Many people ask if herbs are safe. As herb usage has increased in recent years, so have dire warnings, about the "dangers" of using herbal remedies. Various magazine and newspaper articles warn us that we can do "serious harm" to ourselves by using these "unsafe" and "unproved" remedies. It appears that this is because the FDA is proposing new rulers to tighten restrictions on the herb and supplement market. They are facing a great deal of opposition from consumers of these products who do not want to see some of their favorite supplements taken off the market. Hence, the FDA and other "orthodox" establishments appear to be conducting a publicity campaign to gain support for their proposals.

Furthermore, they seem to be conducting a "witch hunt," searching for evidence that herbs and supplements are dangerous so they can convince the public of the necessity of these regulations. There have been numerous FDA "raids" in the past year searching for "unproved drugs" that are in reality simply food supplements. These dangers are highly exaggerated. It is far more dangerous to rely on drug medications than it is to use herbs or supplements. In fact, more harm probably will come to people from their "junk" food than will ever come from their use of herbs. It is not my intent to say that all plants are completely safe. After all, there are poisonous plants. It is not my intent suggest that some herbs do not require caution and prudence in their use. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule.

When asked if animal testing of drugs and chemical safety could be applied to humans, one scientific wit replied, "If they confirm my opinions, I believe them. If not, I don't." "Herbs have been victimized by a scientific double standard," says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council in Austin, Texas, which promotes healing-herb research. "When animal studies show therapeutic value, many scientists say you can't apply the results to humans. But when even a single mouse suffers harm from any dose of a medicinal herb, these same scientists are up in arms, saying no one should use the herb."

Life is inherently risky. Nothing is absolutely safe. Is chicken safe? Every year several Americans choke to death on chicken bones, and according to recent estimates, many thousands develop food poisoning, because chicken may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Yet, most people wouldn't hesitate to call chicken safe. Are automobiles safe? Almost 50,000 Americans die each year in car wrecks, yet just about everyone believes the automobile's benefits outweigh its risks. In 1993, there were between 180,000 and 190,000 deaths from prescription drugs, yet no one hesitates to use them. During the same period, there were zero deaths from herbs. So you can relax, continue taking herbal supplements, and continue feeling great!

There are several herbs that I just wouldn't give up. Cats, particularly the Persians, fight two "Big Fs" --fungus and fleas. We have read that a cat that has a compromised immune system will break with fungus and that one with a strong immune system will be resistant. Therefore, I regularly put Echinacea or parthenium is a less expensive herb that serves the same purpose. I open the capsules and sprinkle into the food--no complaints from the gang and much healthier cats as a result.

When you see the dreaded "FUNGUS," don't despair. Black walnut does the trick naturally without all those dangerous drugs. You can put the extract directly on the lesion plus give some of the extract internally. In about ten days, you will see fur growing back. Black walnut has another added benefit in that it will parasite. So rather than resort to drugs to worm kittens, you can use black walnut. If you have a suspect carrier, you can give her capsule a day for several months.

The other big "F," FLEAS, seem to be getting stronger as the season go by. We are probably creating mutant strains with the chemicals that many people use. We live in the woods and have two Samoyeds, so I wage a constant battle and refuse to give in to chemicals. First of all, the books say that fleas don't care to live on a healthy animal. So back to the Echinacea or parthenium. They also hate garlic, so add garlic to their food. (Once you have your cats on garlic, they'll eat anything in their food and only taste the garlic.) Brewer's yeast is another deterrent. They just hate those health foods in the cat's blood! What I personally use is tea tree oil. Every bath my cats get has tea tree oil in the shampoo. Into an 8-oz bottle shampoo, I put about 15 drops. This will kill fleas on contact and it's tearless. I also mix tea tree oil and water and mist the carpets and all areas where the cats go, including the litter boxes.

Another of my personal favorites in slippery elm. Have you ever had a cat that has developed a case of "Hershey Squirts"? Well, we did. Several days later, all of our cats were in agony. I made a pan of slippery elm tea, and put it in their water dishes. They drank it! It stopped the diarrhea immediately. Slippery elm regulates the gastrointestinal system, so it also takes care of constipation. When you are weaning kittens, do you sometimes get little "messy butts" from the transition from sterile mother's milk to bacteria-laden food? We did--before the days of slippery elm. I just open a capsule and sprinkle the contents in their weaning formula. They love the flavor and there are no more "messy butts" to clean. Whenever we leave home, with or without cats, slippery elm is the first herb. It also takes care of upset stomach, gas, hiatal hernia (must drink it in tea form for this to coat the esophagus), heartburn, or anything else in the gastrointestinal system.

Slippery elm is also highly nutritious so when the cats are dehydrated from the diarrhea, you are giving them sometimes that is nourishing them. It draws out impurities and heals all parts of the body. It is an excellent remedy for the respiratory system. It has the ability to remove mucus with stronger force than other herbs. Rumor has it that George Washington's troops survived the winter at Valley Forge on slippery elm!

If any of you have questions that you would like to have me answer, please feel free to either call (1-800-887-4372) or write to me at Up With Herbs, 965 So. Saginaw Rd. Middland, MI 48640. Don't forget, I live in Michigan, so remember the time changes when you call. My hours are 10:00 until 6:00. I love talking to you, so don't hesitate to call.

Until the next issue--have a naturally healthy pet!