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Natural Anti-Histamines We Can Feed to Our Birds

August 18, 2012 § Leave a Comment

“Guava”

There are many anti-histamines that are made by Nature Itself that we can feed to our birds if we believe they are suffering from allergies of any kind, be it from previous diets they have been fed, airborne allergies they have developed, topical allergies they have developed or otherwise. But rarely do we need to go to the extent of giving our birds pharmaceutical based anti-histamines if we know what natural anti-histamines to offer.

That being said, you will find that the flavonvoid “quercetin” is among the natural anti-histamines listed to utilize in the fight against allergies. I must warn you that this particular natural remedy may not be positive in the case of birds that barber, pick, pluck or mutilate. Quercetin is especially high in cherries, all dark berries and apples.

Quercetin is responsible for the dark color in the skin of many fruits and vegetables, and may have a tendency to cause the production of the gas “nitric oxide” once in the system. This dilates the vessels and causes them to quiver, thus causing an itching sensation that leads birds to barber, pick, pluck and mutilate. Therefore I would use in moderation in foods that contain quercetin and if you do feed those foods, be sure to balance them with foods that are high in vitamin C. Cherries, berries and apples contain high doses of vitamin C themselves, but to use them strictly as anti-histamines is not a valid reason for feeding them.

There are however, many foods that contain lower levels of quercetin, but still have anti-histamine properties. The reason they contain this property is because they either contain high levels of vitamin C or because they contain other flavonoids such as bromelain, found in pineapple. But even some living creatures are sensitive to the flavonoids in pineapple, so watch your bird carefully when feeding pineapple to see if the allergy improves or worsens.

I personally find that most allergies improve with the use of foods with high vitamin C contents, but do not contain as high a level of the flavonoids like quercetin and bromelain as other fruits do. Those would be lemons and grapefruits with limes coming in last on the list. Oranges are actually not good choices because they actually contain histamines. Unless eaten with a good dose of salt, oranges will cause a histamine effect, and we really don’t want to give our birds a dose of salt with their serving of oranges.

Which brings up a very valid point, salt is actually the greatest anti-histamine available! This is one reason why salt is important in our diet. So it stands to reason that every living creature must have salt in its diet somewhere. Most foods have some trace amount of sodium (salt) in it. But if you are feeding your bird the CA-Montmorillonite Clay I have suggested you add to your bird’s diet, and then your bird is receiving a sufficient amount of sodium in its diet. Therefore your bird is receiving an anti-histamine. But is it enough anti-histamine for your bird? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the problem your individual bird is experiencing.

One other point I wish to bring up is the use of copper plumbing in your home. If you have copper plumbing it could be that your bird is receiving too much copper in its system via its drinking water. Or, it may be receiving too much copper in its diet through other foods or synthetic vitamins. If too much copper is in the blood level it will cause the body to resist, or inhibit, the absorption of vitamin C, even through natural synthesizing processes. Therefore it could be that any natural anti-histamine action could be nil to none. Under these conditions a living body would need to ingest more vitamin C than normally would be considered necessary to receive adequate and normal benefit.

If I am working with you personally regarding your bird’s nutritional profile we are probably already discussing this aspect of your bird’s diet. If I am not working with you, feel free to email me at AidForTheBirds@yahoo.com and we can discuss this topic. In the meantime, take a look at the list below and begin feeding your bird some of the great natural anti-histamine foods to help curb the allergies your bird may be experiencing: (Please feed only organic) (You may feed skin and seeds too if you are using organic)

Listed from highest to least amount of Vitamin C content.

1) Lemons

2) Guava

3) Strawberries (Use only strawberries due to high amount of pesticides used on conventionally grown.)

4) Papaya

5) Kiwi

6) Red Grapefruit

7) Green Tea Extract (Make sure it is “standardized” to a minimum of 90% polyphenols and 55% EGCG.)

8) Limes

9) Pineapple

10) Lychee

11) Peaches

12) Apricot

13) Mulberries

14) Gooseberries

15) Kumquats

16) Passionfruit

17) Persimmon

18) Grape Seed Extract (make sure it is “standardized” ensuring quality, it can act as a blood thinner, it is high in Omega 6’s which your bird typically gets too many of anyway)

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Please be sure to do your part in protecting wild parrots from illegal poaching , please join The World Parrot Trust and The World Parrot Trust of Canada in their effort to stop illegal trade of wild parrots. Visit their website today and become a member: www.parrots.org/flyfree

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Spring is in the Air! And it’s Allergy Season!

April 15, 2012 § 4 Comments

Spring is definitely in the air and besides dealing with mating season many of us are also dealing with our own allergies. That brings something to my mind about how our companion birds may be feeling with all of the flowers, trees and weeds in bloom.

In addition to their already frustrated nature surrounding their desire to mate and nest, they may be just as bothered by the pollens in the air as we are. Maybe their skin is experiencing transitioning from the dryness of Winter to a new kind of dryness that Spring brings, the dryness brought on by allergies.

No one knows for sure, but with increased “domestication” in the blood lines from the commercial breeding taking place, it’s quite possible that exotic birds are losing some of their instinctual ability to produce the very DNA that naturally supports and protects their immune system. If this is true, then they will need their human caregivers to provide the vitamins and minerals through diet and nutrition even more as time moves forward.

There are some foods that need to be avoided during times when pollen counts are excessively high. Other times when pollen counts are not so high these foods can be fed without too much worry, that is unless you have a bird that is a picker, plucker or mutilator, then you might want to consider removing these foods completely just in case your bird is participating in these behaviors due to a highly sensitive immune system that runs at top speed at all times.

Foods you might want to consider removing from your bird’s diet, at least during the allergy season are, any fermented foods because they are naturally high in histamines as well as apricots, cherries, cranberries, currants, dates, loganberries, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pineapples, prunes, plums, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplant and spinach as well as the more common fillers you find in most highly processed commercial foods such as corn, rice, wheat and soy. You want to remove all dairy products as well because these are difficult to digest and cause a buildup of mucous in the sinuses and overall respiratory tract making it very difficult to breathe when it is already difficult to breathe due to the pollens in the air.

Then there are foods you will actually want to feed to help combat the histamines in the system. These are foods which are high in vitamin C, and help to make the system more alkaline, such as grapefruit, lemon, limes, as well as foods that contain quercetin like White and Green Tea that also contain huge amounts of anti-oxidants in the form of additional flavonoids. Citrus is not only high in vitamin C which is a natural anti-histamine, but it is also high in quercetin which fights free radicals, and quercetin is showing great possibilities as a natural anti-histamine itself! Vitamin C is also known to help calm the nerves and is increasingly being used to help curb depression brought on by anxiety.

*All of this being said, I like to supplement each of my birds, every other day or so during mating/allergy season (even daily if necessary and well-tolerated), with 1 tsp. fresh squeezed organic red grapefruit juice, a dash, or two, of fresh squeezed lemon juice, a smidgen of a dash of Valerian Root (taken from a capsule of *certified 530mg*Valerian Root powder-*do not use the entire capsule, just the smidgen of a dash*-) over 2 Tbsp cooked and cooled organic Buckwheat cereal (no salt), with 1/16^th tsp organic Flax seed oil added, per about 400 grams body weight. I have even been known to feed organic red grapefruit to my birds from time to time! (Valerian is a natural and gentle sedative and the Buckwheat contains the amino acid Tyrosine which is vital in balancing moods as in the case of obsession compulsion.) This great-tasting food mixture not only helps fight the allergies, but also calms and soothes any nerves that may be on edge because of any intensity the Spring season may bring with it due to mating season and allergy season combined!

Don’t forget, the rinds of grapefruit, lemons and limes are extremely nutritious too! They are rich sources of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. In addition the peels of fruit contain many minerals that are the foundation to good health! As an added benefit, scientists have isolated flavones in citrus peel that could be potentially more effective in lowering the lousy LDL cholesterol than some Statin drugs! This could be fabulous news for any of our birds suffering from fatty liver disease or that may be pre-diabetic! Just be sure if you are going to feed the peel you buy only organic fruit and wash it well. Conventionally grown fruit will contain high levels of pesticides that are not easy to get rid of simply by washing the fruit; the chemicals penetrate deep into the pores of the fruit.

One added action you can take to help relieve the amount of pollen in the air of your home and bird room is to run a cool water humidifier or vaporizer. And it is especially wonderful if you will infuse organic essential oils while doing this. I especially like to infuse the air with either Lemon or Purification by Young Living Essential Oils because either of these will help to eradicate any bacteria that may be lingering in the atmosphere from a long Winter’s period. Plus, it just makes the house smell fresh and clean all while taking the pollen count down. As a side benefit these oils will also help detox and purify the blood which, as it flows through the internal organs, will detox the liver and kidneys as well! I only use Young Living brand essential oils because this is the brand I have come to know and trust as the most pure and reliable essential oils to use around exotic birds.

Yep, the seasons are changing and this means taking on a whole new approach to how we care for our birds, one step at a time, hopefully learning even better approaches than last Spring and Summer!

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When NOT to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

January 29, 2012 § Leave a Comment

Apple Cider Vinegar has been touted as one of Nature’s most reliable bird room cleaners for many, many years because it’s “natural” and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, dyes, or preservatives. However if you have a companion feathered friend in your bird room that exhibits signs of feather plucking, skin mutilation or generalized picking you may want to re-evaluate your use of any kind of vinegar in your bird room, apple cider or otherwise.

There are a couple of reasons why vinegar or apple cider vinegar should not be used in a bird room where there are birds who suffer from the Mutilation Syndrome.

The first reason you may not want to use apple cider vinegar is that some birds may actually be allergic to apples. While this is highly uncommon, this allergy does exist and should be considered.

But the second reason is much more common and highly probable. Many living creatures are allergic to all fermented products. And all kinds of vinegar are fermented. It doesn’t matter which kind of vinegar you choose, white or apple cider, both are fermented. Fermentation requires the use of bacteria and yeast and some living creatures are highly allergic to one, or both of these. While, yes, apple cider vinegar is the healthier of the two types of vinegars, it still has to be fermented to be, well, vinegar. And living creatures that are extremely sensitive to certain substances will most likely be sensitive to apple cider vinegar as well, whether they ingest it or they just come into contact with it as an airborne substance.

You may wonder how I know this for sure. I’ve done my research. But first and foremost I know by my own experience. If you want to know how I know firsthand please read here. I first began noticing this when I would use apple cider vinegar to clean my own bird room. I would feel physically horrible soon after beginning the task at hand. I would begin to itch all over and not long into the process I would begin to develop a headache. It was then I began thinking about the couple of “pluckers” I had in my flock, wondering if the vinegar was affecting them the same way it was affecting me. I began to watch them closely after I cleaned their room and cages, bowls, etc. To my surprise I realized that they scratched more intensely after cleaning their room each time I cleaned! I knew I had to find a new product to clean their room, both for my own comfort as well as theirs!

But apple cider vinegar is not only a “histamine-causing” agent; it’s really not all that great to be feeding on a regular basis. I know there are those who believe in feeding vinegar in order to keep their bird’s system on the “alkaline” side, but if our birds are receiving enough greens in the way of herbs and grasses in their diet in the first place, their system will already be on the alkaline side of the PH range and they should not need additional support to make their systems lean towards the alkaline PH range. You see, apple cider vinegar has a tendency to deplete the body of potassium as well as create low bone mineral density because it depletes calcium from the bones. And excessive use of apple cider vinegar has shown to cause damage to the stomach, duodenum and the liver in animals. How much is too much? This is information we do not yet know.

By this time you may be asking, “What do I use instead of apple cider vinegar to clean my bird room, cages and all of the bowls and toys?” I have a very simple answer for you, grapefruit seed extract (GSE) diluted to the manufacturer’s directions. It is not a fermented product so you need not worry about it affecting highly sensitive individual birds that suffer from allergies. And if you buy a reliable brand there will be no dyes, chemicals or preservatives to worry about. I always purchase mine from Mountain Rose Herbs and I have had absolutely no problems with it since I started using it many years ago. I don’t itch when I use it and neither do my birds. And I have never found myself suffering a headache after using it. It has no scent and leaves no film. But you must dilute it according to manufacturer’s directions (a little goes a very long way).

Apple cider vinegar may be one of Nature’s miracles, but just because it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for all creatures. I found that out the hard way. Yes, GSE may be more expensive than ACV, but aren’t our beloved feathered friends worth the extra expense? Especially in the case of those that pluck, mutilate and pick? Isn’t their comfort just as important as ours? I think so. I hope you do too!

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My Bird Scratches All of the Time! – Allergy Help!

November 15, 2011 § Leave a Comment

Does your bird appear to have allergies? Does your bird scratch constantly? Even to the point of some amount of generalized feather picking, but not to the point of actual feather plucking or skin mutilation?

Well if this is the case your bird may be developing, or has already developed, allergies that are air-borne or contact allergies. It could be though that your bird is simply lacking in some nutrients that have caused it to develop food sensitivities that it would otherwise not be sensitive to. Sometimes a bird will develop a food sensitivity if it has been eating the same food for too long, or if a certain nutrient has been lacking in the diet for too long, or both situations are occurring simultaneously.

If you have not been offering fresh, whole foods to your bird’s diet other than a packaged, processed food day after day, it could very well be that your bird’s system is trying to tell you that it is developing a resistance to the food. So you may want to consider switching brands, or adding fresh, whole foods to your bird’s diet.

But let’s examine the possibility of certain nutrients lacking in a bird’s diet.

Many of you already know that I have a hypothesis that because parrots are quickly becoming the third most loved animal to keep as “pets” in our households, thus the “wild” is being bred out of them through the little amount of domestication that has taken place, they are losing their natural ability to synthesize vitamin C. And because of this they might need small amounts of vitamin C supplemented in their diets. I suggest feeding grapefruit as the natural food source for vitamin C. Besides acting as a natural “anti-histamine”, the vitamin C found in grapefruit will also help to make your bird’s system more alkaline, keeping it on the good side of the Ph range for optimum health.

Foods I would, as well as foods I would not feed that contain natural vitamin C are:

(Organic, please)

Red Grapefruit (You may feed the entire fruit, rind, seeds and all)
Grapefruit Seed Extract (diluted)
Lemon

And foods I would not feed:

Please do not feed oranges, they are not as high in vitamin C as grapefruit, and they actually contain histamines. The myth of eating oranges during the cold and flu season is just that, a myth.

In addition, another dietary need that helps squelch the release of histamines is the essential amino acid methionine. This particular amino acid is also necessary for the metabolism of protein in our birds’ diets. Unfortunately it is not naturally synthesized in a bird’s body, therefore is must be introduced by way of the diet. It is not found in abundance in very many foods so we have to be diligent in finding foods that contain methionine.

Foods I would feed that contain methionine are in order of highest amounts are: (Organic, please)

Eucalyptus Leaves (Do not feed leaves that have the potential of being sprayed with pesticides)
Egg Whites (Cooked, always)
Eggs (Cooked, always)
Pumpkin Seeds (Raw)
Squash Seeds (Raw)
Sesame Seeds

Of course I rarely suggest adding laboratory-produced nutrients to our pets’ diets. Instead I suggest adding natural whole foods that contain the nutrients in their purest form. Scientists, even after decades of use, are still debating whether synthetic nutrient supplements are absorbed and metabolized by living creatures in the same or similar manner as natural whole food nutrients. Since this is the case, I would rather err on the side of caution and obtain as many of the nutrients as I can for myself and my pets from natural whole food sources.

*Just in case allergies are not the cause of bird’s scratching and picking, you might want to take your bird in for a checkup by your licensed avian veterinarian. Your bird may have a parasite infestation such as Giardia or some other parasite. Birds are even known to be infested with lice and/or mites. It’s always good to rule out all medical reasons for your bird’s “itchiness”.

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The BEST Bird Food -"We Have A Passion For Birds!" -For people who want to understand "how" nutrition works!

Natural Anti-Histamines We Can Feed to Our Birds

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Spring is in the Air! And it’s Allergy Season!

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When NOT to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

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My Bird Scratches All of the Time! – Allergy Help!

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