Offering herbs

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:30 am

What about herbs? Does anyone offer an herb salad? They say that birds will self medicate and choose what what herbs they need naturally. I offered about a teapoon of it and it was gone in about an hour. So I either have some really sick birds or they just enjoy eating it!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:18 am

I have Herb Salad and was sprinkling it on their daily HBEgg/Soaked Seed dish every morning - not a piece left when I replace it later in the day. Now I'm starting to give each cage a separate fulltime hanging dish of HS so they can have it anytime they want. LG's sure love the stuff!

side note: My DH was very curious as to what I'd be doing with it when it first arrived in the mail.

Then I told him it was for the birds!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:43 pm

"DH?" = darn husband?!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:07 pm

atarasi wrote:"DH?" = darn husband?!

DH = darn or dear husband - it can go either way sometimes.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:17 am

What about providing fresh herbs? Does anyone else do that?

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:40 am

I had bought a small herb package from the local pet store and my finches really loved the stuff so I am going to order a larger quantity online in the future. The tiny package from the store was pretty pricey for so little!

Our dandelions will be up soon...can't wait to give them some fresh plants and see what they do with that. My Zebras will probably treat them as " tossing toys" since they love playing with lettuce and parsley...hehe!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:11 am

I have rosemary growing in the aviary and have recently started giving the birds a little basil once a week. am keen to try more herbs after researching them

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:13 am

mickp, does your rosemary grow, or do you find the birds eating so much it hampers the plant's growth? My herbs are all in the garden but if the birds leave it alone long enough I'd love to plant some in the aviary as well.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:33 pm

List of herbs and what they do:

Astragalus - immune system stimulator, aids digestion, energy, kidneys
Barberry - vitamin C, antiseptic, respiratory, antibacterial, blood purifier, liver function
Chickweed - vitamin C, B6, B12, D, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, stomach, respiratory
Dandelion - liver, kidneys, stomach, vitamins, rich in potassium, iron, calcium
Echinacea - antibiotic, antiviral, strengthens immunity, vitamins & proteins
Elderberry - respiratory, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier, stimulates appetite
Garlic - antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, fertility, immune system, heart
Kelp - iodine, thyroid, stimulant, emollient, protects mucous membranes
Lavender - stimulant, digestion, essential oils, relieves stress, metabolism
Licorice - expectorant, liver detoxifier, anti-inflammatory, delicious flavor
Marshmallow - heals wounds, calcium, A, diuretic, demulcent, tonic
Milk thistle - liver repair, heart, lungs, circulation, expels intestinal worms
Oatstraw - rich in calcium, magnesium, yeast infections, antiseptic, thyroid
Olive leaf - chronic skin problems, allergies, improves the will to live in sick birds
Pau d' arco - antibacterial, blood cleanser, fights infections, liver, candida
Plantain - kidneys, bladder, appetite, diarrhea, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
Red clover - relaxant, antibiotic, inflammations, biotin, minerals, B's, A, C
Spirulina - fertility, growth, immune system, stress reducer, color, protein
Thyme - antibacterial, kills and expels worms, fights diarrhea
Wheatgrass powder - circulation, amino acids, enzymes, chlorophyll.
Wormwood - liver, aids digestion, encourages appetite, kills & expels worms
Yarrow - blood purifier, liver function, virus & fungal inhibitor, tonic

Curious what basil and rosemary do if they have any medicinal powers.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:31 am

Gr8 list atarasi!

I will definitely have to expand my herb garden after this, thanks!

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:29 am

Herbs can also be used as a tea externally to heal cuts and stop infection. I have had a great deal of trouble with my quail attacking each other in the past and I have had some very horrible injuries (like a scalping) that I have healed without issue using a herbal tea to bathe the injury twice a day. I have even healed a bird with injuries from a cat attack using this tea. Yarrow will stop bleeding fast and the leaves from the elder tree will act as a disinfectant to cut infection (elder leaves are too strong to use internally so stick to flowers and berries of the birds are going to be ingesting it). Calendula (marigold) flowers are an excellent healer that also soothe pain, works best on burns but is also great for wounds. Make sure that it is proper calendula and not the African Marigold cause ive heard that stuff is dangerous. The scientific name is Calendula Oficianalis (or something like that).
The tea has alot of ingredients that I cant remember offhand but I can list the ingredients and thier uses if anyone needs it cause I have it all written out somewhere. I use the tea on all my own injuries as well. I have only had cause to use it on the quail and a Diamond Dove but it should be just as safe and effective on finches obviously combining it with keeping the patient in a hospital enclosure. Hope this info helps but I hope no-one every really needs it. Healthy birds are always best after all.