By Dr. Kathy Boehme
From an Eastern perspective, food is often considered a major root of disease — and a vital component of healing.
Food therapy is the practice of using different foods and herbs to treat pets based on genetic tendencies, age, species, environment, personality, stress level and disease patterns.
Particular foods can be especially beneficial for specific problems within the body and are chosen based on their energetic properties; for instance, whether they are cooling or warming to the body.
Cooling foods are helpful for hot or inflamed bodies, such as pets with itchy skin, allergies, inflammation or infection. Warming foods, on the other hand, can help balance old, weak or debilitated animals. Neutral foods are generally beneficial to all pets.
Specific foods may also be selected by the organs they are most likely to nourish, such as the kidney, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract or skin.
So, what can food do for your pet? Use the chart above to find out (download it here)!
Integrative medicine appointments, including food therapy consultations, are now available with Dr. Kathy Boehme. For more information, please contact The Drake Center at (760) 456-9556 or [email protected].