In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “the complete knowledge for long life.” It’s also translated as “Wealth of Health.” Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced in India for centuries, withpractitioners developing medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments.

Ayurveda’s healing reputation is spreading to other parts of the world, such asthe West, where it is regarded as a form of alternative medicine,used to complement, rather than replace, the treatment regimen and relationship that exists between a patient and his or her existing physician.

I recently had occasion to see for myself how powerful and relevant ayurvedic medicine is. Istruggled witha lingering cough that would not go away, andwould suddenlyfind myself in a public place, doubled over and helplessly convulsedby achoking, coughingfit. Needless to say, this was mortifying.

Luckily, while I was grappling with one such coughing spell, a good samaritan offered meThroat Easelozenges by Maharishi Ayurveda. And these tiny, pearl-likelozengesstopped that coughdead in its tracks. Ever since, I’ve been a big believer in ayurveda, and have longed to investigate it further.

Had it not been for the generosity of that person, I might never have thought about ayurveda. Like many Dogsters, I tend to prioritize my dogs’ health concernsway aheadof my own. For me, the most compelling reason to stay fit and healthy is so that I won’t let my dogs down when it’s their walk time! So unless there’s something in it for my dogs, I generally won’t seek out a supplement or alternative therapy just for myself.

Happily for my pets and me, now ayurveda is going to the dogs. Like so many other alternative therapies-includinghomeopathy, chiropractic, aromatherapy, and flower essences – it’s one more chemical-free way to safeguard the well-being of four-footed friends.

Dogsters who, like me, are health nuts can now supplement our pets with healing ayurvedic preparations. And while we’re at it, we can experience the healing benefits of ayurveda for ourselves.

I recentlyadded Pet Supplement madeby Ayush Herbsto my dogs’ daily regimen. It contains the naturally grown Himalayan herbs Emblica offiicinalis (Indian gooseberry, which is antiviral and antimicrobial) and two types ofTerminalia(for antifungal, antibacterial, and liver protection). What it doesn’t contain is the same as what you alsodon’t want in your pet’s food: Ayush supplements are milk, soy, egg, and wheat free.

I’m also usingAyush’s Neem Plus, tohelp keep my dogs protected from mosquitos and the heartworm disease they carry.

And for my beloved Sheba, whose arthritis makes it harder with each passing day for her to get up and down stairs, even to haul herselfup out of her plush dog bed, I’m stocking up on two Ayush supplementsthat will help reduce the inflammation inmy dog’spainful joints: Boswelya (the anti-inflammatory resin extracted from the Boswellia tree) and Curcumin 97% (read more about Curcumin’s healing properties here; this veterinary preparation makes dosing much easier than calculating how much of my human supplement to administer.

Have you had success with ayurvedic preparations for pets, especially dogs? Please share your experience in the comments – I’m all ears!