Commercial food has changed the way rabbits are fed compared to days gone by , with pellets becoming a cheap and easy way to feed livestock. Pellets, water and hay being the basic feedstuffs for the rabbit. The sudden sharp rise in the cost of pellets and mixed feeds, meant that alternatives were sought and some have reverted back to the old ways or used herbs, plants flowers etc to help subsidise these costs and bring back a way that traditional folk fed scraps, oats, wheat, bran, barley etc with any available greenfood. Rabbits fed on this used to be in good condition fit and healthy. So the following lists will give you an option to give your rabbit an alternative to the commercial feed, whilst offering medicinal properties that are often overlooked nowadays, yet sought out by rabbits who forage in the wild.
Helpful Herbs
- AGRIMONY - Conjunctivitis / eye trouble
- BIRCH - Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, helps with pain
- BLACK SUNFLOWER SEEDS – Coat Condition
- BLACKBERRY - Used for pregnant does, summer cooling, stimulate appetite, diarrhea
- BORAGE - Laxative, milk flow of nursing does, fevers, reduce stress
- CHAMOMILE - Pain relief, calm nervous rabbit, eye wash for weepy eye
- CHICKWEED – Anti-inflammatory, healing of cuts, moult
- COLTSFOOT – respiratory expectorant
- COMFREY - healing, bone formation, ill bunnies, stressed and weak bunnies, respiratory expectorant
- DANDELION - Blood purifying, respiratory ailments, anti-inflammatory, bladder infections, diarrhea, milk flow of nursing does
- ECHINACEA -Immune system stimulant and broad spectrum antibiotic. In the lower doses it’s the stimulant and in higher doses acts as an antibiotic. Anti-inflammatory with anti-viral properties
- ELDER FLOWER - respiratory expectorant, fevers
- EUCALYPTUS - dried and powdered, and sprinkled repel fleas
- EYEBRIGHT – weepy eye
- FENNEL – bloating & gas, milk flow of nursing does
- GARLIC - immunize against disease, antiseptic, antibiotic, bloating & gas, respiratory expectorant
- GINGER – infertility in bucks
- GOATS RUE – Milk flow in nursing does
- GOLDEN ROD – anti-inflammatory
- GROUNDSEL – laxative, molt
- KAVA KAVA - calms and extends the benefits of chiropractic adjustments.
- LAVENDER - Cardiac complaints, circulation problems, migraine, nervous stress, neurasthenia, neuralgia, exhaustion, induce labor
- LEMON BALM – anti-bacterial, antiviral, bloating & gas, diarrhea, reduce stress
- LIQUORICE - gastric inflammation, coughs.
- LINSEED – laxative, moult
- MARIGOLD - bruises, contusion & strains, slowly healing wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, digestive problems, gall bladder complaints.
- MARJORAM - coughs, inflammation of mouth, throat. Digestive problems, uterine discomfort, calm nerves
- MEADOWSWEET – weepy eye
- MILK THISTLE - helps take ammonia from the blood and protects both the liver and the kidneys, milk flow in nursing does
- MINT - Firm loose stool, decrease nursing doe milk flow during weaning, mastitis
- MOTHER WART – weepy eye
- NASTURTIUM - Strongly antiseptic.
- NETTLES – milk flow in nursing does
- OAK - Eczema, diarrhea, hemorrhoid, prolapse, digestive problems, bleeding of mouth & gums.
- OATS - strong teeth, nails and hair. Feed sparingly in summer though. Eczema, digestive problems, diarrhea, kidney & bladder disorders, neuralgia, rheumatic complaints. Small kits may not be able to swallow oats and may actually choke on them.
- OLEANDER - heart & circulation problems.
- OREGON GRAPE ROOT - anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial.
- PARSLEY - enriches the blood, urinary problems. Roots are used for constipation and obstruction of the intestines. Inflammation of bladder & kidneys, digestive disorders, fertility in bucks, productivity in does
- PEPPERMINT - flatulence, gall bladder complaints.
- PLANTAIN – antimicrobial, antispasmodic, healing of cuts, respiratory expectorant, fevers
- PSYLLIUM - bronchitis, coughs, soothing skin application,, digestive problems, constipation.
- PURPLE CONEFLOWER - abscesses, colds chills influenza, mild burns, slowly healing wounds.
- RASPBERRY - Prevention and treatment of female ailments like retained afterbirth. Improves condition during pregnancy, ensuring speedy and strong birth. Also wonderful cure for digestive ailments including diarrhea, infertility in bucks, fevers
- RED CLOVER – weepy eye
- ROSEMARY - low blood pressure, weakness & exhaustion, circulatory problems, nervousness, indigestion. rheumatic & neuralgic complaints, antidepressant
- SAGE – dried and powdered, and sprinkled repel fleas, dry up does who’s kits have been weaned
- SASSAFRASS - dried and powdered, and sprinkled repel fleas
- SCOTCH PINE - bronchitis, sinusitis, neuralgia, rheumatism.
- SHEPHERDS PURSE - uterine disorders & hemorrhage, diarrhea
- SMOOTH-LEAF ELM – hemorrhage, hemorrhoid, mouth & throat inflammation, slowly healing wounds
- SORREL - Neuralgia herb. Very cooling and soothing, it is a much cherished treat in the summer.
- ST. JOHN’S WORT - Neuralgia & rheumatic complaints, gastritis, climacteric complaints, uterine disorders, stress & nerves (long term dosage needed - 1 month at least)
- STRAWBERRY - Whole plant is antiseptic and cooling. Leaves are rich in iron and are supposed to prevent miscarriage. Externally used for inflamed areas, rashes and sore eyes.
- THYME - diarrhea
- UVA URSI - diuretic and urinary antiseptic that is recommended for urinary tract infections and kidney problems.
- WALNUT LEAVES – weepy eye
- WILLOW - Intestinal inflammation.
- YARROW – Cut healing