Herbs for cats

ALOE VERA - a quick healing agent to burns, abrasions, skin problems and wounds. It stops bleeding and soothes and heals the stomach. In our house the aloe plant has the tips of all the leaves chewed off. Our Persians tend to have sore gums and they find relief in sinking their teeth into the fleshy leaves.
GARLIC - arrests intestinal infection, replaces harmful bacteria with good, strengthens intestinal walls, lowers high blood pressure, dissolves mucus, aids in the expulsion of intestinal parasites and renders the body unappetizing to fleas. Can be administered to cats by shaving three slices off a clove of fresh garlic and inserting them in gelatin capsules that can be purchased in any health food store.
CALENDULA - used as an external wash, the tea made from this herb promotes incredibly fast healing of cuts, abrasions and burns. Used to irrigate an abscess, it will close the drainage opening in a matter of hours, so don't use it until the wound has finished draining.
ECHINACEA - an antiseptic antifungal herb, the tincture can be painted on ringworm to dry it up. The tea is widely used for cleansing abscesses and boils.
YUCCA - reduces joint inflammation and helps the body make cortisone. Some of our older cats with stiff knees might want to try this.
ACIDOPHILUS - not an herb, but an organism that aids digestion, offsets diarrhea, acidifies intestines, crowds out harmful bacteria and manufactures Vitamin B. It is a good bacterium always found in healthy intestines. Since infections and antibiotics can kill acidophilus it should be replaced. There are some capsules available made without lactose; they can usually be found in the refrigerator section of health food stores.
Some cats will swallow a capsule, for others I sprinkle the powder on top of their food.
GOATS MILK - again, not an herb, but its worth mentioning that it can be purchased in powdered or condensed form and will not cause diarrhea in kittens the way KMR sometimes does. Keep some in the closet when you're expecting kittens.