Chinese Peony is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has many active components like polyphenols, and paeonol, but it's the paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside, that's the most abundant component and main biologically active ingredient of the Chinese Peony root extract.

Research has shown that paeoniflorin has immunoregulatory, antidepressant, anti-arthritis, antithrombosis, anti-tumour, hepatoprotective, cerebral ischemic injury protective, and neuroprotective effects.  

As we’ll see, this is why Chinese Peony is included as a key ingredient in both our Skin and Joint Thera-Chews™️ for dogs.

Boswellia is one of the most valued herbs in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine. In animal studies, Boswellia has been demonstrated to improve cognitive impairment, insulin resistance, and joint problems. It has been shown to preserve the structural integrity of joint cartilage. Here's why we use it in Bestie gummy chews.

Nutritional yeast (also known as savoury yeast flakes, yeshi, nooch, or brufax) is an inactive form of yeast that is a powerhouse of essential amino acids, B-vitamins, bioactive minerals, immune system boosters, and powerful antioxidants. Here's why we include it in our supps including ones that help with anxiety.

There are more than 150 bioactive molecules in hawthorn, including phenolic acid, quercetin, pyrocatechin, phlorodizin, terpenoids, lignans. All these antioxidants make Hawthorn a superfood. And it’s one of the primary ingredients in the bestie Anxiety health chew - a blend of valerian, tryptophan, l-theanine, pomegranate and hawthorn, that research has shown improves generalised anxiety behaviour and clinical symptoms in dogs. We explain more about hawthorn, here.

L-Theanine is a type of amino acid that is the main component of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). It’s known for its relaxing effects on both humans and animals. Here we look at how it works - and particularly its role in glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These are the major neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain and inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate work together to control many processes, including the brain’s overall level of excitation.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for dogs and cats. This means it must be present in their diet because their bodies are unable to produce it. In addition to being an important building block of protein, tryptophan is an important precursor of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can help regulate appetite, sleep, mood, and perception of pain.

In recent years, tryptophan-supplemented diets have gained popularity with pet owners whose pets are suffering from anxiety and aggression problems.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb that is often planted as ornamentals and for use in herbal medicine. And with a Latin name thought to be derived from the Latin word ‘valere’ which means ‘to be healthy’, there are a LOT of reasons why we include valerian in The Om daily health boosters - designed to help with anxious behaviour. We explain why.

Nettle is a kind-of ordinary plant, with extraordinary properties. While it's been used for centuries in traditional medicine and veterinary medicine, today, numerous scientific research support the many health benefits of nettle.  In particular, that nettle is rich in flavonoids that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Marigold (also called calendula), has long been used in herbal medicine as a topical antiseptic, however the marigold extract has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also been shown to promote digestion and alleviate gastrointestinal disorders.