This month I am discussing Lyme disease in dogs. Topics I am covering include veterinarians’ suggested treatment, nutritional and botanical support, and helping to speed recovery if your dog needs antibiotics. In this issue, I am highlighting the use of ashwagandha.
What is ashwagandha?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that has several bioactive compounds called withanolides, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
What does ashwagandha do?
Herbs for Pets shares that some of ashwagandha’s medicinal activities include adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-hypertensive. (Contact me for assistance navigating these effects.) Among other conditions, it is often used as part of a Lyme disease support protocol.
And, the Treat Lyme website praises ashwaganda for its ability to help the body fight off stress, stimulate white blood cells to fight infection, and decrease inflammation.
When should I use it or not use it?
Ashwagandha is not a cure for Lyme disease. But it is indicated in many Lyme cases, including chronic Lyme, due to its above properties including adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. It is often one of many botanical products used to assist the body in its healing process and is quite well researched. But it is not the only option, and it may not be the best one for your own dog. After all, they are all individuals. (PS – that is another reason why a healthy homemade diet is the best option! Let me help.)
I always recommend starting with a low dose for any supplement, and slowly working your way up. This accomplishes two goals:
1) You can monitor and respond to any ill effects such as stomach upset, lethargy or any kind of allergic reaction.
2) You can see how low a dose actually works for your dog. Using the lowest effective amount is a good goal – in other words, how much you actually need to use in order to get a desired result. Every dog is an individual, so effective doses can vary as they do with us.
In humans, ashwagandha is not recommended in certain cases. To be extra cautious, I would suggest avoiding ashwagandha for dogs in these situations as well. These include during pregnancy, before surgery, or in individuals with thyroid issues or autoimmune issues. It is also not generally recommended for those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone sensitive cancers, immunosuppressive drugs, sedatives, anti-seizure meds or thyroid medications.
If you decide to incorporate ashwagandha into your dog’s life, please order it directly from the company or a reputable third party. Amazon and some other large vendors have had counterfeit problems. The last thing we want is to get a knock off or a lower quality product (expired, exposed to the elements, etc.). This will not help your dog get better.
If you need assistance finding a reputable product or company, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you! ~ Sarah
Founder, Dog Food Coach & Golden Retriever Diet