McDowells Herbal

08/09/2026

There’s something grounding about spending time in nature. Seasons change, plants grow, landscapes regenerate, and we’re reminded that we’re part of that natural world too.

For generations, people have looked to plants and herbs as part of caring for their health and wellbeing. It’s a connection that sits at the heart of what we believe at McDowells, respecting nature, understanding it, and working alongside it 🌿💚

07/09/2026

If you've ever had a traditional herbal consultation, you may have wondered why you're being asked about things that don't seem connected to the reason you came in.

That's rather the point 🌿

Traditional herbal practice looks at the person as a whole. Digestion, sleep, stress, energy, diet and other aspects of wellbeing can all form part of the picture because our body systems don't operate independently of one another. Cath, Director and Master Herbalist, describes the process as looking for the "weak link", then considering how different areas of the body may be influencing the overall picture.

Interestingly, modern research is increasingly uncovering these same cross-system relationships. The gut microbiome alone is now being studied for its interactions with the immune, nervous, endocrine and metabolic systems.

Different language. Different eras. But perhaps not always such different thinking 💚

07/09/2026

05/09/2026

There’s something special about seeing them still keen for their daily walks 🐶🌿

Sue says Forever Young has become one of those products she simply “can’t do without” for her dog, helping support the freedom of movement that keeps her enjoying the things she loves.

As our dogs grow older, it’s often those simple everyday moments that matter most. Forever Young combines grass-fed bovine collagen hydrolysate with glucosamine to provide nutritional support for ageing dogs, helping them stay active and enjoy life at their own pace 💚

04/09/2026

We tend to hear the word collagen and immediately think about joints, but collagen is actually one of the body's major structural proteins. It's found throughout connective tissues including skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

That's part of the thinking behind Forever Young, which combines grass-fed bovine collagen hydrolysate with glucosamine as a nutritional supplement for ageing dogs 🐶

Healthy ageing isn't about expecting an older dog to behave like a puppy forever. Their bodies change, and thoughtful nutrition means recognising those changing needs while continuing to give them opportunities to move, explore and enjoy life at their own pace.

There's an awful lot of living to be done in the senior years 🌿

03/09/2026

🌿 Herbal Wisdom: Marshmallow Leaf 🌿
Botanical name: Althaea officinalis

Long before marshmallows became a sweet treat, the Marshmallow plant had been valued by herbalists for its naturally soothing properties.

Marshmallow is particularly rich in mucilage, a plant substance that becomes slippery and gel-like when combined with water. It’s this quality that has made the herb so distinctive in traditional herbal medicine.

Traditionally used for:
🌿 Soothing and nourishing mucous membranes
🌿 Supporting digestive comfort and the gastrointestinal lining
🌿 Supporting respiratory and throat comfort
🌿 Calming dry or irritated tissues

Rather than being a stimulating herb, Marshmallow is traditionally chosen when herbalists want something gentle, moistening and soothing, which is why it can be such a useful companion to stronger herbs within a balanced formulation.

At McDowells, Marshmallow Leaf is available as part of the dried herb range and is also incorporated into selected formulations where its traditional soothing action complements other herbs.

🌱 Sometimes herbal wisdom isn't about stimulating the body, it's about knowing when to soothe and nourish.

02/09/2026

💙 𝐀 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐜𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬! 💙

Central Western Dressage Group is incredibly grateful to once again have 𝗠𝗰𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 of our September Championships.

The 𝗠𝗰𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗪𝗗𝗚 will be held on 𝟭𝟵–𝟮𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, and we’re very proud to have the continued support of such a well-known local business.

McDowells have been supporting people and their animals with natural herbal treatments for nearly 40 years, including an extensive range of support for horses.

Sponsorship like this makes a genuine difference to our club and helps us continue to put on great events for our members. We encourage everyone to show their support to the businesses that support CWDG 🐴

🌿 Explore McDowells herbals range for horses, dogs, cats and people and get in touch for a FREE consultation ⬇️

https://www.mcdowellsherbal.com

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐌𝐜𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐖𝐃𝐆 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬! 💙

McDowells Herbal

02/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18oZiycEnV/

Equine Healing Retreat – Recharge & Reconnect Join us for a transformative two-day retreat designed to restore balance for both horses and humans. Enjoy expert-led workshops, live demonstrations, and holistic healing sessions in a peaceful setting. ✔ Luxury accommodation & all meals included ✔...

02/09/2026

When we think about keeping a horse strong and moving well, muscles often get most of the attention. But underneath all that movement, bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage are doing an enormous amount of work too 🐴

Our Tendon & Bone Bucket was formulated to provide nutritional and herbal support for these important connective structures, particularly during periods of physical stress and recovery.⁠

The dry blend combines kelp, linseed meal, millet meal and yarrow, providing naturally occurring nutrients including silica, magnesium and essential fatty acids. It also comes with McDowells Tendon & Bone Liquid Activator, bringing together Apple Cider Vinegar, Elecampane, Horsetail and Yarrow. These herbs have been traditionally used to support healthy connective tissue, with Horsetail particularly valued for its naturally occurring silica 🌿

It's a lovely example of the McDowells approach: looking beyond one isolated part of the horse and providing broad nutritional support for the structures working together every time they move.

31/08/2026

The human body is remarkably complex, yet some of the foundations of wellbeing are beautifully simple: nourishing food, movement, rest, fresh air and a little help from the plant world.

Herbs have been traditionally used for generations to support health and wellbeing, working alongside the body rather than asking it to work against itself.

Sometimes, looking after ourselves is simply about getting back to the basics nature has always provided 🌿💚