Both the neem seeds and leaves are pressed for their valuable oils; neem seed oil is widely used for pest control in the home, garden, commercial farms and industrial food storage warehouses. Neem seed oil is approved for organic gardening, and when properly diluted, it is considered safe for children, pets, birds, butterflies, and has even been shown to help increase earthworm populations. Please check out the Thera Neem brand organic Neem Oil for the Garden, produced in Florida by Organix South, found in the flower or natural health department of your local co-op or health market.

Neem extracts were tested by the Malaria Institute and found to keep mosquitoes from biting for up to twelve hours. According to John Conrick, author of the book, Neem: The Ultimate Herb, it is also helpful for defending against ticks, fleas and biting flies. The lemongrass scented

Thera Neem Herbal Outdoor Spray is regarded as safe for the entire family, including babies. I have used this product, as well as the straight neem oil, with my family, friends and dogs for years to fend off bugs with very good results.

The neem leaf oil is used extensively in body care products and many cosmetics. Numerous studies confirm what the Indian people have known for centuries; neem is very helpful for improving and maintaining beautiful skin and overall good health. Straight neem leaf oil is used to prevent infection in wounds and for bacterial and fungal infections including impetigo, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, yeast infections (candida), jock itch and ringworm. Neem leaf oil has also been used for cold sores and herpes outbreaks for decades.

Neem cream or lotion is wonderful for diaper rash, bug bites, acne, skin irritations, ulcerations and rashes. Two separate studies have shown neem cream to significantly reduce symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and extremely dry or cracking skin for months. Try applying after swimming in a chlorinated pool or when you’ve gotten too much sun. It’s wonderfully cooling and nourishing! You’ll find Thera Neem Leaf and Oil Cream or their Neem Leaf and Oil Lotion to really feel like it’s helping your body calm, sooth and heal your damaged skin.

Neem shampoo and coconut-scented conditioner can help provide relief for an itchy, irritated scalp, and are widely believed to help prevent or rid us of dandruff and head lice. I’ve known teachers, day care workers and nurses who swear by these products. For more serious results, you may want to add a few drops of the pure neem leaf oil to your shampoo in your hand to help loosen nits. It is generally suggested when one is known to have lice to leave the shampoo and oil mixture on the scalp (wrapped in a towel) for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Both modern research and ancient writings show neem bark powder to support a healthy mouth, teeth and gums. It is high in beneficial antioxidants and leaves the mouth feeling fresh and lively. TheraNeem Herbal Toothpaste and Herbal Mouthrinse are formulated with organic neem to refresh the mouth and support the digestive tract, (which is often the real cause of bad breath, rotting teeth and receding gums.)

The rapidly growing neem tree has been planted along thousands of avenues in tropical cities around the globe for shade, beauty and firewood. It has also been planted throughout many of the world’s deserts and arid regions, helping to restore a more diverse ecology. Used for malaria, diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, and so much more, the neem tree could be the most valuable tree for the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

For more information, please read

Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems, compiled by the U.S. Office of International Affairs and Neem: The Ultimate Herb by John Conrick.

Have you continued to use DEET-based (N, N-diethyl m-toluamide) insect repellents because you thought that it was the only thing that can really prevent mosquito and black fly bites? The good news is that it looks like we may finally have other serious options.

‘So, what’s the problem with DEET?’ you ask. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recently implied that DEET may not be as safe once thought.

The EPA website states:
“As long as consumers follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern. Human exposure is expected to be brief, and long-term exposure is not expected.”

Brief? Where do you suppose those people live, anyway?

The EPA report also requires manufacturers to remove any child safety claims from products sold with low levels of DEET.
“The scientific data on DEET does not support product label claims of child safety based on the percentage of active ingredient.”

And products that contain both DEET and sunscreen may be a more significant concern for us,
“since directions to reapply sunscreens generously and frequently may promote greater use of DEET than needed for pesticidal efficacy and thus pose unnecessary exposure to DEET.”

Now,the American Association of Pediatrics still recommends the use of DEET to repel mosquitoes and prevent disease; as long as you adhere to the following precautions:
• In formulations of less than 10 percent.
• Applied sparingly, according to product label instructions.
• Only to exposed skin, and not to a child’ face, hands or skin that is irritated or abraded.
• After the child returns indoors, treated skin should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Now that’s not exactly what one might call a glowing endorsement!

Prevention is an excellent avenue for mosquito bite control. The following suggestions may help:

• Wear long sleeves, long pants or slacks, and long socks when outdoors if weather permits.
• Reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding locations. Empty any standing water around your house, including toys, containers, flower pots, drainage ditches, tires, etc.
• Change water in bird baths and splash pools every two to three days.
• Replace or repair all screens. Even a small tear can let a tiny hungry mosquito into your home.

Now, let’s get back to the good news that I mentioned earlier.

There are several botanical essential oils that may be found in ‘natural’ bug dope products. One is now FDA approved. Another should be. The rest may work a little bit, but I wouldn’t want to rely on some of them out in the deep woods, (and I’ve tried).

A couple of products containing lemon eucalyptus essential oil [researchers identify the active ingredient as: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], are now registered with the EPA. In two recent scientific publications, oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes here in the US. It was shown to provide protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

Another potential solution is neem. For centuries, people in Asia have used neem to keep mosquitoes away from their rice fields, crops, villages, homes and themselves. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s database, includes a 1993 article from the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association:
“Two percent neem oil mixed in coconut oil, when applied to the exposed body parts of human volunteers, provided complete protection for 12 hrs from the bites of all anopheline (mosquitoes that carry malaria) species. Application of neem oil is safe and can be used for protection from malaria in endemic countries.”

Neem is also shown to be helpful for dry, cracked skin, rashes, acne, psoriasis and eczema, so those with sensitive or problem skin will have a safer option to choose.

A report from the National Research Council, published by the National Academy Press, stated that neem
“deters certain biting insects more effectively than the synthetic chemical called DEET”.

But what is neem and is it truly safe?

Neem oil is pressed from the leaves of the Neem tree. The Neem tree is indigenous to India and Sri Lanka. The Indian people have revered every part of the neem tree for countless generations. Early writings of neem’s curative powers date back to 5,000 years ago. It has been used for countless conditions and has come to be known as “the village pharmacy”. There have never been any reports of side effects.

Neem has been used since antiquity as an insect repellent for people, their homes and food crops. Researchers have found that neem prevents mosquitoes from landing on us for up to twelve hours and may also keep ticks, biting flies and sand fleas from bothering us, as well. Several compounds in neem have been shown to be more effective insect repellents than DEET, and are probably much safer, too.

Organix South out of Florida has a great product called the Herbal Outdoor Spray containing high quality neem oil, along with some lemony essential oils. It goes on easily, smells great and seems to really keep the bugs away! It’s not allowed to be called a mosquito repellent, but it certainly acts like one! They also make Neem Oil for the Garden, and just like it sounds, it keeps pests from getting to your crops before you do. They also provide us with the only certified organic neem oil in the US (and they’re available in other parts of the world, too.)

I met a guy last week whose dog comes in with numerous ticks just about every day, nine months a year. When he uses the neem oil on her coat before she goes out, she returns tick-free. (See the spray recipe below.)

It would only make sense to replace potentially harmful chemical pesticides, repellents and fertilizers with health promoting botanical products. When we protect our environment, we improve our own health and that of all life on Earth. Neem has been used to keep the lawn, garden and plants healthy, all the while enhancing flower production and crop yields.

Eating raw garlic or taking a garlic supplement with the oils intact has been believed to prevent mosquitoes from landing on people or pets. The only garlic supplement that I use is Garlicforce from New Chapter; potent, powerful and I don’t smell like garlic because of the digestive herbs inside. Garlic is also believed to prevent fleas on people and pets. (Garlic powder, by the way, doesn’t work.)

Plant calendula, marigolds, lavender and mint around your yard. Biting insects don’t like them, so fewer will hang around.

Other essential oils used over the years to repel biting insects include:
Clove
Thyme
Cedar
Citronella
Lemon balm
Rose geranium
Pennyroyal
Lemongrass
Eucalyptus
Peppermint
Tea tree
Lavender

These essential oils may be added to high quality carrier oils, including almond, sesame, coconut, avocado or jojoba. Add 15-30 drops of a single or combination of the essential oils per tablespoon of carrier oil. If you use Oshadhi oils, you may only need 8-15 drops per TBSP.

To make a spray:
Fill an 8 oz spray bottle with the following:
5 oz purified water or witch hazel
2 oz aloe vera gel
Add 20-30 (or more) drops of neem or lemon eucalyptus oil.
150 drops of the essential oils listed above, if desired.
Shake well. Spray on and rub into exposed skin.

Maybe this year, you and your loved ones will finally be mosquito free and you’ll get to feel really good about it!

The solution, of course, is to eat real, fresh nutritious foods and feed them to our four legged friends, just as the countless generations did before World War II when our grandparents were fooled into believing that the new modern ways of the big agri-businesses would solve famine and other world problems, making everyone healthy and nourished and we would all live happily ever after.

There has been a lot of question about what we should be feeding our beloved pets with the growing list of recalled pet foods and snacks. Newscasters are reporting that more and more people are choosing to make homemade food for their cherished pets, but veterinarians are warning that this may not truly be a healthy option, either. And this may indeed be true, if we just substitute one junk food for another. So what are we to do?

We certainly can make very healthy homemade pet food, but we need to do some serious research to do so correctly. Whatever you decide, BUY ORGANIC! If you’re not yet eating organic foods yourself, the changes that you’ll see in you pet’s coat, teeth and overall health is likely to convince you to go organic forever!

I’ve made my own pet foods, off and on, for decades. As I researched this article, I found ridiculous information that suggested things like instant rice mixed with liver baby food, or crumbling white bread and hamburger meat together. These ideas would certainly NOT provide our little friends with the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for good health and vitality. Remember; if we want healthy pets, it’s got to be ALL ABOUT QUALITY!

The raw food diet is considered the healthiest for our pets, but I’ve found that older dogs often don’t do as well with switching to it. (You’ll be able to tell by their bowel movements.) Wet food or kibble should be free of, or very low in, grains. Cats and dogs don’t eat grains in nature. These were added to pet foods as filler, and can increase allergies and other health problems.

I was going to write my detailed opinion as to why we shouldn’t be feeding our pets so much grain as is found in most pet foods, even many of the ‘natural’ kibbles, but Steve Brown and Beth Taylor have articulated everything I would have said so beautifully in this article: Do Dogs and Cats Need Grains?

They’ve also written a book that I’ll have to add to my reading pile, called See Spot Live Longer.

If you’d like to learn more about making homemade pet food, these links may help you:
Shirley’s Wellness Cafe
pet-grub.com

Look for these books to help with any particular health needs of your pet, or visit your local holistic vet (unfortunately still too few and far between):

Herbs for Pets by ML Wulff-Tilford & GL Tilford
The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Dr. Pitcairn\’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by RH Pitcairn, DVM, PhD
Four Paws Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Schwartz

If you’re looking for a holistic veterinarian, check out the Vet List found at Shirley’s Wellness Cafe. This one’s for the US, but she has other countries, as well.

If your pet was eating one of the recalled foods, or another food that you’re concerned about, and you’d like to learn more about a holistic approach to keeping their kidneys as healthy as possible, please visit The Holistic Approach for Chronic Renal (Kidney) Failure. This is wonderful information, primarily written by several veterinarians, that will support your loving pet in regaining their health and vitality, and help put your mind at ease.

Yogurt and probiotics are excellent for your pet’s health maintenance, as well as digestive and immune wellness. Please purchase organic unflavored whole milk yogurt (or kefir). Ideally, we want to feed yogurt or kefir to our pets about thirty minutes before their meal, but even on top or mixed in is beneficial. This helps to replace some of the health-giving microorganisms that live in the gut and support your pet’s health in numerous ways. If you want to buy the best probiotics, look for Natren, New Chapter and Bio-K Plus.

There was a phenomenal probiotic formulated specially for pets on the market, and I’ve personally known of some pets whose lives were probably saved by the use of these products when they were gravely ill, but the FDA forced them off the market, stating that they were useless. They were called Symflora from Pet Promise. What a shame that the FDA cannot leave a GREAT product be.

But the good news is that there’s another GREAT product for supporting your pet’s immune and digestive wellness. It’s called, Mush Blend for Pets made by Fungi Perfecti. MUSH consists of an organic combination of five of my most favorite healing mushrooms; Cordyceps, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake and Turkey Tail, formulated to help promote superior health for your dog. Fungi Perfecti has recently come out with a delicious (according to the pets I’ve spoken with) treat called Muttrooms. Order online or request them from your local pet shop.

A note about vitamins and minerals: As I say, ‘If it sounds like a chemical, it’s a chemical. If it cannot be picked in nature, it’s not natural.’ We’ve been snookered into believing that chemical isolates, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C in pure form) is natural. IT’S NOT! Really. It’s an isolated chemical, which has likely been made from genetically engineered corn, and through several chemical alterations, was purified into a single substance. Ascorbic acid is never found in nature in this purified form, and is NOT NATURAL! We can pick an orange, but not an ascorbic acid! Our body may certainly use a minute amount of this purified chemical, but the rest may not do us good, and research shows that it may indeed do us harm.

Please don’t use these chemicals, called vitamins and minerals, with your pets (or kids or yourself). Some of you may wonder why I suggest certain brands or products in my posts. I simply care about you, the reader, and your pets. New Chapter, Flora and Megafoods don’t make specific pet supplements, but I have crushed these multis (Flora makes high quality liquids; easy to use) to add to my pet foods, with great results over the years. Another excellent option is to buy powdered kelp or nettles (organic, of course) at your local health food store and use this in your pet’s food, even if you choose to opt for canned or kibble.

There are some other excellent options for pet foods for those of us that just cannot commit to making homemade food. You’ll find them at the better pet supply stores throughout the country and online. My favorite pet store in Boston carries virtually all the best brands and ships anywhere in the US. Skipton Kennel may be reached at 617-541-0520, but not online. They are wonderfully helpful and will provide you excellent service. Online, you may want to check out Pet Food Direct. They have a great selection, and seem helpful (but I don’t have personal experience with them).

There are ‘natural’ brands and organic brands that you may safely choose, but I would caution pet lovers against something that claims ‘natural’ but is not ‘certified organic’ if it’s not on my list below. Since there are no standards for the term ‘natural’ and is often misused, we may be easily fooled into purchasing a brand with tainted or impure ingredients.

Ask questions, and then ask for clarification with the answers that you receive. I am well aware of many of the various brands of organic and truly natural pet products on the market, having taught several classes on pet wellness. I have called several pet supply stores to ask them questions, only to be given a lot of incorrect and misleading information, especially at many of the bigger chains. Even when I’ve asked them if they were sure about their answer, and to please go look on the label to be certain, they’ve come back to the phone and given me false information.

So, I’ve made a list of organic and natural pet foods, in the order that I feel represents the very best to the very good pet food manufacturers; (I’ve not listed medium to poor quality foods here):

Raw (usually frozen) foods: (Some of these brands also offer canned, kibble and treats)

Steve’s Real Food for Pets
Nature’s Variety (certified organic ingredients)
Bravo! Raw Diet
Primal Raw Pet Food
Raw Advantage
Bil-Jac Premium Dog & Cat Foods
Oma’s Pride
Abady

Canned and kibble:

Timberwolf (certified organic ingredients)
Karma (certified organic ingredients)
Castor & Pollux Organix (certified organic ingredients)
Innova (their EVO line is grain free)
Canidae (no wheat, corn, soy)
Newman’s (certified organic ingredients)
Fromm
Halo
Neura
Solid Gold
California Natural (produces specialty foods for allergen sensitivities)
Eagle Pack
Pinnacle
Diamond
Royal Canin
Flint River Ranch
Merrick
Wellness
Blue Buffalo
Pet Promise

These brands may use good ingredients, but in my humble opinion, they’re using far too much grain:

Pet Guard
Wysong
Lick Your Chops

As you can see, there are quite a number of excellent and very good brands of pet foods on the market. With what we now know, we should not support companies whose suppliers cannot be trusted to insure the safety of our beloved pets’ health and wellbeing any longer. So, even when the recall is over, I hope that as a continent of committed pet lovers, we will have made a statement with our spending dollars that we’ve raised the bar significantly and we simply won’t chance poisoning our sweet four legged best friends ever again. They deserve the best of health; after all, they offer us increased wellness and mental health every day of our lives.

Menu Foods, manufacturers of more than 40 brands of cat and dog foods, is believed to have caused kidney failure in hundreds of beloved pets across the country. Sixty million cans of these pet foods have been found to contain the poison thus far. There are likely many, many more pets whose health has been put in jeopardy from the consumption of these tainted pet foods.

This news makes me feel even more thankful that I make my dog’s wholesome organic food and purchase an organic brand of pet food for use when I travel. My little old lady pup is not in jeopardy from this tragic national scare, and my heart goes out to all those pet people who have lost their precious loved ones and those now living with the fear that their beloved four-legged may be next.

But do you know that rat poison is the key ingredient in some of the most popular cholesterol and blood thinning medications, too? Welcome to just one of the frightening realities of the pharmaceutical industry.

Warfarin was developed as a rat poison in 1948. In 1951, a man attempted suicide by consuming this rodent killing toxic chemical. Instead of dying, he became healthier, according to doctors. This prompted research into whether this chemical compound could be marketed as a medication. In 1954, Warfarin was approved as a blood thinning medication. Also used for cholesterol reduction, it has been marketed under the names; Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan and Waran.

The side effects of these medications are numerous. They can weaken muscles, and since the heart happens to be a very important muscle, the one that these medications are supposedly there to protect, it may be more prudent to learn to detoxify the liver, blood, colon and other organs and tissues regularly so that we won’t need to be given a prescription for a questionable drug the next time we visit the doctor’s office.