BreathePlus Veterinary Reference Extract

EquiNatural® | Botanical Nutritional Support for Equine Respiratory Resilience & Immune–Airway Balance

Organically grown • Human grade • Not veterinary medicine

1. Important Context for Veterinary Review

Chronic or recurring respiratory presentations in horses — including coughing, wheezing, airway reactivity, heave lines, poor tolerance of dusty environments, or seasonal exacerbations — are multifactorial. They may involve:

airway mucosal sensitivity
dust and particulate exposure
immune dysregulation
chronic low-grade inflammation
metabolic or adrenal stress load
environmental triggers (bedding, forage, arenas)

These cannot be attributed to any single feed or supplement.

BreathePlus provides nutritional botanical support only and should be introduced gradually, observing individual tolerance. It is not suitable for managing acute respiratory distress, infection, or febrile illness without veterinary care.

Functional Positioning — BreathePlus

Phase: Chronic Respiratory Support (Phase 2 of EquiNatural’s respiratory pathway)

BreathePlus is formulated for horses with ongoing or environmentally driven airway sensitivity, rather than short-term pollen irritation or acute respiratory crises.

Its nutritional role is to support:

long-term airway comfort
immune–airway modulation
mucosal resilience (upper + lower respiratory tract)
pulmonary microcirculation
the chronic “dust-reactive” respiratory profile

It is not intended as:

a bronchodilator
an antihistamine substitute
an acute-phase respiratory intervention
a replacement for veterinary treatment in infection or respiratory distress

BreathePlus bridges the gap between seasonal histamine-focused formulas (PollenTonic / PollenCOMBO) and the horse needing ongoing respiratory maintenance in allergen-prone environments.

Core Actions

Supports clearer, more comfortable breathing via botanical expectorants
Helps calm immune–airway reactivity to dust, bedding, mould, and stable allergens
Maintains mucosal tone and respiratory membrane moisture
Enhances pulmonary microcirculation and tissue oxygenation
Contributes to a balanced, resilient respiratory system over time

Rationale for Key Components

Astragalus membranaceus

Adaptogenic immune modulator supporting respiratory steadiness and reducing chronic allergen-triggered overreaction.

Echinacea purpurea

Traditionally used for immune tone and mucosal fortification, particularly in upper-respiratory irritation.

Inula helenium

Classic respiratory expectorant; volatile oils support bronchiolar clarity and ease irritation in the lower airways.

Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)

Emollient and expectorant actions help support smooth airflow and calm chest discomfort.

Althaea officinalis radix (Marshmallow Root)

Rich mucilage coats and soothes irritated airway surfaces, reducing coughing and dryness.

Ginkgo biloba

Enhances pulmonary and peripheral circulation; supports oxygen delivery during chronic respiratory effort.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice Root)

Demulcent, adrenal-buffering herb providing mucosal comfort and synergy across the blend.
→ Monitor total glycyrrhizin exposure; caution with corticosteroids.

Euphrasia officinalis (Eyebright)

Supports upper-respiratory clarity, mucous-membrane tone, and irritant sensitivity around eyes and sinuses.

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Circulatory and anti-allergenic botanical assisting mucous flow regulation and systemic balance.

2. Product Summary

BreathePlus is a long-term botanical respiratory-support blend formulated to:

help maintain clearer airways
support mucosal comfort and moisture
reinforce immune resilience against dust and environmental allergens
provide gentle expectorant, demulcent, and circulatory nourishment
contribute to steadier breathing in chronic or recurring respiratory patterns

It is appropriate for horses with ongoing respiratory sensitivity, stable-dust exposure, or chronic airway reactivity.

3. Clinical Rationale (Nutritional Mechanisms of Action)

Immune–Airway Modulation (Astragalus, Echinacea, Yarrow)

Supports balanced immune interaction with environmental allergens; promotes mucosal steadiness.

Expectorant & Lower-Airway Comfort (Inula, Verbascum)

Traditional bronchiolar botanicals assisting airway clearance and easing chronic irritation.

Demulcent & Mucosal Support (Marshmallow, Liquorice)

Forms a soothing mucilage layer over airway linings; helps reduce cough reflex and dryness.

Pulmonary Circulation (Ginkgo, Yarrow)

Enhances blood flow to alveoli and peripheral tissues, supporting oxygenation during ongoing respiratory strain.

Adrenal & Stress Buffering (Liquorice)

Helps modulate adrenal contribution to chronic respiratory reactivity; avoid with corticosteroids.

Botanical respiratory support does not treat airway disease — it supports the underlying systems contributing to respiratory resilience.

4. Nutritional Indications (Non-Diagnostic)

BreathePlus may be useful where horses exhibit:

recurring coughing or wheezing
dust, bedding, or arena-surface reactivity
chronic airway irritation
mild heave-line development or increased respiratory effort
seasonal symptoms that progress to chest involvement
reduced tolerance to stable air quality
mucus accumulation or “chesty” patterns

Not intended to treat: infection, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, COPD/RAO in crisis, fever, or medical emergencies.

5. Composition

Botanical Safety Preface
Botanicals affect mucous membranes, circulation, and immune responsiveness. Individual tolerance varies with environment, workload, and metabolic status.

Herb List
Astragalus membranaceus
Echinacea purpurea
Inula helenium
Euphrasia officinalis
Ginkgo biloba
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Althaea officinalis radix
Verbascum thapsus
Achillea millefolium

6. Herb Micro-Monographs (Technical)

(Already summarised above — optional to retain or expand depending on your page layout. I can produce full textbook-style monographs if you'd like.)

7. Medication Considerations

Use with veterinary oversight when combined with:

Corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone, inhaled steroids)

→ Liquorice may prolong steroid half-life or influence cortisol dynamics.
Avoid unsupervised combination.

Immunosuppressants

→ Immune-modulatory herbs (Astragalus, Echinacea) may influence response.

Anticoagulants

→ Yarrow and Ginkgo have mild circulatory effects.

Liver-metabolised medications

Monitor where herbs may influence hepatic pathways (Glycyrrhiza, Echinacea).

No known harmful interactions at nutritional levels when used thoughtfully.

8. Feeding Guidance

Dried Herb Blend

5 g per 100 kg daily (25 g for a 500 kg horse).
1 level 75 ml scoop ≈ 12 g.

Organic Tincture Blend

6 ml per 100 kg daily (30 ml for a 500 kg horse).

Introduction

Introduce gradually over 3–5 days.

Sensitivity Advisory

If unexpected respiratory, behavioural, or digestive changes occur, discontinue and consult a veterinarian.

9. Clinical Considerations

Advisories

Designed for chronic or recurring respiratory patterns.
Feed as part of environmental management (dust control, bedding choice, hay quality).
Review total Liquorice intake if using multiple blends.
Suitable for long-term nutritional support when used at the recommended rate.

Contraindications

Pregnant or nursing mares — due to hormonally active and circulatory herbs.
Horses on steroid medication — avoid unless supervised.
Horses in acute respiratory distress, fever, or suspected infection — require veterinary care.

10. Supporting Products

PollenTonic — mild seasonal allergy support
PollenCOMBO — escalated seasonal allergy with airway involvement
Spirulina — immune/histamine modulation
Micronised Linseed — omega-3 support for airway membranes
StressTonic — where stress heightens airway reactivity

11. Standard Professional Disclaimer

BreathePlus is a botanical nutritional food supplement for horses. It is not veterinary medicine and does not diagnose, treat, or prevent disease. Veterinary consultation is recommended for horses on concurrent medication or showing respiratory distress.