An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure it is said, and I have certainly found this to be the case in my birdroom. I use herbs primarily to support the existing health of my birds rather than to treat illness, but reports abound of the wonderful effects that people have had in using herbs to care for their birds.

Some of the herbs I use regularly in my bird room are: alfalfa, milk thistle, dill, dandelion,
oregano, plantain, garlic, wheat grass powder, barley grass powder, chickweed, and more.

Alfalfa

• Alfalfa is a member of the legume family and is closely related to beans and peas.

• Leaves of the alfalfa plant are very nutritious and contain vitamins and minerals including E and K, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Alfalfa is an excellent source of chlorophyll and carotene. It also provides amino acids.

• Alfalfa seeds should not be fed as they contain the slightly toxic amino acid L-cavanine. Sprouted alfalfa seeds are safe.

• It is thought to possess detoxifying and antifungal properties.

Garlic

• Contains allicin, a powerful natural antibiotic.

• Contains germanium, thought to be an anti-cancer agent.

• Contains selenium.

• Has detoxifying effects.

• Garlic is effective at killing and expelling intestinal parasites.

Barley Grass Powder & Wheat Grass Powder

• Nutrient-dense food - barley grass powder contains eleven times the calcium of cow's milk, five times the iron of spinach, four times the vitamin B1 of whole wheat flour, seven times the vitamin C found in oranges, and is a good source of vitamin B12;

• Wheat grass powder is very similar nutritionally to barley grass powder (but barley grass edges wheat grass out slightly in the possession of the highest nutritional profile);

• Contains high quality antioxidants;

• Contains a significant amount of chlorophyll;

• Contains vegetable protein;

• Rich source of minerals;

• Highly concentrated, they possess many times the nutritional potency of green vegetables;

• Contains vegetable protein;

• Rich source of minerals.

Plantain

• Common weed widespread throughout North America.

• As with all wild-harvested plants, care should be taken to gather only those which are herbicide and pesticide free.

• Nutritionally, plantain is very high in vitamins A, C and K.

• It possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which make it useful for a variety of digestive and respiratory ailments.

• Plantain can assist in relieving intestinal inflammation and diarrhea.

• Plantain stimulates the appetite.

• Best used fresh, both leaves and seed heads are relished by canaries.

Milk Thistle Seed

• Milk thistle is a member of the sunflower family.

• A weed  native to Europe, now a common weed throughout much of the United States.

• Has antioxidant properties.

• Most useful in treating inflammatory problems of the skin and liver problems.

Dill

• Originally native to southeast Europe and Asia, it is now a common garden plant worldwide.

• Related to fennel, it has a distinctive aroma.

• Dill was used to preserve food before refrigeration.

• Studies have shown dill tea to be an effective and gentle treatment for digestive problems. Soothing to the digestive system, it acts as an antispasmodic agent.

• Dill has also been shown to inhibit the growth of several bacteria which cause infectious diarrhea.

• Some studies have also shown that dill may provide some assistance in discouraging parasites.

• Tea can be prepared by using two teaspoons of seed to each cup of boiling water.

• Usually served as a whole seed in a seed mix, but it can also be ground and added to soft food.

Dandelion

• Originally native to Europe and Asia, dandelion was brought to the United States by the early colonists to provide a source of greens early in the spring and has spread everywhere since then.

• In some places, it is called wild endive.

• Although in Europe this plant is highly valued and grown commercially, in the United States dandelion is generally wild-gathered and special care must be taken to gather only herbicide-and pesticide-free plants. Also, dandelions growing in chemically fertilized lawns absorb these chemicals and should not be used.

• Dandelion greens are an excellent source of early spring greens for canaries as they are highly nutritious and a good breeding conditioner.

• Dandelion greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, D and B complex; they contain 20% protein- twice that of spinach; and are a good source of minerals, including trace minerals.

• The greens stimulate the appetite and can improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Considered a tonic and valued for its detoxifying properties. Dried dandelion
  flowers can be used as a pain killer as they possess mild analgesic properties.

Chickweed

• A common weed in the United States, it usually grows in low-growing mats or entangled in other plants.

• Chickweed can be differentiated from other plants of similar appearance by the following characteristic: a line of tiny hairs runs up only one side of the stem, switching sides at each pair of leaves.

• Care must be taken to ensure that only herbicide-free chickweed is used. Washing will not remove herbicides!

• This plant has been used by canary breeders for a very long time as a green food. Many old breeding books state that it is an excellent breeding conditioner.

• Chickweed is highly nutritious, containing vitamins B₆, B₁₂ and C.

• It may be of use in treating gout. Known to soothe and mildly lubricate the upper digestive system, but large quantities can have a laxative effect.

Disclaimer: This site contains information
about a number of nutritional supplements I have found useful in my bird
room. I am not a medical professional, a veterinarian, or an herbalist and
therefore I am not qualified to diagnose illness or recommend treatment
for your pets. The information contained on this website is presented for
educational purposes only.

No warranty or guarantee of a cure is expressed or
implied with any information on this site, nor do I make any representations
regarding the use or the results obtained with the information. In no event
shall I be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which may arise from the use
of information on this site. Use this information at your own discretion.

Herbs may be harmful when taken in excessive amounts, in conjunction with other herbs or medications, or when taken for the wrong condition. The fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are all safe. You are advised to use caution when offering any herbal supplement to your pet. If your bird is ill, an avian veterinarian should be consulted.