Got a note from someone claiming he/she [doesn't] "get this science stuff", and I figured that what the heck, as long as I have a blaring headache from ragweed season I may as well use looking some of these up as an excuse to lie down. Then when I read some of the reports I figured that I'd send it here instead. It may have to be in two or three parts. Was told that many people are giving these to their ferrets so you'll be interested if that's so. Some were benign; some might have very real clashes with the propensities of ferrets to adrenal disease, or to insulinoma; some may be able to worsen dehydration; some may interact badly with common medications; some may be useful; some DO taste good; some fit a combination of these categories. More than one can be downright toxic. In at least two occasions ones were listed as very commonly being substituted with or cut with a different and dangerous plant, or with multiple plants being called by the same herb name. Note that I personally sure would avoid anything diuretic for an animal which is dehydrated, or suffering loose stools, or receiving a diuretic like Lasix/Furosemide for heart disease or liver illness. I wouldn't offhand give anything which might increase blood levels of Digoxin to an animal receiving Digoxin. Ditto a compound for diabetes to a ferret with insulinoma. Ditto a plant which is estrogenic to a ferret which is suffering hyperestrogenism from adrenal disease. Ditto any plant which lowers blood pressure if giving a drug which affects that (See Carla's post yesterday.). An important warning which has been all over the news media recently is that an herb which does stimulate the immune system as echinacea does (in at least one tested form) must NOT be given if steroids such a Prednisone, or chemotherapy is being used since it might counteract the medications. Those things said here are the ones I looked up, and both the good and bad about them. You can look up these or others and tell us all more, of course. I have multiple resources here but stuck to things like Science News, the New York Times, and MOSTLY two books by Tyler since his work is praised by people on BOTH sides of the fence as being well researched and fair, and his educational background is smack-dap ideal for the topic. In fact, his publisher for these books is an herbal press. (He's who led me to using Horehound candies in addition to my meds for my allergies.) Oh, and anyone who wants to learn more about why honey and other sweets should NOT be given to a ferret with insulinoma will find past multiple postings from specialist vets by using the FML's search function. Scullcap: One Tyler section begins "That a really worthless ... plant ... could be recommended ... says much about the gullibility of human beings". It does have some dangerous side effects, though -- like liver damage. One problem is that several things are commonly sold as scullcap so if one or all cause damage is still to be resolved. Deaths (among humans) have occurred. Hibiscus: Mild laxative and diuretic effects substantiated. In one experiment in which this was INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO A VEIN (dog) it temporarily lowered blood pressure for a very short time. There are some possible indications of potentially useful effects which still require better studies even before they even can be verified, but this plant might have some promise for future studies. Hey, it tastes good. Dandelion: The young leaves taste good and they are chock full of Vitamin A. It's known to be a mild diuretic and mild laxative. Few side effects except for those who are allergic. Not ANY hard substantiating data for any of the therapeutic claims so far except the diuretic one, and there is a compound from it under study for that use. Betony: This was such a Middle Ages cure-all that it was even used to rid people of demons, which is why there are some sayings about it. It does have astringent properties due to high tannin levels. One Russian study which needs verifying indicated that it slightly lowered blood pressure. Six new compounds from it are being tested. One Australian species has been connected to staggers in sheep (NOT good). In small doses it can help treat mucus membranes but too much causes SEVERE stomach irritation. Burdock: None of the beneficial claims have held in hard studies, but there WERE 14 compounds found which attack bacteria and fungii IF the fresh material was used. Problem is the stuff sold in the States is dried and then those properties go away. SAME problems encountered with a study which indicated some possible anti-mutagenic properties MIGHT be present -- in FRESH material (not dried). There is an EXCELLENT reason to avoid it, though. The roots look similar to those from belladonna and nightshade, and deaths (human) have occurred from POISONINGS. Chicory: This is a member of the daisy family and since Compositae members are common allergans that danger must be taken into account. Otherwise, side effects are minimal, and it has an interesting taste. Other than the mild laxative effects the other claims for it have NOT been proven. There is an interesting direction for study, though, since an Egyptian study found a possible digitalis-like compound in the roots. There is some other preliminary work indicating that it might be helpful in protecting livers from damage due to carbon tet or paracetanol. Somehow I doubt the ferrets here work in a dry cleaning plant, though. Basically safe for most and flavor is worth a try, especially if you have a lot of dry cleaning around ;-). Echinacea: Two problems with this plant are the same ones that exist for ginseng -- basically that over-harvesting has threatened (or in the case of one ginseng actually endangered) wild populations, and that most of the stuff written (both good and bad) has NO hard data behind it. Allergies have to be taken into account since it's also a member of Compositae as is Chicory (and others including Chinese Mums that are used in a tea I love for stomach upset). Here's a bit of amusing history: one of the first uses for this herb was to treat poisoning by herbs! It is a Native American medication which was introduced to the world at large due to H.C.F. Meyer of Pawnee City, NB, starting in 1871. After sulfa drugs turned out to be more effective it fell into disfavor in the 1920s. Most of the studies on it have been done in Germany but NOT with the forms most commonly seen in the U.S. -- instead with topically applied forms or ones which are injected. NO conclusive studies existed at publication for the ingested forms so they might or might not work, or might or might not have problems. It DOES stimulate the immune system in at least one other form which has been tested; now it's a matter of seeing how this holds up in further study. Three possible mechanisms have been proposed but none proven. Except for the considerations mentioned significant side effects have not been reported. I'd suggest that you be sure to use horticultural forms rather than wild to protect the wild populations. (And you wondered why the prairies are looking different...) Ginseng: Some problems with this are like the problems with Echinacae but worsened. Basically, there is almost NO hard data on it, but a huge load of superstition and speculation. In addition, at least one species is now endangered in the wild due to harvesting pressures, and I doubt people here want to drive anything into extinction. (At least I hope you don't.) NO matter what it is called the stuff on the U.S. shelves tends to often be a blend of various Araliaceae species, but far too many samples are cut with Silk Vine Bunge (Periploca) which has some very nasty effects when combined with Digoxin -- causing increases in blood serum levels of Digoxin, not an effect you'd want a ferret to encounter given the toxic properties of improper levels. BTW, all the hard studies which have been done to see if it can help with sex lives show absolutely no effect -- zilch, nada -- so don't worry about your ferrets becoming Don Juans; it's just a superstition (unless it works for you and then what the heck, one man's placebo is another's ahem). There appear to possibly be some compounds which help users adapt to mild stresses like diet or temperature changes. There are some indications that further study is needed to see if it might help with some diseases and disorders, but only a few of these apply to ferrets. One is ulcers but we know that treating those with the proper antibiotics and medicine "bandages" can clear those up. Another is anemia, but most ferrets which get anemia have a hormonal problem like heat and an herb sure isn't likey to offset something so drastic as that. Here's a kicker: ginseng appear to possibly be good for people with diabetes. Now, if that proves accurate when it is finally subjected to hard study is it possible that since ferrets usually get the OPPOSITE problem with insulinoma that ginseng might make that worse or increase the tendency to develop it? Known side effects include insomnia, diarrhea, and skin eruptions. There were some studies reporting worse side effects that were flawed so that data is as subject to the "grain-of-salt" you should use as the opposite ones purporting marvelous results. Here's the kicker: there is a good but preliminary study indicating some estrogenic effects. Now, with ferrets so prone to adrenal growths do we really want this? All In all, at this level of knowledge, I'd sure avoid it. Carla, Ela, and Alicia, if this person writes to you, too, you now have fewer plants to talk about. Aren't I a kind soul to save you work? :-) (Yep, this IS a hint to the person that I will NOT be doing the others on the list!) [Posted in FML issue 2789]