The Many Uses and Benefits of Blended Teas in Aviculture Story and photo by Jason Crean our avian companions, what birds drink a flowering shrub native to China. Over in the wild is far from sterile. It is com- time, this practice spread around the lowers, leaves, twigs, herbs, 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- flowers, 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 tea 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 Camellia sinensis, and was the impetus for our research. We AFA Watchbird 15 have incorporated these teas into our avi- herbal tea 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 Green tea’s properties have been well- caffeine. 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 Chamomile is one of our favorites. dence of stroke. Green tea also helps possible. The flower 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 oolong 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- Rose 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 Vitamin C and bioflavo- work when apples turn brown after being ers. Calendula is another favorite whose noids. Hibiscus shares some of the ben- sliced. Black teas are completely oxi- benefits are well-known. It is actually a efits of roses 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. White tea 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. Black tea 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 liver. 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, calcium 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 Anise 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 vitamins 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. Coriander 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. Rooibos 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.