| Sport and performance horses are extremely | | | | Natural compounds found in Funtumia include: |
| susceptible to lung disease. Even seemingly healthy | | | | Anthocyanins: plant pigments that give berries their |
| horses are frequently affected. Studies have shown | | | | color (such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries). |
| that 90-100% of sport horses tested have evidence of | | | | Anthocyanins have been called "the mother lode in a |
| damage to their airways that can lead to Equine | | | | gold mine of antioxidants." Anthocyanins have shown |
| Reactive Airway Disease (RAD, also called Chronic | | | | specific benefit in reducing immune-stimulated |
| Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD)--a serious | | | | inflammation, and are thought to be valuable in |
| and career-ending condition. The first (and often only) | | | | preventing the development of asthma. |
| early sign is decreased performance. | | | | Flavonoids: Vitamin C is the most familiar member of |
| Herbs can be a safe, effective way to both prevent | | | | this class of plant-derived antioxidant compounds. |
| and treat Equine RAD/COPD. In fact, many herbs | | | | Flavonoids are useful in both preventing and treating |
| would help with some of the symptoms of this | | | | COPD, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases. |
| disease. For instance, Yarrow is often used for upper | | | | Plant sterols: natural plant steroids are safer than |
| respiratory complaints. | | | | synthetic steroid drugs like prednisone and |
| Properties of the ideal herb for preventing and treating | | | | dexamethasone. Phytosterols have immuno-modulating |
| RAD/COPD would include: | | | | effects--normalizing an over-reactive antibody |
| - Antioxidant, to reduce inflammation-causing molecules | | | | response--as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer |
| in the body that contribute to asthma | | | | properties. |
| - Antifungal, to inhibit mold particles that commonly | | | | Natural anti-fungals: Funtumia specifically inhibits growth |
| cause respiratory disease in horses | | | | of many molds, including Aspergillus, which is commonly |
| - Immune-modulating, to decrease the over-reactive | | | | associated with equine respiratory disease. |
| immune response to allergens | | | | Tannins: These compounds have shown promise in |
| - Anti-inflammatory, to protect the lungs from the | | | | the treatment of allergic inflammation and asthma. |
| harmful effects of chronic inflammation | | | | Funtumia has demonstrated excellent safety (low |
| - Free from heavy metal contamination, to prevent | | | | toxicity) in multiple laboratory experiments, and has |
| toxic build-up | | | | tested negative for heavy metals including cadmium, |
| - Contain no substance prohibited by equine sports | | | | zinc, lead, chromium, and nickel. It does not contain any |
| regulatory bodies such as USEF or racing | | | | substances that are prohibited by any equine sport |
| commissions | | | | authority. |
| Funtumia elastica is a medium-sized African rubber | | | | Preventing equine respiratory disease is easier---and |
| tree; its bark has a long history of use for respiratory | | | | smarter---than trying to treat established disease. |
| complaints. Funtumia has important antioxidant, | | | | Excellent hygiene, clean feeds, fresh air, and |
| antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. It | | | | preventive therbal therapy could make all the |
| has no known toxicity, and is not barred by any equine | | | | difference for your horse. |
| sport governing body. | | | | |