What Chinese medicines are suitable for external use by cats?

Jan 05,2024
9Min

Topical drugs generally have the functions of killing insects, detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and astringent and hemostasis. They can be applied directly to the affected area, or they can be sprayed, fumigated, bathed, etc. to achieve the therapeutic effect. Of course, some of them can also be taken orally. , some of these traditional Chinese medicines are also suitable for use on cats. It is worth noting that these medicines are generally compatible with other medicines and are rarely used alone.

1. Borneol

It is a processed product of dipterocarp resin from the Dipterocarpaceae plant, or a processed product synthesized by chemical methods such as camphor and turpentine. Dipterocarpa, an evergreen tree, up to 5 meters high, smooth and hairless, with concave cracks in the bark and hard borneol crystals on the outside. The leaves are alternate, leathery; the petioles are stout; the leaves are oval, with a pointed apex: the base is obtuse or broadly wedge-shaped, the entire margin is glabrous and shiny on both sides, the main vein is obvious, the lateral veins are pinnate, and the apex is near the leaf edge. connected. The resin (borneol balm) and seeds (borneol balm) of this plant are also used for medicinal purposes.

Borneol can clear all the orifices, dissipate stagnant fire, remove nebula and improve eyesight, reduce swelling and relieve pain. . It is used for the symptoms of fever, coma, convulsions, qi stagnation, coma, red eyes, aphthous sores, sore throat, and ear canal discharge. Pharmacologically, borneol has the effect of killing Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and can also promote the absorption of other drugs.

Oral administration of borneol has the effect of clearing the brain and refreshing the brain. It is suitable for cats with coma and convulsions. It can be combined with musk. External use has the effect of clearing away heat and relieving pain, antiseptic and relieving itching. It can be used to treat sore throat, sores and poison in cats. When there is swelling and pain, it is often combined with borax, cinnabar, and Xuanming powder. When treating redness, swelling and pain in the eyes, you can use eye drops.

2. Realgar

This product is a sulfide mineral realgar family, mainly containing arsenic disulfide (As2S2). After mining, impurities are removed. or concentrate produced from flotation of low-grade ore. Realgars vary in size, are dark red or orange-red in color, and are often covered with orange-yellow powder. Among them, those with bright red, translucent and shiny color are commonly called "Mingxiong", "male essence" or "waist yellow", which are of better quality; the whole is heavy, brittle and brittle, with a rough cross-section, red and bright, and can be ground into powder. It has fine crystals and feels grainy when twisted by hand; it has a peculiar odor and a light taste when smelt; it easily melts into a reddish-purple liquid when burned, producing yellowish-white smoke, and has a strong garlic odor, which condenses into red after cooling. Purple solid.

Realgar has inhibitory effects on some common bacteria and fungi. It is often used clinically as a detoxification and antipruritic drug. External use can treat carbuncles, sores, scabies and snake bites. It is also used in the treatment of cats' When treating scabies, it is often powdered and sprinkled or made into oil and applied to the affected area. Powder it with Wulingzhi and add wine. Can treat snake and insect bites.

Taking realgar internally is risky and may cause poisoning. Be careful not to use it externally.Use in large areas and large quantities.

3. Alum

It is an irregular crystal with different sizes. Colorless, transparent or translucent, the surface is slightly smooth or uneven, with fine longitudinal edges and a glass-like luster. Hard and brittle, easily broken. The smell is slight and the taste is slightly sweet and astringent. The best ones are white, transparent, hard and brittle, and free of impurities. Easily soluble in water or glycerin, insoluble in alcohol. Aqueous solutions show various reactions of aluminum salts, potassium salts and sulfates. Produced in Gansu, Anhui, Shanxi, Hubei, Zhejiang and other places. After calcined, alum is called dry alum.

After oral administration, alum can stimulate the gastric mucosa to cause reflex vomiting and inhibit the secretion of the intestinal mucosa, thus having an antidiarrheal effect. Alum has inhibitory effects on a variety of bacteria and fungi. Alum can synthesize insoluble protein compounds with proteins and precipitate, which can be used for local wound bleeding.

Alumen has the functions of detoxifying, killing insects, relieving itching and astringing sores. External use of alum is better for removing moisture and relieving itching. It is used to treat eczema and scabies in cats. It can be used together with sulfur and borneol to treat sores. For ulcers, it is often mixed with equal amounts of realgar and strong tea. Alum has the effect of eliminating phlegm when taken orally. To treat epilepsy in cats with excessive phlegm, you can grind alum and pig tooth soap into powder and mix it with warm water. Alumen can astringe and stop bleeding, and can be used to treat persistent diarrhea and bloody stools in cats. It can be used alone or together with gallnut and schizandra to stop bleeding. It is often combined with catechu.

4. Catechin

This product is in the shape of square or irregular blocks of different sizes. The surface is tan or dark brown, smooth and slightly shiny. It is hard, brittle, has uneven cross-section, is shiny, has pores, and is sticky when exposed to moisture. Odorless, astringent, bitter, slightly sweet. The medicinal part is a dry extract made by decoction of the dried branches of the Acacia catechu tree in the Fabaceae family.

Catechu clears away heat and resolves phlegm, astringes sores and stops bleeding. It is used for cough due to lung heat, hemoptysis and diarrhea. Pharmacologically, catechu aqueous solution can inhibit the peristalsis of the duodenum and small intestine, and has an antidiarrheal effect. And it has inhibitory effect on most bacteria and fungi.

Catechu is mainly used for external use. It is used to treat bruises and traumatic bleeding in cats. It is often combined with borneol, etc.

Most drugs for external use are toxic. When taken internally, the dosage and usage must be strictly followed to ensure drug safety.

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