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The Many Uses and Benefits of Blended in Aviculture Story and photo by Jason Crean our avian companions, what birds a flowering shrub native to . Over in the wild is far from sterile. It is com- time, this practice spread around the lowers, leaves, twigs, , and monly known that many species of birds world and we now have many types of roots blended together with nat- visit water sources like tree hollows in teas that are brewed using the leaves, Fural waters brewed by the sun’s which plant components leach their tan- , buds, seeds and twigs from a heat creates natural teas in the environ- nins and other compounds and miner- variety of plants from which we garner ment. There are many health benefits to als. And many of us have seen wild birds important nutrients and minerals. those who drink the specially blended drinking from “dirty” puddles and other You may ask how this affects your and brewed teas, specifically our birds. water sources that are brewing with birds. The purpose of this article is to Customized blends can help birds in fallen leaves and mud. simply share our experiences with the a variety of ways such as skin and feather According to Chinese legend, Chinese use of teas in our program and stimulate quality, immune system function, detoxi- emperor Shen Nung drank some hot, readers to begin their own research on fication and improving organ function, discolored water after some leaves had this topic. Special thanks to avian veteri- digestive aids, respiratory health, weight been blown into it. He was pleased and narian and integrative medicine special- loss and fat oxidation, and hormonal continued to experiment with the brew- ist Karen Becker, DVM, NMD who has issues. ing of different leaves. The common tea increased our knowledge on this topic Though water quality is important for leaf is from the plant , and was the impetus for our research. We

AFA Watchbird 15 have incorporated these teas into our avi- has its own set of health ben- use in smaller amounts. Some bird own- cultural program and continue to recom- efits according to its chemical composi- ers who struggle with feather mutilation mend these additions to zoos and other tion. The following is just a sample of tea have even used this blend topically in a institutions that have birds as part of blends that are used and their potential spray bottle so that the bird ingests the their collections. benefits for you and your birds: tea while preening and the Calendula Different types of Camellia teas are can work its magic directly on the skin’s commonly used and they differ according Skin & Feather Quality surface. to the time the leaves are harvested and It is no secret that many of our birds the process used to prepare them. The are living in environments that vary in Immune System Function younger the buds and leaves, the more temperature and humidity much more ’s properties have been well- . They also differ in their benefits than their natural, wild habitats. It also established and are frequently in the to animal physiology. It is important to should not surprise any of us that some of news. Green tea possesses potent poly- mention that Camellia teas contain caf- our birds deal with emotional issues that phenols, antioxidants found in plants feine so they should be decaffeinated by manifest themselves in a variety of differ- that have amazing benefits that include way of a natural process using carbon ent ways. The condition of the skin and regulating cholesterol, reducing blood dioxide (CO2) and/or water, not chemi- feathers is often our first clue that some- pressure, and aiding weight loss. Profes- cally treated. Many commercial teas may thing may be wrong. For these reasons, sional research journals have cited addi- say “naturally decaffeinated” but use we attempt to offer a blend of teas that tional benefits such as preventing gene ethyl acetate which should be avoided. are not only good for the body but also damage which can lead to cancer, reduc- It is essential to choose your teas wisely the mind. ing heart disease and decreasing the inci- and buy organic loose leaf teas whenever is one of our favorites. dence of stroke. Green tea also helps possible. The itself is used to brew this tea boost the immune system. Green tea Teas from the Camellia plant include and, as many of us know, is very effec- is one of the teas that comes from the the popular green and black teas, as well tive in settling digestive upset and calm- Camellia plant and, therefore, contains as white and teas. Green tea con- ing the nerves. It also has antibiotic prop- caffeine. It is vitally important to pur- sists of young leaves that are picked and erties and relieves muscle spasms. We chase organic, loose leaf green tea that dried quickly to avoid oxidation. Oxida- often use this with birds that are prone to has been decaffeinated by water or car- tion is simply the absorption of oxygen by night frights as it acts as a natural seda- bon dioxide. the leaves when drying which causes bio- tive and helps eliminate insomnia, anxi- and rose hips are also effective in chemical changes to the leaves, similar to ety and stress. Thus, we have also seen it increasing immune system function as fermentation. We’ve all seen oxidation at help birds that pluck or chew their feath- they are high in C and bioflavo- work when turn brown after being ers. Calendula is another favorite whose noids. shares some of the ben- sliced. Black teas are completely oxi- benefits are well-known. It is actually a efits of but also aids in moods and dized before firing, giving them a more flower in the daisy family and contains depression and helps to expel toxins from wilted look. is picked before fair amounts of beta-carotene. It has been the body. Hibiscus, when steeped, results the leaf buds have even opened and they used as an anti-inflammatory and anti- in a rich, red liquid that birds seem to are steamed and quickly dried and are, bacterial agent and is great for the skin. find interesting so hibiscus is often used therefore, also unoxidized. Each of these In our household, we use it ourselves for in blends to entice birds who may be teas has its own benefits for you and your sunburn with unbelievable results. It also suspicious. birds. helps detoxify the body and helps limit A note about caffeine: only teas the occurrence of digestive problems like Detoxification from the Camellia plant contain caf- ulcers. possesses antioxidants that feine. These include green, black, white Red clover is another great addi- help maintain healthy blood vessels and and oolong. All other teas are consid- tion to this blend as it can be powerful promote healthy blood flow. We also ered herbal and are caffeine-free. When against skin irritations and speed heal- use black tea specifically for our soft- herbal teas are mixed with Camellia teas ing. It has been known to act as an anti- bill breeders and pets, like our aracaris, like green or black, you must be sure they inflammatory and is used to help treat which are prone to iron storage disease have been properly decaffeinated. infections, all of which make it useful as the tannins present in the tea bind to Herbal teas originate from plentiful for feather pickers. Red clover does con- dietary iron and prevent it from being sources of various flowers, leaves, buds, tain coumins which can have blood-thin- stored in the . Many aviculturists use seeds, and other plant components. Each ning properties so it is recommended to black tea for other iron-sensitive species

16 Volume XXXIX • Numbers 2 & 3 • 2012

like mynahs, starlings, and lorikeets and are brewed, contains important fatty helps women during childbirth and thus, zoos around the world have seen its ben- acids like oleic and linolenic acids. helps birds to pass eggs. It also contains efits for some time. Red rose, rose hips, which is another benefit for a and hibiscus are also potent blood, liver Respiratory Health bird that is laying, regardless of the situa- and kidney tonics, helping to cleanse seed, or “star anise,” is effec- tion. It also has been reported that it aids the body and even help the body recover tive in treating respiratory irritation like in fertility. from fatigue. Dandelion leaf is packed bronchitis. It can be used to halt cough- Red clover is also helpful as it con- with and minerals, including ing and soothe inflamed airways because tains phytoestrogens that can help bal- the all-important calcium, and aids diges- of the presence of Shikimic acid, which is ance hormone levels. is also tion and liver function. also the primary ingredient in products beneficial because of the many essential Much like green tea, dandelion leaf like Tamiflu. With its pungent, licorice- oils that are released from the seed when also helps with weight loss in obese birds, like odor, the entire star-shaped seed pod steeped. an advantage for birds with fatty liver is brewed to release these powerful com- issues. Many veterinarians prescribe Milk ponents. tea is also helpful due, Brewing and Offering Tea thistle with the knowledge that it aids in part, to its anti-spasmodic agents in to Your Birds the body in cleansing the liver and is used calming the respiratory system. Red clo- When first provided with tea, some for the treatment of liver disease. It is also ver is also helpful in calming respiratory birds will be suspicious so it is recom- an important addition for the treatment irritations, and lavender, due to its essen- mended to start out with weak tea of kidney and bladder problems. When tial oils, is effective in relaxing the air- and increase the concentration as they brewing milk thistle, it is the seed that ways and calming the bird during respira- become familiar with it over time. You should be steeped in order to release the tory stress. should always brew tea in hot, but not beneficial components from the tough boiling, water to maximize abil- seed casing. Weight Loss and Fat Oxidation ity. It is also recommended to make use Many of our birds, who are adapted of a stainless steel mesh tea steeper when Digestive Aids for long periods of daily activity, tend to brewing tea and to always remove it Chamomile, as an anti-inflammatory, get a little overweight in our homes. We before serving. It is not recommended to serves as a digestive aid by acting as a can, however, help them to break down completely replace water with tea, how- calming agent. Many people drink cham- these stored fats, or oxidize, so that the ever, so as to avoid dehydration if the bird omile to calm upset and we can fats are more manageable by the body chooses not to readily accept the tea pro- extend these benefits to our companion and used for an energy source. Some spe- vided, especially in mixed aviaries where animals. is also effective in cies are more prone to conditions like some species may integrate it faster than soothing digestive upset, a reason why fatty liver disease and thus, may be in others. mints are offered after meals in restau- even greater need of these teas. Some of these items can also be offered rants. Peppermint also can mask strange First and foremost, green tea is highly dry, especially the flowers. We mix dry tastes and make your birds more apt to effective in oxidizing stored fat. Green flowers like Calendula and roses into try new things. It has antiseptic proper- tea also increases the good (HDL) choles- dry seed mixes, especially for our smaller ties and contains compounds that are terol and decreases the bad (LDL) choles- birds. There are other ways to glean the believed to possess antiviral properties as terol. , sometimes referred to as benefits of tea as well. When cooking for well. “dragon pearls,” is a flower that is brewed your bird, it is quite easy to substitute Red, or rooibos, tea is a powerful anti- and helps in reducing fat and cholesterol water for tea when preparing egg foods, spasmodic which helps with easing the absorption. Hibiscus is also effective in beans, , pasta and other items that are symptoms of digestive stress like colic weight loss and helps to maximize opti- prepared in hot water. Baking is another and is also rich in minerals. It is known mal digestion. opportunity to incorporate tea by replac- for calming muscle spasms and indiges- ing water with tea in the recipe for bird tion as well as possessing anti-allergenic Hormonal Issues bread, crumble, muffins or another con- and anti-inflammatory properties. Cori- Raspberry leaf is a tea that all bird coction your birds prefer. ander is another component of this blend owners, especially those with chronic Offering certain teas without steep- as it not only is used to treat digestive dis- egglayers, should have in their home at ing them is another option, as small orders but also is an appetite stimulant. all times. Raspberry leaf is an that birds love to eat flowers, for example, Its pungent odor makes it attractive to is brewed that helps stimulate muscular within their dry food mix. For our soft- many and, because the seeds themselves contractions. It is for this reason that it bills, we also roll items like chamomile or

AFA Watchbird 19 calendula flowers into our daily fresh fruit mixture for our birds and (R)-(-)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve to increase and diversify the nutritional content of every bite. activity and mood states. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005 Oct;95(2-3):107-14. • Chow, Kit (1990): All the Tea in China, China Books & Periodicals Inc. The use of tea is yet one more way to incorporate additional • Evans, John C. (1992): Tea in China: The History of China’s National items to the diet and increase the amount of vitamins and min- Drink, Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-28049-5 erals in your daily regimen. • Harler, C.R.: The Culture and Marketing of Tea. Second edition. Oxford Teas can also serve as a great enrichment tool, using a differ- University Press, New York and Bombay, Reprinted 1958 (First edition 1933, second edition 1956). ent kind each day to keep things interesting. The many methods • Hobhouse, Henry (2005). Seeds of Change: Six Plants that Transformed discussed here will hopefully allow you to provide more diver- Mankind. Shoemaker & Hoard. ISBN 1-59376-049-3. sity in your birds’ diets and help your birds to not just survive, • Kiple, Kenneth F.; Ornelas, Kriemhild Coneè, eds (2000). The Cambridge World History of Food. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. but thrive. • Mondal, T.K. (2007). “Tea”. in Pua, E.C.; Davey, M.R.. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry. 60: Transgenic Crops V. Berlin: Springer. pp. For More Reading 519–535. • American Friends of Tel-Aviv University (2008). Anti-cancer Flower • Moxham, Roy (2003), Tea: Addiction, Exploitation, and Empire Power. August 25, 2008. Accessed online March5,2008. http://www. • Norwood Pratt, James (2005), Tea Dictionary aftau.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7599 • Nutrition, CS (Nov-Dec 1999). “Tea and Health”. Nutrition. 15 (11-12): • Chan, PT, Fong, WP, et al (1999). Jasmine green tea epicatechins are 946–949. hypolipidemic in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) fed a high fat diet. J • Packer, Lester et al (2004): Herbal and : Molecular Nutr. 1999 Jun;129(6):1094-101. Aspects of Health, CRC Press, ISBN 0-8247-5436-0 • Chemopreventive efficacy and anti-lipid peroxidative potential of Jasmi- • Pettigrew, Jane (2002), A Social num grandiflorum Linn. - jasmine - on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- • Yamamoto, T; Kim, M; Juneja, L R (1997). Chemistry and Applications of induced rat mammary carcinogenesis. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2005 Green Tea. CRC Press. Dec; 19(6):687-93. • Yeruva, L (2008). Delayed cytotoxic effects of methyl jasmonate and cis- • Cook, Eleanor. A Reader’s Guide to Wallace Stevens. 2007: Princeton jasmone induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Investigations, University Press. November 2008. • Han C and Xu Y (1989). The effect of Chinese teas on the occurrence of • Zhang A, Zhu Qy, et al (1997). Inhibitory effects of jasmine green tea epi- oesophageal tumor caused by N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine in rats. Zhon- isomers on free radical-induced lysis of red blood cells. Life Sci. ghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1989 Mar; 23(2):67-70. 1997;61(4):383-94. • Kuroda K, Inoue N, et al (2005). effects of the odor

20 Volume XXXIX • Numbers 2 & 3 • 2012

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22 Volume XXXIX • Numbers 2 & 3 • 2012