yourself with them.
Regarding the dosage of herbs, it depends on the herb, the part of the plant, the seriousness of the
condition, the size and age of the horse as well as how many different herbs are used together.
If used sensibly, very few negative consequences will occur when using herbs. We have never had
any negative reaction from any herbs or herbal blends used on horses. In fact, I will gladly not only
use any herbal mix I recommend on my own horses, but will take them myself.
When feeding herbs safely, various factors need to be taken into consideration including healthrelated issues, pregnancy and the use of pharmaceuticals. For advice on the correct dosages and
safety precautions for your horse, contact an herbalist in your area or feel free to contact me at
(072) 388 9054 or info@retreat2eden.co.za.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and no healing claims are
made through documenting the information. Results may vary according to the individual animal
and their health. Optimum results for any condition are obtained by knowing which herbs to safely
combine. The author by no means advocates the use of herbs to replace pharmaceutical drugs or
the valuable services of a veterinary surgeon.