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Natural Aids and Alternatives

We are all familiar with the powerful and near perfect system we have been provided with.  New information and discovery daily, advances in communication and technology are thundering past us.  We are provided with much more understanding than any  generation before us.

These methods tend to work gently and slowly.  They have to be implemented early and used for longer periods often. 

This page will be updated often.  Like many prescription medications there can be side effects to some methods and herbs.  If a piece of information looks promising for your situation then research further to know what complications there may be.  A reptile's systems are as prone as our own to difficulties, to complicated organ failures or to having a minor belly ache and everything in between.  Know when it is time to move forward and the necessity of finding outside help ~ a vet is as important as your doctor for your own health.

Melissa Kaplan's words on the subject:  http://www.anapsid.org/mvpa.html

ALOE

Aloe is known for its soothing and healing qualities.  Look at the ingredients in all the reptile skin products and it will be found.  Take the remaining ingredients out and aloe can stand on it's own.  Gel forms can be found at department stores and drug businesses.  The pain relief in aloe is amazing!  If you doubt me put some on a wasp sting.  It will also put a heavy coat around the injured area that will dry in place helping to protect a raw injury.

Aloe is also ingestable.  There need be no worries about it harming the reptile even if it chooses to lick at the area and it is a powerful detoxifying agent in the system. 

CAYENNE
Is an overall digestive aid containing liberal amounts of Vitamins A, C, B-complex, calcium, phosphorous and iron. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps arthritic conditions. 

Cayenne is also great for clearing out clogged sinus passages due to minor respiratory problems.  Use sparingly, sprinkled over food sources.

ALFALFA

The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene. It alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver, and it contains an anti-fungal agent. It is an excellent appetite stimulant and overall tonic and an excellent source of chlorophyll and vitamins. Treating with alfalfa leaves is perfectly safe, but alfalfa seeds contain a slightly toxic amino acid unless used in sprouted form. I keep a shaker of chopped organic alfalfa leaves and toss a little on top of offered foods for herbivores.

DANDELION
Dandelion leaves are full of Vitamin A, B1 and C plus blood purifying substances. Parrots love the taste of this bitter green plant which is a wonderful tonic for them. If you have older reptiles in your care, be sure to include dandelion leaves in their diet as it is one of the most effective supplements for the prevention of arthritic conditions.

CHAMOMILE
A mild tea made of this popular herb can be substituted for the drinking water of reptiles when they need a calming influence. It is a wonderful natural tranquilizer which soothes the nerves and the digestive tract. As an added bonus, it contains calcium in an easily-assimilated form. This is an excellent natural alternative to tranquilizers.   Great for reptiles experiencing changes in their lives such as rehoming, death of a cage mate, new environment, etc.  Chamomile Tea is being used by frog owners as an antifungal soak, successfully.

GARLIC

Currently being studied by the National Cancer Institute for its anti-tumor properties, garlic has been shown to contain eighteen anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial substances. It is a mild natural antibiotic. It also stimulates the immune system and kills parasites. It can help to eliminate lead, zinc, and other toxins from body tissues.  Use extremely sparingly.  One or two or three pieces of minced garlic is more than enough for a bearded dragon. 

WHITE VINEGAR

White vinegar has many valuable uses.  Great as a disinfectant, it has the power kill many bacterias.  I use it for glass cleaning, soaking furniture, cleaning bowls, etc.  White vinegar placed in the water will discourage the growth of bacterias for a longer period of time.  This also works for infections of the mouth when used in the drinking water.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR  

CHERRIES

One of the greatest success stories of using a natural food to clear up health problems is that of using cherries to cure gout! Gout is a form of arthritis and occurs when crystals of uric acid form in the fluid surrounding a joint. The sharp, painful crystals form when blood levels of uric acid become too high and crystallize in the joints.  Gout is associated with the kidney's inability to remove nitrogen waste products from the bloodstream. As a result, uric acid accumulates and begins to abnormally collect in different sites within the body.   

Visceral gout affects the internal organs and is very difficult to diagnose. The first course of action is to correct the diet, thereby eliminating the cause. Meanwhile, try this simple but effective remedy Cherries, fresh, frozen, or even canned, should eliminate the gout problem quickly. If you cannot find cherries, all health food stores sell small bottles of black cherry juice concentrate which can be added to the drinking water.  

**This news is coming from the Avian world where Cherries are having an amazing affect and should be looked at for those with omnivores that are refusing veggies and fruit.  The high protein levels in worms/crickets are one of the causes of gout.  Also, the diet recommended for a lizard with gout is to change out your feeders to earthworms.  Now it makes sense to me...that if we include earthworms in our regular feeding schedule thoughout their lives we would avoid the problem altogether.

PAPAYA
This is a juicy peach-like tropical fruit valued for its powerful digestive enzyme called papain and the high beta carotene content which is readily convertible to useable vitamin A.  Caution:  reptiles do not need the amounts of viamin A that birds require. 

ORANGES
How would you like to squeeze the juice of a readily available fruit onto your reptile food to keep it from spoiling during the day, and at the same time offer them a complete package of every class of natural cancer inhibitors--carotenoids, terpenes and flavonoids? At the same time you give them calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, Vitamin A, niacin, B-complex vitamins, traces of Boron, and lots of Vitamin C.

APPLES
Not only are they high in fiber and pectin, they contain anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory agents. Apples can be one of your weapons against high cholesterol. In many animal tests, the pectin in apples has significantly lowered or normalized cholesterol and triglycerides.

BEANS

Beans regulate blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, and are high in fiber. Combined with brown rice, they are a complete protein. In humans, beans have been linked to lower rates of cancer

BROWN RICE

Of all grains and cereals, rice is the least likely to cause digestive problems. Not only is it one of the most easily-digested foods, but it is anti-diarrheal and it contains anti-cancer protease inhibitors. The Macrobiotic Diet, practiced worldwide for the purpose of healing, is based on brown rice and vegetables.

SWEET POTATOES

Also popularly called yams, they are a blockbuster source of the antioxidant beta carotene, (one half cup contains 23,000 IUs) linked to preventing heart disease, cataracts, and numerous cancers.  This is the perfect nutritional boost for eye health. If a reptile has rough or dry skin, the high beta carotene of sweet potatoes will have a positive effect here too. This is considered to be one of the most nutritious foods in nature. It also is an excellent source of fiber.

GRAPE SEED
Is one of the most potent antioxidants known--fifty times as powerful as Vitamin E, according to some tests.  Used in Europe, and now here, to treat eye problems, arthritis, hay fever and other allergies, nosebleeds, and even Attention Deficit Disorder. Not only the seeds of grapes are healing but the fruit of grapes also is a very versatile remedy. It has been used effectively in the treatment of herpes viruses and heart conditions, among others.

ORGANIC GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT (GSE)

There appears to be a lot of controversy surrounding GSE and it's uses.  I have been using it for a minimum of 4 years. It is very popular in the Avain world.  GREAT BACTERIAL KILLER, antifungal and much, much more.  Controversy stems from Those brands that are chemically enhanced vs. organic.   

On this I suggest using Grapefruit Seed Extract in a google search and do your homework.  Some swear by it, some at it.  I am satisfied that it is worth keeping around.   I use it in my running water areas to kill bacteria, couple of drops a week along with a few drops of vinegar depending upon the amount of water. 

SPIRULINA

COD LIVER OIL
Part of Bobby Hill's donated care sheet on Tegus.

"Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin A, almost three times more than beef liver, the next richest source; and 10,000 IU vitamin D, almost four times more than lard, the next richest source. Of course, cod liver oil is only consumed used in small amounts, but even a tablespoon (about 15 grams) provides well over the recommended daily allowance for both nutrients in humans. Cod liver oil is a natural source of vitamin D3.

In addition, cod liver oil contains 7 percent each of the elongated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is the precursor of important prostaglandin, localized tissue hormones that help the body deal with inflammation; and DHA is extremely important for the development and function of the brain and nervous system. So it's no surprise that in numerous studies cod liver oil has proven to be a powerhouse in fighting disease. "

HIBISCUS FLOWERS

"Hibiscus flowers are good for dragons that are having trouble adjusting to new homes and not eating well. the scent and taste entices them to gobble down greens when mixed into a salad. another benefit that I've heard of is they promote vivid colors in morphs much like green peppers. Only offer them as a treat not as a staple with every feeding."



PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is becoming known for its deworming ability.  As a laxative it cleans out the system of the reptile and in doing so provides the reptile relief.  As a flush for micro organisms like cocciodia it removes many from the system and may allow the reptile to cope with those remaining in the system.  Pumpkin does not kill the parasites, it only expels them from the system.  Hygenic housekeeping is required or they will reinfest the reptile.

OTHER HELPFUL PRODUCTS

ELECTROLYTES!!!!!

I cannot, cannot, cannot stress enough how important it is to have this in the cupboard.  This is the ultimate in your arsenal of weapons against illness, for lizards of all ages.  Electrolytes reduce feelings of stress and increase appetites.  I have found many times that a dose or two of electrolytes at the first signs of illness will have them back on their feet in no time and they will have beaten the problem with no other involvement necessary. 

WATER CONDITIONER

We know there are too many additives in our tap water and that distilled is recommended or spring water.  I have never used distilled/spring/bottled.  It makes sense to me that if the water conditioner sold for fish takes effect immediately and is safe enough for a guppy? why are we not using it. 

I also use fish waste remover in the running water areas.

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