Cockatoos are popular pets known for their bright colors and intelligence. The relationship between humans and birds can be rewarding. But, be aware of toxic plants and foods to cockatoos, like Boldo.
Boldo (Peumus bolus) is an evergreen shrub native to Chile. It produces yellow berries with medicinal qualities, like anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial powers. Humans use the leaves in tinctures and teas for indigestion and liver damage. Unfortunately, it is fatal if a cockatoo or other bird eats it.
Ingesting as few as four boldo berries can cause liver damage and even death in birds due to its high concentrations of alkaloids.
So, keep your cockatoo away from boughs, branches of this plant, or any area where it grows naturally.
Boldo
Boldo is a herb from Central and South America. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries due to its medicinal properties. Birdseed and bird treats often include them, as birds enjoy their taste.
So, is Boldo safe for Cockatoos? We’ll answer this question and provide an overview of the herb.
The boldo tree (Peumus boldus) grows in coastal mountain ranges of Central and Southern Chile and Peru. It’s also found in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Mexico. It can reach up to 8 meters tall.
Its oval-shaped leaves are dark green on top and lighter green underneath. The bark is greyish-brown. Tiny, yellowish-greenish flowers appear with the tree’s fruit – a drupe resembling a cranberry or blackberry.
Indigenous people of South America have long used boldo for medicinal purposes. Its leaves can be brewed into teas or taken as tinctures to help with stomach pains, indigestion, constipation, and liver issues.
Boldo oil from its leaves has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used topically to soothe muscle aches and chronic pain.
The bark is astringent and works on digestive issues. Additionally, boldo is used in some traditional recipes for herbal remedies – to treat urinary tract infections, reduce fever, and relieve cold symptoms due to its diuretic properties.
Related Read
- Is Boldo Safe For Cockatiels
- Is Boldo Safe For Chickens
- Is Boldo Safe For Cattles
- Is Boldo Safe For Cats
What are the benefits of Boldo?
Boldo (Peumus bolus) is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Chile and Peru. It is from the Argentine family Monimiaceae. It has bright, glossy green leaves and striking yellow-green flowers. It has been used for centuries to treat many ailments.
Examples are digestive complaints, infections, fever, headaches, and other illnesses. It is consumed in various forms like tea, tinctures, capsules, extract, and essential oil. Let’s check out the benefits of Boldo.
- Digestive Health: It has compounds such as quercetin and flavonoids. These have anti-inflammatory effects on the gut lining. This helps with digestive issues such as IBS, ulcers, cramps, and other conditions. It also reduces bloating by relieving trapped gas in the intestines.
- Anti-inflammatory action: It has anti-inflammatory compounds. These can help relieve pain associated with arthritis or fibromyalgia. They work by reducing the production of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins. This helps reduce inflammation. Natural remedies can help treat pain and maintain overall health.
- Liver support: Boldo is an excellent liver tonic. Studies show it can reduce inflammation from hepatotoxicity caused by drugs or alcohol. It also helps with fatty liver disease due to its antioxidant activity. The active compounds protect liver cells from damage caused by toxins or infections. This increases biliary secretion, which helps excrete toxins from the body.
- Blood sugar control: It can control blood sugar levels. Studies show that this herb has anti-diabetic properties. It decreases insulin resistance. This can help reduce glucose levels in diabetic people. It also reduces triglyceride levels which are known markers for cardiovascular risk.
Is Boldo safe for Cockatoos?
Curious pet owners may be asking – Is Boldo safe for cockatoos? Let’s explore the potential risks and benefits of giving your feathered friend this herbal supplement.
Boldo is popularly used to support digestive health and ease symptoms of liver and gallbladder disorders. However, it’s essential to consider the possible consequences of giving your cockatoo Boldo before doing so.
Potential Risks
Boldo is usually safe for cockatoos. However, it contains the alkaloid boldine, and bitter compounds, which can be toxic in large amounts and irritate your pet bird’s GI tract. So, it is essential to use safe doses.
Boldo should not be used if the cockatoo has liver disease or symptoms of liver disease (jaundice and ascites). Also, birds taking anticoagulant medications should not take any herbal supplement containing boldo due to its anticoagulant effects.
Finally, chronic use of boldo should be avoided due to its potential cytotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
Therefore, talking to your avian vet about whether boldo might benefit your pet bird is essential. If so, what dose and form would be safe to use?
Recommended Dosage
The amount of Boldo for cockatoos is determined by age, size, and health. Generally, it is 0.5ml per kg for adult birds and 0.2ml per kg for birds under one pound. Monitor smaller birds closely in case they have a higher sensitivity to Boldo.
It’s also vital to check with an avian vet if the bird is pregnant, lactating, injured, or has a weak immune system due to lack of nutrition. Medications might also be a factor when determining the right amount of Boldo.
Conclusion:Is Boldo Safe For Cockatoos
Research on Boldo safety for cockatoos has been done. We conclude that Boldo is safe in small amounts when put on the skin. But, it has side effects and may react with other medicines.
So extra care should be taken before using Boldo on a cockatoo.
Wild-caught chicks may need extra vitamins in their diet. We recommend speaking to an avian vet before using Boldo for health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Boldo safe for Cockatoos?
A: No, Boldo is not considered safe for Cockatoos. It is a plant known to be toxic to some animals, including Cockatoos.
Q: What are the potential side effects of Boldo exposure to Cockatoos?
A: Cockatoos exposed to Boldo may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, and even seizures. If your Cockatoo has been exposed to Boldo, it is essential to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Q: Is there a safe alternative to Boldo for Cockatoos?
A: Yes, there are many safe alternatives to Boldo for Cockatoos. Some of these include a variety of fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and spinach. Additionally, many specially-formulated bird foods are nutritionally balanced for Cockatoos.
