I had a nomad friend I met on my visit to Nigeria 15 years ago; he was of Fulani descent, and this man never joked with his tea. I always wondered how these guys trekked so many miles in the tropical region, but after tasting the tea, I could see why. It was an Arabian tea, but loaded with so much sugar.
While I would never have tea with that much sugar in my life, that encounter made me love tea. I have tried countless numbers of teas ever since, and I have been able to come up with my own regular, like palo azul. It has effectively aided my health for so many years, but is it safe for dogs?
Here is everything I know about giving palo azul to dogs based on my personal experience.
What is palo azul?
Palo Azul, scientifically referred to as Eysenhardtia polystachya, is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is native to Mexico and parts of Central America. Palo Azul has been used effectively as a medicine to cure or soothe kidney- or liver-related issues for thousands of years.
It is often available in the form of wood chips from the bark but can be found in tea bags. Placing them in water releases their powerful sterols, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which could have lots of positive effects on the body, most notably their hepatoprotective effect: protecting and aiding the liver to detoxify the body.
Recently, it has become popular amongst people seeking to pass a recreational drug test, as it is effective in flushing out metabolites, all thanks to its diuretic effects.
Dogs and tea
Dogs can have tea in moderation, but the major concern when feeding tea to dogs is the possible inclusion of caffeine or other additives that are not safe for dogs. When applied reasonably, tea could benefit your dog’s health in numerous ways, from calming them to helping uphold organ functions and even cognitive functions—the use case is endless.
Usually, dogs have decaffeinated teas like chamomile or peppermint without added milk or sugar, as that could make the whole idea of giving tea to your pooch counterproductive. The milk could stir up lactose-intolerant symptoms, while the sugar could cause an upset stomach, and if consumed frequently, the sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity.
Can dogs drink palo azul?
Palo Azul is very effective in managing urinary and kidney health, and it boasts great anti-inflammatory properties. Half a cup of Palo Azul can help your dog battle with chronic or acute kidney disease or urination problems from kidney stones. While it may not be a cure, it soothes symptoms.
When my late Tokyo was diagnosed with kidney stones, after some blood work, surgery ensued, and the blocked tub was fixed. But on the night before the surgery, Tokyo was clearly in so much pain, humped up back, having little urine, with steps that suggested discomfort was going on. I had no other choice but to give him some of my palo azul tea, and it seemed to have helped ease the discomfort.
The next morning, when I had to take him to the hospital, I narrated my ordeal to the vet, and he said I may have just inspired him to do more research on the effectiveness of palo azul on dogs.
However, I have scanned a lot of health reports, and I haven’t seen any toxicology carried out on palo azul in dogs, so I’d say I am not 100% sure that it is safe for dogs; I only spoke out of my personal experience. So, always ensure to contact your vet before making any such decisions.
Health benefits of palo azul for dogs
These are general health benefits of palo azul, and no comprehensive study has been carried out on dogs to determine the benefits for sure, but I will keep updating this article as per any new reports I get from my vet’s research.
Studies have shown that palo azul is effective in resolving chronic and acute inflammation and further reduces swelling in areas that are affected. This means this tea can be beneficial to dogs with pancreatitis in addition to their low-fat treats.
Palo Azul can also be used to resolve diarrhea in dogs. It is so great at preventing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, all thanks to its ability to protect the body against free radicals and its ability to inhibit high cholesterol and blood sugar.
How to serve Palo Azul to dogs
Well, your dog cannot have scalding hot tea. After brewing the tea, you have to set it aside until it cools to room temperature, then you can offer it to your pooch. As stated earlier, it has to be plain without the addition of any sugar or milk. Half a cup is just about the right amount.
Can Palo Azul be a part of a dog’s regular hydration routine?
The only liquid that should be a regular inclusion in your dog’s diet is water; every other fluid, like pocari sweats or palo azul, has to be discussed with your vet. Depending on the use case, palo azul may interfere with your dog’s medications, which is why it is necessary to discuss its inclusion with your vet.
Can puppies or senior dogs have palo azul?
Puppyhood and seniorhood are the two delicate stages of your dog’s life, and you just have to stick to age-specific diets and liquids for them. For puppies, their system is still delicate, and you can’t offer any supplement that isn’t recommended by your vet. As for the senior dog, you have to take into consideration his or her health status and history before offering Palo Azul tea. Your vet should be in the right position to make the decision here.
Other herbal teas your dog could have
Besides Palo Azul, there are other herbal teas your dog can have that have lots of benefits to offer. Here they are:
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea is just as effective as a lick mat in calming anxiety in dogs. It can also resolve indigestion and upset stomachs. If you have used it in a diffuser or a pillow spray, you should already know how effective it is. 4 tablespoons is the ideal serving size.
- Ginger Tea: Ginger in moderation is effective for soothing vomiting, nausea, and other stomach issues. Ginger is loaded with antioxidants and is also a great herb to use against inflammation. However, dogs on NSAIDs or having bleeding disorders should not have ginger tea. Ensure to dilute the tea, as ginger tea may be too hot or spicy. Half a cup is safe for dogs.
Final Thoughts
From my experience using Palo Azul for dogs, I can attest that it worked wonders, relieved my dog of so much pain, and let him take out some pee for the night. However, there is no proper study on the effectiveness of palo azul for dogs, but I am glued to my vet, and as soon as he is done with the research, I will gladly update this article with all his findings. Do you have questions? Feel free to ask.
