DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY The opinions expressed here are opinions only. No contributor is liable for the use or misuse of any advice or information provided. No recommendation has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Contributors are not qualified to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All responsibility for the application of any information taken from these pages is wholly upon and at the discretion of the individual choosing to use it. Consultation with a holistic veterinarian is encouraged.

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Food List


"We're supposed to eat an apple...
do you see any apples?"

Healthy Foods List

Food

Benefit / Danger
Apple Lowers cholesterol (pectin), stabilizes blood sugar (low glycemic index), anti-cancer (chlorogenic acid), destroys viruses, 
Apricot High in Beta carotene,. Kernel is poisonous (laetrile).
Avocado Most species toxic to birds.  Best to avoid.
Artichoke Lowers cholesterol,(cynarin).  Stimulates liver bile and urine output (diuretic)
Banana Prevents / heals ulcers. Strengthens cells of  stomach lining. Green plantain lowers cholesterol. High in pectin.  Greener  = greater benefit.
Barley Suppresses production of LDL cholesterol.  Unprocessed is high in fiber.
Beans Controls cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, constipation, bowel cancer. High in fiber.
Blueberry Anti viral, protects blood vessels, destroys intestinal E.coli (anthocyanosides).
Broccoli Anti-cancer (indoles, glucosinolates, dithiolthiones.carotenoids, chlorophyll)
Brussels Sprouts Same as broccoli.  Also detoxifies the liver from the effects of aflatoxin.(cancer producing fungus found in peanuts, corn, etc)
Cabbage Stimulates immunes system, Kills bacteria and viruses, Protects against radiation poisoning, Juice heals ulcers. Contains more anticancer agents than any other vegetable (chlorophyll, dithiolthiones, flavonoids, indoles, isothiocyanates, phenols, Vit E & C.) Best eaten raw. 
Carrot Blocks cancer (carotenes), lowers cholesterol, Best eaten cooked to release carotenes.
Cauliflower See other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Not high in carotenes or chlorophyll so not as effective as the others.
Cherry Aids gout. Human dose 15-25/day  for a week then 10/ day after.
Chili pepper Lung tonic: expectorant, alleviates bronchitis, decongestant. (capsaicin) Eases pain. of arthritis.  Destroys intestinal parasites. Dissolves blood clots. Causes burning sensation of the anus upon defecation.
Corn Lowers immunity. Oil  lowers cholesterol including good cholesterol.
Cranberry Prevents urinary tract infections (uti's ,cystitis)  by preventing bacteria from attaching to cells.  Kills  some viruses and some bacteria, prevents formation of calcium stones, deodorizes urine.  Is a preventative rather than a cure.
Currant See blueberry. Anthocyanosides are in skin of black currant, not throughout whole berry as in blueberry.
Eggplant Inhibits rise in cholesterol from eating fatty foods. Blocks convulsions (scopoletin and scoparone). Contain protease inhibitors to help counteract cancer causing agents.
Fig Shrinks cancer tumors, aids digestion (ficin),  kills bacteria and roundworms.
Major food source of some parrot species.
Garlic Broad-spectrum antibacterial (over 72 infections agents listed) (allicin), antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan, antiviral, anticancer., antihypertensive.Stimulates immune system, relieves respiratory ailments, thins the blood-antithrombotic (ajoene).  Antioxidant in liver damage. 
Allicin is formed when garlic is cut or crushed.  If the aroma-allicin-is destroyed, as in cooking, garlic is no longer a microbe killer, although has other therapeutic uses. It is used by physicians in Japan, China, Russa, India, Poland.
Japan's Kyolic is the purported to be  the only product found to contain the active ingredient needed to raise immunological function. Fresh is best.
Ginger Prevents motion sickness, anticoagulant more potent than garlic (gingerol), lowers cholesterol, prevents cancer.
Grains - acid Acid base grains are : Barley, Wheat, oats, rye
Grains - alkaline Alkaline Base grains are: millet, buckwheat, soy, sprouted grains, quinoa.
Grape Contain polyphenols and tannins. Effective against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus in test tubes.  Popular in  'grape cure' for cancer.
Grapefruit Heart medicine, lower cholesterol,  (a polysaccharide unique to grapefruit found in its pectin)cleans out arterial plaque (galacturonic acid) To get the benefit, the pulp and section membranes must be consumed, or use capsules.
Honey Do not feed to birds because of botulism spores, which germinate in the intestine, colonize, and produce deadly toxins.. (See Below) Disinfects wounds and sores, great for use as a salve, hastens healing .
Kale Blocks several types of cancer.(carotenoids, esp beta carotene, chlorophyll) Cooking releases carotenes.  Use both cooked and raw.
Lemon / Lime High in  pectin and vitamin C. Extract kills roundworms, oil kills fungi.
Melon Anticoagulant (adenosine) High in beta carotene.
Mushroom Shiitake, oyster, enoki, tree ear, mitaake-but not the popular American button mushroom: Stimulates immune system, effective against autoimmune disease, inactivates viruses (lentinan) by stimulating interferon, anti cancer. The button mushroom contains hydrazides that can cause cancer, but they are inactivated by cooking.
Nuts High in trace minerals, protease inhibtors and polyphenols (which block cancer) Peanuts and peanut butter are often contaminated by a mold called aflatoxin, which causes liver cancer and is toxic to birds.
Molasses High in iron. Avoid for birds prone to hemachromatosis. (Iron storage disease)
Oats Good for heart, cholesterol, blood sugar, skin inflammation, and laxative.
Olive Oil Good for heart: reduces LDL raises HDL (cycloarthanol), thins blood. Contains monounsaturated fats. Maintains integrity of cells by fighting free-radical damage. Extra virgin, cold pressed is best.
Onion Increases HDL, thins blood, prevents clots, kills bacteria, relives lung congestion. Actions are much like garlic's. Prevents fat absorption if eaten with high fat meals. Prostaglandins lower blood pressure. Stabilizes blood sugar if consumed with sugar. Effective against E.coli, salmonella.  Strong yellow or whte onions are most effective, mild onions are not.
Orange High in Vitamin C, which counteracts carcinogens called nitrosamines. Lowers cholesterol (pectins), internal antiseptic. Juice is not protective. Pulp and membranes must be consumed.
Pea Contraceptive (m-xylohydroquinone) by interfering with reproductive hormones progesterone and estrogen. Rich in soluble fiber, control blood sugar, concentrated protease inhibitors (anti-cancer)
Purslane  Highest plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids
Seaweed/Kelp Kills bacteria - E.coli, Pseudomonas  aeruginosa, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Shigella. Blocks cancer (fucoidan), boosts immune system. 
Soybean Cardiovascular, lowers cholesterol, dissolves gallstones, reduces triglycerides, regulates blood sugar, reduces cancer risk, replaces estrogen, may act as a contraceptive.
Spinach High in carotenes  and chlorophyll so fights cancer. Reduces cholesterol.by accelerating the conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol , which is excreted. High in calcium and oxylate, which cancel each other out.
Squash / Pumpkin Seeds expel worms.  High in carotenes (antioxidants)  and protease trypsin inhibitors, which fight viruses.  Carotenes are transformed to Vitamin A by the body, which increases immuntiy against diseases.
Strawberry Destroys viruses (poliovirus, echovirus, reoviruse, coxsackievirus, herpes simplex virus. High in fiber pectin, block the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, fight gout.
Sugar As a salve kills bacteria and heals wounds.
Tea Green or Black, (camellia sinensis) not herbal tea. Destroys bacteria and virus, fight infections, prevents cancer, lowers blood pressure, strengthens capillaries, protects against long term radiation. Strong anti-oxident. Contains tannins (epigallo-catechin-gallate), fluoride, caffeine (decaffeinatted still works)
Tomato Anti-cancer (lycopene - another carotene). Claimed by some to aggravate arthritis because it is a member of the nightshade family, like potatoes are.
Turnip Anticarcinogenic (glucosinolates), part of the cruciferous vegetable family like cabbage.  Rutabagas are part of this family. Greens are especially nutritious and beneficial.
Watercress Watercress contains isothiocyanates and is rich in vitamins A,B1,B2,C, and E, and minerals (especially iodine, iron, and phosphorus). Allyl isothiocyananate has broad spectrum antibiotic activity.

Good detoxifying herb and its high content of Vitamin C and minerals makes it a remedy that is particularly valuable for chronic illnesses. It is thought to stimulate the appetite and relieve indigestion and to help in cases of chronic bronchitis (especially if there is excessive mucous), to be generally stimulating and to act as a powerful diuretic

Wheat Bran High in fiber
Wheatgrass .
Yam Anti carcinogentic, high in carotenes, protease inhibtors polyphenols, antioxidants. May stimulate the production of eggs in the ovaries because they contain a hormone like substance that triggers the release of FSH.
Yogurt Kills bacteria, prevents and treats intestinal infection, boosts immunes system, prevents ulcers.  Effective only if it contains live cultures.

Much of the information in the table was derived from 'The Food Pharmacy" by       Jean Carper and "Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs: by John Heinerman.