Which herbs support your horse's lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system of your horse is important for draining fluid from the body tissues, clearing away dead cells, and removing waste and toxins. A well-functioning lymphatic system ensures a properly working immune system and a healthy and happy horse.
Nettle
Lymphatic system
Dandelion
4 January '24 • 2 min reading time
If you think your horse could use some support, for example, if he has a weak immune system, looks tired, or often has swollen legs or stable legs, there are natural herbs that you can use.
Nettle: blood purifying
Nettle is a well-known herb for horses and works as a blood purifier. During the growing season, you can pick the nettle yourself: then take the young tips and let them dry to remove the 'sting.' In winter, a ready-made supplement is more convenient. A liquid extract of nettle is more effective than dried nettle plants. This supplement is highly dosed and easily absorbable. A week-long course with liquid nettle extract is a real boost for your horse's immune system and lymphatic system. The nettle plant is blood purifying and supports the intestinal flora. It also effectively supports your horse with allergies and skin problems and helps to flush out waste from muscles and joints after training. A course in spring is also very effective against pollen allergies. You can add nettle extract to a bucket of clean water as part of your mineral buffet. Or you can give it as a topping over the feed for a week. Horses usually really like nettle extract.
Dandelion: a range of benefits
An extract of dandelion also helps to gently cleanse the body. Dandelion works on digestion, stimulates digestion, and supports the gall function of the intestines. Research also shows that dandelion helps to flush out uric acid and regulate blood sugar levels. Dandelion is a mild detoxifier and thus supports a healthy lymphatic function.
Sources
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Fors, Maria, 2009. Herbs for horses. First cycle, G2E. Uppsala: SLU, Dept. of Animal Nutrition and Management.
https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/1454/7/fors_m_101007.pdf
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Sheezan Rasool and Bharti Sharma. 2014. Taraxacum officinale: a high value less known medicinal plant. Centre for Biodiversity Studies, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, BGSB University, Rajouri-185131, J & K, India.
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