Answer: A cure for bleeders is the "Lost Dutchman Mine" of race horse health care.  A lot of people are looking for the cure, nobody's found it, and it may not be out there.

         Currently I recommend administering the Chinese herb formula Yunnan Poiyao, in conjunction with my own formula, Bloodless Victory.  Early results seem promising, but don't start the parade yet.  Yunnan Poiyao is a formula they use to stop bleeding and to treat gunshot wounds.  In the top part of the bottle you will find a little red pill which is to be given immediately in case of severe bleeding.

            Bloodless Victory  is a mixture of herbs used in ancient times to stop bleeding.  Traditional belief and my own impressions indicate that bleeding problems tend to be associated with impurities in the lungs, blood, and through improper functioning of the liver, spleen and kidneys.  This blend also contains herbs used to address these more basic problems.

              The centerpiece of this formula is yarrow, whose traditional use in stopping blood flow was so strongly established that it gained the common names of knight's milfoil and soldier's wound wort.  Yarrow's scientific name, Achillea millefolium, is said to derive from accounts that Achilles used this plant to treat bleeding wounds in soldiers.  Yarrow was also known as Herbal Militaris, the 'military herb,' in ancient times and that also has been traditionally used to purify the blood.

              In sixteenth century Europe, an early firearm called the argoebus, a huge primitive musket, made a sizeable dent in many of the combat troops.  A herbal blend called Arquebusade Water became famous for the treatment of wounds from this weapon.  A prominent ingredient was Agrimony, one of the most widely used herbs for the control of bleeding at that time.

               According to Chaucer, Agrimony was used to treat all wounds, as well as internal hemorrhages.  Culpeper reported in 1652 that the herb heals "all inward wounds, bruises, hurts, and other distempers."

               Agrimony's scientific name, Agrimonia eupatoria, was derived from Mithridates Eupator, an ancient king who was renowned as a concocter of herbal remedies.  Another old British source reported that Agrimony is "good for them that have naughty livers."

             Shepherd's Purse, another ingredient, has been traditionally regarded as one of the best specifics for stopping hemorrhages of all kinds: of the stomach, the lungs, the uterus, and more especially, bleeding from the kidneys.  During the later years of World War I, when the Germans were running out of everything, they used a liquid extract of Shepherd's purse, which was reported to be "of prompt use to arrest bleeding."

                Nettle is unpopular with gardeners, but has a long history as a medicinal plant.  It was traditionally used to control bleeding, especially bleeding from the nose, lungs or stomach, and has long been used as a blood purifier.

                  Cranesbill, a herb native to North America, has been traditionally used for internal bleeding.  Parsley, nowadays used mainly as a decorative, was traditionally used to treat obstructions of the liver and spleen.  Parsley's diuretic properties made it a popular tea among British soldiers in the trenches during World War I, where kidney problems were common.  According to Homer, the ancient Greek author of The Illiad and The Odyssey, warriors of his time fed parsley leaves to their chariot horses.

              The scientific name of the common dandelion is Taraxacum officinale, said to derive from the Greek words taraxos, meaning disorder, and akos, meaning remedy.  Dandelion root was traditionally used to treat disorders of the liver and urinary system.

              Besides being the chief ingredient of borsht, beet root was often used to open obstructions of the liver and spleen.

               Bladderwrack, a seaweed high in iodine and minerals is believed by some to stimulate the function of the thyroid gland, contributing to the overall health of an animal's internal organ system.

              For a horse that is chronically a bad bleeder, and who has now bled OVER lasix, I recommend three ounces per day of Bloodless Victory for thirty days before a race to detoxify and tone up the horse's entire system.

              Also use the Yunnan Poiyao remedy as well in conjunction with the Bloodless Victory.  Using two bottles of the Yunnan Poiyao, first take the little red pills out.  The day prior to racing, give the horse half the bottle with the morning feed and half the bottle with the evening feed.  On race morning, if possible, give the horse half a bottle with his morning feed and the other half with the last feed he gets before racing, and also include the two little red pills in this last feeding.

               I can't promise that this approach will solve the problem for your horse specifically, but in some cases so far we have seen improvements, and I expect you will as well.

This article is informational only and in no way replaces professional veterinary advice or treatment.  Always consult with your veterinarian and equine herbalist before using herbal formulas.

About the author:
Loryhl Goodman has been a practicing Herbalist for 24 years.  Many of her formulas have been used successfully by horses competing in the top levels of racing, cutting, barrel racing and show jumping, including the Triple Crown.
            She has written articles for, and been featured in, Pet Tribune, Thoroughbred Times, Mid America Harness News, Goodpony Journal, Victoria Magazine and Sidelines Polo Magazine.  She is presently working on a book on alternatives for farm and stable.  Loryhl also has a full line of formulas for small animals, including birds.  She has lectured for 4 years for Equitana USA and has lectured for EqWest, Herbal Green Pages, (Herb Growing and Marketing Network), South Florida Trail Riders, Canadian Cutting Horse Association and numerous other organizations across North America.  Loryhl incorporates the use of North American, Chinese, European and some First Nations herbal knowledge in the formulations she has developed.