Aromatherapy for Parrots

Angela Nelson

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Copyright © 2013 Angela Nelson
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1477557549
ISBN-13: 978-1477557549

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 DEDICATION

To Huey, my first love. You started my passion for everything with feathers and taught me
how much love can come from someone so small. And to Chelsie, my beautiful blue angel.
I learned so much from you in your short time on this earth, but what sticks with me the
most is that no matter what hand we are dealt in life, approach each day with love, joy,
strength and dignity.
Fly free my beautiful ones. I will see you soon.

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 Disclaimer:
The information contained in this book is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose,
prescribe for or cure any diseases. If you or your animals have any health concerns, please see a
qualified medical professional of your choosing.

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 CONTENTS

Acknowledgments xi

1 Aromatherapy? For Parrots!?! 4

2 Methods of Application 16
3 Some Common YL Oils for Parrots 28
4 Essential Oils for Common Health Concerns 50
5 A Few Other Products 68
Recommended Reading 78
About the Author 80

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, to Gary Young, the world leader in therapeutic essential oils.
Aromatherapy in animals would not have had the ‘miraculous’ results that we have seen
without your passion and dedication to the purest essential oils in the world. Your essential
oils have healed me and have in turn helped heal countless others. Thank you will never be
enough.

To Linda, my bestie, right hand, left hand and everything in between! I couldn’t have done
any of this without your encouragement and support, not to mention your dedication to your
birds and Young Living. You have been an integral part of this book and of bringing together
the two separate worlds that is parrots and essential oils.

And to Paul. Thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.
You have always encouraged my passions even when you didn’t understand them, and you
have put up with this “crazy bird lady” with nothing but love, acceptance and understanding. I
would not be the woman that I am today without you by my side. I love you with all my
heart.

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 AROMATHERAPY? FOR PARROTS!?!

I have been in the parrot world long enough to know that if you talk
about using anything scented in a bird home, people will either think you are
crazy or they will grab their parrots and run in the other direction. So I thank
you for picking up this book and I ask that you have patience to hear me out so
that you can learn how this ancient healing modality, so very new to the world
of parrots, can change your life and the way you view avian diseases.

Webster’s Dictionary defines aromatherapy as: “a therapy using essential

oils…extracted from plant materials to promote physical, emotional, and
spiritual health and balance.” So what does that make an essential oil? Again,
Webster’s defines essential oil as: “any of a class of volatile oils that give
plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and
flavorings, and for aromatherapy.” As you can see, you cannot define one
without the other. I promise that I will get into how we can make this work for
our parrots, but please bear with me as I appease my left brain in explaining
some of the science of essential oils and aromatherapy first to give us all a
better understanding of how it works.

Essential oil to a plant is much like blood to us. It is “essential” for life.
In fact, many times this essential oil is called the ‘life blood’ of the plant, and
much like our blood, it carries out many different life sustaining processes
within the plant. It fights off bacteria, viruses and other invaders, aids in
wound healing and so much more. Have you ever broken a part of a leaf off of

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one of your houseplants? Did you notice the liquid that beaded up there at the
source of the ‘wound’? That is the essential oil rushing to the site to flush
away any potential infection and to start the healing and repairing process.
The role that an essential oil plays in the plant can be utilized for ourselves
and our animals as well; from infection and disease fighting, to wound healing
and tissue repair and so much more. Are you excited yet?

Essential oils are complex mosaics of hundreds of different chemicals. A

common essential oil such as lavender can have 300 or more different
chemical constituents, and many of these constituents occurring in minute
quantities, but nonetheless adding to the oils overall therapeutic effect to some
degree. Pure essential oils are so complex that there is not one single oil that
has had every constituent analyzed. It takes years of study to understand these
constituents and how they function.

There are three distinct types or “models” of aromatherapy and each

has a very different view of how we can use essential oils. These are the
German Model, the British model and the French model. The German model
of aromatherapy focuses mostly on the inhalation of essential oils for healing
and spiritual uses. The British model believes in diluting a small amount of
essential oil into a carrier oil and then rubbed onto the body. The British
model is mainly used in massage and relaxation practices. The French model
focuses on the use of neat (undiluted) therapeutic grade essential oils topically
and by inhalation and ingestion for medical purposes. Using these three models
together, you can see just how powerful and versatile essential oils can be.
There are multiple application methods that we can use with our parrots
including diffusion, misting, topically (usually on their feet) and orally. I will
cover each one of these methods in greater detail in a moment.

The most important thing to know and understand is the quality of

essential oils that you are using. Did you know that only 2% of essential oils
on the market today are considered therapeutic grade? That means that just
about every single essential oil that you can get your hands on could harm your
bird. Do I have your attention yet? Over 98% of ‘essential oils’ could
potentially kill your bird. Here is another statistic for you: there is over
1,000%, yes, one thousand percent more lavender essential oil sold on the

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market as “pure” than there is lavender plants in the world! One reason it has
taken me so long to write this book is the intense fear that I have of something
going wrong. Someone reads just a part of it and sees that Lavender oil can be
very calming. They get all excited and go down to the corner drug store to buy
a bottle of lavender and the next day their beloved parrot is dead. I do not
want that blood on my hands nor that weight on my shoulders, so I am going to
be very honest with you throughout this entire book, and I beg you to listen
closely and understand that I have nothing but the health, longevity and well
being of your avian companion in my heart.

I know of a veterinarian that has personally had over thirty different

essential oil brands tested and to this day, only one company has shown the
purity, safety and consistency that we need to safely use in our animals. That
company is Young Living Essential Oils. Now this is not to say that there are
not other good essential oils out there, I have heard of a few, but I know I can
be confidant in stating that you can use ANY Young Living product safely with
your animals. That is the only company I can say that about with confidence.
This is not a sales pitch and no, Young Living does not pay me to promote their
products; this is truly for the health and safety of you and your birds only. I
have been approached by people asking about other essential oil brands and if
I have used them and my answer is, at this time I have no reason to venture out
of the realm that I know to be safe and effective. Young Living carries
everything that I have ever needed to use, so why would I want to risk the
health and safety of my birds just to see if another brand is safe and effective?
No thank you!!

So now the question is, what makes an essential oil safe? Well, one
of the things that determines the level of purity of an oil is the chemical make
up within that oil, otherwise known as the chemical constituents. There is a
large number of factors that can affect the constituents including the soil
condition in which the plant was grown, the fertilizer that was used in the soil,
the specific parts of the plant that are distilled, the weather the plant was
subject to in that growing season, the altitude it was grown at, the way it was
harvested and the process in which it was distilled. It requires a immense
amount of research, time and dedication to not only understand the

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 Distillation chambers at the YL Lavender Farm in Mona, UT

process of distillation, but also to know when the most beneficial harvesting
time would be for the plant. Depending on what stage of its growth cycle will
determine what constituents show up in the oil. Harvest too early or too late
and you can miss a great deal of therapeutic properties. The amount of time the
plant is distilled and the temperature and pressure at which it was distilled at
also makes a huge impact on the quality of the final product. The higher the
heat and the pressure, the faster you can get essential oil, but the molecular
structure of the compounds within the oil are extremely delicate and are easily
damaged by heat and pressure. So, even if you have a company that has great
plants that are harvested properly, if you turn up the heat and pressure to get
more oil in a shorter amount of time, thus a higher profit margin, you will lose
much of molecules that carry the therapeutic benefits we are looking for.

Another area of great concern is that some oils are adulterated with
synthetic chemicals, also known as “extending” an oil. For example,
frankincense is often extended with solvents such as dielthylphthalate or
dipropylene glycol. The only way to know if an oil has been adulterated like
this is to subject it to a multitude of different tests using state-of-the-art
equipment in a lab, and even then, these tests cannot differentiate a natural
chemical from a synthetic one. That is why it is so easy to engineer oils in a

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lab or to add “extenders” to poor quality oils. So you see, it is extremely
important that you trust the integrity of the company of the essential oils that
you will be using. At Young Living, you are able to visit their farms and even
participate in the planting, harvesting and distillation of the oils!

Remember now, anything that has been used in the soil or on the plant can
be found in the essential oil, so any chemical fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide
will be present in the final product. It is extremely important to make sure that
the oil of your choosing is not just ‘organic’ but actually wild crafted. Much of
Europe laughs at the United States definition of “organic”. Here in the US,
land that is going to be used for organic agriculture has only to be chemical
free for three years. That means just a few years ago they could have been
saturating the field with anhydrous ammonia and a host of other chemicals
which is undoubtedly going to still be in the ground. Not to mention the fact
that there are no regulations on what may be going on in neighboring fields. If
the neighboring farmer is spraying his crops and you are downwind, oh well.
That is not regulated on organic fields.

On the other hand, wild crafted farms mean that there has never been any
chemical use at all in the recorded history of the land. Fields that are deemed
for wild crafted crops also leaves a radius of a specific amount of miles all the
way around the field where no chemicals can be used. A lot more research
and a lot more money go into raising wild crafted plants, but the benefits
significantly outweigh the cost involved.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

Much of the following section is taken directly from the book “Essential
Oils Integrative Medical Guide” by D. Gary Young as he can explain it much
better in his own words than I could ever hope to! You can purchase this
wonderful book online at www.abundanthealth4u.com

Essential oils and blood share several common properties: they fight
infection, contain hormone-like compounds, and initiate regeneration. Working
as the chemical defense mechanism of the plant, essential oils possess potent
antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. They also ward off attacks

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by insects and animals. The ability of some essential oils to work as hormones
helps them bring balance to many physiological systems. This similarity goes
even deeper as essential oils have a chemical structure that is similar to that
found in cells and tissues, it makes them readily identified and accepted by the
body.

Essential oils have a unique ability to penetrate cell membranes and

diffuse throughout the blood and tissues. The unique structure of essential oils
is very similar to the makeup of cell membranes. The molecules of essential
oils are also relatively small, which enhances their ability to penetrate into
cells. When applied topically, essential oils can travel throughout the body in
a matter of minutes.

Essential oils stimulate the secretion of antibodies, neurotransmitters,

endorphins, hormones and enzymes. They increase the uptake of oxygen and
adenosine triphosphate which is fuel for every cell.

European scientists have studied the ability of essential oils to work

as natural chelators, binding with toxic heavy metals and petrochemicals and
carrying them harmlessly out of the body. Because of their complexity,
essential oils do not disturb the body’s natural balance or homeostasis: if one
constituent exerts too strong an effect, another constituent may block or
counteract it. Synthetic chemicals in contrast usually have only one action and
often disrupt the body’s homeostasis.

Okay, Angela here again on my own. Doesn’t that just amaze you?!
The amazing intelligence of an essential oil to not only work at fixing problems
and imbalances in the body, but also be complex enough to fix itself before it
gets “out of hand” and puts the body out of balance. WOW! Even as a
scientist myself, I know that we will never be able to even come close to
creating in a lab what is already all around us in nature. The more “pure
nature” I bring into my life, the more health, energy and vitality I have and I
want to bring that to the parrots too!

Why Aromatherapy for Birds?

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 The thought process to using essential oils in parrots is a logical one. Just
think of all of the wild birds and how much “aromatherapy” they are getting on
a daily basis! Since essential

A wild Rainbow Lorikeet in fragrant trees

oils can be found in the roots, stems, bark, leaves, wood, fruit, flowers, rinds
and berries of plants, is there ever a time where a wild parrot is NOT being
exposed to essential oils? Even when they are just perching on a branch, the
essential oil within that branch is being absorbed through their feet. We’ve all
peeled and orange, right? That fabulous citrus smell that fills the air as you are
peeling is the essential oil from the rind. Imagine a parrot chewing through an
orange in the wild. Those oils are being sprayed into their eyes, mouth and all
over their face, not to mention being inhaled and ingested.

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 A wild Australian parrot enjoying an almond

Could essential oils be part of what is missing in the lives of our beloved
parrots today? We focus on diet and nutrition, enrichment, light exposure and
many other things which have greatly enhanced the lives of companion birds,
but what if we added in the oils? In my mind, this is a huge missing link. Wild
birds are exposed to essential oils before they are even hatched, as the oils
from the plant material that makes up the nest are absorbed through the egg
shell. Even the tiniest, fragile chick is in a virtual aromatherapy hot house!
What does that do for their developing immune systems? I have yet to find any
data on this particular subject, but it does lead one to wonder how

different life would be if we

were given a heavy dose of Nature and her healing abilities with our very first
breath.

Baby robins in their “aromatherapy” nest

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 METHODS OF APPLICATION

Diffusion
One of the best ways to start using oils around birds is by diffusion.
This keeps the exposure mild and yet yields very positive results. Remember,
if 1-3 drops of an essential oil can treat an adult human, we need VERY
LITTLE to properly treat a small bird! I always recommend using an
ultrasonic, cold water-based diffuser. An ultrasonic diffuser has a disk that
vibrates at a very rapid rate. These vibrations break down the essential oil
into micro particles that are then dispersed with the water as a superfine mist.
One great advantage to using an ultrasonic diffuser is that it helps add humidity
to the air as well as the essential oil, which we all know our birds can benefit
from. Make sure that the diffuser only uses cold water, as heating an essential
oil can alter the chemical constituents and make the oil less effective.

When I start to

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diffuse essential oils for a bird for the first time, I will add only about 3 to 4
drops into the diffuser and make sure that it is set up in a larger room. Make
sure you are going to be home the entire time you are diffusing for the first few
times and then every time you start a new oil. I recommend being in the same
room for at least the first five minutes of diffusion of any new oil. Most birds
seem to gravitate toward the diffuser, but in the case of a detoxification
reaction, you want to be there to turn off the diffuser if necessary. Start with
just twenty minutes of diffusing and then evaluate the birds in the room. If they
appear to be enjoying

Merlin loves his essential oils!

the diffusion you can certainly continue. In my home, like many other bird
homes, I have at least one or two diffusers running 24 hours a day!

You may see other diffusers on the market such as the air diffuser or a
nebulizing diffuser. Although these can be wonderful diffusers and do have
their place, I don’t recommend using them for birds as these types diffuse pure
essential oils into the air. This can be very overwhelming and certainly
unnecessary on a small bird. Often times we use these types of diffusers for
horses in an open barn, so you can imagine the intensity of the oils being
diffused!

Pierce will reach through her

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cage to turn her diffuser back on!

When I want a more “intense” version of diffusion for a particular

situation, such as a severe respiratory infection, I use a method referred to as
“tenting”. Tenting is where a bird is placed in a small enclosure such as a
small cage or carrier and a diffuser is placed directly in front and the whole
ensemble is covered with a towel or a blanket. This keeps the vapors in close
quarters with the bird and can be a very effective form of treatment. But
remember to never leave a bird that is being tented unattended and don’t tent
for more than 30 minutes at any one time.

I am often times asked what oils can be safely diffused for birds and
the answer is a simple one. If you can stick your face, with your eyes open,
directly into the mist of the diffuser and it does not irritate your eyes, nose or
throat, then you are safe to assume that it will be just fine for your bird as
well. I would not normally tent with oils like Oregano, Thyme or Cinnamon
Bark as they can be rather intense and could potentially bother the eyes, but
often times in a diffuser in an open room, these oils can be used just fine.

**IMPORTANT!!! Young Living carries a single oil

called Western Red Cedar that I do NOT recommend
using with ANY birds!! Western Red Cedar has a very
high amount of the chemical constituent thujone,
which many believe is the cause of the toxic reaction
parrots have to cedar and I believe it is best not to risk
it. I have not used it in my home at all, nor have I heard
any reports of others using it around their birds, but it
is better to be safe than sorry! Now, Young Living’s
Cedarwood essential oil contains no thujone and has
been used safely around birds.**

Misting

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 Misting is one of my favorite ways to apply oils.
This requires having some glass spray bottles on hand. You never want to use
essential oils in anything plastic because the oils can denature the plastic and
can ultimately end up ruining your plastic things and adding plastic molecules
into our spray…something we definitely don’t want! So please make it a habit
that whenever you are using essential oils, to always use glass or ceramic.
Stainless steel also works but avoid any plastics including PVC. Then
basically misting is all about adding a few drops of oils into distilled water
and using it as you would a preening spray for your bird. Of course you are
going to want to stay away from oils that could potentially bother the eyes and I
will be sure to list those oils later on.

Misting is a great way to apply oils to a bird that may not tolerate being
handled well. Essential oils are readily absorbed through the skin and once
inside the body they can travel to wherever they are needed in a very short
amount of time. We all know that once our bird is damp, they will preen their
feathers, so it’s a great way to get oils into our birds orally as well! I typically
like to start by spraying up into the air so that the mist falls onto the bird like
rain. Once they are used to the spray bottle and the mist, then you can take a
more direct approach and mist them down. A few squirts is all it takes to be
effective, or you can completely soak them down as if they were getting a
shower. Most birds seem to tolerate this quite well and many really enjoy
their daily oil spray sessions!

There are many oils that can be used in a spray and some of the more
common ones are: Lavender, Frankincense, Lemon, Orange Copaiba, Melissa,
Idaho Balsam Fir, Purification, Harmony, Joy and many others.

One of my favorite recipes to use as a daily spray for my birds is the

following:

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 Daily Preening Spray

20 drops Lavender essential oil

20 drops Orange essential oil
20 drops Lemon essential oil
4 ounces distilled water

Simply mix the above oils and water in a 4 oz glass spray bottle and you
are good to go! Just remember to shake it each time before misting your bird.
My Congo African Grey will actually make the spray bottle noise when she
wants her oils!

*Please note that citrus oils such as Orange and Lemon are
photosensitive, so if your bird is missing feathers or has bald face
patches such as macaws, it is a good idea to wait 12 to 24 hours after
topical exposure to these oils before being exposed to direct sunlight.
So far it appears that using UV bulbs does not have the same risks, but
caution should still be used until you are sure your birds do not get
sunburned! The photosensitivity risk is only for topically applied oils
and has no affect on citrus oils that have been ingested.

Topically

Now when we talk about topical application, most of the time we are
referring to actually applying oils directly to the body in some way or another,
often times diluted. The most common way of doing this is applying oils
directly to their feet. Depending on the bird, this can be done in several ways.
If your bird readily steps up for you, then one of the easiest ways is to just
apply oils to the part of your hand or arm where they will be stepping up to.
Easy as that! Now many birds will let you actually apply the oils directly to
their feet. Young Living now carries roller balls that you can attach to the

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 Nola loves her Valor Roll-On!
top of any oil bottle to turn it into a roll on which can make this task even
easier for you. If all else fails and you can’t handle your bird and don’t want
to stress them out by toweling them, then just rubbing some oils on a favorite
perch will still have a therapeutic effect.

When applying oils topically, it is important to remember, when in

doubt, dilute your essential oil!! Typically an essential oil is diluted using a
fatty type oil such as olive, coconut or flaxseed oil. Young Living also carries
a carrier oil called V-6 which also works very nicely. Now, an essential oil is
not “fatty” like vegetable oil and it is not greasy. This is why it is okay to mist
some onto the feathers with the water. When we are diluting our oil with a
carrier oil, we don’t want to get that greasy stuff all over their feathers, so it is
important to either apply it just to the feet or to make sure and part the feathers
and get it all on the skin. If a bird’s feathers get greasy, they have a difficult
time maintaining their body temperature, so please be very aware of this when
applying your oils.

Orally

One of the easiest ways to get your bird to ingest essential oils is via
the misting method. They will preen the spray off of their feathers and ingest it
that way. Another common way is via their drinking water. Again make sure
that you are using a ceramic or a stainless steel bowl and not plastic…I have

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completely shattered heavy plastic crocks by just misting some essential oil
spray into them! The dilution is usually 1 to 2 drops of essential oil per liter of
water. Get a liter glass bottle (mason jars work great!) and add your oil and
use this as their drinking water, but make sure you shake it before pouring it
into their bowl. At first, have a second source of plain water available.
Though most birds readily accept this oil infused water, we never want them to
stop drinking, so until you know for sure that they are drinking their “oily
water” please be sure to leave the plain water in their cage as well.

Many birds will also accept oil added to their food. As was stated
before, often times one drop is enough to treat an adult human, so adding an
entire drop to one serving can be quite a lot! But how do you add less than one
drop? Simple! Take a toothpick, dip it in your oil and then stir it around in
your bird food! This very simple technique, called the “toothpick method”,
adds enough essential oil to be therapeutic without overdoing it.

Detoxification…What Is It Anyway?
If you have done any looking into the field of aromatherapy, you will
see the word “detox” or “detoxification” thrown around a lot, but what exactly
is it?

First off, let me clear up something that is often misunderstood. Pure,

steam distilled essential oils cannot cause an allergic reaction. It is
impossible. An allergic reaction is the body’s response to an offending protein
and/or polypeptide. For instance, if you are allergic to peanuts, it is, on a
molecular level, the proteins within that peanut that are causing your system to
go haywire. A pure, steam distilled essential oil does not have any proteins or
polypeptides, thus making an actual histamine reaction from the body
impossible. If you are noticing symptoms that look like an allergic reaction,
you are actually experiencing a detoxification. Essential oils help cleanse the
body of foreign and toxic substances. As the oils bind with these toxins and
pull them from where the body has “hidden” them, they essentially put them
back in the main stream of the body so they can be eliminated. See, when a

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foreign substance is introduced to the body, the body does not know what to do
with it, so instead of dealing with it, it will tuck it away somewhere safe (often
times in fat deposits. This is why people who lose a large amount of weight
very rapidly can end up quite ill.) So here our toxin sits. Over the years, vast
amounts of toxins build up in our bodies…everything from environmental
toxins to the crap that is in all the processed foods, to all the pharmaceuticals
we’ve taken and so much more. The body keeps hiding it away, not knowing
how to deal with it. When the essential oils pull them out of hiding to get rid
of them, we are all of a sudden feeling the effects of these toxins that are no
longer hidden. This is a good thing!! We are finally getting rid of all of those
toxins that are preventing us from living lives of vitality, wellness and
longevity and are likely a large part of the cause of many debilitating diseases
and cancer. This can be an uncomfortable process, but the good news is that it
doesn’t have to be! Back off, go slower, dilute the oils, use gentler oils and
we can get through this process quite easily.

The good news is, parrots don’t seem to be nearly as prone to the big
detox reactions that we see in other animals. It is my personal theory that the
reason for this is because often time, as a parront, we are spastic about the
toxins in our homes. Most bird people I know have absolutely no cleaning
chemicals in their home, no candles, no air fresheners, no Teflon, no perfumes,
no nuthin’! We try and feed fresh, wholesome food and steer clear of
processed, preservative laden “food” (at least for our birds anyway!) so our
birds are exposed to many fewer toxins than most pets. Think about dogs that
walk across a freshly mopped Pine-Sol floor…they are absorbing all of those
toxins right through the pads of their feet! Many are exposed to air fresheners
and their dog beds are sprayed with the odor eliminating sprays. Not to
mention all of the recommended vaccines that they have been exposed too.
Thankfully, our parrots are spared a lot of that. If you experience a detox
reaction in your household it is likely that YOU are the one feeling it!

So what does a detoxification reaction look like in a bird? Well,

often times you will first see them simply trying to get away from the diffuser.
It can also involve itching, irritability, screaming, aggression, holding the
wings away from body and breathing with their mouth open. As I stated
before, this is uncommon with parrots, but it’s always better to be aware of the

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possibility because we want their experience with essential oils to be pleasant
and uplifting. A far more common experience with parrots is that they try and
get as close as they can to the oils by sticking their face right in the diffuser,
trying to lick the top of the bottle or even licking it off the bars of the cage after
they have been misted!

If you do experience a detox reaction with one of your birds here is

what you do. First of all, don’t panic! This is not a dangerous situation, but
simply an uncomfortable one. If you are using a diffuser, turn it off and turn on
a fan or open a window for a little while to help clear the air. If it is
something you have applied topically, dilute it down with a fatty oil such as
coconut, olive or safflower oil. Let them rest oil free for a little while, usually
about 24 hours, and then start with a different oil. So if your bird had a
reaction to you diffusing Thieves oil right next to his cage then the next oil I
would diffuse would be something lighter like Lavender or Lemon and I would
probably set the diffuser on the other side of the room. Remember, this is not
an allergy! Just because we had a reaction to the Thieves oil does not mean
that we need to avoid it from now on. Thieves is a powerful oil and can do a
lot of detoxing in a short amount of time. Over time the gentler oils will
gradually detox the body and as the body gets cleaner, you will have no trouble
using the Thieves in the future.

As I said before, you are far more likely to have a detox reaction to
the oils than your birds will! But have no fear…it will pass for you too! A
typical detox reaction in humans can range from headaches, joint or muscle
stiffness, rashes, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness. These do pass, I
promise. Just follow the same recommendations I listed for the birds and
you’ll start getting healthier too!

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 SOME COMMON YL OILS FOR PARROTS

Young Living carries over 120 different essential oils and blends and
each one has tremendous value and wonderful properties. There are several
fabulous books already printed that list every one of them and what they do,
and you can find information on these in the reference section in the back of the
book. I am however going to list some of those oils that are pertinent in the
parrot world and how to use them. The information regarding the essential oil
properties is taken from the Essential Oils Desk Reference 4th Edition by
Essential Science Publishing.

Single Oils
Balsam Fir (Idaho):

Properties: anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, bone

regeneration

Uses: arthritis, bone/joint/muscle issues, respiratory infections,

scoliosis, stressful situations. Can be very grounding and emotionally
relaxing.

Techniques: IBF can be used in a water based diffuser up to 5 drops,

via the tenting method with 2-3 drops at max 15 minute intervals and
can be diluted (V-6 Oil, coconut oil, olive oil, Animal Scents
Ointment, etc.) and applied topically on location.

Basil:

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 Properties: powerful antispasmodic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-
inflammatory, antihistamine, muscle relaxant

Uses: allergies, crop infections

Techniques: Basil can be used in a water based diffuser up to 5 drops,

can be given orally via drinking water (start with 1 drop per liter of
water) or food (start with “toothpick method”) or can be diluted and
applied topically.

Bergamot:

Properties: calming, hormonal support, antiviral, antibacterial,

antidepressant

Uses: Agitation, depression, anxiety, viral infections

Techniques: Bergamot can be used in a water based diffuser up to 5

drops, can be given orally via drinking water or food, or can be used
in a spray bottle
Chamomile (German)

Properties: Powerful antioxidant, antitumoral, anti inflammatory,

relaxant. Promotes liver and digestive health

Uses: Fatty liver disease, nervousness, anxiety, arthritis

Techniques: German Chamomile can be used in a water based diffuser

up to 5 drops, given orally via drinking water or food, diluted and
applied topically or can be used in a spray bottle

Chamomile (Roman)

Properties: Relaxant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nerve

26
 regenerative, detoxification of blood and liver

Uses: Restlessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, skin conditions

Techniques: Roman Chamomile can be used in a water based diffuser

up to 5 drops, used via tenting, given orally via drinking water or
food, diluted and applied topically or can be used in a spray bottle.

Cinnamon Bark

Properties: Powerful antibacterial and antiviral, antifungal

Uses: We have recently seen very positive results when diffusing

Cinnamon Bark with birds diagnosed with Avian Bornavirus (ABV)
Techniques: Please take great care if giving Cinnamon Bark orally
and it is recommended to only use orally for a short time if necessary.
Cinnamon Bark is a circulatory stimulant and has been known to cause
some bleeding from the nares after prolonged ingestion. It can be
diffused in a water based diffuser up to 5 drops.

Cistus

Properties: antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory

Uses: A wonderful replacement for Styptic Powder for bleeding

toenails or broken blood feathers. Can also be used to help stop
major bleeding from injuries or self mutilation wounds

Techniques: Cistus can be used topically neat (undiluted) to help stop

minor bleeding or diluted to help control major bleeding. Can also be
given orally to aid in bleeding control

Clary Sage

Properties: estrogen-like, relaxant

27
 Uses: hormone “regulation”, especially in the cases of overly
hormonal, sexually stimulated birds as well as for chronic egg layers

Techniques: We have just recently started using Clary Sage in very

hormonal birds with very promising results. Clary Sage can be either
diffused in a water based diffuser up to 5 drops, via tenting, or can be
used in a daily misting.
Copaiba

Properties: Powerful anti-inflammatory, stomach protectant

Uses: pain relief, arthritis, skin inflammation, stomach distress,

feather destructive behavior, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease,
Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Techniques: Copaiba is one of my favorite oils and one that I will

never be without. It has a very mild scent and flavor and is so
incredibly powerful. Great for any kind of pain relief. Can be given
orally via food or water, used in a daily misting, diffused via water
diffuser or via tenting.

Frankincense

Properties: Antitumoral, immune stimulant, antidepressant, muscle

relaxing.

Uses: There has been tremendous success around the world for
treating cancer and tumors with Frankincense, and we are already
seeing the same success in birds. Frankincense is one of my first “go
to” oils in nearly any situation including unknown illnesses. Cancer,
tumors, depression, injuries, all types of illness, feather cysts, trauma

Techniques: Frankincense can be used orally, both via water and/or

food, diffused via water diffusion, tenting, and can be used topically.

28
Grapefruit

Properties: Antitumoral, antiseptic, detoxifying, antidepressant, fat

dissolving, cleansing for kidneys, liver, lymphatic and vascular
systems

Uses: Depression, obesity, anxiety, fatty liver disease, cancer, tumors

Techniques: Grapefruit can be used orally via food and/or water,

diffused with a water based diffuser, or added to a daily misting.

Helichrysum

Properties: antispasmodic, anticoagulant, antiviral, liver

protectant/detoxifier/stimulant, nerve regenerator, chelator, healing

Uses: Helichrysum is another oil that I will not be without. It is one

of the first oils I will reach for in an injury situation, especially one
with an open wound or bruising. Excellent for neurologic conditions,
nerve pain relief, amputations, wounds, liver support/diseases,
trauma, hearing loss, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD),
Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)

Techniques: Helichrysum can be diffused via a water based diffuser,

tenting, given orally via food and/or water, directly orally (diluted),
topically or as a daily misting.

Idaho Blue Spruce

Properties: Idaho Blue Spruce is a new oil, but one that is showing
lots of success in many ways! It is antiviral, antibacterial,
decongesting, antispasmodic, and cleansing/protecting of liver and

29
 kidneys, aids in releasing emotional trauma, relaxant, uplifting

Uses: Again, Idaho Blue Spruce is a newer essential oil, so many of

its uses are yet to be discovered. I have personally had tremendous
success with using it for a very “snotty” CAG. Excellent for
respiratory infections, past abuse, emotional trauma, depression,
PBFD, PDD, ABV, psittacosis

Techniques: At this time, Idaho Blue Spruce has only been diffused
via a water based diffuser, tented and applied topically.

Lavender

Properties: Antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic, antitumoral,

anticonvulsant, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, calmative

Uses: Respiratory infections, skin inflammation, feather destructive

behavior, PBFD, burns, scars, wounds, nervousness, anxiety

Techniques: Lavender can be diffused via a water based diffuser,

tented, applied topically and used in a mister. Lavender is one of the
three ingredients in the Daily Feather Spray recipe.

Lemon

Properties: Antiseptic, antitumoral, immune stimulant, antiparasitic,

antidepressant, antibacterial, detoxifying

Uses: Circulatory problems, anxiety, depression, psittacosis, immune

stimulation, air purifier, bacterial infections

Techniques: Lemon is one of the three oils in the Daily Preening

Spray recipe and can also be diffused using a water based diffuser,
tented, and given orally in food and/or water.

30
Marjoram

Properties: Antibacterial, antifungal, promotes peristalsis (the muscle

contractions in the crop and intestines that move food and waste
through the digestive tract), expectorant, relieves muscle and joint
discomfort

Uses: Crop infections, PDD (especially where crop stasis is a

factor), psittacosis, arthritis, respiratory infections, fungal infections,
muscle/nerve pain. Has been very helpful with hormonal issues such
as excessive egg laying or overly hormonal, sexually stimulated birds.

Techniques: Marjoram can be diffused with a water based diffuser,

tented, applied topically or given orally via food and/or water.
Because of the possibility of causing eye discomfort, it is not
recommended to use Marjoram in a mister.

Melissa

Properties: Highly antiviral, anti-inflammatory, relaxant

Uses: Proventricular Dilatation Disease, Avian Bornavirus, Psittacine

Beak and Feather Disease, viral infections, papillomas

Techniques: Melissa can be diffused with a water based diffuser,

tented, given orally via food and/or water, used topically and in a
mister

Myrrh

Properties: Powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral,

antiviral, antiparasitic, analgesic, skin regenerator

Uses: Cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, pain control, wounds

31
 Techniques: The most common way to use Myrrh in birds is either in
a mister or orally. Myrrh can be diluted and given directly in cases
where good pain control is needed. It can also be diluted and used
topically on wounds.

Ocotea

Properties: Regulates blood sugar, anti-histamine like, antifungal,

anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety

Uses: Ocotea has shown tremendous success in regulating diabetic

symptoms and lessening the need for insulin and other blood sugar
regulating medications. Because of this, it is highly recommended that
if your bird is on any kind of medication for diabetes control that you
inform your veterinarian you are using oils and ask them to help you
regulate the changes. Ocotea can also be used as an anti-histamine for
allergies as well as for crop infections, parasites, anxiety and
aspergillosis

Techniques: Diffusion via a water based diffuser, orally via food

and/or water.
Orange

Properties: Antitumoral, relaxant, antidepressant

Uses: Orange is one of the three oils used in the Daily Feather Spray
recipe and can be used for cancer, depression, insomnia, tumors

Techniques: Orange can be diffused via a water based diffuser,

tented, given orally via food and/or water and added to misters

Oregano

Properties: Powerful antiviral and antibacterial, antifungal,

32
antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant

Uses: Arthritis, respiratory infections, infectious diseases, PDD/ABV,

PBFD, psittacosis papillomas, crop infections, yeast infections

Techniques: Oregano is considered a “hot” oil (it makes the skin feel
as if it is getting warm) so it is important to take care when using this
powerful oil. It is NOT recommended to use in a spray because
getting it in the eyes can be quite painful. If topical application is
needed, make sure it is very dilute first. The most common way to
use Oregano oil with birds is orally and can be given in either water
and/or food. It can also be diffused in a water based diffuser, but only
in very small amounts (start with just 1 drop in the diffuser).

Peppermint

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiparasitic, antiviral,

antifungal, antibacterial, digestive stimulant

Uses: Arthritis, respiratory infections, PDD/ABV, crop stasis,

nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, fungal infections

Techniques: Peppermint is not often used topically except on the feet.

I personally have a macaw that gets very car sick on long rides, and a
little bit of peppermint on the bottom of her feet does wonders for her!
(Not to mention me when I get car sick!) It can be diffused via a
water based diffuser, tented, and added to food and/or water. Take
caution if you are wanting to use this oil in a mister as it can be
painful if it gets in the eyes.

Thyme

Thyme is a very powerful and a very hot oil and is usually reserved
for severe cases.

33
 Properties: Highly antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral,
antibacterial, immune stimulating

Uses: Infectious disease control, air purifier, Psittacine Beak and

Feather Disease, Proventricular Dilatation Disease, Avian
Bornavirus, Psittacosis, resistant bacterial/viral infections, fungal
infections

Techniques: It is important to NOT use Thyme in topical applications

including misting unless it is extremely dilute (1 drop per 30mL of
carrier oil). It can be given orally in small amounts and ONLY in the
food. It can also be diffused, but it is recommended to not do any
tenting as the vapors from the diffuser can be painful to the eyes.

Essential Oil Blends

In my opinion, one of the most exciting things about essential oils is their
ability to help heal emotions. Think about all of the birds out there in rescues.
Many of them have been neglected, abused or just plain ignored. Most parrot
species develop a lifelong bond to their mate in the wild, and that life can be
eighty or more years! Imagine the emotional trauma of all of these birds that go
from one home to another, forming a bond with a family and then having to
leave again. I associate it with a young child in the foster care system…going
from one home to another, not knowing where they belong, not knowing who to
trust, afraid to become close to someone again for fear of being abandoned.
There are many, many parrots out there with some serious emotional baggage.
How exciting is it that we have the tools to help them let go of that baggage and
live life to the fullest again?!? It is my goal to bring Young Living Essential
Oils to every single parrot rescue in the world. A daunting task to be certain,
but one that I am so excited to partake…will you join me?

This next section covers some of the essential oil blends that are formulated by
Young Living. I am only going to give you a brief description of the ones that
we use often in the bird world. As I said before, there are fantastic books out

34
there that cover every Young Living product in great detail, so I will not repeat
what has already been done. You can find more information on these books
and where they are available in the final pages of this book.

Many of these essential oil blends are for emotional support while others have
more physical properties, but each one is absolutely invaluable. Often times
the best way to use emotional oils is by diffusion via a water based diffuser. If
there are other ways to use them, I will list them with the individual oil.
Again, much of the following information is taken from the Essential Oil Desk
Reference 4th Edition from Life Science Publishing

Acceptance

Stimulates the mind, compelling us to open and accept new things, people
or relationships in life, allowing one to reach a higher potential.

Ingredients: Neroli, Sandalwood, Blue Tansy, Rosewood, Geranium,

Frankincense

Believe

Helps to release the unlimited potential everyone possesses, making it

possible to more fully experience health, happiness and vitality. Restores
feelings of hope.

Ingredients: Idaho Balsam Fir, Rosewood, Frankincense

Christmas Spirit

A purifying blend of evergreen, citrus and spice that brings joy, peace,
happiness and security

Ingredients: Orange, Cinnamon Bark, Spruce

35
Citrus Fresh

Can be used daily for overall health, wellness and detoxification. Great
to use daily in drinking water (1 drop per liter of water) to support the
immune system. When diffused, it purifies the air and is very
antidepressant and calming.

Ingredients: Orange, Tangerine, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit,

Spearmint

DiGize

Can be used for all types of digestive concerns including crop infections,
nausea, vomiting, Proventricular Dilatation Disease, Candida infections,
and parasite infestations.

Ingredients: Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel,

Lemongrass, Anise, Patchouli

Forgiveness

Helps release negative memories, allowing one to move past emotional

barriers and assists them to forgive and let go

Ingredients: Rose, Melissa, Helichrysum, Angelica, Frankincense,

Sandalwood, Lavender, Bergamot, Geranium, Jasmine, Lemon,
Palmarosa, Roman Chamomile, Rosewood, Ylang Ylang

Harmony

Brings us into harmony with all things, people and life cycles. It helps
reduce stress and amplify well-being. A wonderful blend for those with
discord in the flock.

Ingredients: Geranium, Rosewood, Lavender, Sandalwood,

36
 Frankincense, Orange, Lemon, Angelica, Hyssop, Spanish Sage,
Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Palmarosa,
Rose, Spruce

Hope

Helps reconnect with a feeling of strength and grounding, restoring hope

for tomorrow.

Ingredients: Melissa, Spruce, Juniper, Myrrh

Into the Future

Helps leave the past behind in order to progress with vision and
excitement.

Ingredients: Frankincense, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Juniper, White Fir,

Orange, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Idaho Tansy, White Lotus

Joy

Produces a magnetic energy to bring joy to the heart, mind and soul. It
helps overcome deep seated grief and depression

Ingredients: Rose, Bergamot, Mandarin, Ylang Ylang, Lemon

Geranium, Jasmine, Palmarosa, Roman Chamomile, Rosewood

Juva Cleanse

A very powerful liver cleanser and detoxifier indicated for all types of
liver disease. Can be given orally via water (1 drop per liter of water)
or food.

37
 Ingredients: Helichrysum, Celery Seed, Ledum

Peace & Calming

Promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace and emotional well-being,

helping to dampen tensions and uplift spirits. Reduces depression,
anxiety and stress.

Ingredients: Blue Tansy, Patchouli, Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang

Purification

Cleanses and disinfects the air and gets rid of mildew, cigarette smoke
and other bad odors. One of my favorites to use on a daily basis…I often
get comments on how nice my house smells…even with all these birds!

Ingredients: Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavandin, Rosemary, Melaleuca

Alternifolia, Myrtle

R.C.

Stands for “Respiratory Congestion” or “Respiratory Conditions” and is

a wonderful oil to diffuse or tent a bird with chronic respiratory issues
including allergies and aspergillosis.

Ingredients: Eucalyptus globules, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus

citridora, Myrtle, Pine, Spruce, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress,
Peppermint

Release

Helps release anger and memory trauma in order to create emotional

well-being, letting go of negative emotions.

38
 Ingredients: Ylang Ylang, Lavandin, Geranium, Sandalwood, Blue
Tansy

RutaVaLa

Promotes relaxation and counters stressed nerves. A valuable oil to have

on hand during stressful situations such as a vet visit or a move. Can be
diffused or applied topically to the feet.

Ingredients: Lavender, Valerian, Ruta

SARA

Helps to facilitate the release of trauma associated with Sexual and/or

Ritual Abuse (think of all those breeder birds!!). It also helps unlock
traumatic experiences such as physical or emotional abuse.

Ingredients: Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Blue Tansy, Orange,

Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, White Lotus

Thieves

A blend of highly antiviral, antibacterial, anti-infectious, antimicrobial

and antifungal oils. A fabulous oil to diffuse on a daily basis to help stop
the transmission of illness and disease…invaluable in rescue and foster
situations!

Ingredients: Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiata,

Rosemary

Trauma Life

39
 Releases buried emotional trauma and combats stress. An important thing
to remember with this oil is that it is not just emotional experiences that
cause trauma, but also physical ones. Some examples of when this oil
would be used is after a hard crash into a window, a broken bone, a
serious wound, death of a flock mate, etc. You would never be wrong to
diffuse this oil in any situation that can cause stress either emotionally or
physically.

Ingredients: Valerian, Lavender, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Rose,

Helichrysum, Spruce, Geranium, Davana, Citrus hystrix

Valor

Balances energies to instill courage, confidence and self-esteem. This is

my greenwing macaw’s favorite oil! It can be applied topically to the
feet or other non-feathered areas of the body as well as diffused. A great
way to use this oil is just before and/or after a stressful event such as a
vet visit or a nail and wing clip.

Ingredients: Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense, Spruce

As you can see, the possibilities are absolutely limitless when we have
are arsenal of essential oils! I have yet to meet one life, human, parrot or
otherwise, that was not affected in a positive way when Young Living came
into their life.

40
41
And a quick note for those of you wondering about your chickens, ducks,
geese, peacocks, crows, starlings or other birds…everything that is
recommended in this book for parrots can also be used on other birds.
Chickens, ducks and geese especially tend to be hardier than parrots and can
often times tolerate a little bit stronger concentration of oils, especially in
misting and diffusion.

42
43
 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COMMON HEALTH
CONCERNS

Now that you know a bunch of the basics, I want to go over with you
how I approach a health or emotional concern with the parrots in my care. I
know I have said it before, but this is very important so I am going to say it
again…I am NOT a veterinarian, so it is very important for you to find a
qualified veterinarian if you have any concerns with your parrot. There are
some wonderful veterinarians that are embracing the use of Young Living in
their practice, and many others that are very eager to learn more. If you would
like your vet to work with you on using essential oils with your birds, I highly
recommend bringing them a copy of this book as well as Dr Melissa Shelton
DVM’s book “Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care” and ask them if they would
be interested in learning and working with you on the care of your birds.

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a non-contagious fungal infection caused by the mold

spore Aspergillus. It can cause both acute and chronic symptoms in varying
degrees. It is the most frequent cause of respiratory disease in parrots and is
also the most commonly diagnosed fungal infection. Symptoms include trouble
breathing, respiratory distress, “clicking” while breathing, lethargy, tail
bobbing and general signs of illness.

Here is my thought process when I have a bird with aspergillosis.

First of all, I want to try and deduce where the mold spores came from and

44
eliminate them. As with any disease or illness, good nutrition is always of
utmost importance, so I will always evaluate the diet and make changes as
necessary. Now, we know that aspergillosis is caused by mold spores, which
is a fungus. So I am going to go through my list of oils and find my strongest
antifungal oils which for this case would probably be Thieves and Oregano.
So, how do we use it? Well, most often in aspergillosis cases it is the
respiratory system that is most affected, so I would go with diffusion as the
best delivery system and I would also consider the severity of the particular
case in determining how much oil to use and how often. Typically a safe start
would be 2-4 drops of Thieves or Oregano in an ultrasonic water based
diffuser. If this is the first time that the bird has been exposed to oils, observe
them closely for signs of distress or detoxification. If you see any, immediately
turn off the diffuser. This can be repeated multiple times throughout the day
and different antifungal oils can be rotated in the diffuser. Tenting can also be
done to achieve greater exposure of the respiratory system to the healing
properties of the oils.

Of course, in any situation, it is always good to add

immunosupportive oils if possible. The easiest way to do this is by misting
with the Daily Preening Spray and adding an oil such as Citrus Fresh to the
water (1 drop per liter) or Oregano to the food (start with a toothpick and
slowly work up).

Bleeding

When we have parrots, there is bound to be blood at some point in

time, whether it be theirs or ours! Bleeding can be from something as simple
as a toenail clipped too short or a broken blood feather, or it can be from a
severe injury or mutilation. Always seek medical attention if there is a
traumatic injury or any excessive bleeding.

Cistus is a natural hemostat, meaning that it stops bleeding. It can be

applied neat (undiluted) directly to the site of the bleeding, such as the toenail.
In cases of suspected internal bleeding it can also be given orally.

45
Crop Issues

A parrot’s crop is essentially part of the esophagus and the overall

digestive system. It is a muscular, expandable pouch where food is
temporarily stored. A couple of the more common issues associated with the
crop is a crop infection and crop stasis.

A crop infection should always be addressed by a veterinarian.

Common symptoms of a crop infection include regurgitation/vomiting, sour
smelling emesis, lack of appetite and general symptoms of illness. A crop
infection can be caused by a number of things including bacteria, fungus and
viruses. I would initially start out with Di-Gize and/or Peppermint to help
relieve nausea. Either one of these oils can be given orally either in water or
food, though I tend to avoid using Peppermint in water simply because if a bird
were to bathe in it, the oil could bother their eyes.

Now depending on what is causing the infection, I would choose an

appropriately corresponding oil. Thieves and Oregano are always good ones
to default to because they both have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal
properties, so it will often times cover the gamut of possibilities. There are
other choices as well, such as Citrus Fresh, Lemon and Thyme, so don’t ever
feel like you are limited to just one choice. Often times I will rotate through
several different oils over the course of a treatment, just to get a broader
spectrum of properties.

Since we are dealing with a crop infection, chances are, we are going
to want our bird to ingest the oil, right? The easiest way to accomplish this is
either in food or water. Again, make sure to be aware of which oils may cause
pain if they get in the eyes and try to avoid using these in their water.

Crop stasis is basically the impairment of the movement of the crop.

This is most commonly seen in handfed babies and is presented with
regurgitation and delayed crop emptying. Peppermint essential oil is known to
increase peristalsis which is the wavelike contractions of the muscles that
move food and waste through the digestive tract. The underlying cause of crop
stasis should always be addressed by a veterinarian, but giving diluted
peppermint orally can help move the food through the crop.

46
Fatty Liver Syndrome

Also known as Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver Syndrome is usually

caused by a poor quality, high fat diet and not enough exercise. Often seen in
older birds that have been fed a mostly seed diet throughout their lifetime, a
bird with Fatty Liver Syndrome will have excess fat deposits around the
abdomen and the liver.

Since, in this case, we are dealing with excessive fatty deposits, we

are going to want to reach for oils that dissolve fat, right? My top picks for fat
dissolving are Grapefruit and Citrus Fresh. Both can easily be given orally in
the water. Also, I would use the preening spray recipe, as the citrus oils in it
would also help in dissolving the fat, but I would usually add another oil or
two. A drop of Ledum or Juva Cleanse would be my first choices because
both are extremely beneficial to the liver and will help support it through the
cleansing as well as help to heal any damage that may have been caused.

Pain Control

Pain control is often forgotten about except in the most drastic of

accidents or surgeries, but we need to remember that all animals experience
pain. Even though they cannot verbally communicate this to us, we need to
keep it on the forefront of our minds when dealing with our birds. Even
something as simple as a macaw that was playing too hard on the top of her
cage and tumbled off the top (that has happened in this house!) can cause them
to be quite uncomfortable.

For chronic pain such as arthritis, a daily drop of Copaiba is certainly

not out of the question. Copaiba can be put in water or in food, and can also
be used topically (avoiding feathers as much as possible). So if I had a
cockatiel with arthritic feet, I would rub some Copaiba and Lavender right on
his feet every day, as well as make sure he gets some Copaiba in his daily food
or water. Another great way to apply pain relieving oils daily is via a spray.
One of my favorite sprays to use in many situations is as follows:

47
 Pain Relief Spray

10 drops Frankincense
5 drops Helichrysum
5 drops Copaiba

Mix with 4 ounces (120 mL) of water in a glass spray bottle and mist bird up
to several times daily. This is wonderful for chronic conditions such as
arthritis or even for a broken bone. It is also wonderful to use on wounds and
with the addition of 3-5 drops of Myrrh, it is amazing at healing without
scarring.

For more serious pain control, such as with a broken bone, a

combination of 1 drop each of Copaiba, Helichrysum, Frankincense and Myrrh
diluted in approximately 2 mL of a carrier oil such as olive or almond oil
might be needed. This mixture should be given orally at about 0.05mL (about 1
drop) at a time. I had a little lovebird, Bella, who broke her wing, and though
I had buprenorphine available from the vet (an opioid pain killer), on her
recommendation I tried giving Bella this pain

Little Bella with her broken wing

mixture. She got 0.05mL orally and in about 20 minutes she was actually trying
to fly in the incubator! Sometimes your pain control can be a little TOO good!

48
I had to repeat this about every 2-3 hours the first day, and every day after that
she needed less and less until on the sixth day she vomited when I gave it to
her. I stopped giving it orally and switched to misting her with a mixture of 5
drops Frankincense, 5 drops Myrrh, 3 drops Helichrysum and 5 drops Copaiba
in 4 ounces (120mL) of water. This was all the pain control that she needed
from that point on until she healed.

Now obviously a larger bird could initially start with a larger dose. I
would start out my greys at 0.1mL or so and give them 15-30 minutes and
reevaluate…and if more was warranted, I would give more.

Papillomatosis

Papillomatosis is a virus that causes wart like lesions in the mouth and
around the cloaca. In severe cases it has also been found in the esophagus as
well as throughout the digestive system. Traditional medicine sometimes calls
for surgical removal of the growths, but often times the lesions will reappear
in a short time.

Papillomatosis is often painful, so some method of pain control is

recommended. Since Papillomatoisis is caused by a virus, obviously my first
thing to use would be an antiviral oil. In this case, Melissa essential oil is
imperative, and since the lesions mainly affect the digestive tract, oral
administration would be the best route. Melissa oil is readily accepted in both
food and water and is encouraged in both. Clove oil can also be added to
food, not only for its analgesic affect, but it is also been used to remove warts
in many different kinds of animals. I would also do a rotational diffusion of
Melissa, Thieves and Eucalyptus Blue.

Papillomatosis was one of the first successful cases recorded on

medical uses of essential oils in parrots and since that time, multiple parrots
have been successfully treated for this frustrating condition.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Very scary words for those of us in the bird world, Proventricular

49
Dilatation Disease, or PDD, is suspected to be caused by a virus (Avian
Bornavirus). A terrifying disease that causes many neurological and
gastrointestinal symptoms and may also affect the heart, adrenal glands and the
spinal cord.

Clinical signs of PDD are vast and range from progressive weight
loss, crop impaction, regurgitation, finding undigested food in stools as well as
a wide array of neurological symptoms including seizures.

It has been said that many birds die from this disease, usually within a
12 month time period, but don’t let a death sentence scare you. In the past
couple of years, we have seen some amazing turn arounds in the world of PDD
and I am confident that the answer to this catastrophic disease lies in the world
of essential oils. How exciting is that?!

So, how would you approach a bird diagnosed with PDD? Well I
would take into consideration what a veterinarian uses for the disease as well
as what symptoms are being experienced by the individual. Often times a PDD
patient is give Celebrex which is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
(NSAID), since no matter what the symptoms, inflammation is always a factor.
Remember what our best anti-inflammatory oil is? Copaiba! Fabulous to use
in misting sprays, water, food and by diffusion. However you can use it, do it!
And since we are likely dealing with a virus, our number one antiviral is
Melissa which is imperative to use in any suspected PDD case. I would
definitely put it in the water, but would likely add it to a spray and diffuse it as
well. I would also be sure to look at what symptoms are being experienced
and would use the oils as I saw fit. If we are dealing with lots of regurgitation,
DiGize and Peppermint are very good to use. I have seen, on several
occasions, Frankincense given orally helps stimulate appetite, so if they are not
interested in eating, this would be a good one to turn to. Other oils that have
been used successfully are RutaVaLa, Helichrysum and Roman Chamomile.
These can be diffused, given orally or use topically as needed. Emotional
support is also important to take into account, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to
go through some of the emotional essential oil blends. Some good ones to use
would be Believe, Valor, Into The Future or Hope.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease is a very complicated disease and I

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recommend you follow your avian veterinarian very closely.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is caused by a

circovirus and presents with abnormal feather growth and often results in
death. As with PDD, I really believe that the answer to Beak and Feather
Disease lies with essential oils.

Again, with a virus I will always reach for Melissa and give it orally
in the water and/or food. Diffusion of Melissa, Thieves and/or Eucalyptus
Blue (another strong antiviral oil) is highly recommended as well. Daily use
of the Preening Spray with a drop or two Melissa, Sandalwood or Hyssop can
help with keeping the skin healthy as well as preventing scar tissue in the
feather follicles. In rescue/sanctuary situations, diffusion of Thieves, Melissa,
Eucalyptus Blue, Lemon, Lavender and Thyme in rotation is highly
recommended.

Scaly Face Mites

Scaly face mites are a parasite that is most commonly found in

budgies, finches and canaries. In severe cases, a thick overgrowth of keratin is
formed over the cere (nostrils) and can even move to around the eyes, on the
legs, feet and toes. Often times abnormal beak and toenail growth is present
and loss of digits has been known to occur.

The best defense for a bird with scaly face mites is Purification. In
many cases it can be applied neat (undiluted) to the affected area, being careful
of the eyes. An easy way to do this is by brushing it on with a cotton swab. I
have had a couple of cases where the Purification used neat was too intense, so
be sure to carefully observe them and if it appears to be making them
uncomfortable, dilute the Purification in olive oil before topical application.
Diffusion is another great way to treat the mites and tenting is very effective.
You can also mix a spray of 4 ounces of water with 10 drops of Purification
and mist several times daily.

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52
 Feather Destructive Behavior
I felt as if Feather Destructive Behavior and Self Mutilation needed
its own section. It is often one of the first questions I am asked when someone
learns I use essential oil and there is not one simple, straight answer for it. It
requires some serious investigation and though process on the part of the
owner. I wanted to dedicate a little extra time and energy into explaining this
very frustrating behavior.

First of all, it is very important to have a thorough examination done

by a qualified avian veterinarian, especially if your bird suddenly starts
picking or mutilating. There are many times that a veterinarian will do a full
work up and still not have any answers as to why. The reasons that a parrot
decides to start mutilating their feathers or skin are vast and range from
emotional issues to a medical condition. It is important to rule out any medical
issues with your veterinarian first before proceeding. You don’t want to find
out the hard way that the cause of your birds plucking was due to liver disease
or heart disease when there was something you could have done. Or if there is
a bacterial infection on the skin or mites present, this can often be an easy fix,
but if you don’t address it with your vet you won’t have the answers necessary
for the questions I’m going to ask. Now of course, if there was a bacterial
infection of the skin, you are logically going to want to use an antibacterial oil
such as Lavender to help along with what the vet prescribed.

So, I have taken my bird to the vet and she has a clean bill of health,
but she is still pulling feathers. Now what? First, take a look at your bird’s
environment. Is there something “scary” in the room? Do you have a shy, quiet
bird that is in the hustle and bustle of the family’s daily activities? Are they
not getting enough sleep at night or is it frequently interrupted? Sometimes
something as simple as moving the cage or removing an offensive object from
view can have a huge effect. Have they lost a family member (human or
animal) through such things as divorce, death or a child leaving for college? Is
someone in the family under a lot of stress or dealing with other emotions
(grief over the loss of a parent/friend)? As I’m sure you know, our birds are
extremely sensitive and in tune with us and when we are out of sync, they can
be too. Obviously, these situations cannot be helped nor can they be changed,

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so emotional support is essential. I have found that often times, if an owner
just reads through some of the emotional essential oil blends, they will
intuitively pick out the oil or oils that will work best for their family and
situation at the time. Some common ones that are very effective are: Believe,
Release, Joy, Valor, Trauma Life, Acceptance, Harmony, Forgiveness, Hope
and White Angelica. The most effective method of using an emotional blend
for emotional purposes is via diffusion. You can rotate through as many
different oils as you think you need, but it is not recommended to mix them
together in the diffuser. Many of the emotional blends are made with a very
specific frequency and adding other oils changes the frequency. It doesn’t
make the oil dangerous or toxic, but it may render it less effective.

Diet often has a big role to play as well, so a healthy varied diet with
lots of fresh foods is highly recommended. There are many wonderful avian
nutritionists out there that can help you develop a diet tailored to your bird’s
specific needs. There is also a lot to be said for relieving boredom,
enrichment, adequate light, vitamins and minerals as well that should also be
addressed, but that is not what this book is for.

So, what if you adopted a naked bird and have no idea of their
history? First off, of course, is a trip to the vet. If we get a clean bill of health,
then I start making some assumptions assuming no one is around that can
answer my questions. It is possible that he was abused or neglected, didn’t
have a proper diet, was left covered for days on end or many other horrible
situations that we have all heard about. So, emotional support is a must. But I
don’t want you to forget the wonderful benefits of the Preening Spray that not
only have immune stimulating, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and
antiseptic properties, but also have amazing antidepressant, anti-anxiety and
calming properties as well. I have used this spray in multiple rescue and
sanctuary situations with the birds perking up within minutes after being
sprayed. What if they just have really dry, itchy skin? The Lavender oil in the
Preening Spray is very soothing to the skin and helps this tremendously. Is it
possible that they have allergies? Again, the Lavender oil in the Preening
Spray can be very helpful for this, but I would also give some Basil or Ocotea
orally for the high antihistamine properties.

As you can see, there are so many different ways to approach the

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problem, and none of them are wrong. I once heard a speaker say something
that I believe applies to the use of essential oils: “You can be right, or you can
be more right.” Basically this means that, if you decide to use Lavender oil (in
a safe and proper way of course) and perhaps a better choice would have been
Valor, you will still get benefits and still see results with the Lavender. So
don’t be afraid to grab an oil and try it! If you use it safely in the ways
described in this book, you WILL have benefits from it. There is no wrong
choice.

This is Tiko/Kiwi. The first picture was when he had first arrived at his new home and
the second was taken about 10 months later after using the Preening Spray daily.

I have just recently discovered some new feathers coming in on my

very naked macaw, Ellie, where we assumed there was scarring in the feather
follicle that prevented the feather regrowth. It is very possible that with the
daily Preening Spray as well as occasional use of Helichrysum in a spray, that
these oils are actually removing some of the scar tissue! How exciting!

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 Not Just For The Birds!

Now, if you have birds, chances are very good that you have had a
good bite or two. Not to fear! You can use these essential oils for yourself
and the rest of your family too!!

I like to tease that I have been bitten so many times that it doesn’t even
hurt anymore. Doing behavior work with rescues tends to put you in that
position! But in all seriousness, I have had some pretty nasty infections from
bird bites. I know that I used to think that because a bird has no saliva that it’s
not likely to get infected. I failed to take into account all of the stuff that is
always caked onto their beaks! That can get pretty gnarly if you think about it.
Then, if they bite you and break the skin, they are basically “injecting” you
with whatever happens to be there at the time. A beautiful start to a fabulous
infection. So, whenever I get bit, I immediately put Thieves directly on it.
Sometimes it can burn a little, but ever since I have started doing this, I have
not had one bite get infected. Now, some people can be sensitive to Thieves

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as it is a very powerful oil, and I don’t recommend using it in sensitive areas
or around your eyes, but there are many other alternatives that can be used as
well. Melrose is a blend and is wonderful for preventing bacterial infections.
And, just like the Thieves, it has Clove oil which is a topical analgesic, so you
have the benefit of pain relief as well!

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Another thing to take into consideration is scarring. Using Helichrysum, Myrrh
and Lavender can go a long way in preventing the formation of scar tissue on
wounds.

Getting a headache from your significant other complaining that the

screaming birds are giving them a headache? Rub some Peppermint on the
back of your neck, head and on your temples. Avoid your eyes though!!

Congested sinuses from cockatoo dust? Again, Peppermint on the

back of your neck, but this time, also put a drop on your thumb and stick it to
the roof of your mouth. You’ll be clear in no time.

Guests complaining that your house smells like birds? (Umm…

DUH!) Diffusing Purification will completely eliminate those odors. I have
had people walk into my tiny apartment with 7 birds and barely enough room
for me and they say “Oh! It smells so good in here!” or “It smells like a spa!”
Oh yeah. I do enjoy hearing that.

How about those pesky fruit flies and seed moths that seem to be ever
present no matter what you do? Honestly, this is a tough one, especially with
regards to the fruit flies, but I have found that heavy diffusion of Purification,
Thieves, Peppermint, Black Pepper and/or Citronella (rotated through)have
definitely had a positive impact. I have also heard that mice, ants and spiders
have an aversion to peppermint as well.

Someone coming over that is allergic to birds? Diffuse Basil. This

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natural antihistamine works wonders! I have known people that were severely
allergic to cats that went to a home where they had 5 cats but were diffusing
Basil and they did not have any kind of allergic reaction!

There is no end to what you can use these oils for. Take a look at the
different properties…everything that applies to birds also applies to humans,
so play away! You will be nothing but advantageous when you use essential
oils in any capacity.

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 A FEW OTHER PRODUCTS

Young Living carries much more than just essential oils, and I am
going to just briefly touch on a few of them that I find most important in the
care of our birds.

Thieves Household Cleaner

First and foremost, one of my favorite products ever is the

Thieves Household Cleaner. As someone that was owned by parrots before
Young Living came into our lives, I understand the frustration of trying to find a
cleaner that works well, is effective at killing off the nasties that we encounter,
while being safe to use around our birds. So my discovery of Thieves
Household Cleaner was a gold mine. Not only is it antibacterial, antiviral,
antimicrobial and antiseptic, it is literally safe enough to drink (I’ve done it
many times!!). Then top it off with the fact that it is a wonderful degreaser and
works wonders on organic material (read “bird poop”), it is a must have for
every bird household. I use it to wash food and water bowls, cage grates and
trays, perches, toys, walls, floors, stovetop, counters, toilets….you name it,

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I’ve used it!
NingXia Red Juice

NingXia Red Juice is Young Living’s “superfood” supplement made with

essential oils and whole fruits such as the NingXia Wolfberry (you might
recognize it by its other name, the Gogi berry), blueberries, pomegranate and
strawberries. It is full of vital phytonutrients and antioxidants and is an
incredible immune system support. Honestly, there is not a condition that I
wouldn’t recommend using NingXia Red. Most birds take to it very quickly
and it can be added to food or offered right out of a dish. Do remember to treat
it as you would other fresh foods and don’t leave it in a cage all day long. My
birds get it several times a week just to keep them healthy…and they love it
too!

Ollie loves his NingXia Red!

Essentialzymes-4 and Detoxzyme

Digestive Enzymes are a very important part of overall health and

wellness. If food is not digested properly, then the vitamins and nutrients that
it carries cannot get to the cells that need them. On the flip side, if we are
detoxifying our bodies, we want to “digest” those toxins as quickly as we can

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so that our body can eliminate them. Enzymes are found in fresh, live foods
such as raw vegetables and sprouts, but chances are, even vegetarians are
lacking in digestive enzymes. Young Living has two wonderful ways to
introduce digestive enzymes back into our parrots. Both Essentialzymes-4 and
Detoxzyme can be used. Just pull apart the capsule and sprinkle a little bit
over wet food (so that it sticks). Only ¼ of a capsule maximum is usually
needed. This can be used daily for overall wellness maintenance and is
especially important for birds suffering with Proventricular Dilatation Disease
or other digestive and gastrointestinal difficulties.

Life 5

Just as important as digestive enzymes for intestinal health is

probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in the digestive tract and
help aid in digestion and prevent Candida and other yeast infections. When
antibiotics are given, the good bacteria are eliminated along with the bad, so it
is important to replenish these vital microorganisms. Life 5 is Young Living’s
probiotic supplement and is readily accepted by birds. It can be used for daily
maintenance, and should always be used after a course of antibiotics or strong
antibacterial essential oils given orally such as Oregano or Thieves. Also
wonderful for PDD symptoms and other digestive issues and great to use for
birds with yeast problems.

MultiGreens

I like to say that MultiGreens are a cheaper way to get Melissa

essential oil. The MultiGreens supplement is made up of super green foods
such as spirulina, bee pollen and choline along with essential oils of Lemon,
Rosemary and Melissa. A fabulous supplement for everyday maintenance.
The essential oils in the MultiGreens supplement helps with the assimilation
and absorption of the nutrients by the cells. Especially beneficial for birds

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with PDD, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease or other viral conditions.

LavaDerm

A wonderful spray for skin and feathers, LavaDerm contains the

soothing Lavender oil with aloe. Another excellent spray for those suffering
with Feather Destructive behavior or other skin and feather conditions. Also
wonderful to use on wounds.

The first picture is of a puncture wound on Nola, a greenwing macaw that was open to the airsac.
The second picture was 18 hours later after the use of LavaDerm as well as essential oils of
Lavender and Myrrh.
Animal Scents Ointment

Animal Scents Ointment has been a lifesaver on

many occasions. With its base of mink oil along with a blend of several
healing essential oils, this makes for a wonderful way to get oils applied to
tricky places. Care does need to be taken to not get the ointment all over the
feathers, but it is an amazing way to treat wounds, dry skin and even used to
apply to dry, cracking feet. Another reason why I love this ointment so much is
because it is a great way to “dilute” some of your oils that you want to apply
topically and yet will “stick” to the area where you want it and basically give
a constant, gentle infusion of essential oils to that area. For instance, I had a

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case with a client who had a cockatoo with a broken toe. Now of course she
did go to the vet, but she wanted to know if there was anything else she could
use to help it heal. Now, in a broken bone situation, I would reach for Copaiba
for its anti-inflammatory properties and Idaho Balsam Fir to help with bone
repair. We could drip these oils directly on the toe, and that certainly would
not be a wrong way to do it, but having the ointment on hand makes it so much
easier to mix a couple drops of each oil into a small glob and apply the
ointment mix a couple times a day. It was amazing how quickly the toe healed,
and with very little pain during the healing process!

Bath and Shower Gel Base

Another life saver has been the bath and shower gel base. Great to
have on hand, especially for those in rescue. I brought in two budgies and a
lovebird once that someone had abandoned in an apartment. They were
literally just left to fly around. I got a call because a friend of a friend heard I
had parrots and asked if I could help. When I got these three, they absolutely
reeked of cigarette and marijuana smoke. I used the Bath and Show Gel Base
to bathe them daily for probably nearly a week, but I was comfortable knowing
that what I was using wasn’t harming them in any way. It’s not something that I
use terribly often, but it’s great to have around for those birds that need a good
shampooing! Essential oils can be added to the base as well, so if you are
dealing with a bacterial skin infection, feather mites or a skin yeast infection,
choosing an oil that is indicated to use in these situations would be very
helpful. Just remember to keep it out of their eyes and rinse very well!

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 I hope I have given you a lot of information to muse over and I
especially hope that you are feeling some excitement build up as you start to
consider the possibilities of what can change in the world of parrots when we
implement the power of nature. The more I work with Young Living and
aromatherapy, the more I am convinced that we will continue to see
improvements and ‘miracles’ in some of the frustrating and even terrifying
conditions in our birds. We have already seen major improvements in areas
such as Aspergillosis, Proventricular Dilatation Disease and Papillomatosis
and, with your help, I am anticipating even more miracles as time goes on.

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For more information on using essential oils with your birds, please visit my
website at:

www.aromatherapyforparrots.com

or our Facebook group at:

www.facebook.com/groups/aromatherapyforparrots

For more information on Young Living or to order products, please visit:

www.youngliving.org/nels2985

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 Recommended Reading

The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple by David Stewart, PhD,

D.N.M.

The Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley

Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by Gary Young

Animal Desk Reference by Dr Melissa Shelton, DVM

All of the above books and many other educational materials and essential oil
tools can be found at Abundant Health via:

www.abundanthealth4u.com

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 About the Author

Angela Nelson lives in a small town in central Minnesota with her parrots:
Ellie, a 14 year old Harlequin macaw, Nola, a 3 year old Greenwing macaw,
Dakotah, 14 and Jethro 1, both Congo African Greys, Babe, a 10 year old
Solomon Island Eclectus, Kiwi, an 8 year old blue crowned conure and
Zebers, a 21 year old Indian Ringneck. A full house, but she wouldn’t have it
any other way

A worldwide authority on the use of essential oils with parrots, she has clients
in many countries that have witnessed for themselves the miracles that
aromatherapy can bring.

Her dream is to bring essential oils to every bird home and her main focus
right now is educating the proper uses of aromatherapy to parrot rescues and
sanctuaries.

To book an educational class or speaking engagement, please contact Angela

via her website at www.aromatherapyforparrots.com or by e-mail at
[email protected]

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Table of Contents
Copyright 3
DEDICATION 4
Disclaimer 5
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 7
Aromatherapy? For parrots!?! 8
METHODS OF APPLICATION 16
SOME COMMON YL OILS FOR PARROTS 25
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS 44
A FEW OTHER PRODUCTS 60
Recommended Reading 67
About the Author 68

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