Larch

What is larch?

Larch is a tree that can grow up to 50 meters high. It has reddish-brown bark and long, soft needles that grow in clusters. In spring it produces small cones, which can be male or female. The male cones are yellow and the female cones are red. The needles turn yellow in the fall and then fall off.

Larch has many ingredients that are beneficial to health. For example, it contains essential oils, resin, tannins, vitamin C and flavonoids. Various products can be made from the different parts of the tree, such as

• Larch turpentine: a resin obtained by drilling into the trunks. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and disinfectant effects. It is often used as an ingredient in ointments, bath additives or emulsions.
• Larch tea: an infusion made from the fresh or dried shoots of larch. It has an expectorant, antitussive and immune-boosting effect. It can help with colds, bronchitis or asthma.
• Larch flowers: the male flowers of the larch are edible and can be used as a sweet or decoration. They have a honey-like taste and contain a lot of vitamin C.

Benefits of larch for dogs

Larch is not poisonous to dogs. On the contrary, it can even have some benefits for your dog's health. For example, larch turpentine can help with skin problems such as eczema, wounds or parasites. It is also effective against fungi and bacteria. However, you should always make sure that you only use diluted preparations and that they do not get into your dog's eyes or mucous membranes.

Larch tea can also help with your dog's respiratory illnesses. It loosens mucus and calms the urge to cough. It can also strengthen your dog's immune system and help him fight off infections. You can add a few teaspoons of the tea to your dog's drinking water or give it into his mouth with a syringe.

Larch blossoms can also be used as a treat for your dog. They are not only tasty, but also rich in vitamin C. This vitamin is important for the formation of collagen, a protein that is important for the health of your dog's skin, bones and joints. You can give your dog a few flowers a day or mix them with his food.

Disadvantages of larch for dogs

Although larch has many positive properties, there are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of. For example, larch turpentine can cause skin irritation in sensitive dogs. It can also be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Therefore, you should always follow the dosage recommendations and monitor your dog when giving it larch turpentine.

Larch tea can also have side effects if given too often or too much. For example, it can lead to diarrhea or stomach problems. It can also lower blood pressure or affect blood clotting. You should therefore always make sure that you don't give your dog more than two cups a day and don't give it for more than two weeks at a time.

Larch flowers are not harmful to your dog, but they don't have much nutritional value either. They contain a lot of sugar and can therefore contribute to tooth decay or obesity. Therefore, you should only give them as an occasional treat and not as a staple food.