This document discusses several native plants that can be used for herbal remedies for common equine ailments. It describes the difference between woody plants and herbs, then discusses the beneficial properties and administration of oregano, marjoram, thyme, fennel, and raspberry. It also provides information on how to distill essential oils and dry/store herbs, along with sources for additional information.

1. Native Plants of North
America for Equine
Health
Useful botanical remedies for common equine
ailments.

2. Woody Plants vs. Herbs
An “herb” is a flowering, seed-bearing plant with
fleshy (rather than woody) stems.
Herbaceous plants include flowering perennials,
most annual plants, some trees, shrubs, and
vines.
“Woody” plants produce bark that covers
their stems and other shoots.
Most “pasture weeds” are in fact healthful,
beneficial plants.

3. Oregano, Marjoram, &
Thyme
Oregano Oregano essential oil- Basil
Carvacrol and Thymol
Genera Origanum and
Thymus
Antibiotic effects
Antifungal effects
Antioxidant effects
Administration- oil and fresh
Collection and preparation-
whole plant

4. Fennel
Antispasmodic
Expectorant
Anti-inflammatory
Administration- fresh or dried
Collection and preparation- Seeds and leaves

5. Raspberry
Uterine tonic- Fragrine Red
Antispasmodic
Nutritive-
iron, calcium, magnesium
Administration- fresh or
dry Black
Collection and
Preservation- leaves and
fruit

6. How to Distill Essential Oils
Here are two videos about making your own
essential oil. Most oils are available commercially,
but growing and distilling your own oils can be
rewarding if you can obtain the equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDojS7PWWP
Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRZc3kaHy
M

7. How to Dry and Store
Herbs
To store herbs dry, simply expose the whole plant to
dry, warm air. This is best done in a dark
environment to maximize nutrient retention. Storage
should be in dark, air-tight containers. Here are
some videos to illustrate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haf-_tqlpX0
http://video.about.com/gardening/Dry-and-
Freeze-Herbs.htm

8. Sources
Băjan M, Aprotosoaie AC, Spac A, Stănescu U. Chemical composition of essential oil obtained from Romanian fennel fruits. Rev Med Chir
Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2011 Apr-Jun;115(2):590-4.
Brett, N.D., Jennifer. "Fennel: Herbal Remedies" 31 January 2007. HowStuffWorks.com.
<http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/fennel-herbal-remedies.htm> 14 February 2013.
Harman, J. 2002. The toxicity of herbs in equine practice. Clinical techniques in equine practice. 1:2. 74-80.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=23
http://www.thepracticalherbalist.com
Mastelic, J. et al. 2008. Comparative Study on the Antioxidant and Biological Activities of Carvacrol, Thymol, and Eugenol Derivatives.
Food Chem., 56 (11), pp 3989–3996.
Nostro, A., and Papalia,T. 2012. Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol: current progress and future prospectives. Universty of Messina, Italy.
PubMed.
Nostro, A.; Marino, A.; Blanco, A.R.; Cellini, L.; Di Giulio, M.; Pizzimenti, F.; Sudano Roccaro, A., Bisognano, G. In vitro activity of
carvacrol against staphylococcal preformed biofilm by liquid and vapour contact. J. Med. Microbiol. 2009, 58, 791–797.
Ostad, S. Et al. 2001. The effect of fennel essential oil on uterine contraction as a model for dysmenorrhea, pharmacology, and toxicity
study. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 76:3. 299-304.
Rojas-Vera J, Patel AV, Dacke CG: Relaxant activity of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) leaf extract in guinea-pig ileum in vitro. Phytother
Res 2002, 16:665-8.
Ultee, A. 2000. Bactericidal action of carvacrol towards the food pathogen Bacillus cereus. A case study of a novel approach to mild food
preservation. Ph.D. thesis. Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-5808-219-9.
Westfall, R. 2001. Herbal medicine in pregnancy and childbirth. Advances in Therapy 18:1, 47-55