Alternative treatments
Force of nature
Why natural products?
Come to a good result in health and farming, preventive measures and knowing the risk factors is very important, read more about it on the page 'Approach'. Organic agriculture prefers natural products when treating animals. But what exactly is a natural product? The distinction between natural and non-natural products can be made in two ways; based on technical properties of the product or based on the motivation of the user. Phytotherapy Herbal mixtures or phytotherapeutic products are generally made from parts of herbal plants but can also be prepared from trees, algae, seaweed, lichen, yeasts or fungi. These products are often added to feed to improve taste and smell. Fragrant plants are used mostly, although odourless herbal mixtures do exist. Because each plant can contain a variety of active substances (Annex 4), one herb or herbal mixture can have a number of effects. One plant can - for instance - increase appetite, have antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties and calm coughing. A herb can be used in the form of dried or ground seeds, flowers or roots. It is also possible to derive an extract from it, with a high concentration of active ingredients and thus a stronger effect. Essential oils consist of isolated volatile (fragrant) components. Oregano oil is currently a much-used additive in animal feed. A number of plant products cause very different reactions in different animal species. Poultry, for instance, has no problems with henbane, which is poisonous to many mammals. But poultry is also much more sensitive to saponins. Different products from the same plant, may cause very different reactions. Also, preparation and dosage influence the effect of the product. Some herbs – garlic and cinnamon for instance - contain active substances that also combat pathogens when they have not (yet) been absorbed in the intestines. They resemble prebiotics in the sense that they hardly influence ‘good’ intestinal bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria. Pro/pre-biotics Probiotics are feed supplements that consist of live micro-organisms, such as lactic acid bacteria, enterococci or beer yeast cells. Probiotics are used to support or recover the natural microbiological balance in the human or animal intestinal tract. Using probiotics is particularly helpful after an intestinal infection and possible use of antibiotics. A healthy intestinal flora can lead to a better general health, better growth and higher production, thanks to improved digestion and immunity. Prebiotics are substances that enhance the development of the intestinal flora, without being absorbed by the animal. Indications are, that prebiotics also stimulate immune responses and prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the intestinal walls. Prebiotics are generally Phytogenic products. Examples are:
Prebiotics and probiotics combine well; when used together they are called synbiotics of symbiotics. |