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Holistic
A
Gift from Mother Nature (GSE)
These articles originally appeared in the Your Parrot Place Newsletter
04-24-2002.
Click here to subscribe!
by Carolyn Swicegood
Eclectus Land of Vos web site
www.landofvos.com
Join the world's largest Eclectus Email list here:
http://www.landofvos.com/tec.html
Mother Nature has provided an extraordinary substance from a surprising source
to benefit her feathered creatures. An extract of a simple food item has proved
to be effective in combating hundreds of pathogens that affect birds, including
parasites, bacteria, virus, and fungi. This food-derived substance is used by a
growing number of aviculturists, pet bird owners, and veterinarians. It is a
natural, safe and non-toxic disinfectant and cleaner as well as a preventive
against disease-causing pathogens. It is used to disinfect food and water, to
prevent mold growth on home-grown sprouts, to clean cages, aviaries and homes as
well as to treat a variety of illnesses -- all without harming birds or the
environment. Surprisingly, this powerful product is made from the lowly
grapefruit seed! The antimicrobial properties of the extract of grapefruit seeds
and pulp were discovered in 1972 by Jacob Harish, a physicist and immunologist,
as a result of his curiosity about the bitterness of grapefruit seeds.
At the University of Georgia, tests were conducted to evaluate Grapefruit Seed
Extract (GSE) as a disinfectant in tests against E. Coli, Salmonella sps., and
Staph aureus. According to Roger Wyatt, Ph.D., and Microbiologist for the
university, "Our studies indicate excellent potential for these products (GSE).
...The toxicological that I have reviewed indicated that this product and the
active ingredient poses very low toxicity. As you know this is important because
most disinfectants that are currently used in either animal or human
environments have moderate to high toxicity and extreme care must be exercised
when these products are used... In view of the reports that we have discussed,
the wide spectrum of activity that GSE offers (antiviral, antibacterial; Gram
positive and Gram negative, antimycotic, and antiprotozoan) will undoubtedly aid
in its acceptability."
Dr. Wyatt's findings have been confirmed by a variety of clinics and labs, as
well as universities from around the world. GSE is non-toxic, environmentally
safe, and quickly bio-degradable. It causes no side effects and is often
dramatically less expensive than existing treatments or chemicals for similar
applications.
Some physicians have found that GSE is as effective against candida, a yeast
infection, as Nystatin or other antifungal preparations. It is also effective
against protozoans such as giardia or entamoeba histolytica. Researcher Dr. Leo
Galland says that it is more effective than prescription medicines such as
metronidazole against these protozoal parasites. There is considerable research
to support the claims of GSE's efficacy as a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal,
anti-protozoan, anti-viral and antiseptic disinfectant. As a germicide, GSE has
multiple uses and it is non-toxic and non-irritating when diluted as directed.
Bio Research Laboratories of Redmond, Washington, USA, tested GSE, a commercial
chlorine bleach, and colloidal silver against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus
aureus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecium, and E. coli. GSE proved
superior and the test report concluded:
"All microorganisms tested were inhibited with moderate levels of GSE liquid
disinfectant. High levels of chlorine bleach inhibited the test organisms, but
moderate levels were not effective. Because the GSE liquid was inhibitory at
much lower levels, it may be assumed that it is ten to one hundred times more
effective than chlorine against the organisms used in this study. On average,
GSE proved to be ten times more effective than the colloidal silver."
GSE is compatible with most antibiotics. It does not produce the negative side
effects associated with antibiotic use. Proponents of GSE claim that it does not
attack normal gastrointestinal bacteria as antibiotics do. To ensure that this
is not a problem, I would use a probiotic after treating with therapeutic
dosages of GSE. Even if it is unnecessary, it will do no harm. GSE rarely causes
allergic or toxic reactions. Aspirin is said to be 25 times more toxic than GSE.
Grapefruit seed extract is available in health food stores. GSE has been proven
in laboratory tests to be 10 to 100 times more effective as a disinfectant than
chlorine, colloidal silver, and iodine.
According to The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Volume 5, No. 3, USA, 1990,
an international research team examined the effect of GSE on 770 strains of
bacteria and 93 strains of fungus and compared this with 30 effective
antibiotics and 18 proven fungicides. GSE was found to perform as well as any
and all of the tested agents.
GSE USES AND DOSAGES
To disinfect surfaces in the aviary and nursery such as brooders, incubators,
cages, perches, and carriers, make an all purpose cleaner by adding 30 to 60
drops of GSE to a 32-ounce pump spray bottle filled with water. Mix well and
spray.
To disinfect wood surfaces, apply a few drops of GSE to the cleaned wood while
still wet. Let stand for half an hour.
To clean formula from baby parrots' faces and feathers after syringe feedings,
add a few drops of GSE to a bowl of warm water to wet the cleaning cloth. It
kills bacteria and gets the skin and feathers squeaky clean.
To sterilize syringes, pipettes, spoons, and other handfeeding utensils, make a
solution of 15 to 30 drops of GSE per pint of water. Soak between feedings.
To make your own antibacterial soap for the nursery and kitchen, add ten to
fifteen drops of GSE to an eight-ounce pump dispenser of handsoap.
To make a disinfectant soak for produce, add 10 to15 drops of GSE per gallon of
water and submerge the fruits and vegetables for 15 to 30 seconds.
To make a disinfectant spray for produce, add 20 or more drops to a quart spray
bottle and spray on fruits and vegetables.
To prevent the growth of algae and mold in incubators and humidifiers, add three
or four drops of GSE per gallon to the water reservoir.
To clean and disinfect cutting boards, apply 10 to 20 drops of GSE to the
cutting board. Rub it into the board with a wet sponge or cloth. Leave the GSE
on for at least 30 minutes and rinse.
To purify water, add 10 drops of GSE per gallon of water and stir vigorously. It
is more effective than iodine.
To treat skin fungi, parasites, or bacterial diseases of the skin of birds and
other pets, mix 30 to 50 drops of GSE per quart of water and spray on the
infected area.
To prevent the growth of pathogens and to kill existing parasites, (such as
giardia from well water), use one drop of Nutribiotic GSE in an eight-ounce
water cup. There are claims that GSE has cured a number of parrots with stubborn
cases of giardia. Daily use is safe but a probiotic can be used if you are
concerned about maintaining healthy intestinal flora.
To boost the cleaning power of dishwasher detergent for bird dishes, add 15 to
30 drops of GSE to the dishwasher along with detergent.
To disinfect towels and cloths used for baby parrots, add 30 to 50 drops to the
wash cycle, or add 10 to 15 drops of GSE to the final rinse to ensure that the
laundry is fungi and bacteria free.
To disinfect carpet in bird rooms, add 10 to 15 drops of GSE per gallon of water
to the reservoir of the carpet cleaning machine.
Birds cannot tell us their symptoms and since GSE is a broad-spectrum treatment,
it is quickly becoming the first line of defense for many pet owners, breeders,
and veterinarians. Birds can safely be given GSE every day as a preventive or
remedy. There has never been a report from any source stating that GSE has ever
harmed any living thing. I do not sell Grapefruit Seed Extract but as you have
read, I definitely am sold on GSE for birdkeeping.
Citricidal® liquid concentrate is triple the potency of NutriBiotic® GSE liquid.
For online information about GSE or Citricidal, visit www.nutriteam.com.
Aloe Vera (1)
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
I think everybody should have this plant in the house. A real first aid plant
for a lot of occasions, it helped my birds and I in so many ways it would take
hours to describe all of them. It has the ability to regenerate and stimulate
the growth of damaged tissue and heal wounds, bruises and irritations faster.
Aloe not only prevents and draws out infections, but relieves pain quickly. It
is reputed to heal internal tissue that has been damaged by X-rays or radiation
and contains antibiotic properties. Taken internally, it is a very detoxifying
remedy. Whenever I, or any of my birds have a wound, the first thing I do is
pour some Aloe Vera Gel over it. I prefer the gel over the juice. The inner leaf
latex contains a violent purgative, which the birds avoid eating when offered
the whole plant. But the juice is made from the whole plant and contains this
purgative.
I think due to our environment (and our birds) we are exposed to enough
radiation that we can use a dosage of aloe vera gel or a bite of the plant every
once a while and don’t forget, it’s not just for the birds!
Aloe Vera (2)
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Aloe vera
Biological name: Aloe barbadensis L.
Family: Aloaceae
History
Aloe vera is one of the oldest known therapeutic herbs and is renowned worldwide
as a healing plant. It originated in the Cape Verde islands off the West African
Coast. First mentioned in the Egyptian "Papyrus Ebers" in 1550 B.C. for its
medical and embalming value, aloe vera was supposedly used to embalm the body of
Christ.
Both the Greek historian Dioscorides and the Roman naturalist Pliny recommended
aloe vera about 2,000 years ago as an effective remedy for constipation, burns,
wounds, bruises, skin irritations, kidney problems and more.
It is referred to in many scriptures all over the world and down through the
ages. Hindus call it the "silent healer," Chinese the "harmony remedy" and even
Christopher Columbus mentioned its importance.
Description
Aloe vera leaves have a bitter yellow latex right below the outer skin. This
latex contains an anthraquinone called barbaloin, which is activated by the
intestinal flora and acts as a laxative. In its raw form, it can cause
uncontrollable bowel spasms. Aloe vera juice is usually extracted from the whole
plant and is used for chronic constipation. The juice should not be used
regularly because it depletes electrolytes from the body and can cause muscle
weakness.
In the '70s, American scientists found a way to separate the gel from the leaf
and stabilize it. This inner mucilaginous part of the plant, the gel, is
sterile, contains most of the plant's nutrients and is the part most used in
treatment of various ills. So far, 200 nutrients have been found in the gel of
the leaf, just a few of which are: 8 essential amino acids, 12 non-essential
amino acids, 12 anthraquinones, 10 enzymes and many minerals and vitamins.
Medicinal Value
The list of ailments aloe vera is used for in holistic medicine is even longer
than the list of nutrients. It has been successfully used in the healing process
of burns, wounds, gastric ulcers, and as a treatment for diabetes and diabetic
wounds. A polysaccharide in aloe vera, called glucomannan, works as an
anti-inflammatory. Another one, Aloctin A, has immune system stimulating and
anti-tumor properties. Other parts have shown antiviral properties.
Among its other healing ingredients, aloe vera contains salicylic acid, which is
the main content of aspirin. The salicylic acid and magnesium in aloe are
thought to work together for an analgesic effect on burns. It was used in 1935
to treat third-degree x-ray burns, and more modern medicine uses it to treat
atomic radiation burns. Applied to wounds, the gel not only reduces pain and
infection, it stimulates cell regeneration and therefore the growth of new
tissue and skin. Scarring can be reduced significantly by using aloe vera.
Because of its ability to balance the pH of the blood and increase digestion and
absorption, aloe vera gel strengthens the immune system. Taken regularly over a
period of several months, it helps to regulate the function of the liver.
Not only holistic medicine practitioners use aloe vera. In treating HIV-infected
patients, Dr. Reg McDanial stated, "It appears that acemannon neutralizes the
[AIDS] virus by transforming its protein envelope, thus preventing it from
attaching itself to the T4 cells." Dr. Robert H. Davis, a physiologist at the
University of Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, has conducted research
on aloe vera since the early '70s. Results of laboratory tests on animals
indicate that aloe vera can prevent and arrest arthritis, improve wound healing,
inhibit pain, block inflammation, restore bone growth, and act as a vehicle for
the delivery of nutrients to the body. Dr. Davis stated, "Aloe vera contains the
greatest number of active substances of any plant I've looked at."
Plants grown outside in the bright sun contain higher amounts of nutrients than
aloe vera grown indoors. But it grows very easily indoors and, though it has
less nutritional power, can be of invaluable help in many cases.
Case Study
Jeremy is a 19-year-old female blue and gold macaw. The story begins when we
realized that she was eating and drinking ferociously, had an absolutely liquid
stool and was losing weight at a very rapid pace. The first veterinarian I went
to told me she was hypothyroid. She appeared everything but hypo to me. Her
glucose was 1080 and her weight down to 820 grams. But the vet said a high
glucose level is normal when a bird is stressed by such things as a trip to the
vet. After a five-month odyssey in which I stabilized her a little, we got her
to Dr. Barno at Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital. By then Jeremy's glucose was
down 200 points and her weight up 100 grams, but she was very weak. Dr. Barno
suggested two insulin shots per day. Because of the trauma for Jeremy of getting
a shot twice a day and knowing about the damage insulin does to the body, I
refused.
During all this time, I was reading whatever I could find about diabetes. One of
the most important things was a diet high in fiber and I kept running into aloe
vera over and over again.
Slowly but surely, I developed the following recipe for her:
2 oz of fresh organic finely chopped vegetables
1 teaspoon of psyllium husk powder
½ teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder
1 teaspoon of organic peanut butter
1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Her glucose level dropped, she gained weight and, as long as she gets this food,
she is relatively stable. She is still diabetic (glucose level 350/400) and her
feathers are becoming greener, but her old spirit and strength are back.
References:
http://www.aloe-vera.org/research.htm
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, M.D. &
Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C
Little Herb Encyclopedia by Jack Ritchardson, N.D.
Health Handbook & Today's Herbal Health both by Louise Tenney, M.H.
Herbal Medicine by Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
Holistic Bird Care by David McCluggage, D.V.M. and Pamela Leis Higdon
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D.
Aloe for Birdkeepers
by Carolyn Swicegood
Eclectus Land of Vos web site
www.landofvos.com
Join the world's largest Eclectus Email list here:
http://www.landofvos.com/tec.html
Originally appeared in Watchbird Issue III 2001
Reprinted with permission
Allopathic medicine is barely a century old, but the practice of using plant
remedies such as Aloe vera can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Aloe
vera, a succulent member of the lily and onion family, was used to treat a
variety of health problems. There is a valuable lesson in this ancient wisdom
for aviculturists who prefer using natural preventive remedies and treatments
for their birds whenever feasible. Aloe vera, also known as the burn plant,
possesses powerful healing properties that are beneficial to both birds and
their caregivers.
There are hundreds of species of Aloe vera but the Aloe Barbadenis variety is
the plant most frequently used for healing. It contains a wound hormone that
accelerates healing of injured surfaces such as skin, nails, and feathers. Aloe
vera has proven to be beneficial as a topical treatment for minor wounds and
burns. When taken internally, it improves immune function, detoxifies, and
promotes general healing. Scientists have found that Aloe vera gel is useful as
an astringent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a natural antibiotic, a coagulating
agent, and a pain inhibitor. No other plant can claim as many healing properties
as Aloe vera, which truly is a "pharmacy in a leaf."
Aloe vera can be useful to birdkeepers in the following ways:
* It promotes the healing of wounds and prevents infection.
* It is a safe and natural analgesic.
* Aloe spray discourages feather destruction.
* It stimulates the immune system making it an effective preventive remedy.
* It can be used as a coagulating agent for the treatment of broken nails and
blood feathers.
* Aloe detoxifying formula can save lives when conventional treatments fail.
ALOE FOR HEALING WOUNDS -- The prevention of infections that sometimes result
from skin wounds is important to a bird's health. Aviculturists should consider
the natural medicinal benefits that Aloe vera provides as a remedy for such
abrasions. Aloe penetrates all the skin layers, which helps to account for its
healing properties when treating burns, cuts, scrapes, abrasions and other skin
problems. It draws infection out of wounds as it helps to regenerate healthy
tissue. Aloe contains fatty acids that have
anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the wound healing hormones, Auxins and
Gibberellins. Aloe vera also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal
properties that are effective defenses against a broad range of microbes. The
Aloe vera plant produces at least six antiseptic agents: lupeol, salicylic acid,
urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulphur. All of these are
recognized as antiseptics because they kill or control molds and other fungi, as
well as bacteria and viruses.
Extensive research since the 1930's has shown that Aloe vera gel has the ability
not only to heal wounds, but also to treat ulcers and burns by putting a
protective coating on the affected areas and speeding up the rate of healing.
ALOE AS AN ANALGESIC -- It seems to be a well-kept secret that Aloe vera is an
effective pain killer. The lupeol, salicylic acid and magnesium in aloe have
strong analgesic properties with no known side effects, making it helpful to
both birds and their caregivers. Aloe spray is an excellent analgesic for birds
because it does not require hands-on application. Tame birds might allow the
owner to apply aloe gel or other medications directly to their wounds, but birds
that are not so tame or birds that are upset can be treated more easily with
aloe spray. Consequently, Aloe is one of the most valuable items in the Avian
first aid kit. George's Aloe Spray by Warren Laboratories is available in many
health food stores in a reusable eight-ounce spray pump bottle for about $5.00.
You can easily make your own spray by purchasing additive-free, steam-distilled
aloe juice (not gel) and an inexpensive spray bottle. Steam-distilled aloe does
not require dilution or refrigeration and will stay fresh for months.
All birds bite and all birdkeepers eventually are bitten. The only effective
painkiller for a crushing bite is Aloe vera gel. To treat a bird bite on a
finger, fill a rubber finger cot with aloe gel and wear it on the finger for as
long as the pain-killing benefits are needed. Five minutes usually is sufficient
to stop the pain, but it can be used for as long as needed. Aloe also helps to
coagulate blood in injured tissue and minimize swelling and bruising. If you
have older Aloe vera plants with large leaves, you also can cut open a leaf and
wrap it around an injured finger. To treat bite wounds on other parts of the
body, spread a generous amount of Aloe vera gel on the wound as often as needed
to control pain. Aloe preparations are sold in pharmacies, supermarkets, and
department stores. Read labels and look for the highest aloe content with the
fewest additives.
ALOE FOR FEATHER DESTRUCTION -- A popular use of Aloe vera is a topical spray to
soothe the irritated skin of birds that engage in feather plucking. Dramatic
results can be obtained with this protocol when used on parrots that destroy
their feathers due to itchy skin. Even in cases of psychological plucking, aloe
spray can slow down feather destruction because damp feathers seem to discourage
plucking. Feeding our birds Aloe vera also can help to prevent feather
destruction. Its effectiveness is due mainly to magnesium lactate, a chemical
known to inhibit the release of histamines responsible for skin irritation and
itching. I use George's Aloe Spray but one can use a clean, new pump spray
bottle filled with steam-distilled aloe. Distilled aloe contains no additives.
Research indicates that steam distillation destroys the mucopolysaccharides
which are considered to be the main active ingredient of Aloe vera, useful when
it is taken internally. However, when used as a spray,the steam-distilled Aloe
vera seems to be just as effective.
ALOE AS AN IMMUNOSTIMULANT -- Aloe's beneficial effects on the Avian immune
system makes it a great preventive remedy. Aloe contains at least twenty amino
acids, nine enzymes, many polysaccharides, small amounts of vitamins and
minerals, trace elements, growth stimulators, and naturally occurring
electrolytes. Extensive Russian research has shown that Aloe vera successfully
removes toxins from the body and acts as a boost to the immune system. Aloe vera
contains an immune-stimulating complex, galactomannan, a class of
polysaccharides that acts as an anti-inflammatory and increases cellular
membrane fluidity and permeability. Galactomannan apparently binds to a receptor
site and activates macrophages, which are the cells that control the immune
system. The macrophages secrete infection-fighting agents. With at least 23
polypeptides (immune stimulators), Aloe helps to control a broad spectrum of
immune system disorders.
If you grow the Aloe Barbadensis plant, your birds will enjoy several thin
slices of the largest stalks of the aloe plant as a treat when they appear
lethargic and in need of an energy boost. Pure aloe juice added to dry food or
to drinking water in the ratio of one part aloe juice to three parts pure water
also can make a positive difference in the energy level of birds.
ALOE STOPS THE BLEEDING OF BROKEN NAILS AND BLOOD FEATHERS -- For many years,
styptic powder -- known to birdkeepers by several brand names -- was considered
the treatment of choice for birds' broken toenails or blood feathers. However,
some deaths have occurred when blood feather follicles or open wounds were
treated with styptic powder. In less severe cases, it has caused tissue death at
the site of application. Cornstarch, flour and powdered sugar are natural
products that are just as effective for stopping bleeding. Unlike styptic
powder, they are non-toxic. Of all these natural substances, cornstarch is my
top choice. When the dry substance is combined with Aloe vera gel, it is even
more effective. Aloe not only helps to stop bleeding, it helps the dry medium
(such as corn starch) to adhere to the bleeding nail or feather follicle. It
also has anti-bacterial properties that can prevent infection, and best of all
from a bird's point of view, it stops pain quickly. One can make a paste of Aloe
vera gel and cornstarch to apply to a broken nail or feather follicle, or aloe
gel can be applied directly to the nail or feather follicle before applying the
cornstarch.
Besides the danger of styptic powder causing tissue burn or toxicity, there is
an additional danger of birds and their owners inhaling the powder which is a
toxic irritant to the respiratory system. I no longer keep styptic powder in my
Avian first aid kit. Cornstarch and aloe are much safer and are just as
effective as styptic powder. Why keep something around that a birdsitter might
mistakenly use on your birds' skin and cause a painful burn when aloe combined
with cornstarch works just as well? If you do not feel secure without a styptic
product for your birds, remember that it is strictly for broken nails, and not
broken blood feathers or skin wounds.
ALOE DETOXIFYING FORMULA CAN SAVE BIRDS' LIVES -- Any time that a bird appears
to be seriously ill, a veterinarian should be consulted. Sometimes bird
illnesses defy diagnosis and do not respond to traditional treatments. In the
event that professionals give up and send a bird home to await the inevitable,
there is an Aloe vera remedy that has saved the lives of numerous birds that did
not respond to professional help.
In my years of birdkeeping, my small flock of Eclectus parrots has been
amazingly healthy except for one Eclectus hen who became severely ill several
years ago. She was treated by two excellent veterinarians who tried everything
in their power to restore her to health. They finally gave up due to a lack of
response to traditional treatments, which included tissue biopsies, exploratory
surgery, and a host of medications. Once she was sent home without hope of
recovery, there was nothing to lose by trying alternative remedies.
I turned to health food stores in search of help. One of the veterinarians told
me that the sick hen had liver damage so I chose a natural remedy for this
condition. It was a product called "Aloe Detoxifying Formula", a concentrate of
Aloe vera and liver-cleansing herbs including milk thistle which often is
prescribed for liver problems. This was several years ago and the formula at
that time was: double-strength Aloe vera gel (200:1) with Aloe vera pulp, milk
thistle, burdock, dandelion, echinacea, green tea, red clover and blue cohosh.
Because all of the ingredients were non-toxic and since there was no protocol
for treating birds with it, I simply gave the ailing hen all the formula that I
could get into her. I added it to her drinking water and she drank more than she
had in weeks. I added it to her bird bread and other dry foods and she also ate
more than she had eaten since the beginning of her illness.
The hen's general demeanor and her energy level changed quickly and
dramatically, which was more than I had dared to hope for. She started to perch
again and to notice her surroundings. She quickly recovered so completely that
when one of her vets did a recheck of her blood two weeks later, he said that if
he had not drawn the blood himself, he would not have believed the results. Her
liver values had returned to 100% normal! This beautiful hen has produced many
healthy chicks since then, and she has never
again been ill. Although the cause of her illness was never identified, I have
no doubt that the Aloe Detoxifying formula was responsible for her recovery.
Since I did not really expect a successful outcome from the treatment, I did not
record the details, such as the amount of the detox formula that she was given.
Since then, several vets and breeders have used this formula to save newly
hatched chicks that failed to thrive. The brand name of the product that I used
is Naturade and they still make this product, although the formula now also
contains 100 mg. of Arabinogalactan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide
(sugar) derived from the Larch tree. It has been shown to promote beneficial
bacteria while reducing pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract of animals.
The formula still contains all of the original ingredients. Many birdkeepers
consider Aloe Detoxifying formula an important part of their first aid kit, and
many veterinarians now use the product for their Avian patients.
If I were stranded on that proverbial desert island with my birds and could have
only one first aid item, the choice would be easy. Aloe vera is the next best
thing to a magic potion for birdkeepers.
Additional Aloe vera information:
On "poisonous plant lists" on the Internet and elsewhere, you might find that
Aloe vera is listed among the poisonous plants on several lists. Authors of such
lists attempt to be thorough and accurate by including every plant that has any
part with any toxic properties, no matter how mild.
In the case of Aloe vera, the toxic component of the plant is not what most of
us would consider "poisonous". It is actually an irritant that can cause skin
rashes and upset stomachs. The yellow sap just under the skin of the Aloe vera
stalk is the problem. It is this yellow-green sap or "Aloe bitters" that is used
as a purgative. It should be avoided for all other purposes. Since it is
actually marketed as a remedy, it can hardly be considered a true poison.
If you use the fresh Aloe vera stalk, peel away the tough outer skin and remove
all remaining yellow-green sap with a paper towel, running water or both. Many
prefer to used prepared Aloe which is widely available in health food stores,
pharmacies, department stores, and other places to avoid the problem of the
Aloin or Aloe "bitters". Typical comments from poisonous plant lists are:
"Ingestion of the latex just under the skin of the Aloe stalk can cause a
cathartic (purging) reaction by irritating the large intestine."
"Aloe is a popular house plant due to its reputation as a healing plant for
burns, cuts and other skin problems but contact dermatitis can occur in
sensitive individuals."
"If you use fresh Aloe, cut away the skin and inner layer of yellow juice
leaving only the actual gel. The yellow juice, especially prominent in older
plants, is the primary irritant
in the cases of contact dermatitis."
By purchasing prepared Aloe gel or juice, you can avoid the "mildly toxic"
properties. Since the bitters are actually sold as a remedy or purgative, I
don't think it can be considered a true toxin. Many vets, including Avian vets,
recommend Aloe vera for their feathered patients but since parrots are
exquisitely sensitive to toxins, (mainly to inhalants rather than ingested
toxins) it is understandable that anyone who is
unfamiliar with the "low degree" of toxicity of Aloe vera, and perhaps unaware
of how widely it is currently used in the treatment of parrots, would hesitate
to recommend it.
I have used both fresh and prepared Aloe products for well over ten years with
my birds and have never had one Avian case of even an upset stomach, in spite of
the fact that I also feed them fresh slices of Aloe leaves without peeling away
the skin. Parrots would "peel water" if they could and they instinctively peel
away the problematic yellow sap just under the skin before eating it. I also
have never experienced the contact dermatitis which is included in the warnings,
nor have any of my parrots.
Allergies
This article originally appeared in the Your Parrot Place Newsletter 04-24-2002.
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
About 30 years ago, I thought I was very odd because I had an inherited nickel
allergy. It was not a big deal; I just did not wear jewelry and avoided Band
Aids™, and I was fine.
Twenty years ago, I met my first friend with food allergies. Ten years ago, I
knew a bunch of people who had pollen allergies. Today, I know more people with
allergies than
without.
Now, how does one get a food or pollen allergy, after living 10, 20, 30 or more
years on this beautiful planet? There are many different ways. Perhaps the body
does not get enough nourishment, is too weak to ward off chemicals or gets
overloaded with them. A very common allergy is too much food of one kind.
In some cases, things we should have done in the first place can help, like
eating a wider variety of fresh and possibly organically-grown foods. For a
while, we maybe even have to use supplements to restore the immune system's
strength.
It is very interesting that the food to which people react allergically is the
food they eat most. In Scandinavia, an allergy to cod fish is the most common;
in Japan, rice allergies; in the U.S., wheat is one of the foods that causes the
most allergies.
Allergic food reactions are a response from the immune system when it believes a
food is harmful to the body. It creates antibodies to this food and, when the
food is eaten the next time, releases chemicals to protect the body. This
process can take place within minutes to hours after the food is eaten, and the
symptoms are so different that, more often than not, they are not recognized as
an allergy. When the allergens reach the blood, they trigger a cascade of
symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin,
or cardiovascular system.
Allergens can cause blood pressure to drop or, when reaching the lungs, can
cause asthma or, when reaching the skin, can cause eczema or hives. Usually, the
weakest point in the body is affected first.
And there is no cure. The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to find
out which food or chemical is causing it and avoid it. While there are many food
allergies, the most common are: milk, eggs, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, soy,
wheat and shellfish.
Synthetic vitamins, extracts, and concentrates often create allergic reactions
in humans, especially in children. If it is bad for kids, couldn't it also
create problems for parrots? In addition, recent research indicates that
feather-plucking and self-mutilation is often caused by food allergies. There is
evidence that even some behavior like biting and screaming is caused by the
reaction of certain foods with the body. It makes sense. When does a bird bite
or scream? When it is irritated maybe?
Allergies that are not recognized and treated often turn into serious problems.
There are probably many birds whose allergies go unrecognized who go through all
kinds of treatment yet whose conditions worsen, because the medications cause an
additional burden for their system instead of relieving it.
Often in trying to help our feather-plucking birds, we try one supplement after
another. It might be a better idea to eliminate one thing for a time from the
birds' diet and see if something changes. Although this is a long and tedious
process, it may be shorter and safer than trying one treatment after another
without knowing the problem that causes the plucking.
When we take a look at research that indicates people become allergic to the
foods they eat the most, we can start right there with our birds. If I look at
the most common foods that cause allergic reactions in humans, 5 out of 8 are
fed on a regular basis to most birds: soy, wheat, peanuts, walnuts and cashews.
Would one of them not be a good place to start? That is easy with walnuts and
cashews, but what about peanuts, soy and wheat?
Birds on a pellet diet get their share of them easily, because most pellets
contain a relatively large quantity of each. And when the rest of a bird's food
is not composed of a great variety, an allergy can easily develop.
If a bird already has an allergy, it is the best to examine the ingredients of
its food. Then, pick one of the most common ingredients and start feeding in a
way that it avoids that element. If nothing changes after one week, pick the
next one. Like I already said, this is a tedious process but, with an allergy,
it is the only way to get the bird well again.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/food.htm#A
http://www.foodallergy.org/
http://webmd.lycos.com/content/pages/10/1625_50515
http://www.qi-whiz.com/pu/pellet.html
A Carrot for your Parrot
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Botanical Name: Daucus carota ssp.sativus
Family Name: Umbellifeae, alt:Apiaceae
Carrots belong to the same family as parsley, celery, caraway, fennel, dill and
chervil.
History:
Carrots have been known for about 3,000 years. They originated in the area of
Afghanistan. From Afghanistan, carrots spread over the near east to the
Mediterranean area, where they still can be found growing wild. The Greeks and
Romans used the carrots mainly for medical purposes. Greek physicians prescribed
carrot root and juice to treat indigestion, skin ulcers, cancer and snake bites.
Pliny, a Roman naturalist and writer, reported that carrots had aphrodisiac
properties. Carrots were then white, purple or yellow in color.
The orange carrots as we know them today, began to be developed in the 1600's by
the Dutch. The British developed them further during World War II into the high
beta-carotene ones we have now. Carotenoids actually got their name from the
carrots, because they were first identified in that vegetable. These pigments
are potent antioxidants, protecting the plants from destruction by free
radicals.
Today, carrots are a common vegetable found all over the globe. With up to 13
million tons of carrots harvested every year, they are one of the most
economical and important of vegetables.
Nutrition:
The USDA rates carrots among the top 25 vegetables. Carrots provide protein,
calcium, iron, and the vitamins A, C, and B. They are also a top rated source of
the phytochemicals alpha carotene, p-coumaric and clorogenic acids.
Just one large carrot per day provides about six times the Recommended Dietary
Allowance of Vitamin A for humans. Cooking or grating carrots increases the
nutritional value because it breaks down the tough cellular walls that encase
the beta-carotene. To convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A the body needs a
little amount of fat, because Vitamin A is one of the vitamins that is
fat-soluble. Vitamin A is not only essential for healthy skin, eyes, bones,
mucous membranes and hair (feathers), but can also help prevent infection.
Carrots are the fifth (after collard greens, kale, spinach, butter squash) best
source of the carotene complex. One of them is beta- carotene, which is a
vitamin A precursor and one of the several hundred plant pigments called
Carotenoids. Young or "baby" carrots have more sugar, but less beta-carotene.
Older and bigger carrots have more beta-carotene, though they may be a bit
tougher.
According to the Nutritional Research Center, the Vitamin C, in combination with
the folate contained in carrots, makes them a potent nutritional defense against
respiratory illness and common colds. The best carrots are the ones that still
have the green top attached. The phosphorus in the green tops is a good source
of energy for the nerves.
Healing:
Research has shown that even small amounts of raw carrots can kill some food
poisoning organisms such as Listeria bacteria. According to the American
Institute for Cancer Research, carrots effectively block the progressive
cellular damage of cancers of the larynx, esophagus, prostate, bladder, cervix
and liver. In the Netherlands, a five year study was done, concluding that the
cancer fighting flavonoids and antioxidants also protect the human heart by
reducing the formation of oxidized LDL's, an important factor in hardening of
the arteries.
The fiber in carrots is known to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Carrots
can also be used as poultice for ulcers, abscesses, cancerous sores and bad
wounds. Regular consumption of raw or simmered carrots can improve the
appearance of the skin and help the body to improve the absorption of calcium.
Some veterinarians say that about 70% of all pet parrots have a vitamin A
deficiency. Here is a vegetable that can help us overcome this problem.
Depending on the location, carrots can grow almost the whole year but are
usually available year-round in stores. They prefer sandy soil to in which to
grow, but will grow almost anywhere. The ideal way to store them would be in a
box with sand in a dark place (like a cellar) where the temperatures don't
fluctuate. But, they can be kept for quite some time in crisper in the
refrigerator.
References:
Super Healing Foods by Frances Sheridan Goulart
Good Food Book by Jane Brody
Nutrients A to Z by Dr, Michael Sharon
Healing Foods by Miriam Polunin
The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition by Sheldon Margen, M.D.
http://privat.schlund.de/g/gemuese/karotte.htm
www.kuechentipps.de/tipps/warenkunde/moehren.html
Basil
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum Basilicum
Family: Labiate (mint)
Spring is here in the NorthWest and with it the West Nile virus, so I did some
research how to protect myself and my pets from it.
A major issue seems to be to keep away mosquitoes, and basil is an herb that
mosquitoes dislike.
Basil originates from India and is still regarded as holy by the Hindus. It is
planted around Krishna’s temples and a bouquet of basil is laid on the
deceased's chest for protection.
Basil found its way to Egypt about 4,000 years ago, and there it was burned
together with myrrh to appease the gods. Remnants of basil wreaths have been
found in Egyptian tombs.
Around the 12th century, basil made its way to middle Europe and finally, in
1600, to England. For a long time, basil had both a beneficial and an evil
reputation.
One side associated it with the basilisk, whose breath and look could kill, and
that is where the name supposedly came from. Some believed that just smelling
basil would allow a scorpion to nest in the brain. Others believed that it gave
courage and strength, and drew poisons from the body.
The argument seemed to be mainly between the Greeks, who did not like it, and
the Romans, who loved it. The Roman naturalist Pliny claimed that it relieves
flatulence, which is supported by modern pharmacology.
For hundreds of years, basil oil was added to wash water to give it a sweet
fragrance, and it is still used in some of today’s perfumes.
Sweet basil is reputed to be the sweetest in flavor among basil varieties, and
it is the most commonly cultivated for today’s culinary market. In the US, most
sweet basil is grown in California, but it is also grown commercially in Europe,
Africa, and Asia.
There is a reason that sweet basil is one of American’s favorite herbs. It can
be added to innumerable raw and cooked dishes, like salads, soups, vegetables,
chicken and beef, but tomato-based dishes especially benefit from a few leaves
of sweet basil.
Basil not only enhances the flavor of a dish, at the same time it supports the
digestive tract in stimulating the production of bile and gastric acid juices.
Basil calms an upset stomach, is a good remedy for nausea and is said to prevent
peptic ulcers and other stress-related conditions like hypertension.
Basil is a cooling herb, which means it can be used to prevent or reduce fever.
The oil can be rubbed at the temples for headaches.
Basil is also known for its anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and fungicidal
properties. Its leaves can be applied to itchy skin, insect bites and skin
problems. Medicinally, it is mostly useful for its ability to reduce blood sugar
levels. Several sources even mention basil for food poisoning and a decongested
liver.
Basil is best seeded indoors. Because it is susceptible to cold weather, it
should not be transplanted outdoors before night-time temperatures stay above 50
degrees. Basil loves warmth and a rich moist soil to grow well. So a place in
the sun, a soil with lots of compost or well-aged manure for good nutrients and
regular watering will make it grow in plentitude. It is a good companion plant
for tomatoes and peppers. It helps tomatoes ward off several insects and
disease, and it needs about the same conditions as peppers. Tomatoes are also
plants that repel mosquitoes.
The best time to harvest basil is in the morning, when the dew is gone from the
leaves but the heat of the day has not yet reached the plant. Regular harvesting
increases its growth.
References:
Das grosse BLV Buch der Kraeuter & Gewuerze by Sarah Garland
Magic and Medicine of Plants
Carrots love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1082/3_45/74011854/p1/article.jhtml?term=basil
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/basbus17.html
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/basswe18.html
http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/newslett/ncnl6154.htm
http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/Basil.html
http://www.garden-services.com/sweet_basil.htm
http://www.go-symmetry.com/info/holy-basil.htm
The Importance of being Bathed
by Bill Kiesselbach, Avian Enthusiast
E-mail: bill@incentiveman.com Reprinted with permission.
Sweetum Baaaaaaaath!? Sweetum is my 4 year old African Grey male and he always
says what he wants. His needs are identical to those of all birds, whether they
are in our care, or not. In the middle of winter with snow on the ground and the
ponds frozen I observe cardinals, jays and finches taking their regular bath in
the creek behind our house. They do that because they NEED it and they have a
choice. Our parrots do not have a choice. They have a drinking dish or a water
bottle, hardly a place to take a bath. Some bird care givers relate that their
birds hate to bathe and consequently they give up trying. The bird's continued
aversion to water shows how poorly he/she has been taught. Bathing with birds,
as with our very own kids often does not come naturally--as with human children,
we must always be the benevolent teachers.
Taking a bath is physiologically and psychologically important for our birds, as
vital to their emotional and physical health as their "daily bread," their
socializing sessions with us, their 10 hour uninterrupted sleep time and their
selection of toys in a clean cage. Bathing cleans the dander or feather dust,
moisturizes the skin and just makes them "feel good." Dirt, as with humans is an
invitation to skin problems, disease and misery. Taking a bath is a must and it
is our responsibility to provide opportunity and means.
While they all need to bathe, the frequency and intensity may vary and be based
on individual preferences, ambient humidity in the house as well as species
requirements. We know that Eclectus parrots, for instance, due to the
construction of their feathers need to be bathed more often than other parrots.
Eclectus are known for their love of bathing and have been observed under lawn
sprinklers, in bathtubs and trying to get into their drinking dishes. They
should be soaked to the skin. Cockatoos, for instance, who produce copious
amounts of dander must be bathed frequently and intensely--most of them love the
experience. The cardinal rule: everyone needs to bathe--at least twice a week!
It seems that many birds must learn to take a bath and although some display a
reaction to certain sounds like vacuum cleaners, which often triggers an
instinctive bathing behavior reflex--the actual bath is another matter
altogether. I have a male Eclectus rescue who goes absolutely nuts when he hears
the vacuum cleaner but if I grab the spray bottle he wants nothing to do with
it. While there may be other reasons for it from his "previous" life, the
appearance of the bottle is very stressful to him. Inca, my blue headed Pionus
absolutely loves the Vaporetto but he hates the bottle! I suggest that we always
respect the preferences of our birds--there is usually an easy way, its up to us
to find it.
There are a number of ways to initiate them into the art of bathing. I take mine
into the shower with me. I have a couple of shower perches on the wall with
suction cups--the kind that swing out. Even when they were babies, I put them on
the perch out of the reach of the water, exposed them to the humidity and light
mist and just let them watch me while I bathed my "wings." At best it was an
introduction and at worst it gave us time to interact. Eventually I would just
take them off the perch and hold them under the shower low down at bath tub
floor level so they won't get hurt should they fall off. None of my birds likes
the spray bottle and runs when they see one. It has always fascinated me how
docile they get under the shower. When I get a rescue, usually a bird I have
never seen before and who might be anxious, the shower works for all of them. I
have never been bitten in the shower and everybody always gets satisfyingly wet.
So for me the shower works best. Sweetum now just loves to join me in the
shower. He babbles and whistles and stares and we have long conversations. After
a while his eyes begin to close and he takes a nap!
One can also fill the sink with about an inch of water and initiate them that
way--or, if the bird is not too large, use a shallow bowl and fill that with
about an inch of water... and for some the old spray bottle works quite well--as
long as they don't get sprayed in the face but rather like rain--from above.
There are lots of ways to teach our psittacines to take a bath--as long as we
remember that in all cases we need patience and tenderness. Some will take to
bathing like "ducks to water," others need special consideration. It is up to us
to figure out what works best for them.
IMPORTANT: as a general rule we should always use only fresh water--it may be
warm or cold. There is one exception: when giving a feather picker a bath, aloe
may be added. Aloe helps with itching skin and its taste inhibits the picking.
We should also avoid letting them go "nighty-night" while still wet--especially
if their environment is at human temperature levels. In their "home" which in
almost all cases is quite warm and humid and where it frequently rains in the
evening and at night, being wet when it gets dark is pretty much the rule and no
big deal--but it is a lot warmer there.
So, please, give them frequent baths, your feathered companions will thank you
for it.
Bee Pollen - A Complete Food
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Recently, I spoke with Dr. Harvey Cohen about bee pollen. He has been adding it
to his high quality bird, dog, cat, and horse food he produces for the last 22
years. I have compiled this short summary gathered from information written by
Dr. John Christopher, Dr. Bernhard Jensen, Dr. Maurice Hansen, Dr. Naum
J.Loirich, Dr. Alicia McWatters and many more.
Bee pollen is a complete food. Its benefits to humans has been known since
ancient times. Studies have shown that it meets all nutritional needs of humans
and most animals. More and more bird owners and breeders recognize its value.
Bee pollen is the male reproductive part of every plant. It contains the DNA and
RNA of the plant. According to some researchers eating food rich in genetic
material, like DNA and RNA, speeds up the process of healing.
Bee pollen is a whole food supplement that contains (found by French, British
and American researchers) at least 130 substances of nutritional significance.
The high quality protein exceeds the amount in beef or chicken. Bee pollen is
composed of about 50% carbohydrates, rich in fatty acids, almost all known
minerals, amino acids, enzymes, trace elements, vitamins like B complex, A,C,D,E,
beta carotene, an antibiotic potent against E.coli.
Bee Pollen Contains:
Vitamins: Vitamin A, B1 Thiamin, B2 Riboflavin, B3 Niacin, B6 Group, Vitamin B
complex, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, B12, Folic Acid, Choline, Inositol, Vitamin
C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and Rutin.
Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Sodium, Chlorine, Iron,
Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Zinc, Silicon, Molybdenum, Boron, Titanium,
Magnesium.
Enzymes: Amylase, Diastase, Saccarase, Pectase, Phosphatase, Catalase,
Disphorase, Cozymase, Cytochrome, Lactic, Dehydrogenase, Succiniohydrogenase, 24
Oxido-Reductases, 21 Transferases, 33 Hydrolases, 11 Lyases, 5 Isomerases,
Pepsin, Trypsin.
Amino Acids: Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Thereonine, Alanine,
Valine, Histidine, Arginine, Cystine, Aspartic Acid, Phenylalanine, Proline,
Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Serine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine.
Others: Nucleic Acids, Flavinoids, Phenolic Acids, Tarpenes, Nucleosides,
Fructose, Fructose, Gibberellins, Resins, Lecityin, Xanthophyllis, Guanine, and
Xanthine
The main components are: Protein 21.2 %; Carbohydrates 48.5%; Fatty Acids 9.9%;
Ash 2.7%; Fiber 3.5 %; Water 14.2%
Feeding bee pollen prevents nutritional imbalance, deficiencies, accumulation of
toxins in the body and helps strengthen the immune system and prevent disease.
The important thing with bee pollen, like with every other herb, supplement, and
food, etc., is to make sure to buy a fresh high quality product. Bee pollen is
considered a complete food with its nutritional balance in protein,
carbohydrates, fats and all the other nutrients it contains. It is the richest
food in nature.
Calcium- The Basics
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Counselor
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
Calcium, one of the "macro" minerals - in other words, something the body needs
in major amounts. African Greys and Eclectus are prone to calcium deficiencies,
females laying eggs need more calcium and an insufficient supply can lead to egg
binding.
Proper feather growth depends on calcium as well. So it's much more than just
the "strong bones" nutrient! It works in conjunction with phosphorus, magnesium
and Vitamin D. Besides egg productivity and bone development, calcium also helps
maintain the acid/base balance and regulate the balance of body fluids as well
as maintaining cell membranes and muscle function. Minerals definitely work in
conjunction with each other, as well as other substances in the diet.
Seed only diets are notoriously lacking in calcium, and the Vitamin D needed to
absorb it. I've seen birds who were only fed seed for years gorge themselves on
cuttle bone when it's first offered - their bodies are trying hard to tell them
something! It's one thing to actually consume adequate calcium, and then another
to absorb what's eaten. Plant foods are notoriously low in calcium, animal
products offer much more. In addition, some plants contain oxalic acid which
binds calcium, making it much less available.
Calcium carbonate is supplied by things like cuttle bone (from the cuttle fish),
egg shells, oyster shell - other good sources of calcium include tofu, cheese,
and yogurt - cottage cheese is not a good source , however. In the plant family,
almonds are an excellent source, as is spinach, broccoli, charo, and kale. These
veggies do contain oxalic acid, but far more calcium is supplied than what is
made unavailable by the oxalic acids. Rhubarb leaves, however, contain huge
amounts of oxalic acid and should not be fed to birds. If additional calcium is
needed, I like "Os-Cal," a liquid available at the health food store.
The balance between calcium and the other minerals and Vitamin D3 is a delicate
one, and it can be difficult to try to achieve on one's own. This is one area
where I like formulated (pelleted) diets, as the minerals are generally supplied
in the proper ratios. Additional feeding of the above mentioned calcium sources
should ensure an adequate calcium intake for your bird. Crush eggshells into
Birdie Bread and feed lots of leafy greens (also good Vitamin A sources) in
addition to a pellet, seed, whole grain, and legume base. Again, variety is the
spice of life and the best way to cover all the nutritional bases!
Cayenne
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Cayenne - Capsicum
Botanical name: Capsicum frutescens
Family: Solanaceae or Nightshade
The first references to cayenne have been found on plaques in Egyptian tombs.
It has been cultivated for culinary and medical uses for centuries in the
American tropics. The physician Diego Alvarez Chanca described cayenne first in
1494. He discovered cayenne when he accompanied Christopher Columbus on his
second journey to the West Indies.
Cayenne is native to tropical America, but is now cultivated in tropical
locations all over the world. In Mexico, Italy, China and Southeast Asia it is a
common part of the cuisine.
Although hot to the taste, cayenne actually lowers body temperature by
stimulating the cooling center of the hypothalamus. So, it helps the body deal
with high temperatures in the summer or the humid tropics.
Cayenne supports the increase of the levels of liver enzymes, which are
responsible for fat metabolism, and can help to reduce the deposits of fat
caused by a high fat diet.
Cayenne is rich in the vitamins A, C, iron, potassium and calcium. It also
contains vitamin G, some B complex, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur.
Prized for thousand of years for its healing powers, recent clinical studies
have been conducted on many of these old-time health applications and have
validated cayenne's medical value.
Health practitioners consider cayenne one of the most important herbs and a
wonderful healer. Because of its stabilizing effect for bleeding, shock and
heart attack it is the number one herb for first aid.
The number of cases that cayenne can be used for is quite extensive. It has
effective properties as an antioxidant, is effective on the cardiovascular
system, is useful for high and low blood pressure, and is beneficial to the
gastrointestinal function.
Cayenne is known to stop a heart attack, lower blood sugar in diabetics,
normalize blood pressure, stop bleeding in seconds, improve circulation, and
even halt the common cold.
Scientific evidence also indicates that cayenne pepper can be effective in
treating allergies, indigestion, abscesses, tonsillitis, kidney problems, sore
muscles, nose bleeds, psoriasis, shingles, night blindness, some kinds of cancer
and in stimulating the body to rebuild stomach tissue.
Cayenne is a great stimulant and increases the efficiency of other herbs.
Medical science does not know of another stimulant which is so natural, certain
and has less side effects when regularly used.
Capsaicin is an ingredient in cayenne that was isolated by chemists more than
hundred years ago. It is comprised of about 12% cayenne which is a compound that
causes the sensory neurons to release P, a substance which works as a pain
messenger to the nervous system to relief pain. The name capsaicin is found in
many drugstore ointments for arthritis and muscle pain. It can also activate the
antioxidant enzyme systems and stabilize lung membrane lipids.
All the above applies for the dried raw fruit or powder. In the cooked or
un-dried form, cayenne can be a serious irritation to the digestive tract and
can contribute to an ulcerous condition.
Case studies:
Guy is a Red Fronted Amazon that was badly beaten by one of his cage mates. He
had lots of bite wounds on his wings and neck, but the worst was his on head,
which had a big open wound. And, he had gone blind. Typically, this happened
late in the evening when no vet was available until the morning.
We brought him into the house, put him into a warm environment and I started to
give him water with cayenne powder. Several vets had told me that most animals
in such cases die of shock and not of the actual injury. My main concern was to
stabilize him. That is why I kept giving him the "cayenne water". During the
night I occasionally checked on him and he seemed to be stabilized. In the
morning he had his eyesight back. According to the vet, the loss of the eyesight
was a side effect of the shock.
The vet had to do a major surgery and Guy got several stitches on his head to
close the wound. He is fully recuperated, but very shy with other birds.
A former roommate of mine had a pair of canaries. One day we found the female
laying on her back with seizures. We gave her water with cayenne powder and she
was back to normal within half an hour. After that, she was given the cayenne
powder sprinkled over her food daily. She was doing fine, until my friend forgot
and stopped giving her the cayenne. She does not remember how long after she
stopped that she came home and found the canary had died.
References:
10 Essential Herbs by Lalitha Thomas
Today's Herbal Health by Louise Tenney, M.H.
Herbal Medicine by Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper by Patrick Quillin, Dr
Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss
www.natures-herbs.com/cayenne.htm
www.findarticle.com/ml279/1999_August/55226119/pl/article.jhtml
www.alternative-medicine.com/herbdesc/1capsicu.htm
Diet Conversion Techniques
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Counselor
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
I love meeting birds who are stubborn eaters (and a huge number are), because
I’m even MORE stubborn. Especially when it comes to nutritional health. Over the
past 25 years, working with wild caught birds, rescue birds, and hand fed
babies, I’ve gotten the chance to develop some powerful techniques and tricks to
get birds to eat better. When someone in one of my nutrition classes says “I’ve
tried everything, but she’ll only eat seed, so I’ve given up!!” My standard
response is “If I were your pediatrician, and your child would only eat french
fries and Big Macs, would you tell me that was all the child wants so “Oh,
well?” Probably not! Well, you have an equal responsibility to your feathered
children to provide nutritious food and not give in to their finicky
tastes. Birds do NOT know what’s best for them, so they need your wisdom and
guidance. If you’re too busy to find the time to improve your bird’s diet, then
you probably shouldn’t have a bird – it’s that simple! I’ve said before that
diet is the #1 factor in your bird’s longevity, and you have direct control of
what goes in his food dish, so NO EXCUSES!!
First, you must limit your bird’s food choices. We’re not talking about trying
to starve a bird into eating something, but rather offering different things at
different times. If you give your 3 year old child a plate containing broccoli,
brown rice, chicken, potato chips, and chocolate cake – guess what order he’ll
eat them in? That’s right, he’ll start with the cake and chips and probably
never get to the broccoli or rice. Birds are the same, so as long as seeds are
in his bowl, he’ll never get to the veggies, cooked grains, legumes, or
pellets. So I do what I call “staging” that food. Most birds are hungriest in
the morning, so that’s usually when I recommend introducing the new foods. If
you schedule absolutely doesn’t allow for that, you can reverse the order. First
thing in the A.M., I remove the seed/pellet bowl and only offer cooked foods and
fresh veggies and fruit. They like it warm, so if you can’t cook fresh daily,
cook 3-4 days worth, then microwave the day’s portion for a few seconds before
serving. Watch for “hot spots” though and stir well.
Leave it in no more than 3-4 hours, as the food will “sour” and become a
breeding ground for bacteria. After removing the morning meal, serve pellets for
the day. About mid-afternoon (or when you get home from work) add the seed
portion to the pellets. Mix it or put the seed under the pellets so he has to
encounter the pellets to get to the seed. A lot of getting a bird to eat a new
food has to do with familiarity, so the more the bird sees something, the more
receptive he becomes.
Do not serve such a huge seed portion that the bird can gorge on seed alone, or
he’ll wait all day, knowing he can pig-out on seed later. Also, toss
seeds/pellets leftover daily. (Yes, you’ll waste a lot initially). If he didn’t
eat his pellets today, why would he want them tomorrow when they’re stale?
Try different ways of serving veggies – raw or cooked; (sweet potatoes and
winter squash should always be cooked, though, to make the carotene more
available to the body), chopped, diced, bars, etc. Whatever way you’re trying,
give it a week or two before trying something else. I know it feels like a waste
of time doing all this cooking and chopping, only to throw 95% away each day,
but if you continue long enough and don’t give up, eventually he will try
it. Budgies, Cockatiels, and Amazons are notoriously stubborn and can often take
a month or two to start even nibbling new food.
If you know a favorite food your bird likes, (for example, peas) then use that
liberally to entice him to try the new foods. In other words, stir peas into the
grated carrots so he has to encounter them to get to his peas. Flavorings can
help. Virtually every bird likes the taste of cinnamon or peanut butter. Small
guys like anise. So cook with lots of cinnamon or anise, and stir peanut butter
into the mix after cooking.
Find a food mentor. Birds are flock animals, so they look to the flock,
especially the flock leader, to learn that to eat. If you have a bird that’s
receptive to new foods, put him in the middle of the bird room so everyone else
can see him eat. My own birds are great mentors for some of my boarders who
don’t eat as well. No mentor bird? Then you show him! Eat the food (or pretend
to) in front of him. Make yummy sounds and really gush about how great it
is. Offer him some by hand or give him a dish at the dinner table or on a
playstand close to it. Here’s a good technique for couples – sit at opposite
ends of the dining table and put the bird on a T-stand in between you. You and
your spouse offer each other food and feed each other in front of the
bird. Again, make yummy sounds. Initially, ignore the bird and just focus on
each other (also helpful for troubled marriages!) Pretty soon, the bird will be
begging to be included so go for it!
If you truly have tried EVERYTHING for a long time and still can’t get anywhere,
be sneaky! Puree veggies and put them in something he will eat, such as mixing
pureed veggies with a dollop of peanut butter and serving on whole grain
bread. Or mix pureed veggies, carrot juice, and ground up pellets into a recipe
for Birdie Bread and give him some daily. Virtually all birds love Birdie Bread
and there’s lots of good recipes out there.
The ultimate goal that I strive for is 50% cooked whole grains/legumes and
veggies/fruit, 30% natural pellets, and 20% quality seed mix and nuts. It can
seem like an impossible task, but keep trying—don’t give up 5 minutes before the
miracle!
Echinacea
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common Name: Purple Coneflower
Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea, angustifolia and pallida
Family: Asteraceae or Aster
History
Echinacea has a long tradition of use by the Native Americans. They knew of the
power of this plant in treating or preventing many different ailments and used
it medically more than any other plant.
A group of doctors, called the Eclectics, who practiced mainly botanical
medicine and were prominent from the 1830s to the 1930s were a major force in
bringing Echinacea to the forefront of herbal medicine.
American medicine recognized its value and has used it since the beginning of
the 20th century. The Europeans discovered it in the 1930s and have used it ever
since extensively for strengthening the immune system against the flu, colds and
different infections.
Nutrition
The active ingredients in Echinacea are alkylamides, chicoric acid and
polysaccharides, which all act as immunomodulators. It contains vitamin A, E,
and C, plus iron, iodine, copper, sulphur and potassium. The roots of the
Echinacea Angustifolia and the flowers of the Echinacea Purpurea are supposed to
have the most potent healing power. A combination of these two would be ideal.
Healing
Today, thousands of Europeans and Americans use echinacea preparations against
colds and flu, minor infections, and a host of other major and minor ailments.
Echinacea is the best known and researched herb for stimulating the immune
system. That Echinacea is well worth its century old reputation was shown in
over 500 scientific studies. There are several constituents in Echinacea that
cause an increase in the production and activity of white blood cells,
lymphocytes, and macrophages. Due to its antibacterial and antiviral action, is
it one of the best remedies for helping the body rid itself of microbial
infections.
Echinacea also stimulates the lymphatic vascular system and has been shown to
improve the body's resistance to infections such as colds and influenza,
laryngitis, tonsillitis, and catarrhal conditions of the nose and sinus.
Echinacea facilitates the healing of infected wounds, boils, abscesses,
carbuncles and other such infections. There has been also success with in the
treatment of glandular fever and post-viral fatigue syndrome. Evidently whole
plant preparations are helpful in allergies.
In short, Echinacea has some antibiotic properties. But its main action is in
stimulating and enhancing the activities of the immune system, increasing the
body's ability to resist infections, and giving it the strength to overcome the
invasion of virus and bacteria. While doing that, it eliminates toxins and
cellular debris and helps to purify the blood.
There are many different qualities of Echinacea on the market and we often don't
know if we have a product that really has the properties to help us when we need
it. Here is a little test: if you put some of your Echinacea on your tongue, it
should cause a tingling, numbing sensation in your mouth and increase the
saliva. If that is not the case, the product you have was not prepared with
enough herbs, with old ingredients, or it has been produced in another way that
it lost its healing properties.
Case Study
The first time I used the Echinacea/garlic combination on a bird was about seven
years ago with Janis, then a one year old green wing macaw. I thought that she
did not look quite right. Her eyes were dull and she was not her bold little
self. After hours and hours at the vet, she (the vet) finally said that the lab
tests show, that the numbers of the kidneys and liver are way out of line. She
assumed that it was caused by too many pellets in Janis' diet. So she suggested
I give Janis an antibiotic. I was to give this antibiotic for two weeks and then
come back for more blood tests to see if it helped. If it did not help, we had
to try another antibiotic. I said "no, thanks" took my little girl home, and
started her on a diet with lots of fresh food, garlic and Echinacea. After three
day's Janis had her old cocky attitude and her shiny eyes back. I used the
garlic-echinacea combination instead antibiotics often since then and have
always had success with it.
References
School of Natural Healing by Dr.John R Christpher
Herbal Medicine by Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
Today's Herbal Health by Louise Tenney, M. H.
http://www.wholehealthconnection.com/library/echinace.htm
www.holisticonline.com/herbal-med/herbs/h50.htm www.forthrt.com/~roland/herbfarm.html
Essential Fatty Acids
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential Fatty Acids" (E.F.A.s)
and our birds need for them in the diet. (That word "essential" is the giveaway,
right?") So, what are they and how to we supply them?
We all hear a lot about "good" fat and "bad" fat - basically, the bad stuff
comes from animal sources, is saturated, and hard on arteries and cholesterol
levels, while the good stuff comes from plant sources, is unsaturated, actually
GOOD for cardiovascular health and lowers cholesterol. Well, Essential Fatty
Acids are the best of the good!
So, let's get technical for a minute - fats (chemically known as lipids) are the
most concentrated source of energy found in the diet. I won't go into the
classification of fats here, but only cover the Essential Fatty Acids that wd
are concerned with our parrots at the moment.
Basically, fatty acids differ in saturation and chain length. "Essential" fatty
acids are those not synthesized by the body, so must be supplied, therefore, by
the diet. There are three - Linoleic, Linolenic, and Arachidonic (are you board
yet?). Because these must be fed, they are "Essential" - for growth, for the
health of nerves, arteries, blood, for visual function, and suppleness of the
skin and healthy feathers. The "Queen" of these are the Omega 3 Fatty Acids (linolenic)
abundant in flax seed oil and fish. Omega 6 acids (linoleic) are important for
transportation and processing cholesterol and are found in corn, safflower, and
soybeans. Both Omega 3 and 6 should be supplied, of which the best combined
source is canola oil. Mixtures of flax seed oil with the other oils helps keep a
balance of the Omegas for good health. Arachidonic acid is synthesized by
linoleic acid when fed in the diet.
African Greys have been found to have a higher need for E.F.A.s than other
species and I always recommend supplementing their diet with flax seed oil 3 or
4 times a week. Molting and feather plucking also increase the need, as does
breeding and raising babies. Macaws also have a higher need for fat and I
recommend mixed nuts 3 to 4 a day which are high in unsaturated fats and
actually lower the saturated fat in the body. Vitamin E is needed for E.F.A.s to
be absorbed and nuts provide the proper balance. Additional sources of E.F.A.s
are many seeds and legumes (including peanuts).
It is worth noting that oils can become rancid very quickly when exposed to air,
heat and light. All oils should be refrigerated after opening. Freezing or
refrigerating before opening will also help extend the shelf life.
Always check nuts and seeds for freshness, and examine peanuts for aflatoxins
(toss any that look moldy or otherwise suspicious).
Watch the fat intake for Amazons, Budgies, Cockatiels or any overweight birds,
but be sure to include some E.F.A.s regularly for ALL birds - just use
moderation if need be. Better feathering, immunity, and overall health and
vitality will be the payoff for including these vital nutrients in the daily
diet.
Food For Thought - What's NOT In My Bird's Food
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
With so many different bird foods on the market - how do you choose which is
best for your bird? We hear and read a lot about what should be in our birds
food. But, we rarely hear what we don't want in it. Some of these potentially
harmful things I find in almost every food on the market.
Ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT - Would you give your bird rubber stabilizer or a pesticide
to eat? Of course not! But that is exactly what ethoxyquin is. Originally
developed by Monsanto Industrial Chemical Company in the 1950s as a stabilizer
for things like alfalfa and grasses that were to be fed to livestock. Pet food
was not even considered when the permit was issued. Ethoxyquin is also used to
anti-degradation agent for rubber.
The FDA has ONLY approved it for use as a food additive for use in the
production of paprika, chili powder and ground chili. It is not approved as
preservative for human food and proven to cause liver damage and breeding
problems in dogs. Is it in your bird's food? If you want to know more about
ethoxyquin, go to www.parrothouse.com/ethox.html and read the "Investigative
Report on Ethoxyquin" by Alicia McWatters. BHT and BHA fall in the same
category.
Menadione - Another additive that stands my hair on end is Menadione, a so
called source of vitamin K. The producer has a "safety sheet" on his German
site. There it says that the person who handles the menadione needs to wear
protective outfit, gloves, mask and glasses. If any contact with skin or the
eyes occurs or it is inhaled an immediate consultation of a physician is
necessary. If ingested, it could cause skin irritations (feather plucking?). The
Merck Manual (www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section1/chapter3/3i.htm) says it is
toxic, should not be given to babies and should NOT used to treat vitamin K
deficiency. I could not find any dog or cat food and only a few brands of bird
foods without it. The new thing is to "fortify" the seeds with vitamins and
there we have the menadione again.
Artificial Vitamins - Then there are the vitamins added to pellets, seeds and
other bird foods. Most of them are not vitamins, but an artificially produced
part of the natural vitamin. For example: ascorbic acid is not the whole Vitamin
C. It is only a part of it. There is scientific research that show the
artificial vitamin parts do not have the same effect than the actual vitamin.
But our packages can still show Vitamin C and mean ascorbic acid.
Sucrose - And why is there sucrose, which is refined sugar, in most pellets and
a lot of other parrot food? I thought it was well known by now that sugar
compromises the immune system, promotes candida, can even cause infections,
diabetes and more.
Artificial Colors and Flavors - I don't even look at a products that looks like
they could have artificial colors in it. If I see artificial colors or flavors
on the label, the product is back in the shelf so fast it would make your head
spin.
Choosing food is easy - instead of looking at what I want in my bird food, I
first look at what I don't want and the selection shrinks to a small number of
products. Is it safe, not safe? There is just no need to worry about such things
when there are bird foods available without any of these additives.
Remember, it is up to you to choose what you think is best for your bird and you
must do your own research, and form your own opinions. There is a disturbing
tendency to jump on the newest band wagon about almost anything, especially in
the information age. Ask yourself this, "What would my bird choose?"
Four Food Groups
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
Remember grade school classes on food pyramids and the "4 Food Groups" for good
(human) health? Well, guess what? It's basically the same for our parrots! As
omnivores [just like humans], they eat from a broad range of foods, which we can
lump into the same four food groups we see for people:
1. Veggies and Fruit - virtually all, except avocado which is toxic. Good source
of many vitamins and minerals. Should be heavy on produce containing Beta
Carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A. Includes dark orange flesh and
deep green leafy veggies, such as carrots, yams, pumpkin, winter squash,
broccoli, kale, greens, apricots, mangoes, papaya, red peppers, etc. For most
birds, feed more veggies than fruit (3 - 4 veggies to 1 - 2 fruits), as fruit is
higher in sugar and water and less nutrient dense. Lories in particular, and
Eclectus to a lesser degree need more fruit, however. This group should provide
a minimum of 30% of daily diet. Raw or cooked - on the side or combined with
cooked foods, this is a big and extremely important part of every parrot's
daily intake (finches and canaries benefit as well!)
2. Grains and Seeds - whether served as "seeds", formulated into pellets or
cooked meals, this is a group consisting of all the traditional stuff, like
millet, sunflower, safflower, hemp, etc., plus whole grains like wheat, barley,
oats, corn, buckwheat, rye, quinoa, etc. They tend to be high in fat, low in
calcium, vitamins (especially Vitamin A), and protein. However, they do provide
other important minerals, and essential fatty acids. Whole grains are also a
good source of Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin E. Ground dwelling parrots, like
budgies and cockatiels, can eat more seed than other species, like Eclectus or
Amazons. Go heavier on cooked whole grains and sprouted seeds (more like a
veggie!) than seed, per se. Forms approximately 20 - 25% of daily diet.
3. Meat/Nuts/Legumes - also called the "protein" group. Includes animal protein,
like chicken, fish, lean meat, and eggs - as well as live food, like mealworms.
Also includes the alternate sources, like soybeans, tofu, nuts [almonds, brazil
nuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.], and legumes, such as peas, lentils, beans, and
peanuts. Pellets, though they contain many grains, are also a significant
protein source. This group tends to be high in fat (especially nuts) and any
meats should be lean and well cooked. Only feed animal sources 1 - 2 times per
week. Legumes can be included in cooked mixes, and are often a good source of
iron. Macaws need more nuts, and should receive a few daily. Nuts are a good
source of Vitamin E and EFA's. Protein foods should not exceed 20 - 30% of diet
(Eclectus are on the high end). Fats make up 5 - 10% of total (African Greys are
on the high end).
4. Dairy - a very small part, but fine as long as it's cultured, like yogurt,
cottage cheese, and cheese. Birds lack the digestive enzymes to digest milk, per
se, but can tolerate and enjoy the other products, in moderation. This group is
also a significant source of protein, as well as calcium. Feed in moderation and
only occasionally, especially cheese which can "lump up" in the crop,
undigested, and cause problems if too much is fed. All products should be low
salt, low fat. Organic nonfat yogurt can be mixed in with cooked mixes for added
flavor and nutrition. Feed dairy only 1 - 2 times per week, only making up 5 -
10% of total. Supply additional calcium with cuttlebone, mineral blocks, and
crushed egg shells.
As you can see, there is a lot of overlap in the groups, since most foods
provide a variety of nutrients. The diet I advocate daily as a general rule of
thumb is 50% fresh veggies, fruit, cooked whole grains, legumes, 30% natural
pellets, and 20% seeds and nuts. What's important is variety and a balance of
all foods, with moderation overall. The base is adjusted according to things
like age, species, molting, feather plucking, breeding, or raising young. I
prefer "whole foods" and natural supplements to an overly processed, chemical
approach [too many pellets, artificial vitamin formulations]. Watch fat if your
bird is sedentary or prone to obesity. Supplements include things like alfalfa
leaf, kelp, garlic, ginger, psyllium, fennel, dehydrated carrots, flax seed oil
or meal, etc., based on individual needs.
Garlic
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Garlic
Botanical name: Allium sativum
Family: Liliaceae or Lily
History
The first mention of garlic we find in scriptures from the Sumerians of
Abraham's time. They were followed by the Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans.
During the building of the pyramids the Egyptians spent what would be today
about 30 million US dollars on garlic to feed it to the workers who build the
pyramids to keep them strong and healthy and control the spread of epidemics. It
was also the treatment of choice for the nobles of Egypt.
We find it mentioned by such great Greek physicians like Dioscorides and
Hippocrates. The Greek poet Homer (830 B.C) mentions garlic just in his 'Iliad'
for the treatment of 147 different wounds. Pliny the Roman physician and
naturalist mentions 62 diseases, which can be treated with garlic. In the Roman
Empire it was given to the soldiers for strength, to the gladiators for
endurance, nobilities used it in their wine as antidote against poisoning,
physicians used it during surgeries as a disinfectant, it was also given to the
animals to prevent gas if they ate to much grain.
The Vikings always took it with them on their lengthy voyages. From the Danish,
Irish and Russians, garlic was used for colds and cough's for centuries.
Garlic is mentioned in several Old English vocabularies of plants from the tenth
to the fifteenth centuries. During World War II garlic was used by the British
and Russian to control infections and speed the healing of wounds.
Nutrition
Garlic is a tremendously nutritious health food and a miraculous healing plant.
Incorporated in the daily diet it is one of the most beneficial and natural
seasonings and flavor enhancers, there are on this planet. It enriches the diet
and improves health, prevent disease and prolongs life. It fulfills, more then
any other food, the requirement of Hippocrates' that "Our food should be our
medicine and our medicine should be our food." Extensive studies around the
world on people over the age of 100 that are in excellent health, conclude that
they use garlic extensively in their daily diets.
Garlic research is taking place in almost every developed country. Areas of
interest include cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, antibacterial
properties, anti-fungal use and much more. These studies have shown that garlic
is almost miraculous at preventing a variety of disease. The studies were made
with raw garlic, juice and an extract made from aged garlic.
People with low blood pressure should limit the intake of garlic to not more
than one clove a day, because of its blood pressure lowering effects.
Healing
So far research and clinical observation have identified the following active
factors in garlic:
Allicin is believed to be responsible for garlic's antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory effect. It is also the factor that causes the typical garlic
smell.
Alliin is a sulfur containing amino acid, which according to Russian studies
gives garlic its antibiotic effect.
Diallyldisulphide and allylpropyldisulphide are the ingredients that give the
cholesterol and lipid lowering effect to garlic.
Anti-hemolytic factor found in Kyolic, an aged garlic juice from Japan, is
beneficial in anemia treatments (not found in fresh raw garlic).
Allithiamine is formed by the action of Vitamin B1 on alliin. Garlic is a source
of biologically active compounds of Vitamin B1.
Selenium normalizes blood pressure, protects against infection and prevents
platelet adhesion and clot formation, which gives garlic the anti-artherosclerotic
properties.
There are also anti-arthritic, sugar regulating, antioxidant and anti-coagulant
factors found in garlic.
Garlic has altogether 35 sulfur containing compounds, plus ultra violet
radiation (Gurwitch rays), which have a rejuvenating effect on all body
functions.
Japanese studies have shown that Kyolic, an extract from aged garlic, is
effective in protecting the body from the toxic effects of metal poisoning.
The fungus Aspergillus flavus found in such foods as rice, grains, corn, beans
and sweet potatoes can cause aflatoxins. This fungus is known to cause cell
mutations that eventually lead to cancer. The components ajoene and diallyl
sulfide found in raw garlic and Kyolic neutralize the fungus and prevent it from
binding to the cell DNA matter.
Some scientific literature testifies that the high amount of sulfur protein
found in garlic protects the liver from the damage of poisoning of industrial
chemicals.
Garlic is the only antibiotic that can actually kill infecting bacteria and at
the same time protect the body from the poisons that are causing the infection.
Even the forefather of antibiotic medicine, Louis Pasteur, acknowledged garlic
to be as effective as penicillin and late studies showed similar activity to a
more modern antibiotic, chloramphenicol.
Another once common, and apparently returning disease, tuberculosis was treated
with garlic very successfully as the invading organism Mycobacterium
tuberculosis is sensitive to several of the sulfur components found in garlic.
The vapor from freshly cut garlic can kill bacteria at a distance of 20 cms!
Cultivation
Garlic likes moist, sandy soil, but can also be grown in sandy, loam or clay. It
likes sunny places and should be kept free of weeds. When planted in February or
March, the bulbs should be ready for harvest in August. In cold and wet areas it
will take about a month longer.
Feeding suggestions for parrots:
Some birds like to chew on the whole clove. For smaller birds it has to be cut
in little pieces. It can be puréed and put into cooked food. The powder from
capsules can be spread over cooked and fresh food or soaked and spouted seeds.
There is also a liquid Kyolic which can be used in water or directly in the
birds beak.
References
The Healing Benefits of Garlic by John Heinerman, PH.D
The Miracle of Garlic by Paavo Airola, PH.D
The Complete Garlic Book by Peter Josling
Herbal Medicine by Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/garlic06.html#his
www.mistral.co.uk/garlic/6th_int.htm
Healthy Diet for your Parrot
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Counselor
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know in that wild seeds form only a
small portion of the natural diet? While seeds are an important part of a pet
parrot’s daily diet they should not comprise all of it.
Parrots are opportunistic omnivores, which in plain English means they eat
whatever they encounter in their day (“opportunistic”) and, like us, eat from
all the food groups – veggies & fruits, grain, and animal protein
(“omnivores”).
The seed based diets that have traditionally been fed to pet birds are not
representative of that parrots eat in the wild. Little is actually known about
exactly what comprises their daily diet, but their natural diet does include a
variety of things like seeds, nuts, fruits, shoots, buds, corms, and
invertebrates (insects, worms, and larvae). Wild parrots have even been observed
eating dead fish that wash up from lakes and streams. Because some of the plant
material they eat also contains toxins, parrots in South America flock to
natural mineral beds regularly to feed on the clay and minerals available in
order to detoxify their systems.
We do know that a seed only diet generally cuts your pet’s potential lifespan in
half, as well as leading to deficiencies in vitamins, especially vitamin A,
minerals, especially calcium and protein. They also tend to be too high in fat.
While formulated diets (aka pellets) are now becoming widely used, they also do
not comprise a complete diet and can lead to health problems if used
exclusively, especially with the kidneys and liver. Formulated diets were
originally based on research done in the poultry industry, where the focus is on
rapid growth and maximum size, not longevity. While they’ve come a long way, and
like seeds, form an important part of a complete diet, they can not do it
alone. What’s important for your bird’s health and happiness is variety,
balance, and moderation. Veggies, whole grains, and some fruit should form the
basis of a well fed bird’s daily diet.
A parrot’s “job” in the wild is to spend the day searching for food, then
working to access it. Nuts are a prime example, as getting to the nut meat
involves removing not only the hard shell, but the fibrous outer husk as
well. It’s important to give your pet a “job” and make her have to work a little
for her goodies as well. Having to peel veggies and open nuts helps offset
boredom. (Just be sure the veggies are organic and not contaminated with
pesticides.)
Patience, creativity and common sense will work wonders in improving your
parrot’s diet and overall health. The rewards are well worth the effort,
resulting in a well feathered, bright-eyed, playful companion who can share your
life for as long as possible.
Healthy Veggies
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
Veggies, veggies, veggies - feed your bird lots of veggies!!! You probably keep
hearing that everywhere these days! Now that people are becoming more
enlightened about diet and nutritional needs, there is a growing awareness of
the need to provide adequate veggies daily for our companion birds.
Unfortunately, too often people aren't told what veggies to feed, or how to feed
them. Although all are good, some are much more nutrient dense than others.
The diet I advocate is 50% whole grains, legumes, veggies and fruit - and at
least half of that should be the veggies. Stay away from lettuce - it's mostly
water and low in vitamins and minerals. The one exception is Romaine -
occasionally feeding dark green Romaine leaves is fine. When evaluating veggies,
look for deep color - the darker the green or deeper the orange of the flesh,
the more Beta Carotene available. And, of course, Beta Carotene is what the body
converts into Vitamin A, which is one of the main nutrients lacking in the
average bird's diet. Not only parrots can benefit from daily veggies, but
softbills as well. Finches and canaries fed daily greens and other veggies show
a remarkable increase in overall health and longevity. The only veggie proven
toxic to birds is avocado which should never be fed. Although there's some
controversy about onions, due to the N-propyl disulfide they contain, small
amounts of raw or cooked onions are fine for birds.
Veggies can be fed raw or lightly steamed, depending basically on your bird's
preference. Water soluble vitamins, such as B and C, are reduced by cooking,
however. On the other hand, pumpkin, winter squash and sweet potatoes are better
served baked, as cooking makes more Vitamin A available. Carrots also benefit
from light cooking. Greens are best served raw, while broccoli can be fed raw or
lightly steamed.
Here's a partial list of healthy veggies you can include in your bird's daily
diet: carrots, broccoli, snow peas, green beans, kale, Swiss chard, cucumbers,
asparagus, corn, pumpkin, acorn squash, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeno
peppers, beets, garlic, potatoes, lima beans, spinach, turnips, rutabaga,
cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes, celery,
peas, parsley - the list goes on and on.
Generally, veggies provide lots of vitamins, such as Vitamin A and C, and
minerals like calcium magnesium, and potassium. They provide good "occupational
therapy" and help keep parrots entertained. They are easily digested and help
reduce stress in birds. Veggies provide some protein as well. Including daily
servings of several different veggies in your bird's diet will go a long way in
improving his health and building his immune system. Better feathering and more
vibrant floors will be your reward, as well as having a happier, more contented
companion.
How natural is "Natural?"
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Within the last 10 years or so, more and more people are looking for natural
foods. In the beginning it was easy, because this trend was not a money-maker.
As the market has grown, one needs to start looking at how natural some of this
natural stuff really is.
As soon as food is no longer in its natural state and has been processed in the
lightest way, one can be nearly certain they contain additives I'd rather not
have in my food or that of my birds. These additives are used to preserve,
thicken, color, sweeten, enhance or modify the flavor. Most of them are
synthetic, and more and more people are developing sensitivities to them.
Research studies on animals show that sodium benzoate, sulfites and sulfur
dioxide, for example, cause allergies, arrhythmia, itching, migraines and
hyperactivity. MSG (monosodium glutamate), artificial food colorings and
flavorings can cause allergic reactions, brain and retinal (eye) damage.
BHA and BHT both can provoke skin and respiratory problems, lowering the
absorption of vitamin K. I don’t even want to go into the colorings, which can
cause, between a battalion of others, allergic reactions, thyroid tumors and
hormonal changes. I could go on here for pages.
So we are reading more the labels of what we want to buy and are seeking
‘natural’ ingredients. This is where it becomes confusing, because there are
also natural and modified natural and synthesized natural or
biotechnological-derived ingredients and additives. I think I know what natural
means, but what does "modified, synthesized, biotechological natural additives"
mean?
Let's take the added flavors in a lot of foods as an example. Natural flavor
more often than not means it is a flavor synthesized in a food science lab.
Natural does not mean it is natural, it just means it tastes natural. If you
want real vanilla and not synthetic flavor, you have to look for a label that
says vanilla extract, instead of natural vanilla flavor.
Ascorbic acid is often declared as vitamin C. Why then is rosehips added to the
ascorbic acid? Because it is a synthetically-produced part of vitamin C, so it
is not natural and it is not the whole vitamin. Tests have shown that ascorbic
acid helps but does not completely heal scurvy, which requires natural vitamin C
in the form of oranges, for example.
Soy bean products are considered natural healthy foods, although they are so
processed that there is really nothing natural left. In this case, that's good,
because soy beans in their natural state contain large quantities of natural
toxins or "anti-nutrients". So why do we want to eat something which has to be
processed to death before it is safe to be eaten?
A real natural food is sucrose. We don’t want sugar in our birds' food, right?
But there is sucrose, even organic sucrose, in many birds' foods. Oh yes, it is
natural. It’s ordinary table sugar, obtained from the "juice" of sugarcane,
sugar beet or the sap of the sugar maple.
All of this is sometimes very frustrating. We have a responsibility not to just
believe what we read, but to become informed customers. Three years ago, I did
not know that vitamin K1 is very good for many things and vitamin K3 is very
toxic. Sometimes it is a nuisance, but it is also good to know what we eat and
give our beloved birds.
Milk Thistle
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Milk Thistle
Botanical name: Silybum marianum
Family name: Asteraceae
Milk thistle originates from the Mediterranean Sea region, basically northern
Africa and southern Europe. Dating back more than 2000 years, it was first
recorded in AD 23 as a plant that was excellent for healing liver damage.
Ancient Greek texts refer to the medicinal uses of milk thistle as a liver
protectant, and the Romans used it to restore liver function. Early Christian
tradition dedicated milk thistle to Mary, calling it Marian thistle and it is
still called by this name in some languages. In the last century, milk thistle
was used to treat varicose veins, menstrual problems, liver, spleen and kidney
ailments.
Today milk thistle is native and grows wild in the Mediterranean area,
throughout Europe, North America and Australia. For medical purposes, seeds from
the dried flowers are used.
One of the most active ingredients found in milk thistle is the silymarin
complex, which is a composition of the flavonolignans silibinin, silybin,
silychristin and silydianin. The silymarin complex puts up an amazing protective
"shield" against a variety of liver-damaging substances and effects. Silymarin
has been the subject of more than 300 scientific studies, with the results of
most published in Europe. The Germans were the first to discover that some of
the flavonolignans of the silymarin complex are beneficial in treating liver
disease. Studies have shown that milk thistle has positive effects in treating
nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis,
necroses,
and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. The effects of environmental
toxins, alcohol, drugs and chemotherapy can be countered with milk thistle.
Silymarin is part of the cell membrane that increases resistance against harmful
influences by altering the membrane structure and thus blocking the absorption
of toxins. It also promotes the growth of new liver cells and helps with the
digestion of fats.
Silybin is a proven antidote to poisoning by the Deathcap mushroom (Amanita
phalloides). Clinical trials have proven silybin to be effective in treating
chronic liver diseases by stimulating some of the RNA to activate the
regeneration capacity of liver cells. Its main function is to protect, restore,
rejuvenate and rebuild the cells of the liver.
Milk thistle not only prevents and stops liver damage, it can even reverse the
effect of alcohol, recreational drugs, pesticides, some poisons, or hepatitis by
stimulating the production of new liver cells to replace the old, damaged ones.
These days it is very easy to overload the liver, because our environment is
filled with harmful chemical and other harmful substances. Supplementing the
birds and our food with milk thistle every so often helps the liver to deal with
this load. It is also important to use it during and after a course of
antibiotics to help the liver restore its function.
From http://health-pages.com/mt/index.html A favorite national pastime in
Germany is mushroom collecting, a practice with inherent risks, such as Amanita
phalloides - the Death Cap mushroom. Consuming the Death Cap mushroom results in
severe, usually deadly, liver damage - in fact, those who survive Death Cap
poisoning have been so badly damaged that they most often require liver
transplants to survive.
Miraculously, silymarin binds to the liver cells preventing the mushroom poisons
from also binding, blocking their poisonous effect. The silymarin is also able
to directly neutralize the poison itself, making it effective even though it has
been taken after the mushroom poison has been ingested. Milk thistle extract,
for this very reason, is kept on hand in German hospitals where it is
administered on an emergency basis for treating otherwise fatal Death Cap
poisonings.
Case studies:
When I met "Tiger," a two-year-old Senegal, I thought he was a mutant. His back
was almost black because the feathers were more black than green. His diet was
mostly seeds and table foods. The owners loved their bird, did not eat a very
healthy diet themselves and did not know better. I suggested cutting back on
seeds, adding fresh vegetables and fruits to his daily diet and giving him table
food only when it was steamed vegetables without salt, butter, etc. In addition,
I recommended giving him milk thistle daily. The owners did what I suggested and
Tiger had more green feathers on his back every time I saw him. After six
months, he looked like a Senegal again.
Fancy is a Quaker that had an overgrown beak. It was almost visible how fast the
beak was growing. He was given some drops of milk thistle every day. To every
bodies surprise his beak looked normal again after only about three weeks.
If you have further questions regarding the use of Milk Thistle,
please e-mail Gudrun at gudrun@totallyorganics.com.
References:
Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Sharol Tilgner N.D.
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, L.A., O.M.D.
Today's Herbal Health by Louise Tenney, M.H.
http://health-pages.com/mt/index.html
http://www.kcweb.com/herb/milkt.htm
http://www.healthestores.com/racer/milkthistle.html
Peppermint
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Giving a fresh taste to salads, peppermint also acts to stimulate the nerves,
brings oxygen in the blood stream, helps strengthen the bowel, is a sedative on
the stomach, soothing to the system and lots more. It contains vitamin A and C
and magnesium, potassium, niacin, copper, iodine, silicon, iron and sulphur.
Most birds love it chopped up in their cooked food or sprinkled over their dried
food. Some need some time to develop a taste for it, but so do we!?
Plantain
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Known as the MOTHER OF HERBS in old Anglo-Saxon. I call it my miracle herb.
Plantain was brought to the Americas by the settlers. It should not be confused
with the cooking banana called plantain in middle and south America.
When I have a bite from a bird or another serious injury and I put a plantain
leaf simmered for 10 min on the wound, the pain disappears within minutes.
Plantain contains tannin, which has the ability to draw tissues together (ask me
why I don’t have a big scar from a bird bite on my nose).
After finding out more about it, I started using it internally and it proved to
be an even more powerful healer for the inside. Besides the fact that it is
loaded with trace minerals, it is known to neutralizes stomach acid and poisons,
stops hemorrhaging, heals chronic lung problems and lots more. I use it often in
combination with other herbs for different problems. For example, the leafs made
into a tea with Slippery Elm Bark Powder for all kinds of problems with the crop
and the digestive tract.
Plantain grows in almost every yard and can be given freely to your birds as
food as long as the area is not sprayed with any chemicals
Sea Buckthorn
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Common name: Sea Buckthorn
Botanical name: Hippophae Rhamnoides
Family name: Elaeagnaceae
When I was researching herb information for this article, I ran into one which
has not much recorded history, although it has been used for a minimum of 1,200
years. As usual, the Greeks were the first ones to note its medical use. They
fed the leaves to their horses, whose coats turned very shiny, and the horses
gained remarkable weight. This is how Sea Buckthorn got its Latin name. 'Hippo'
stands for horse and 'phaos' means to shine.
The berries and their usage were also mentioned in China 1,200 years ago, and in
Tibetan medical texts around 1,000 years ago. From there, Sea Buckthorn spread
over Russia and the Ukraine into Europe, finally reaching the British Isles.
In the Far East, Sea Buckthorn has been used as a popular remedy for skin
irritation, sunburn, wounds, inflammation, gastric problems, coughs, and mucous
membrane disorders.
What caught my interest was the recent extensive research in many different
countries that has been done on it. These modern scientific studies confirm all
the claims made for thousands of years and much more.
In the 1940s, Russian scientists began to research the active ingredients of the
leaves and berries of Sea Buckthorn. In the many following studies, not only
have all the curative properties been confirmed, but it was found that Sea
Buckthorn berries are one of the most nutritious foods on earth. Looking at the
contents is almost like reading a super food label.
The berries contain 10 different vitamins, 24 trace elements, 18 amino acids,
are rich in proteins and many bioactive substances. The vitamin C content is one
of the highest, after rosehips, cayenne pepper and red sweet peppers, found on
the planet. They are also on the top of the list for vitamin E, beta carotene
and flavonoids content.
Because of its nutritional value, China planted in the beginning of the 1980s
300,000 ha of sea buckthorn. Today it has 150 factories which produce about 200
different sea buckthorn products.
Among its many other benefits, medical researchers found the effect of Sea
Buckthorn on the skin, restoration of the mucous system and the digestive system
the strongest. The high concentration of some rare fatty acids and cartenoids
are thought to be the cause of the healing effect Sea Buckthorn has on such skin
problems as burns, dermatitis and eczema.
Hospitals in Russia and China are using it for eczema, bed sores, burns and
radiation injuries. Sea Buckthorn was used in Chernobyl after the reactor
accident in 1986.
A German study concentrated on the vitamin Bs in Sea Buckthorn. Previously, it
had been assumed that no plant contains a significant amount of vitamin B12, but
this study found that Sea Buckthorn not only contains all the B vitamins, its
vitamin B12 content is as high as in liver.
The clinical study shows that a lack of vitamin B12 causes such problems as skin
disorders, anemia, digestive disorders, nerve damage and dysfunction of the
mucous membranes.
Other researchers found some antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic
properties in Sea Buckthorn.
Sea Buckthorn is a dioecious hardy plant, which means a male and a female shrub
is needed to produce fruits. They thrive in moist soils, but grow also in poor
soil, can tolerate cold and extreme conditions. The female plants should be
pruned to provide sunlight and make picking the berries easier.
References:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/mad-dam/e/bulletine/v16e/v16n13_e.htm
http://mz-verlag.de/00000092010d65a15/00000092010f44e4e.html
http://www.naturalelixir.com/anti.html
http://www.tc-biodiversity.org/sample-buckthorn.pdf
http://www.teknoscienze.com/agro/pdf/may_june03/sea_buckthorn.PDF
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop864?opendocument
http://floraleads.com/seabuckthorn/
Seeds with Vitamins Added Vs Sprouted Seeds
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
It is becoming more common to find vitamin-fortified seeds for parrots, and I
find it hard to understand why manufacturers do that.
I know that some pellet producers use vitamins E and C as preservatives, but I
fail to get the seed connection.
We know that our birds need far more than a few vitamins in their diet, and it
is my opinion that adding artificial vitamins does harm rather than good. Some
of these vitamins are outlawed for human consumption in a number of countries.
For example, users of menadione are required by the manufacturers to wear
protective clothing, glasses and masks when handling it. In case of any contact
with skin, eyes or inhaling it, workers are advised to immediately consult a
physician. Sounds like menadione is not something I want to give my birds to
eat.
Even if artificial vitamins have some health-giving properties, they are but a
part of the nutrition scale that is needed for the overall health of birds (and
humans).
Birds that eat no fresh, raw food cannot get the necessary nutrients from some
artificial vitamins.
But there are ways to incorporate nutrition into a seed eater's diet. An easy
way is to soak or sprout your own seeds, which is, by the way, a very good
method to find out how dead or alive the seeds you feed to your bird are. If
they don't sprout, throw them away. Don't even feed them to your bird dry.
Recently I read about different parrot species, like the African Gray, that
follow larger animals. They follow elephants and pick in their droppings.
Scientists found that the birds eat the germinated seeds they find in these
droppings, which have begun sprouting within the elephants' digestive system.
Sprouted seeds have a high nutritional content. On a sprouted-seed diet, my
birds eat much less than on a dry-seed diet. They also waste much less.
Seeds are little miracles. Slumbering within them are all the nutrients
necessary for a plant to live. Through sprouting, we awaken this dormant
treasure. After about 48 hours of sprouting, most seeds are at the peak of their
nutritional value. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
chlorophyll, amino acids, fatty acids and more - all of which is offered in a
perfect combination only Mother Nature provides. In this form, they are also
easy for the body to utilize.
Soaking and/or sprouting a variety of seeds and legumes give birds nutrition
that pellets, dry seeds and supplements just cannot provide. Processing always
involves some kind of heating or cooking, and heat not only destroys most
vitamins, enzymes and fatty acids but changes minerals in such a way that they
are difficult for the bird's body to utilize.
Another advantage to sprouting is that it is easy to add dried green foods to
the soaked or sprouted seeds, because it will stick on them and be eaten by the
bird.
I know people who are afraid of sprouting because of mold and bacteria. I add
apple cider vinegar or citrus seed extract to my soaking water to prevent
bacteria and mold. And I often feed the seeds after a night of just soaking to
my birds. Some of my birds like them better when they are just soaked, some when
they are sprouted.
So instead of cooking grains and legumes for my birds, which kills a lot of
nutrients, I recommend sprouting them to provide one of the freshest and
healthiest foods life has to offer. It also take much less times than cooking,
anyway!
Slippery Elm Bark Powder
by Gudrun Maybaum, Avian Nutrition and Herb Consultant
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
Can reestablish harmony in inflamed intestines within hours to a day. Put in
water or juice becomes a mucilage, a slippery and very soothing substance with a
high nutritional value.
It coats, protects and rejuvenates the areas that it reaches from irritations
such as inflammation and infections. At the same time it absorbs impurities and
toxins and helps them to pass harmlessly out of the body, while nourishing the
whole body and assisting the activity of the adrenal glands.
I have given Slippery Elm with Aloe Vera for different cases of poisoning, with
Plantain tea for crop infections, on open wounds with Plantain and White Willow
Tincture. It worked every time very fast.
Soaking and Sprouting Seeds Made Easy
by Gudrun Maybaum
www.totallyorganics.com E-mail: gudrun@totallyorganics.com
There is this rumor that sprouting is difficult and dangerous. And that is true,
if it is not done correctly. Well, actually, a lot of things are dangerous if
not done right. I actually was, for a long time, a bit careful about telling and
teaching people how to sprout. It is true that if sprouted or soaked seeds are
left too long in the water or not rinsed regularly they go bad, can develop
fungus, bacteria and such. But which fresh or cooked food, that is not loaded
with preservatives, does not do the same? It is just a matter of doing it right
and having good clean seeds. Doing it right is actually easy and faster |
