Climate change’s effect on medicinal plants for indigenous chicken health in Southern Africa: a systematic review

Abstract

SUMMARY Medicinal plants (MPs) are vital in treating and controlling diseases and parasites in indigenous chickens, enhancing their health management. However, the impact of climate change on these MPs, particularly those used for indigenous chicken health, needs further exploration. This paper reviews the impact of climate change on the cultivation and conservation of MPs used in treating diseases and controlling parasites in indigenous chickens. A database search was conducted in Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and Connected Papers using keywords such as “medicinal plants,” “climate change,” “indigenous chicken,” “health management,” “Aloe ferox,” “Helichrysum,” “Agave sisalana,” “Centella asiatica,” “Gunnera perpensa,” “Lippia javanica,” and “Tagetes minuta.” A total of 318 articles were retrieved, of which 84% were discarded for not focusing on medicinal plants for animal diseases or the impact of climate change on MP cultivation and conservation. Ultimately, 16% of the articles were relevant to the study’s scope. The effect of climate change on the cultivation and conservation of Aloe ferox, Helichrysum, and Tagetes minuta is negligible. Lippia javanica, however, is threatened by climate change, with its interactions with pollinators affecting its reproduction. Conversely, Aloe ferox thrives under arid and semi-arid conditions associated with climate change, and Helichrysum petiolare shows resilience to climate change-induced water stress. Overall, MPs used for treating indigenous chicken diseases and controlling parasites may adapt well to changing climatic environments. Additionally, most MPs are naturally found in their habitats and do not require sophisticated production methods for conservation. Using MPs to treat indigenous chicken diseases and control parasites is crucial for promoting Indigenous Chicken Production and food security. This highlights the importance of addressing the necessary adaptations and coping mechanisms to counter the effects of climate change.