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Rita Hogan is a clinical herbalist from the United States with more than 20 years of experience in holistic canine herbalism. Author of The Herbal Dog, she is also an educator, speaker, formulator, grower and medicine maker who uses a combination of diet, herbs, mushrooms, flower essences and phytoembryonic therapies to support dogs in body, mind, and spirit.
This year, Rita will speak at Canine Masters in Melbourne, where she will explore the foundational role of the nervous system in canine health and how it influences every other system in the body, from digestion and immunity to the endocrine and cardiovascular systems. She will also share how to recognise the signs of nervous system imbalance and ways to restore harmony through herbal medicine.
In the following article, Rita introduces us to the “language of herbs,” showing how their unique qualities can help bring balance and wellbeing to our dogs.
A big part of plant language is what herbalists call energetics. Energetics describes how an herb expresses itself in the body, whether it brings warmth and circulation, or whether it cools and decreases heat. Some herbs are neutral, offering steady support without leaning in either direction. Once you understand these qualities, choosing herbs with confidence becomes second nature.
9 Herbs Every Dog Owner Should Know
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is cooling and one of the best-known herbs for calming both digestion and the nervous system. In dogs, it relaxes cramping, eases gas, and soothes the lining of the stomach and intestines. Many guardians also use chamomile to help restless dogs settle at night or to ease the stress of travel and thunderstorms.
Chamomile also works topically: a cooled tea can be used as a gentle eye rinse for mild irritation or as a wash for inflamed skin.
How to use: Steep one teaspoon of dried flowers in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg of body weight once or twice daily. If your dog dislikes teas, a glycerite* works well at 1 drop per kg, divided into two doses.
* Glycerites are sweet, alcohol-free liquid herbal extracts made by soaking herbs in glycerin to draw out beneficial properties. This makes them a non-toxic alternative for people and pets.
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Externally, calendula is perfect as a wash for cuts, scrapes, or irritated paws. It should not be used on wounds producing pus, but for uninfected healing it is invaluable. Inside, calendula helps sluggish digestion and encourages the body to move waste more effectively.
How to use: Steep one teaspoon of petals in one cup of hot water for ten minutes. Use externally as a rinse, or give internally at 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses.
Plantain is cooling, and one of the quiet heroes of the herb world. Its ribbed green leaves are soothing to the skin, throat, stomach, and bladder.
- Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago minor)
I often turn to it when a dog has irritated paws from grass, a fresh insect bite, or digestive irritation that benefits from being mixed with calendula or chamomile.
Plantain provides down a gentle protective coat on sore tissue while also helping to draw out surface irritation.
Plantain provides down a gentle protective coat on sore tissue while also helping to draw out surface irritation.
A crushed fresh leaf works fast on a sting.
A tea provides deeper support inside the body.
How to use: Steep two teaspoons of dried leaf in one cup of hot water for fifteen minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. A cooled tea can also be used as a paw rinse for dogs irritated by grass or sidewalks.
How to use: Steep two teaspoons of dried leaf in one cup of hot water for fifteen minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. A cooled tea can also be used as a paw rinse for dogs irritated by grass or sidewalks.
- Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)
Marshmallow is excellent for dry coughs, throat irritation, reflux, or a raw gut. It also helps when the urinary tract feels hot and inflamed.
How to use: Marshmallow works best as a cold tea.
How to use: Marshmallow works best as a cold tea.
Place one tablespoon of chopped root in one cup of cool water and let it soak for 4–6 hours, then strain. The liquid should feel silky between your fingers. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. A glycerite may also be used at 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Marshmallow is mild and pairs beautifully with chamomile for belly upsets or with plantain for urinary comfort.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is warming, bringing steady heat and circulation to the body. It steadies nausea, relieves cramping, and helps with sluggish digestion. I use it for car sickness, gas after meals, and indigestion. Ginger is a wonderful ally for dogs with a “cold” digestive pattern, those dogs who bloat, burp, or seem uncomfortable after eating.
How to use: Slice two or three thin slices of fresh ginger and steep them in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg about thirty to sixty minutes before a car ride or with meals that cause gas. A small pinch of fresh grated ginger in food for every 5 kg can also help. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Avoid ginger in dogs with stomach ulcers or those taking blood-thinning medications.
How to use: Slice two or three thin slices of fresh ginger and steep them in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg about thirty to sixty minutes before a car ride or with meals that cause gas. A small pinch of fresh grated ginger in food for every 5 kg can also help. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Avoid ginger in dogs with stomach ulcers or those taking blood-thinning medications.
- Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)
Nettle supports the skin from the inside out and helps itchy dogs feel more comfortable, especially when diet and environment are also addressed.
It is food-like in its strength, building the body up over time.
If I were stranded on an island with only one herb to choose from, nettle would be my pick.
How to use: Steep one tablespoon of dried leaf in one cup of hot water for 20–30 minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once daily with food. As a glycerite, use 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Nettle is well suited to longer-term use—three to six weeks followed by a pause to reassess.
- Dandelion Leaf and Root (Taraxacum officinale)
How to use: For the leaf, steep one teaspoon of dried leaf in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once daily. For the root, simmer one teaspoon of chopped root in one cup of water for twenty minutes, then cool. Dose the same way. Either part can also be given as a glycerite at 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Dandelion is gentle and many dogs benefit from seasonal use.
- Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
I recommend milk thistle when a dog has been exposed to chemicals, is taking medications that stress the liver, or simply needs extra liver support.
How to use: Give 5–10 mg of standardised extract (70% silymarin) per kg of body weight daily with food. For example, a 10 kg dog would take 50–100 mg per day, while a 25 kg dog would take 125–250 mg per day.
- Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Skullcap helps smooth out overactive nerves, easing stress in situations like fireworks, travel, or separation anxiety. It also supports long-term nervous system balance, helping sensitive dogs handle the world with more ease.
How to use: Steep one teaspoon of dried leaves and stems in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. As a glycerite, give 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Skullcap is safe for longer-term use and builds nervous system resilience over time.
Sourcing, Storage, and Quality: Making the Most of Your Herbs
How to use: Steep one teaspoon of dried leaves and stems in one cup of hot water for ten minutes, then cool. Give 5–10 ml per 5 kg once or twice daily. As a glycerite, give 1 drop per kg per day, divided into two doses. Skullcap is safe for longer-term use and builds nervous system resilience over time.
Sourcing, Storage, and Quality: Making the Most of Your Herbs
The key to using each one of these herbs is to listen carefully to what your dog needs. If the problem looks and feels cold or sluggish, warming herbs like calendula and ginger may help. If the problem looks and feels hot or irritated, cooling herbs like chamomile, plantain, marshmallow, nettle, dandelion, or skullcap are often better choices. When the liver needs steady protection, milk thistle offers neutral support.
You don’t need to overthink it.
You don’t need to overthink it.
Simply ask yourself: does my dog need more warmth, more coolness, or more calm right now?
Over time, you’ll see how these plants bring balance, softer eyes, calmer skin, steadier digestion, and a more relaxed nervous system.
✔️ When purchasing herbs for your dog, always choose high-quality sources. Look for organic or wildcrafted herbs that are free of pesticides and chemical residues, as dogs are especially sensitive to contaminants.
✔️ Dried herbs should have vibrant colour and a fresh, clean aroma, not a dull or musty smell. When buying glycerites, make sure they are prepared from quality plant material and stored in dark glass bottles to protect their potency.
✔️ Powdered herbs should always be kept in airtight containers away from heat and light, as they lose strength quickly when exposed to air. Never store herbs in plastic, which can degrade their quality. Glass and stainless steel are the best materials for maintaining freshness and vitality.
✔️ Proper storage is only half the equation, knowing how long your herbs will stay fresh is just as important. Well-stored dried leaves and flowers usually keep their strength for about one to two years, while roots and barks often last two to three years.
✔️ Powders lose potency more quickly and are best used within six to twelve months. Glycerites generally remain effective for two to four years if kept tightly sealed in dark glass, away from heat and light.
✔️ Proper storage is only half the equation, knowing how long your herbs will stay fresh is just as important. Well-stored dried leaves and flowers usually keep their strength for about one to two years, while roots and barks often last two to three years.
✔️ Powders lose potency more quickly and are best used within six to twelve months. Glycerites generally remain effective for two to four years if kept tightly sealed in dark glass, away from heat and light.
✔️ Prepared teas should be refrigerated and used within twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and cold infusions like marshmallow root are best within twenty-four hours. Always label containers with the purchase or preparation date, keep them in a cool, dark place, and do a quick check before use. If the colour has badly faded, the aroma is flat or musty, the taste is weak or off, or you see any moisture or mould, it is time to replace the herb.
✔️ Lastly, purchase from reputable herbal suppliers, natural pet apothecaries, or trusted local herb farms rather than generic bulk bins. The vitality of the plant directly affects the vitality it offers your dog, so investing in quality ensures that the herbs truly support your companion’s health.
About our writer
Rita Hogan is a clinical canine herbalist with over 20 years of experience, specialising in holistic canine herbalism. She is an author, teacher, formulator, speaker, and herbal medicine maker. As the author of The Herbal Dog and founder of Ethos School of Holistic Canine Herbalism, Rita believes a healthy dog is a way of life.
Her approach integrates nutrition, herbs, flower essences, medicinal mushrooms, and phytoembryonic therapies to support the physical, emotional, and energetic health of dogs. Rita’s work is dedicated to helping veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pet parents, and holistic practitioners understand the language of plants and recognise that both plants and dogs are individuals. She believes traditional herbalism complements veterinary medicine, creating a truly integrative path to healing.
You can learn more about Rita’s work here www.canineherbalism.com and her book The Herbal Dog at www.canineherbalist.com, also available on www.amazon.com.au
✔️ Lastly, purchase from reputable herbal suppliers, natural pet apothecaries, or trusted local herb farms rather than generic bulk bins. The vitality of the plant directly affects the vitality it offers your dog, so investing in quality ensures that the herbs truly support your companion’s health.
About our writer
Her approach integrates nutrition, herbs, flower essences, medicinal mushrooms, and phytoembryonic therapies to support the physical, emotional, and energetic health of dogs. Rita’s work is dedicated to helping veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pet parents, and holistic practitioners understand the language of plants and recognise that both plants and dogs are individuals. She believes traditional herbalism complements veterinary medicine, creating a truly integrative path to healing.
You can learn more about Rita’s work here www.canineherbalism.com and her book The Herbal Dog at www.canineherbalist.com, also available on www.amazon.com.au
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian or veterinary professional before making any changes to your dog's diet, health care, or medication plan, especially if your dog has a pre-existing medical condition or is currently on medication.
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