Treating allergies with licorice

[MontanaRott]

We are getting quite desperate with the pugs and their allergies. They are out of control and the itching is making US crazy. Because they are both up in years I am not thrilled at upping the prednisone ante. So our vet is going to put them on a licorice elixer. I pick it up tomorrow and we will give it a go. It can and will be used in tandem with their low dose of pred. She said she has had success in the past with the licorice elixer and so we are going to see what happens.
Anyone here have any experience with it?

[Bucky's Mom]

I have not used it myself but I found this information:

http://www.ozevillage.com.au/gs/didy...licorice_facts

[Judi W]

Wow!!! "Recent research confirms these ancient claims by revealing that licorice: boosts the immune system; is a mild pain reliever; aids endurance; activates the liver; rejuvenates the pancreas; strengthens the respiratory system; aids digestion; cures ulcers and most recently has been found to fight tooth decay." At least they don't say it cures cancer!

What I challenge is the often mistaken idea that allergies need immune boosters. Allergies are caused by an over-reactive immune system, not a weak one. It is switching from single shot to full auto. The reason pred works is because it supressed that over active immune system.

So, although the hype might be hyperbole, doesn't mean it might not help. Let us know how it goes

[MontanaRott]

Exactly on how the pred works, the problem we are running into is even a higher dose of pred is not helping right now. So we are going to try the licorice and the pred together and see what happens. Our Doc is pretty optomistic based on her experience that this may give the old farts a bit of relief until the worst of the pollen is out of the air. Fingers are crossed and I will let ya know, good or bad!

[Ilovemypuppy]

Licorice is actually an immune system modulator...strengthens and fortifies...does not boost. Allergies are the immune system's inappropriate response to what it PERCEIVES as the enemy. A healthy, balanced immune system would react appropriately. I hope this works for the pugs..let us know !

BTW...dairy products , even in tiny amounts cause mucous build up in the system, and mucous is a breeding ground for allergens and bacteria. ALL dairy products.

I am happy you have a vet who is so forward thinking :o))

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

Licorice is actually an immune system modulator...strengthens and fortifies...does not boost. Allergies are the immune system's inappropriate response to what it PERCEIVES as the enemy. A healthy, balanced immune system would react appropriately. I hope this works for the pugs..let us know !

BTW...dairy products , even in tiny amounts cause mucous build up in the system, and mucous is a breeding ground for allergens and bacteria. ALL dairy products.

I am happy you have a vet who is so forward thinking :o))

We are very careful to keep dairy out of their diet. But for others stuggling that is a great heads up! We are lucky to have found Dr Prato. She is a wonderful human being who happens to be a Vet.

[MARYDVM]

There is also another way of treating with steroids that avoids the systemic effects of oral pred. There is a product called Genesis spray on the market that is applied topically. Works quite well for a lot of tough cases. All the derm specialists in town are using it, and I have a number of clients who are also pleased with it.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by MARYDVM

There is also another way of treating with steroids that avoids the systemic effects of oral pred. There is a product called Genesis spray on the market that is applied topically. Works quite well for a lot of tough cases. All the derm specialists in town are using it, and I have a number of clients who are also pleased with it.

Thanks Mary! I am picking up the Genesis spray tomorrow as well. (I forgot the name of it, so did not mention it.) My vet felt this would be helpful as well. I worry about the drugs with the Pugs because neither of them is young any more.

[fostermom]

Three thoughts here: having been owned by goldens for twenty some years, all of which were plagued with allergies, I was told by a rescue once to not feed anything containing corn. I believe (could be wrong on this) that most allergies are ultimately food related and manifest with itchiness/ear infections. Once I switched to a food not containing corn,that helped tremendously. Second, these dogs also religiously received annual boosters...my dogs now receive fewer shots and are not itchy at all, nor do they have ear infections. Third, feeding the same food continuously (again, prevaling wisdom when I had my goldens was to not swtich foods around) could create food sensitivities to some particular ingredient or could result in some deficiency so I now switch around between three different dog foods that they have done well on rather than feed only one. None of my dogs are at all itchy and none have had ear infections, including my old lab who is conservatively eleven or twelve (a rescue so guessing at age). These may be "superstitious behaviors" on my part...had good results so just kept doing but the difference in health between my current three dogs and the three goldens I had is remarkable. By the way, the vet had wanted to put my goldens on pred, but switching foods helped enough that we didn't have to do that.

[MontanaRott]

I picked up the Licorice drops and Genesis spray today. They will both get 1/2 to 1 mil 2x daily of the drops and get sprayed on the itchiest sore spots 2x daily. Fingers crossed that they soon will have some relief.

[MontanaRott]

Well they have been taking the licorice elixer for a few days now and I used the Genesis spray twice on the two of them. And the itching is under control. They have had zero pred and hydroxizine, in 4 days, just the licorice. To say we are pleased is an understatement. The spray was used on the worst/worse area of itching for them, where they had both developed a sore, but they both were so itchy if you ran your hand down their back they would start itching. They are not doing that now. Could be coincidence, or the licorice, either way, I am not complaining!

[Mochasmom]

Hmmmmmm.....very, very interesting......
So the licorice elixer is a concoction your vet made up? Any idea what it is made up of? (other than licorice )

Glad to hear they are feeeling better!!

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by Mochasmom

Hmmmmmm.....very, very interesting......
So the licorice elixer is a concoction your vet made up? Any idea what it is made up of? (other than licorice )

Glad to hear they are feeeling better!!

It is made by a company in MT called Apawthecary. And contains, Licorice root.

[Mochasmom]

Thanks...I am still trying to get My cat to quit itching without putting her back on pred. She has gotten much better after the food switch but not itch-free yet.

[Ilovemypuppy]

That's great news Shirley........natural remedies are THE way to go...give those puglets a pat from me please !!!