Equine Cocoa Tea Salve

SKIN: Clean the affected area with a mild soap and dry thoroughly. Apply up to three times daily. For persistent or severe dermatitis, a sweat and wrap can be applied over the salve.
HOOF: Apply daily to the entire hoof to maintain elasticity and combat infection. For best results, apply before exposure to water to create a protective barrier. For problem areas such as thrush or white line disease, apply directly to the frog or sole up to three times daily. A hoof wrap or boot can be used over the product.

A natural antimicrobial and anti-fungal, coconut oil is a natural oil hypothesized to have antibacterial activity by disrupting bacterial and fungal cell membranes. The constituents of coconut oil include the following: saturated fats, capric/caprylic/lauric acid and Vitamin E. The saturated fats are medium chain fatty acids, also known as triglycerides, that help retain moisture levels of the skin by eliminating moisture loss through the pore. Capric/caprylic/lauric acids provide antimicrobial effect by disrupting bacterial, fungal, and viral cell membranes, leading to cell death. Finally, Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin and hair growth, skin repair, and is high in antioxidants.

Primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the oil. A wealth of in vitro data supports the long-held hypotheses regarding its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The terpenes in tea tree oil give this versatile substance antiseptic properties that make it especially powerful for healing wounds and battling infection. Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2006 demonstrated tea tree oil to be effective at fighting the super-bug MRSA, which is a strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to many common antibiotics. For this reason, it’s often used as a natural remedy to prevent infection in small wounds, blisters, and burns. Tea tree oil has also been noted in a medical study performed by the Australian Journal of Dermatology as being an effective treatment for ringworm, curing the fungus after four weeks of treatment in more than 64 percent of test subjects. An added plus-tea tree oil is also a natural insecticide.

Contains the following main antioxidants: Rosmarinic acid, Carnosic acid, Ethanolic acid,1,8-Cineole, and Camphor oil. In general terms, these bioactive antioxidants have proven benefits for hair maintenance and growth. When applied topically, continual use can have the following benefits: reduction in inflammation of the scalp and hair follicles, increase of antibacterial properties, and it can help to increase localized blood flow. Rosemary oil is also a natural insecticide and mosquito repellant.