Healthy Raw Diet for Parrots Spices and Herbs

[seagoatdeb]

Alfalfa Leaf helps assimilate protein, calcium and other nutrients. Contains chlorophyll. Richest land source of trace minerals. Very rich supply of Beta Carotene, Vitamins K and D. High in Calcium and contains Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium and eight essential enzymes. It is also high in fructo-oligosaccarides which fertilize healthy bacteria in the gut and neutralize bad bacteria overgrowth such as Candida.
Parsley is used as a preventive herb. High in Vitamin B and Potassium. It is said to contain a substance in which cancer cells cannot multiply. Rich in iron, chlorophyll and Vitamins A and C. Contains sodium, copper, thiamin and riboflavin, silicon, sulfur, calcium and cobalt.
Flaxseed supplies the body with essential fatty acids. Not only are flaxseeds richer in these fatty acids than fish oil, but they also taste much better. Flaxseed also promotes strong nails, bones and healthy skin.
Bee Pollen contains 35% Protein, 55% Carbohydrate, 2% Fatty Acids, 3% Minerals and Vitamins. High in B-Complex Vitamins A, C, D and E. Also contains Lecithin, Beta Carotene and Selenium. It is rich in vitamins and contains almost all known minerals, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids. It contains the essence of every plant from which bees collect pollen in combination with digestive enzymes from the bees. This combination of elements make bee pollen an excellent source of antioxidants. Bee pollen is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and stimulates immunological responses.
Chickweed contains Vitamins A, C and some B, Flavonoids, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. It is used for skin problems, to treat blood disorders, gout and arthritis.
Dandelion Leaf benefits liver function. Contains nutritive salts, protein, and is a rich source of Vitamin A. Also high in Vitamins B, C and E. Rich in Potassium, Calcium and sodium. Contains some Phosphorus and Iron as well as Nickel, Cobalt, Tin and Copper.
Red Clover Blossoms and Leaf contain Vitamins A, C, B-Complex, calcium, Chromium, Iron and Magnesium. Ed Clover has also been used effectively as a blood purifier and antibiotic.
Red Raspberry Leaf contains Vitamins A, C, D, E, and B. It is very high in available Calcium.
Rose Hips is abundant in Vitamin C and helps combat stress.
Milk Thistle Seeds supports the liver's ability to maintain normal liver function. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones. Milk thistle is also an antioxidant that is more potent than Vitamins C and E.
Barley Grass is rich in Beta Carotene, B Vitamins and Vitamin C, the minerals Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Chlorophyll, 8 essential amino acids and enzymes, including antioxidant and superoxide dismutase. In total, it contains 92 minerals and 22 vitamins.
Dill Weed is high in Calcium and soothing to digestion.
Dulse is rich in Protein. It contains 22% more than chickpeas, almonds or whole sesame seeds. Very high in Vitamins B6 and B12. Relatively low in sodium and high in Potassium. Rich in trace minerals.
Garlic Powder fights bacteria like an antibiotic. Garlic's sulfur compounds, in addition to Selenium and Vitamins A and C containing compounds, make it a potent antioxidant, protecting cell membranes and DNA from damage and disease. Garlic directly attacks bacteria and viruses and stimulates the bodies natural defenses against foreign invaders.
Ginger Powder is an absolute favorite taste of parrots. It is an excellent herb for the respiratory system as well as an effective cleansing agent for the digestive system. It contains Protein, Vitamins A, C and B Complex, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium.
Wheat grass contains to many nutrients to mention them all. It is especially high in Fiber, Protein, Chlorophyll, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin B Complex, C, E and K, most minerals and contains 18 Amino Acids. High in Fructo-Oligosaccharides.
Astragalus Powder is an immunomodulator. It contains Glycosides, Polysaccharides, Choline, Betaine, Rumatakenin, and Beta-Sitosterol. It activates the immune system, thus enhancing the body's natural ability to fight disease and protecting the body against a number of toxins.
Chili Flakes is a digestive aid. This flake acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and aids in controlling pain.
Ceylon Cinnamon is a favorite taste of parrots. It is a digestive aid and recent studies have shown it may help to eliminate E. Coli in food.
Turmeric Root has five times more antioxidant power than Vitamin E. Contains curcumin and many other phytochemicals. Makes foods more digestible and possesses anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and protects the liver by detoxification and scavenging free radicals. It also breaks down fats.
Taken from: http://www.aviannaturals.com/herbmix.html

Cayenne Pepper:
Cayenne is rich in the vitamins A, C, iron, potassium and calcium. It also contains some B complex, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur. It has an antioxident effect that in very high doses can increase the risk of some cancers but in moderate doses can help to heal other cancers.
Taken from: http://www.holisticbirds.com/pages/cayenne0801.htm

[Leanna]

Thank you for this list. I use some of the herbs already but will now try the others.

[Pajarita]

Be careful with parsley, it's, BY FAR, the veggie or herb with the highest content of oxalic acid which inhibits calcium absorption (a problem with captive birds that are not exposed to sunlight directly on a daily basis). Also, it's not the milk thistle seeds that have the beneficial effect on the liver, it's the aril (covering of the seed) that has the high concentration of silymarin and, in order for it to do any good, it needs to be concentrated so feeding milk thistle seeds to a parrot doesn't really do anything for their liver. You need to use the non-alcoholic extract, instead, or the concentrated capsules. And it's the dandelion root that is good for the liver, the leaves are VERY good nutrition though. Also, be extra careful with astralagus (I would not use it and I have experience with herbals) because, if you use too much or for too long, it ends up depressing the immune system. And cinnamon needs to be the Ceylon or true one, not the regular or cassia one (that one is higher in coumarin which affects the liver).

Herbs are excellent when used properly but you need to be careful with them because they require knowledge that you don't normally get from reading a description on the internet. The Herb Salad been a good example of somebody getting a bit of info from the internet and putting together something that no herbalist would ever recommend.

[seagoatdeb]

Yes I agree with that Pajarita, you have to use common sense and always do some research. I have been studying and using herbs for 35 years. Oxalic acid is in many greeens as well so when supplementing with a herb for its other health benefits you should lower the other forms of oxalic acid. You should always rotate greens in the same famiy. Also all food contain certain natural toxins and that is to deter predators.. When a person gets an allergy, or sensitivity, it is to one of those toxic compounds in the food that their body is having a problem detoxifying. For this reason, I check all foods for related toxins and keep dailly diets simple. Of course the parrots are often smart enough to not over eat food that are not the best for them right now, but you cant rely on that. Also use herbs in small pinches very sparyinglyfor birds.

[Wolf]

I would also be concerned about anything containing coumarin in it as it is used in humans to thin the blood and to break up blood clots in the arteries.

[seagoatdeb]

Yes you should be Wolf, and both Pajarita and I use Ceylon cinnamon so it is not at any dangerous level. In the list it says Ceylon Cinnamon and the comments make now that perfectly clear. Many Avian specialists have researched Ceylon Cinnamon and I have never found anything saying its unsafe.

[seagoatdeb]

I agree, I only by Ceylon Cinnamon.

[Leanna]

Wolf, I agree with Seagoatdeb and Pajarita the low levels in Ceylon Cinamon are safe of course like all spices and herbs, you use them in moderation.

This is a quote from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment;
Ceylon cinnamon only contains low levels of coumarin which are safe from the Institute’s risk assessment perspective. By contrast, cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin and large amounts of this cinnamon should not, therefore, be eaten

Coumarin is a flavouring which is found in higher concentrations in the types of cinnamon grouped together under the name “cassia cinnamon”. Relatively small amounts of coumarin can damage the liver of particularly sensitive individuals. Imagine a tiny birds system.

Ceylon is the only "true" cinnamon, nobody knows the effects of cassia on birds but we do know that there are potential risks to humans so it isn't worth the risk. Not to mention the health benefits of cinnamon that is often touted is with the Ceylon only not the cassia.

[seagoatdeb]

Ceylon Cinamaon is Gaugans favorite spice by far, I can get her to eats some things she would not eat by adding a tiny bit of cinamon to it. She really likes Turmeric too.

[Pajarita]

Yes, I still have to meet a parrot which doesn't like cinnamon. I often recommend it to people who are transitioning their birds to a healthier diet because it seems to a scent and flavor they can't resist. Two other favorites are chili powder and garlic. The only spice (or, in this case, mix of spices) my parrots don't like is curry. I don't know why but none of them likes it...