ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Yes she has been tested once in august = neg
once in dec = negative
she had heart bar shoes on we took the lami one off a month ago to treat abscess
the good foot we took off 2 weeks ago she is now barefoot. found this i posted this elsewhere but thought this might interest you
Excerpts from Practical Herbalism
Vitex (Chaste tree) has been used for thousands of years for its beneficial affect on the female glandular system, and its restraining effect on male hormones. Modern research has confirmed at least one of these uses, and the berries are now widely used to restore balance and function to the female reproductive system, by stimulating the natural production of progesterone.
Some of the old herbals classify the berries as anaphrodisiac, accounting for the name Monk's pepper, and the tradition of using the kernels to lessen the urges of the flesh. Other sources list the Vitex fruit as aphrodisiac, implying the opposite tendency. The truth is that the Vitex, like many other herbs, exerts a normalizing influence on the body restoring that which is absent, and constraining excessive tendencies.
Vitex acts upon the pituitary gland, reducing the production of certain hormones and increasing the production of other, shifting the balance in favor of the gestagens, hormones that normally condition the body for pregnancy. It has found a wide following of users for imbalances of the female reproductive system, especially when they are related to excessive estrogen or xen-estrogen influence, and has been used with great effect in restoring absent menstruation, regulating heavy periods, restoring fertility when caused by hormonal imbalance, relieve PMS tension, and easing the changes of menopause.
A tincture of the berries has also been used externally for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, and neuropathic muscular weakness.
Chaste tree berry is a type of herb that has medicinal qualities. It is often fed to horses to treat the symptoms of Cushing's disease, which is the result of a hormonal imbalance, usually in older horses.
Read more: Chaste Tree Berry & Cushings Disease | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6181516_chaste-tree-berry-cushings-disease.html#ixzz1khUMoSwj
Chasteberry for Cushing's Disease
Jun 8, 2011 | By Julie Revel
Julie Revel, a former neurobiologist in pharmaceuticals, began writing professionally in 2009 with a focus on health and disease prevention. Based in New Jersey, she works as a medical writer in the healthcare industry. Revel graduated from Drew University with a B.A. in neuroscience and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medical Humanities.
Chasteberry for Cushing's Disease Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Early detection and treatment of Cushing's disease is an essential part of providing a better quality of life for affected animals. The onset of Cushing's disease typically begins in the late teens to 20s, but can start as early as 8 years old. Although several synthetic drugs are available to treat this condition, herbal alternatives such as chasteberry have shown to be viable treatment options. In a clinical study directed by Robert Eustace, FRCVS, after treatment with chasteberry extract, "all owners reported improvement in the demeanor of their animals, they became more active, less depressed and the term 'rejuvenated' was often used by owners."
Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a metabolic disorder caused by an overactive pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a critical part of the endocrine system that helps regulate hormones. As the disease progresses, benign tumors can form on the pituitary gland, causing pressure to be put on other parts of the brain. A horse with Cushing's disease produces increased amounts of proopiomelanocortin peptides, which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol.
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Diagnosis of Cushing's Disease
The onset of Cushing's disease is usually marked with an increased thirst, with affected horses drinking up to 20 gallons per day as opposed to a normal 5 to 8 gallons. They may also have an increased appetite paired with weight loss. The most iconic symptom is the long, wavy hair coat that these horses grow in the winter and fail to shed in the summer. Several diagnostic tests can provide a definitive diagnosis of Cushing 's disease. Dr. Phillip Johnson, a veterinarian from the University of Missouri, has developed a test that measures the levels of 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) in the tissues, as elevated levels of HSD are a marker of cortisol dysregulation. Other tests available include a dexamethasone suppression test and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation to determine abnormal hormone levels caused by an overactive pituitary gland.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry is the fruit of the flowering chaste tree that originates from southwestern Europe and western Asia. Dr. Beatrix Roemhelm-Hamm, from Robert Wood Johnson School, cites the use of chasteberry as far back as 2,500 years to treat hormonal dysregulation. Once used to decrease libido, chasteberry offers an herbal alternative to provide relief of premenstrual syndrome and menstrual discomfort.
How Chasteberry Works
The extract of the berry contains iridoid glycosides, flavonoids and oils that have shown to have an effect on the dopaminergic system both in vivo and in vitro. The dopamine system plays a role in the inhibition of prolactin release and its downstream effects help mediate the hormonal imbalances caused by Cushing's disease, although the exact mechanism remains unknown. Studies conducted by Eustace and Russell both returned results that indicated positive outcomes, including rapid shedding of the winter coats. However, other studies, such as the one completed by a team of veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvania, showed no significant changes in clinical measures of Cushing's disease when a chasteberry extract was compared to a commercially available dopaminergic agonist that is the current standard of care. More research is needed to make a definitive determination of the effectiveness of chasteberry on Cushing's disease.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/466178-chasteberry-for-cushings-disease/#ixzz1khUbNylQ
i had a gelding with Cushing's who was maintained on Evitex which is chasteberry extract for many years after diagnosis. His symptoms never advanced beyond a slight crest and some loss of topline muscling. I also provided certain lifestyle changes to reduce stressors, such as providing 24/7 turnout on pasture with a mare he got along well with, with a very nice run in shelter with matted ends, cooled by fans all summer and heated trough and quality hay fed 24/7 all winter along with good senior feed and access to mineral and salt blocks. He received Evitex every day for three weeks out of every four and never required Pergolide. Here is the product I fed............
Good luck.
She only gets 4 flakes of soaked hay a day and one scoop of happy hoof.