When we consider the lifestyles of our dogs most of us would like to eliminate all the hazards of life and provide all the benefits. When we examine a dog’s life of domestication versus the life of a canine/wolf in the wild there are many pros and cons. Those in a feral or wild situation must not only be on the lookout for danger but must constantly forage for their food. From a negative aspect these wild animals must often deal with excessive contamination, injuries when hunting, lack of prey, competition from other predators and the reality of the natural selection of the strongest.

From the positive side nature has provided a superior plan for keeping them in good condition and allowing them to flourish no matter how cruel it may seem.

Canines living in a natural environment have benefits from this that dogs in captivity do not. When prey is caught they are provided with fresh, enzyme-laden food. This perfectly designed food is normally an herbivore that provides a source of those herbs ingested by the prey. The wild canine is also allowed to forage, at will, for various herbs, nuts and berries providing further nutrition and curative properties. In the constant search for food these canines are usually on the move often traveling many miles a day toning and strengthening their muscles. This ingestion of herbs in combination with the eating of raw food and the conditioning of the muscles help create good peristaltic movement (the undulation of intestinal muscles moving food thru the digestive tract).

On the other hand, domesticated dogs are fed enzyme deficient, processed diets, putting excess burden on the pancreas and liver. Their exercise is often limited to a small yard or kennel run restricting the conditioning of muscles. Pets in a home environment are exposed to many more toxic substances than feral animals would ever encounter in the wild. The feeding of the same processed foods day in and day out creates an almost stagnant condition in the gut. This slow movement of food passing through the intestinal tract that never challenges or works the muscles of the digestive tract, allow it to slowly atrophy. As we control their diets we also deprive the canine of another very important piece of the dietary puzzle, herbs.

The ingestion of herbs for their power of detoxification and their nutritional values are even more critical in a controlled environment due to the excess stresses of domestic life. The detoxifying and cleansing effect of the herbs set up the ideal situation for re-creation of friendly intestinal flora, which enhance the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The various constituents of the herbs perform as muscle strengtheners, and stimulate important functions of vital organs.

The blend of herbs found in Herbal Matrix, provide a multi function. Their role in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrition is actually quite simple.

As a canine consumes food, no matter how good it is, the process of digestion creates toxins that must be eliminated or they are reabsorbed. There are two things we must consider. Is the dog being feed a processed enzyme deficient diet or is the dog being fed a natural raw enzyme laden diet? If fed a processed food the dog must produce its own enzymes to facilitate digestion. This places an extra burden/stress on the pancreas and the liver.

The herbs found in Matrix assist the body in removing toxins from the liver, pancreas and the digestive tract. The herbs also provide nutrients to help stimulate proper function of all organs. These properties promote natural, optimum performance. Good coat, vitality, resistance to disease and efficient food conversion are the signs of proper internal metabolic function.

Herbal Matrix is a food supplement and is not intended to replace normal veterinarian care.

The herbs in Herbal Matrix and their purpose.

• Nettle Leaf: The uses and healing properties of nettles are extensive. It is the formic acid in the nettle with phosphates and trace of iron, which make it such a valuable food. Preparations of the herb have astringent properties (the ability to contract tissue to reduce secretions and discharges) and act as a stimulating tonic. Nettle is an anti-asthmatic. It has been used for centuries to increase milk production in livestock. In Holland and Egypt, it is said that horse dealers mix the seeds of nettles with other food, in order to give the animals a sleek coat. (Reference: A Modern Herbal)
  

• Heartsease/Wild Pansy: Has been used for its mucilaginous properties (gelatinous constituents), as a demulcent (to soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue) and an expectorant for loosening excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system. (Reference: A Modern Herbal)
  

• Walnut Leaves: The bark and leaves are alterative (herbs that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality, also know as blood cleansers). They have mild laxative, astringent (the ability to reduce secretions and discharges) and detergent properties, and are of the highest value for curing scrofulous diseases, herpes, eczema, etc. and for healing indolent ulcers. (Reference: A Modern Herbal)
  

• Rose Hips: Contains vitamin C, tannin, pectin, carotene, fruit acids, and fatty oil. Rose Hips act as a nutrient, mild laxative, mild diuretic (to increase the secretion and elimination of urine) and a mild astringent. Rose Hips provide one of the best natural and freely available sources of vitamin C. They help fight infections and aid in general debility and exhaustion. They help relieve constipation and mild gall-bladder problems as well as conditions of the kidney and bladder. (Reference: The New Holistic Herbal)
  

• German Chamomile: This herb is an anti-spasmodic, carminative, (to stimulate the peristalsis movement of the digestive system, relax the stomach and help alleviate gas), anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and vulnerary (externally aids in the healing of wounds and cuts). It will contribute its relaxing actions in cases of anxiety and insomnia. Indigestion and inflammations such as gastritis are often eased with chamomile. (Reference: The New Holistic Herbal)
  

• Burdock Root: Used as an alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic (to aid the skin in the elimination of toxins and to promote perspiration) and anti-rheumatic (reduces inflammation of the joints, muscles and tendons). Burdock has been used to treat tumors and is known as one of the best blood purifiers. In all skin diseases, it is a certain remedy and has affected a cure in many cases of eczema, either taken alone or with other remedies.
  

• Horsetail: Acts as an astringent, diuretic and as a vulnerary. Horsetail is an excellent astringent for the genito-urinary system, reducing hemorrhage and healing wounds thanks to the high silica content. While it acts as a mild diuretic, its toning and astringent actions make it invaluable in the treatment of incontinence. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland.
  

• Wild Mediterranean Oregano: There are volumes written on the benefits of this specific type of oregano. This is not the type used to make pizza and only comes from the mountain areas of Greece and Turkey. It is an unrivaled immune system builder and is much stronger than goldenseal or echinacea. Its antiviral properties are used successfully to treat herpes, shingles and warts. As an anti-fungal it will work effectively against infections such as candida, nail fungus and athletes foot. Its antiseptic properties make it one of the very few things that will kill antibiotic resistant bacteria.
  

• St Mary’s Thistle fruits aka Milk Thistle: The thistle is known as a great producer of mother’s milk. It has been used in Germany for curing jaundice and helps with biliary derangements (obstructions, stones, or infections of the hepatic bile ducts in the gall bladder). It also acts as a demulcent in catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membrane especially of the nose and throat) and pleurisy. As a source of silymarin it is invaluable as an antihepatotoxic (against liver toxins) agent. It is used throughout the world to successfully treat cases of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. It is active against hepatitis B virus and speeds the rejuvenation of the liver. (Reference; Potters New Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations)
  

• Grape seed extract: One of the most potent forms of antioxidants known. Effective against oxidative stress.
  

• Linseed/Flaxseed: Effective as a demulcent and laxative. It is also a good source of Omega 3’s and essential fatty acids (EFA’s). As a pectoral it has a general strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.
  

• Algae meal: There are three types of algae in the Matrix formula. The main one being ascophyllum, spirulina and chlorella vulgaris making up the balance of the trio. A description of the three is below.
  

• • Ascophyllum nodosum also known as knotted wrack is a brown north Atlantic seaweed/kelp. It is harvested for its content of algin and alginic acid (a polysaccharide). Kelp is a great source of elemental iodine. The nutrient profile is rich in minerals that supply many of the missing minerals in the soil and in your dogs feed.
    

• • Spirulina is a blue green micro algae that produces twenty times as much protein as soybeans growing on an equal-sized piece of land. It contains concentrations unlike any other single grain, herb, or plant. Among its valuable components are gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic and arachidonic acids, B-12, iron, a high level of protein (60 to 70%), essential amino acids, the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, chlorophyll and phycocyanin -a blue pigment that is only found in blue green algae. It has increased the survival rate of mice with liver cancer in lab experiments. Spirulina is a naturally digestible food that aids in protecting the immune system, in cholesterol reduction and in mineral absorption.
    

• • Chlorella is single celled water grown green algae that contains an abundant amount of readily available chlorophyll. It also contains a protein content of about 58%, some carbohydrates and all of the B vitamins, vitamins C & E, amino acids and rare trace minerals. It is virtually a complete food. It contains more B-12 than liver does plus an abundant amount of beta-carotene. Chlorella is one of the few edible species of water grown algae. The chlorophyll found within will accelerate the cleansing of the bloodstream. Chlorella must be processed first to release the nutrients by cracking the outer shell of the microorganism. This shell consists of non-digestible cellulose, thus the terminology, cracked chlorella.