Is the Lovage safe to feed to parrots?

There is no doubt that Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is beneficial to humans. But it has also been used in animal care for many years. Already my great-aunt had Lovage large, strong plant in the orchard under the house. She regularly harvested the leaves and added them to the poultry to the drinking water.

Lovage is one of the oldest cultural herbs. The exact native range is disputed. Some sources cite it as native to much of Europe and southwestern Asia. Others from only the eastern Mediterranean region in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia and others only to southwestern Asia in Iran and Afganistan.

In ancient times, Lovage was also called "Panax", meaning "all-healing".
This plant can grow to a height of up to two meters. Its freshly underground rhizome with rich, abundantly branched roots, as well as leaves, is strongly aromatic. The plant overwinters in the central European conditions without any problems. After the arrival of frosts, the above-ground part dies, and only the root survives, from which the plant will grow again in the spring. Once it grows, it is a completely undemanding herb that does not need any special care.

Rhizomes and freshly peeled roots are used as vegetables. All parts of the plant can be dried for further storage. The roots, which are also used as a spice, stay fresh for a long time in the refrigerator. In addition, leaves and rhizomes can be frozen for later use. The seeds have a slightly sweeter taste than the leaves. They are used as a means of the overall strengthening of the organism.
Parrots can be fed, for example, long hard flower stalks. They usually like to accept them. All parts of the plant are also used in folk medicine. The Lovage root is saturated with a silica drug-containing furocoumarins, phthalides, terpinol, carvacrol, minerals, enzymes, vitamins, organic acids, and other components that predispose it to therapeutic use.

 
Lovage has a strong diuretic effect, increases the excretion of salts (especially chlorides), so it has significant cleansing effects for the body. It also stimulates the excretion of digestive juices and bile and thus has a positive effect on digestion. It is also sometimes referred to as a natural antiparasitic.
 
Due to the high content of active substances, it is impossible to recommend longer-term adding larger doses of lovage. However, small amounts of chopped leaves mixed with other herbs are commonly presented to parrots by parrot breeders. Those who do not regret time can prepare an excellent mixture for their parrots for the winter. Lovage and other herbs, such as goodwill, basil, dill, watercress, wild garlic, lemon balm, tarragon, fennel, rosemary, mint, young leaves of raspberry and blackberry, nettle, and others (what the garden or meadow gives), we dry, crush and store in in dark, well-closed containers. Sprinkle with a tiny amount of a fruit or vegetable mixture or add it to an egg food. This will provide the parrots with a supply of healthy substances contained in plants throughout the year. If you don´t have parrot feeding experiences, ask your avian vet about the proper dose.