Transdermal herbal gel or foam to medicate animals with specific

[Guest guest]

Phil,

Sorry for the delay in responding, but there is information available

that will help you.

 

wrote:

/An experienced veterinary colleague, Sagiv ben Yakir, reports improved

clinical success in animals by putting Herbal Remedies in a Transdermal

Gel/foam.

 

This sounds like an easy method to medicate animals with specific herbs,

herbal formulas, or extracts. It would have many advantages if the remedies

are absorbed effectively. Questions:/

 

/1. How does one make an effective Transdermal Gel/foam to carry in

specific herbs, herbal formulas, or extracts?

Ingredients?

Equipment needed and technical tips when making the vehicle?

Storage and shelf-life of the vehicle?/

 

The gel bases can be purchased. Oils can be used transdermally- for

instance I infuse many herbs into olive oil for local application.

Linements carry herbs using alcohol, turpentine or other carriers. You

can mix decoctions with oils if you have an emulsifier. (I prefer

carriers which are active.) Gels have reasonable lifespans. Oils

depend upon the degree of polyunsaturation and rancidity proclivities,

ranging from 3 months for almond oil to a few years with olive oil (and

minutes with flaxseed oil). Stainless steel pots, double boilers, jars

with lids, strainers and funnels are your main equipment.

 

/2. Can one simply mix the Gel/foam with a powdered homogenate of the

specific herbs or herbal formulas?/

 

It depends on the herbs, but generally that might work so long as the

gel is capable of carrying the desired constituents transdermally. If

the gel has both water soluble and oil soluble constituents then it is

likely possible.

 

/Or must one make a concentrated extract of the herb(s) or formula to mix

with the Transdermal Gel/foam? If so, how does one make a concentrated

extract without destroying key active ingredients (such as volatile

oils, etc) in

the herbs? /

 

Phil, it depends on the herbs and the desired constituents. You can

find many western herbal books with information on the proper alcohol

percentages for different herbs- generally resinous or oily herbs

require higher alcohol percentages and herbs with polysaccharides like

Ling zhi or fu ling need water extractions which can have up to 23%

alcohol for preservation.

 

/3. Does inclusion in the Transdermal Gels/foams of penetrants, like DMSO,

iodine or alcohol, enhance the skin absorption of specific herbs, herbal

formulas, or extracts?

 

/I generally use some kind of penetrant, from black pepper in the herbs

to essential oils, alcohol or DMSO in the carrier.

 

/4. Do you know specific herbs, herbal formulas, or extracts that are NOT

effectively absorbed from skin application via such Transdermal

Gels/foams?

 

/You are looking at large molecules that won't fit through the pores.

Polysaccharides, for instance, like those in medicinal mushrooms won't

penetrate, although they may coat the skin and have topical value.

Minerals would have to be very small. Long protein chains may be too

large. Resins must always be in a Heat, the proper transdermal carrier

and more volatile herbs will enhance the absorption.

 

/5. Do you know specific herbs, herbal formulas, or extracts that cause

local

or systemic adverse reactions from skin application via such Transdermal

Gels/foams?/

 

All kinds of herbs and carriers are potentially irritating. Depends on the

irritation potential of the herb or carrier, the percentage in the formula, the

sensitivity of the skin, the animal and the symptoms.

 

In TCM, lots of the transdermal medication comes from martial arts tradition.

Check Tom Bisio's book, _A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth_. And definitely check

out _The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook_ by James Green and Ajana Green.

--

 

Karen Vaughan, MSTOM

Licensed Acupuncturist, and Herbalist

253 Garfield Place

Brooklyn, NY 11215

 

(718) 622-6755

 

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