Here we look at a subject close to our hearts. Please see the link to Caroline Ingraham of the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy. The word comes from the Ancient Greek, Zoo (animal) Pharma (remedy) Cognosy (knowing), and is the process by which animals self medicate in their natural environment by seeking out plants, herbs and essential oils to maintain their health. Early humans once shared their innate ability but sadly, modern civilisation has done much to diminish our natural instincts.

A simple example can be the way dogs seek and eat grass to purge their stomachs when they are feeling queasy or off colour. Years ago I watched one of my horses going around the perimeter of his field picking and eating blackberries which I discovered were helpful in treating diarrhoea. We also had a westie that asked to go into the garden to eat a Lungwort plant. At first we found this behaviour bizarre until we realised that herbalists use the plant to treat chronic chest infections and coughs – Daisy suffered from breathing problems!