Edible wild grasses, plants and herbs: Sometimes, we have piggies with health problems.

In addition to what a vet decides for medication, not as a replacement, some plants can be very effective to help the treatment. Check with the vet first. Many plants make real good piggie food, but we have forgotten what their use is besides nutrition. To make sure you pick edible herbs, these pictures will help to pick hem. Make sure you know what you are picking! Only pick from places free of contaminants such as pesticides, exhaust fumes or urine. Pick plants that are healthy looking, without insect damage, fungus spots, breakage, or wilting. If you can only eat part of the plant: then it is mentioned which. If nothing is mentioned: the whole plant can be eaten. As for toxic herbs, if it's not in the list, don't feed it!! Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) Its an anti-inflammatory, it reinforces the body, it sooths diarrea and liver problems, it has lots of vitamin B and K and contains Iron, its a diuretic.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Useful for flatulence, helps to remove slimes on lungs.

Basil (Basilicum ocimum) Its diuretic, it lowers a fever, its calming, it combats bacteria, its disinfectant, anti-fungus and sooths cramps.

Blackberry leaves (Rubus plicatus) - pick young & tender leaves and shoots. It helps to calm down upset stomachs.

Borage (Borago officinalis) It dissolves slimes, it strengthens the body, it lowers fever, it purifies blood, its a diuretic, it lowers fever, it stimulates milk production in lactating animals, it helps to sooth mucosa infections.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - leaves and flowers. It relieves allergies a bit, it helps healing wounds.

Caraway (Carum carvi) Helps to sooth cramps in the belly.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) It improves digesting food and is calming.

Chickweed (Stellaria media) Its diuretic and mildly laxative. It's often recommended for asthma, bronchitis, or congestion.

Cleavers / Stickyweed / Goosegrass / Bedstraw (Galium aparine) It strengthens the heart and arteries, its diuretic, helps with UTIs and bladder, kidney stone and skin problems.

Clover (Trifolium repens or Trifolium pratense, No yellow clover!!) Its an antispasmic.

Coltsfoot (tussilaga farfara) Pick leaves only. It helps to sooth a URI, stomach and bowel problems, relieves diarrea and cramps, its rich in vitamin C.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Useful for flatulence, as an antispasmodic, as an anti rheumatic.

Cow Parsley (Anthiscus sylvestris) Useful for flatulence.

Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaeae) - berries, leaves in moderation. It enhances appetite, stimulates digestive activity, relieves gout, colds, rheumatism and high blood pressure.

Dandelion (Teraxacum officinale) Pick leaves, no roots, no stems, flowers are ok to eat. It helps to improve appetite, its diuretic, anti inflammatory, it relieves gout and is anti rheumatic, it improves liver problems.

Dog Rose (Rosa canina) Only the ripe fruits. Its good to strengthen an exhausted piggie after illness or pregnancy, helps to improve atherosclerosis, healing wounds and fractured bones, it improves digestion, its calming, relieves stomach and female illnesses.

Duckweed (Lemna minor). Its found in ponds. Rince very well to remove possible botox liver damaging becteria. Feed in moderation: it contains more protein then Soya! Its laxative.

Field Violet / Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor) Its helpful for cystitis, good for epilepsy and is anti rheumatic.

Goat's Rue, French Lilac, Italian Fitch or Professor-weed (Galega officinalis) It stimulates development and increases the amount of milk, its diuretic. It lowers the blood sugar amount, so dont feed to piggies with diabetes.

Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) Its helpful for healing internal injuries after surgery.

Lavorge (Levisticum officinale) It relieves digestion problems.

Lemon Mint / Melissa (Melissa officinalis) It stimulates digestive activity.

Linden / Lime Tree (Tilia cordata or Tilia platyphyllos) Flowers with pale yellow leaflets. Its an anti depressive.

Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) Contains enormous amounts of vitamin C: good for scurvy treatment!

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) Pick the leaves only. It decreases tingly feelings, its a natural antibiotic, it can be used extra for a cough or a cold.

Nettles (Lamium: all types) Of course its best to dry the stingy nettles, but the ones that dont sting can be fed, all types of them (yellow, white or purple flowers). Nettles should not be fed to piggies with kidney and bladder stone problems, as nettles increase the intake of calcium. Its a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and have natural
antihistamines to relieve allergies. Nettles with white flowers work as an anti-depressant.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Desinfects wounds and the intestines. Its anti-inflammatory, dissolves slimes on the lungs, its a diuretic, it sooths belly cramps.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Helps to sooth cramps in the belly.

Plantain (Plantago Major) Its antiviral, diuretic, helps stomach problems, relieves itching and swelling from insect bites and allergies, helps to heal wounds. It does lower blood sugars, so it should not be given to piggies that are diabetic.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea augustifolia) Pick the root only. It is an antibiotic, it stimulates the immune system and improves the lymph node system.

Raspberry leaves (Rubus idaeus) Pick young & tender leaves and shoots. Good for curing rashes, belly aches, helping to cure URIs and is diuretic.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Its anti-inflammatory and diuretic, it has an anti-cancer effect. This plant should not be used by pregnant piggies as it contracts the uterus.

Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) It helps sooth cramps in the belly, it helps to heal skin wounds, its anti epileptic.

Smooth sow thistle (Sonchus Oleraceus) It improves liver problems, URIs, sore throat. Dont use for pregnant pigs.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) Its used to stop bleeding, its diuretic.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, dissolves slimes on the lungs, reduces cramps, opens up the lungs, stops bleeding, improves the digestive system, reduces urinary infections.

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) It helps to stop bleeding, its anti-inflammatory, it reinforces the body, its helpful at stomach and intestine problems.

Whortleberry / Heidelberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Pick berries, leaves in moderation. Its an anti-inflammatory, has a weak anti-diabetic activity.

Wild Chamomile (Matricaria chammomilla) It helps against bloated bellys, stomach problems, URIs, its anti inflammatory.

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Pick berries and leaves. It helps against stomach and belly problems, UTIs, kidney and bladder stones, its diuretic, anti rheumatism, anti gout.

Willow (salix) Pick leaves and branches. It has a pain relieving capacity, its calming and helps to stop bleeding, it lowers fever.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) It stimulates digestion and helps against bloated belly. Its a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, its good for the cardio-vascular system.