For skin problems:
Burdock cleanses the blood and helps the body detoxify. Soak one teaspoon of the root in one cup of water in a glass pot for five hours. Then bring to the boil, remove from heat and let it cool. Give half a teaspoon to two tablespoons a day, depending on the size of the dog.
Garlic helps eliminate worms, strengthens the digestion and stimulates the intestinal tract. It also helps to alleviate pain from arthritic joints. Include a clove of freshly grated garlic with every meal.
Alfalfa helps appetite and digestion, and also helps with muscle and joint pain. Depending on body size add one teaspoon to three tablespoons of dry alfalfa blended into the daily food.
Flea tonic: One whole lemon thinly sliced, including the peel. Add to one pint of nearly boiling water and let it steep overnight. Next day, sponge onto the dog's skin and let it dry. Can be used daily for severe skin problems, including fleas.
Arthritis can also be helped with vitamin C, especially Ester C, vitamin E, a teaspoon of cod liver oil two or three times a week, and replace about half of the meat foods with grated vegetables such as raw grated carrots, beets and celery.
Plantain is a good mouthwash for minor deposits and inflamed gums. Steep a tablespoon of the leaves in half a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Strain, and use as a mouth-wash. Use twice a day for 10-14 days. Alternatively you can use the mixture in the morning and at night break a vitamin E capsule and spread the oil over the gums with a finger. If you use this method, don't add vitamin E to the food as well -your dog will swallow most of the oil.
