In the great creative cycle, Spring represents a time of youthfulness, flexibility and vibrant growth – for plants and animals.
If well-rested and restored, animals naturally let go of their winter sleepiness and wake up into a ‘good morning feeling’ of Spring filled with renewed curiosity and playfulness. Warming temperatures and increasing light is create a desire for movement and new experience.
Right on cue, Nature provides animals with all they require to respond positively to the impulses of Spring. Playing a central role in this phase is the extraordinary relationship between the liver and bitter tasting plants.
The Liver
The liver is essential to life and is wholly or partly responsible for literally hundreds of vital functions in animals. The liver organ is largest in young animals, in the Spring of their lives. In newborns it is even involved in blood production, before the bone marrow takes over this function. With age, the liver naturally becomes smaller corresponding to a reduced liver function.
Functions of Liver (and Gallbladder)
Livers are involved in literally hundreds of vital functions, including:
- Protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism
- Bile production and excretion
- Hormone production and breakdown
- Detoxification and drug breakdown
- Storage of various vitamins and minerals
Supporting healthy liver function throughout an animal’s life is therefore vitally important.
Bitter Herbs
Each season can be seen to embody its own taste or flavour, with the fresh green leaves and shoots of Spring associated with the bitter taste.
Bitter receptors on an animal’s tongue detect a variety of ‘bitter principles’ in the plants (bitter tasting chemical constituents like volatile oils, alkaloids, iridoids or sesquiterpenes). The bitter taste triggers a range of responses via the nervous system, with the degree of the response correlated to the intensity of the bitterness.
Many of these bitter plants have been used as medicinal herbs by humans and animals because of their strong effect on liver function and digestive health. Ttraditionally, these herbs have been referred to as bitter digestives, hepatics,choleretics and cholagogues. These categories refer to the qualities responsible for the ‘blood cleansing’ or detoxifying effects of these herbs.
Effects of Bitter Herbs on Digestive Health
- Stimulate appetite
- Improve digestion and nutrient absorption
- Increase salivation and gastric acid secretion
- Increase bile production and excretion
- Stimulate bowel movement (by peristalsis and mild laxative effect of bile)
- Support healthy bowel flora
- Reduce inflammation and improved digestive immunity
Some herbs are mildly bitter, pleasantly so, and can be used for their cooling digestive and liver tonic effects throughout the year, but especially in Spring. Examples here include – dandelion, parsley, globe artichoke, celery and other nutritious spring herbs. Very bitter herbs are only desirable in special circumstances and are not generally appropriate as part of a healthy animal’s daily diet. Here we can include herbs like wormwood and devil’s claw.
Although the bitter herbs work best when taken before a meal, this is not always easy or necessary in animals. Cats in particular are very sensitive to bitter tastes. Giving them a bitter herb will usually get them to drool profusely (proof if you need it that bitter stimulate salivation!). Mixing in a small selection of fresh or dried herbs with a wholesome, palatable meal is usually all you want or need to keep your animal’s livers functioning optimally.
Creating a Happy Animal Garden with a variety of herbs is also a good idea. Be sure to include dog and cat grass. Make it easy for your animals to self-select what is needed and what makes them feel better. Getting active and taking daily walks out in Nature will provide opportunities for animals to browse and benefit from the many plants Spring provides for a happy, healthy liver.
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