Healing
Foods
by Gudrun Maybaum (August 28, 2000)
Bird Nutrition and Herb Consultant
“Let
food be your medicine and medicine be your food”
~Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine.
The best way to do that is by feeding yourself and your bird in ways that prevents illness in the first place. It is important to eat a variety of healthy foods to make sure every need, the ones we know of and also the ones we don’t know of, are covered.
A great variety of foods can prevent sickness and can also help with the healing process, too. Many foods, if given on a regular basis, can prevent specific problems.
Here are some examples:
Peppers like Cayenne, Habanera, and African Bird Pepper, eaten regularly it can prevent illness related to the heart, cholesterol, arthritis and other problems. It also inhibits up to 75% of all bacteria. Our birds don’t mind the spiciness of it.
Cherries can heal gout. I learned this recently from a breeder.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic, bacteria killer and number one research project for its anti-tumor effects.
Cinnamon was recently discovered in an international study of spices at Cornell University to be a bacteria killer and a “Lethal Weapon against E.Coli 0157:H7.”
Quinoa is so nutritious that if eaten by itself over a long period of time would cover all the needs of the body without developing any deficiencies.
Alfalfa leafs contain a rich amount of minerals, vitamins and enzymes and is one of the most wholesome plants on the planet. It also has a variety of healing properties.
Oranges are not only rich in vitamin C, but contain flavonoids, carotenoids and terpenes, which are natural cancer inhibitors. If squeezed over soft foods keeps it fresh longer.
Apples are terrific. The pectin in the apples is known to lower cholesterol. Apples also contain some anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Broccoli is a strong disease fighter. Abundant in anti-oxidants, high in cancer fighting activities, rich in cholesterol-reducing fibers, and it helps regulate blood sugar.
Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, which is an infection-fighting, immune boosting antioxidant and artery protector.
Cranberries are know for its properties to help bladder and urinary problems. But it also contains antibiotic and antiviral properties.
This is just some of the foods that can get and keep you and your bird healthy and happy!
©Copyright Reserved. Reprinted with Kind permission from Gudrun Maybaum - Bird Nutrition and Herb Consultant
