Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Study on ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used by local people inhabiting char area, Kamrup District, Assam, North-East India

The inhabitants of char areas of Kamrup district, Assam (India) have relied on medicinal plants to treat various livestock diseases. Due to the lack of proper documentation, these plants have received little attention. Therefore, studying these plant species' diversity, utilisation, and phytochemistry is crucial. By doing so, we can preserve their traditional knowledge and comprehend the possibility of using these plants to develop new drugs. The present investigation documented 30 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 genera and 22 families. These plants were used against the treatment of 12 disease categories. The families Fabaceae and Zingiberaceae, with three species for each, were dominant, while the leaf (22%) and seed (16%) were the most frequently used plant parts. The informant consensus factor (Fic) was found to be highest in neurological disorders and neglected tropical diseases (NTD) with a value of 1.0 each. In contrast, the relative frequency of citation (RFC) was found to be highest in Curcuma longa L. (0.41) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (0.37). This study provides reliable data on medicinal plants and indigenous ethnoveterinary knowledge that could act as a reference for future researchers dealing with new drug discovery.

Use of Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants to Treat Cattle Diseases by the Oulad Heriz Farmers in the Chaouia Region, Northwest of Morocco

Using medicinal plants for healthcare practices in indigenous communities presents a chance to discover natural remedies. This study aims to provide a detailed account of the ethnoveterinary knowledge of medicinal plants utilized for therapeutic purposes. From December 2020 to December 2021, a field investigation was carried out within the Oulad Heriz tribes. Two hundred local farmers were interviewed using open-ended, semi-structured discussions, free listing and focus groups. A total of one hundred medicinal plants belonging to 87 genera and 33 families were discovered to be employed for ethnoveterinary purposes. Rosmarinus officinalis L. was the most frequently utilized ethnoveterinary plant species in the study area (70 citations). Leaves are shown to be the most commonly employed plant parts (55%). However, digestive disorders were the most often mentioned ailment (33 medicinal plants, 599 citations), and most herbal medicines were made by infusion (46.2%). According to the current investigation findings, local farmers in Oulad Heriz have continuous knowledge of ethnoveterinary plants. This ethnoveterinary medicinal heritage needs to be incorporated with contemporary medicine to use plants and their products as potentially viable medications for various cattle illnesses.

Medicinal ethnoveterinary plants used for treating livestock ailments in the omo-gibe and rift valley basins of Ethiopia

BackgroundTraditional medical practices have been used to maintain animal health for millennia and have been passed down orally from generation to generation. In Ethiopia also, plants are the primary means by which the indigenous people in remote areas treat the illnesses of their animals. The present study was therefore, carried out to document the type and distribution of medicinal plants of the county.MethodsTo collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 205 informants (133 men and 72 women) were selected. Among these 121 traditional medicine practitioners, while the remaining 84 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected between January 2023 and August 2023 through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. Using descriptive statistics, the ethnobotanical data were analyzed for the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix rankings. SPSS 26.0 and PAST 4.11 software were used in data analysis.ResultsTotally, 78 ethnoveterinary medicinal plants distributed in 36 families were identified in the study area. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 9 species (14%), followed by Euphorbiaceae with 8 species (12%). Herbs 42(56%), wild collected 62 (66%), and leaf part (52%) made the highest share of the plant species. Hordeum vulgare L. had the highest fidelity level (FL = 98%) for treating bone fractures. Blackleg, bloat, and endoparsistes each had the highest values of the consensus factor among the informants (ICF = 1). According to preference ranking, Withania somnifera was the most potent remedy for treating blackleg. Knowledge of medicinal plants was shared through storytelling within families.ConclusionIn the study area, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in animals. Conservation efforts should be prioritized to protect medicinal plants from threats such as agricultural expansion, drought, and development. Further research should be conducted to explore the potential of different medicinal plants for treating common livestock ailments.

Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and their utilization by indigenous and local communities of Dugda District, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

BackgroundEthnoveterinary medicinal plants have been used by the people of Dugda District in the primary health care system to treat various livestock ailments for generations, particularly, in underserved rural areas. However, these ethnoveterinary practices and medicinal plants are dwindling without proper documentation, due to undergoing socio-cultural and environmental changes. Hence, this study aimed at inventory and analysis of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and the associated indigenous and local knowledge used in the treatment of livestock health problems in Dugda District.MethodsData were collected from 378 local inhabitants through semi-structured interviews, 18 focus group discussions with 6 to 8 participants in each couple with participant field observations. Informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity-level (FL) and relative importance value (RI) were used to evaluate the agreement of informants on ethnoveterinary practices, healing potential of medicinal plants and the most multipurpose species. Using standard taxonomic procedures, voucher specimens were collected, identified and deposited at the National Herbarium of Addis Ababa University.ResultsIn total, 64 medicinal plants of ethnoveterinary uses, belonging to 33 families were reported to treat 37 livestock health problems. Anthrax, inappetence and diarrhoea were said to be the most prevalent veterinary health problems treated by traditional medicinal plants. Family Fabaceae was the most widely reported (7 spp.), followed by Apocynaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae (5 spp. each). Herbs were the dominant life forms (21spp.), followed by shrubs (20 spp.). The most commonly sought plant parts were leaves (55.25%), followed by roots (23.44%). The principal method of preparation was pounding remedial parts (46.85%) and mixing with cold water. The main route of administration was via oral application (72.67%), drenching diseased livestock. Withania somnifera and Kedrostis foetidissima were the most cited medicinal plants with 53 and 43 use reports (URs), respectively. ICF showed that respiratory diseases scored the highest value (0.94), while most of the reported medicinal plants were gastrointestinal agents. RI value analysis revealed that Croton macrostachyus had highest diversity of uses, followed by K. foetidissima and W. somnifera. Ethnoveterinary uses of some medicinal plants such as Phytolacca dodecandra, Calpurnia aurea, Cyphostemma cyphopetalum and Verbascum sinaiticum as prophylaxis against rabies were a new input for ethnoveterinary database.ConclusionThe study revealed that the people of the Dugda District are endowed with rich ethnoveterinary knowledge and medicinal plants. However, ethnoveterinary knowledge associated with medicinal plant species significantly differ (P < 0.05) between general and key informants, young and matured age groups and informants’ educational level. This infers the impact of mode of ethnoveterinary knowledge transfer, literacy, modern education and globalization on ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plant species. And also most of the medicinal plants are found in wild habitats with nearly no conservation attention. Therefore, it is imperative to implement participatory conservation actions for medicinal plants in collaboration with traditional institutions (Gada system). The disparity of ethnoveterinary knowledge could be also minimized through awareness creation among local communities about the knowledge and its revitalization. Furthermore, medicinal plants, which are widely utilized and multipurpose, should be screened for their phytochemicals, pharmacological and toxicological activities to confirm ethnoveterinary uses and for future development of veterinary pharmaceuticals.

Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and their utilization by the people of Soro District, Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundEthnoveterinary studies are important to maintain the sustainability of livestock health and support people’s livelihoods through the provision of food, maintaining livestock health, and other biological resources. This study was carried out in Soro District, southern Ethiopia, to identify, document and analyse plant species with ethnoveterinary uses along with the associated indigenous and local knowledge.Materials and methodsInformants were selected using purposive (key informants) and systematic random sampling (general informants) methods. Data on ethnoveterinary plants and their uses were collected through semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, 13 focus group discussions with five to seven members in each and participant observation. Informant consensus factor and fidelity level were computed to identify the most common livestock ailment categories and the best plant species with ethnoveterinary use, respectively. Preference ranking methods were used to identify the potentially effective ethnoveterinary medicinal plants for the most frequently reported livestock ailments. The use diversity of multipurpose plants with ethnoveterinary importance was analysed using the analytical methods of ethnobotany including priority ranking, comparisons and important indices. The T-test statistic was used to compare knowledge differences among different social groups.ResultsA total of 132 plant species in 120 genera and 61 families were reported by informants as having ethnoveterinary uses. The plants are said to be used by the local communities in various ways to treat 50 livestock health problems. Higher number of informants (23.77%) cited Momordica foetida for the treatment of 16 livestock ailments. The highest informant consensus value for this species is associated with its use for treating blackleg in cattle; Nicotiana tabacum was cited for the treatment of 15 livestock ailments mainly recommended for the Lumpy Skin Disease/Ailment of bovines; Croton macrostachyus for treatment of 13 livestock ailments including wooden tongue, FMD in bovines; and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum for nine ailments mainly diarrhoea of all livestock types. Achyranthes aspera is claimed to provide the most effective treatment for Aspiration pneumonia (severe coughing in bovines, sheep and goats) alone, while Croton macrostachyus, Ximenia americana, Allium sativum and Juniperus procera were indicated as potential plant species to treat Lumpy Skin Disease in bovines in the order given. The fidelity level analysis showed that Datura stramonium, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia and Asparagus africanus were potential medicinal plant species to treat the respective ailments of rabies, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and evil eye/spirit. Multipurpose plant species including Prunus africanus, Combretum molle and Afrocarpus falcatus have been highly threatened as indicated by direct matrix ranking mainly due to collection of fuel wood, construction materials and making household utensils, and farm implements rather than for other uses.ConclusionSoro District has rich and diversified livestock herbal medicinal resources, and indigenous knowledge of remedy preparations and applications is transmitted through generation lines. This resource faces anthropogenic threats with deforestation being the leading factor. Consequently, ethnoveterinary medicinal plants continue to decline before adequate and proper scientific documentation and testing are made. There is a dire need for planning and implementation of appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation strategies and to strive towards ensuring the survival and sustainable utilization of such important plant resources of Soro District. This must be supported by further documentation of the associated indigenous knowledge and pharmacological testing of the key promising species including Balanites aegyptiaca (novel species/NS to treat specific ailment), Brugmansia suaveolens (novel species/NS reported first to treat Livestock ailments/LsAs), Euclea divinorum (NS to treat specific ailments), Grevillea robusta (NS), Hagenia abyssinica (NS for the reported specific ailment), Pentanema confertiflorum (NS), Juniperus procera (NS), Maesa lanceolata (NS), Millettia ferruginea (NS for reported specific ailments), Schrebera alata/NS, Securidaca longepedunculata, Spiniluma oxyacantha/NS, Vepris nobilis (novel species reported first to treat LsAs), Zanthoxylum asiaticum /NS and Ximenia americana (NS for specific ailments). This ethnoveterinary study attempted to fill part of the gaps concerning the prevalent livestock health problems and the associated indigenous and local knowledge in the area.

Ethno-veterinary Practices in the Southern Districts in Tamil Nadu, India

The present work deals with the survey of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used by folk communities of southern districts (Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Tuticorin districts), Tamil Nadu, India. An ethno-veterinary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires from traditional practitioners, farmers, herders, village elders and women’s, from seventeen villages of three districts. These people have their own an ethno-medicine, ethno-veterinary treatment systems of diseases both for human as well as for their livestock. In this study, the common cattle diseases of the area are foot &amp; mouth disease (FMT), anthrax, pneumonia, ectoparasites, diarrhea, etc. The different cattle diseases are listed along with their treatment system. Here as many as twenty-eight (28) medicinal plants belonging to from twenty (20) different families 27 genera were documented which were used by the indigenous communities with their vernacular names, family, plant parts used and animal disease curing property.

Ethno-veterinary study of medicinal plants in Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana, India

Ethno-veterinary medicinal plants are important as they are used extensively in many rural areas of the world where people heavily rely on traditional herbal treatments to treat their domestic animals. Indigenous herbal remedies utilized for centuries to keep animals healthy and verbally passed down through the generations. Charkhi Dadri is a district of Haryana situated in the Trans-Gangetic Plains area of India. A total of 45 distinct medicinal plants were studied from 31 families to explore their ethno-veterinary uses of which herbs comprised the majority of the plants followed by trees, shrubs, and climbers. The seeds, leaves and whole plants are the most popular plant parts used. The people can use the documentation of this native knowledge to promote the adoption of traditional methods for treating livestock problems since time immemorial. The findings of this study demonstrate the viability of traditional medicine, which primarily relies on the usage of medicinal herbs to provide for the healthcare needs of cattle in the Charkhi Dadri District of Haryana. The information gathered from the region’s livestock farmers may also utilize to manage the nation’s system for caring for livestock and enhance the quality of life in humans.

Assessing ethno-veterinary practices in Kashmir Himalayas: Traditional knowledge and its role in animal healthcare

This study was aimed at exploring the ethno-veterinary practices in the District of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory of India, by examining the traditional knowledge and its application in animal healthcare. The study included qualitative methods, such as interviews with local farmers (n=100) and traditional healers, as well as observation of their practices from February to April 2023. The results revealed a rich knowledge base among the local community regarding the use of medicinal plants for treating a range of animal ailments. 32 plants of pharmaceutical value representing 23 families have been assessed, with the Asteraceae family receiving the greatest attention. Eighty-eight percent of these ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species were herbs. Leaves of these plants were used most often (27%), followed by the entire plant (21%), seeds (21%), roots and fruits (9%), bulbs (6%), and stems and rhizomes (3%). Glycine max (0.91) and Allium sativum (UVi = 0.89) had the highest UVi values, whereas Oryza sativa (0.51), Allium sativum (0.49), and Zea mays (0.43) were the most cited and most often mentioned therapeutic plant species. Traditional veterinary practices were found to be deeply embedded in the local culture and were passed down through generations of farmers and traditional healers. These practices are still widely used today, in combination with modern veterinary medicine, to provide comprehensive care to livestock in the region. This study highlights the importance of preserving and promoting ethno-veterinary knowledge and practices as a valuable resource for animal healthcare in rural communities.

Participatory rural appraisal for identification ethno-veterinary practices among primitive tribal groups of Girwa block, Udaipur, India

The participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise was conducted in Girwa block of Udaipur, India. Girwa (Geog. Lat. 24.58° N, Geog. Long. 73.6962° E) is a part of southern Aravali hills wherein 28% of the population belongs to the primitive tribal groups such as the Bheels, Meena, Gameti and Rawat. Since, animal husbandry is the main economic activity for tribal people of southern Aravali zone; it is important to study current animal health care system in the region. It was in this context that the PRA exercise was done as a pilot study to document, rapidly assess, and promote ethnoveterinary practices. The field work conducted in 15 villages and on 3742 animals which were being reared by the community under study to support agriculture and for milk purpose . A total 26 animal diseases in which ethnoveterinary practices were resorted to and 15 ethno-veterinary medicinal plants were identified as part of the study.

Exploration of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used by tribal and rural communities of Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India

Exploration of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used by tribal and rural communities of Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India

Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants of Southern Region, Ethiopia.

For decades, Ethiopians have employed ethnoveterinary medicinal plants to cure both human and livestock ailments. Currently, few studies have been conducted on antimicrobial activity evaluation in Ethiopia. This study, therefore, is designed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of selected ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used in treating livestock ailments in the study area. Ethanol extracts of plants obtained by maceration of roots and leaves of four medicinal plant species were studied for potential antimicrobial activity using a disc diffusion method against S. aureus and E. coli. Data obtained from experiments were analyzed using ANOVA and the significant test was set to P < 0.05. The antibacterial properties of four ethanol extracts of leaves of Withania somnifera L., Becium obovatum, Ageratum conyzoides L., and root of Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Defiers were evaluated in vitro and found to be effective against S. aureus but not E. coli. There was no significant difference between the studied plant species and concentrations (p > 0.05), according to the results. The four test extracts had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL, with inhibitory potential ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/mL. Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Defiers's antibacterial activity at a concentration of 100 mg/mL (18.67 3.78 mm) was comparable to the standard antibiotic (Gentamicin 20g per disc), which had a measurement of 23.08 ±0.9 mm. This finding on the selected medicinal plants of Dawuro Zone supports the traditional claims of effective antimicrobial activity in the treatment of livestock health management. Hence, the study suggests further investigations need to be conducted to isolate and elucidate active ingredients in the plant materials tested.

Traditional medicine practices of Guji Semi-Pastoralist People to treat livestock ailments in Suro Barguda District, West Guji Zone, Ethiopia

The objectives of this research were to collect, identify, document, and analyze ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and their associated indigenous knowledge including their preparation and application by traditional healers, and the status of their conservation by Guji Semi-Pastoralist People of Suro Barguda District, West Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Forty-six ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species representing 43 genera and 29 families were identified in the district (Additional file 1). About 26.1% of the families were represented by more than one species. The highest number of species was recorded for Asteraceae (5 species), followed by Euphorbiaceae (4 species) and most ethnoveterinary medicines were prepared from herbs and shrubs than other growth forms. Chopping the remedial parts and homogenizing them with cold water was found to be the major mode of remedy preparation. All documented ethnoveterinary plant species were harvested from the wild and observed as exposed to depletion. About 4.4% of the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants of Suro Barguda District were endemic to Ethiopia. This study indicated that the study area encompasses different species of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants which should be given conservation priority and the local community depends largely on these plants for the treatment of different livestock ailments although the healers had a very high intention to keep their traditional knowledge secrete. The indigenous knowledge of pastoralists about plants and breeding different species of livestock, as well as their environmental management systems (traditional forest, soil, and water conservation systems), should be incorporated in the planning and implementation of developmental interventions.

Ethnoveterinary practices amongst tribal pig farmers in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India

Folk traditional knowledge and practices are very rich and popular among the tribal farmers in different agricultural practices. The community based cross-sectional study was carried out to know about pig farming pattern, ethnoveterinary knowledge and practices among various tribal pig farmers in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India. Various field data pertaining to pig management were collected through personnel interview, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and field visits. This study attempted to evaluate the potential use of medicinal plant and its by-products as feed ingredients and traditional folk medicine. A total of 40 species of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants were recorded which are principally used to cure various major and minor ailments like fracture, parasitic infestation, maggoted wound, diarrhoea, fever etc. Use of locally available feed ingredients will help in exploration of forest resources, minimize production cost. The present study recorded a total of 21 wild plant species which are used for feeding pigs with most frequently used species belonging to Broussonetia papyrifera, Colocasia esculenta, Alternanthera sessilis etc. The study will help the farmers, environmentalist, researcher and other stakeholder to identify, document, familiarize and better understanding of the distribution of rich medicinal plant in the hill region.

Medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments in Ensaro District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, the majority of animal owners throughout the country depend on traditional healthcare practices to manage their animals' health problems. This ethnoveterinary study was carried out in Ensaro District, North Showa Zone, and Amhara Region, Ethiopia, to identify medicinal plant species used by the local community to treat various livestock ailments.MethodsTo collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 389 informants (283 men and 106 women) were selected. Among these 95 traditional medicine practitioners were purposely chosen, while the remaining 294 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix exercise ranking were determined using quantitative methods. Statistical tests were used to compare indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants among different informant groups.ResultsA total of 44 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species were collected and identified that were distributed across 43 genera and 28 families. The family Solanaceae stood first by contributing 4 species followed by Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and lamiaceae with 3 species each. Thirty- seven (88.09%) medicinal plants were collected from wild habitats, 6 medicinal plant species were collected from home garden. The most frequently used life form was shrubs (23 species, 54.76%) followed by herbs (13 species, 30.95%). The widely used parts of medicinal plants were leaves followed by roots. Prepared remedies were administered through drenching, dropping, smearing, eating, wrapping, fumigating and washing. There was significant difference in the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants between gender, urban and rural people, general and key informants and among age groups.ConclusionEnsaro District is a relatively rich in diversity of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants together with a rich indigenous knowledge in the local communities to collect and effectively utilize for the management different livestock diseases. On the other hand, these days, agricultural expansion, fuel wood collection, cutting plants for fence, furniture and charcoal production are the major threatening factors of these plant resources. Thus, people of the study area must implement in situ and ex-situ conservation strategies to ensure sustainable utilization of these species.

The study of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants at Mojana Wodera district, central Ethiopia.

Ethnoveterinary study was conducted from March 2020 to December 2020 in Mojana Wodera district, centeral Ethiopia. The study was aimed to identify and document ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species and traditional medicinal knowledge of the traditional health practitioners. A total of 105 informants were selected purposely and volunteer sampling approaches, and from these total informants, 15 key informants were identified based on their knowledge difference. Semi-structured interviews, field observation, and discussion were employed to collect information. Descriptive statistical method was employed to analyze the collected data. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) values were calculated to determine the most common livestock ailment categories that occurred and identify potentially effective medicinal plant species in respective disease categories. T-test was applied to compare knowledge difference. The result showed that a higher average (p< 0.05) was recorded for key informants, illiterate and elder group; however, there is no significance difference (p = 0.53) between gender. A total of 33 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species, which belong to 23 families and 31 genera were identified. Family Asteraceae and family Solanaceae were the dominant. From this total number of plant species (12.12%) were endemic for Ethiopia. The finding showed that shrubs accounted for 39.39% followed by herbs (36.36%) and trees (15.15%). The medicinal plant parts that were most commonly utilized were leaf (55.36%) followed by root (23.21%) and seed (8.93%) respectively. Higher ICF was recorded for Blackleg (0.82) followed by general illness (0.8) and pasturalosis. In this study, Vernonia amygdalina was the most effective medicinal plants to treat blackleg.

Ethnoveterinary Survey on Medicinal Plants in Aleta-Chuko District of Sidama Reginal State, Ethiopia

The survey was conducted from April to July 2021 to assess the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in Aleta-Chuko district of Sidama reginal state, Ethiopia. Study population ware traditional animal healers and elders. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires. Ethical clearance ware obtained from Hawassa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and using SPSS software version 21. A total of 31 well-known traditional animal healers, Males 16(51.6%) and females 15 (48.5%) were interviewed and 38 medicinal plants ware identified with their local name, parts used, preparation method, disease type treated, rout of administration, forms, and availability of the plant were documented. As the traditional healer responded Gidincho and Hengedicho are most used medicinal plants, followed by Reejje, Duwancho and Noole respectively. The study revealed that the part of the plant which is highly used for the preparation of the remedies were leaves (65%) followed by bark (16%). Majority animal healer ware elder farmers who work on animal healing for 20 years and above. They adopted their knowledge from their family member especial 64.5% from their fathers. The overall study reviled that the traditional healers have rich knowledge on ethno-veterinary medicines to manage their livestock through indigenous knowledge, to protect the health and increase productivity. However, this traditional knowledge is still transferred orally. Therefore, attention should be given on the documentation, plant cultivation and conservation practice. Further studies should be conducted to determine safety, toxicity and dose of the medicinal plants identified in this study.

Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants for animal therapy in the Rif, North of Morocco

Phytotherapy has been playing a significant role in the livestock health care system for a long especially in remote areas. This study was aimed to document the therapeutic uses of plant species practiced by the indigenous people of the Rif for the treatment of various veterinary health diseases. Semi-structured questionnaires, field walks, and group discussions were conducted during June 2016 - October 2019 to collect the data. Quantitative indices including Plant Part Value (PPV), Use value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), Rank Order Priority (ROP), Jaccard Index (JI), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were used for the data analysis. A total of 300 medicinal plants belonging to 205 genera and 67 families have been recorded with ethnoveterinary uses. Dominant families are Asteraceae (33 species), Lamiaceae (28 species), and Fabaceae (24 species). The reported illness was classified into 6 disease categories based on ICF values and the highest number of plants was reported to treat dermatological diseases (ICF=0.971). Leaves were the most consistently used parts (PPV=48.4%). Aloysia citrodora Palau. (RPL=) had the highest RPL level (1.15). It can be concluded that the local people of Rif hold rich ethnoveterinary knowledge to cure livestock diseases. Plant species with high FL, RPL, and UV values should be screened for comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological studies to validate the ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Treatment Approaches of Ovine Fungal Diseases using Antibiotics and Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants

Treatment Approaches of Ovine Fungal Diseases using Antibiotics and Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants

Identification and Documentation of Ethno-veterinary Remedies Used by Afar Pastoralists for the Treatment of Camel Diseases in Ethiopia

Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine is a scientific term for traditional animal health care that encompasses knowledge, belief, practice and skill of the community used for curing diseases and maintaining health of animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires from September 2016 to August 2017 to gather information on the knowledge, practice and skill of the pastoralists and traditional healers about the importance and application of Ethno-veterinary medicine. Moreover, this study was conducted with the objectives of identification and documentation of major ethno-veterinary medicinal plants commonly used to treat camel aliments in Afar region. Result: A total of 146 traditional healers and pastoralists were interviewed for baseline and reliable information about Ethno-veterinary medicinal practice in Afar region. Accordingly, 99.3% of the respondents were men in which 66.44% of them were in the age range of 45-60. Majorities (76.02%) of the information’s concerning EVM were obtained from the elders among which 84.93% responded that the overall EVM practice and status in pastoral society of Afar is decreasing. A total of 710 plant species supposed to have medicinal property were recommended by pastoralists to be used for the treatment of 49 different animal diseases. Among 64 plants specimen collected, Balanites aegyptia, Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl, Cadaba rotundifolia Forssk, Solanum sp, Acalypha indica L and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karsts were the commonly used plant species with high fidelity value. Concerned with plant parts used, leaf (20.5%) was the most frequently used plant parts followed by root (19.4%), fruit (14.4%), seed (10.8%) and entire plant (8.8%). These herbal remedies were administered orally, nasally, ocular and topically. Conclusion: pastoralists and traditional healers in Afar region have immense indigenous knowledge and practices of treating sick animals which should be supported by scientific techniques for analyzing the active ingredients contained in each plant species and for evaluating the safety, efficacy and dosage of the commonly used medicinal plants. In addition, on station establishment of commonly used medicinal plant nursery for conservation purpose and to conduct in-depth phytochemical analysis is paramount important.

Study of Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants Used by Pastoralists in Northern Gombe State, Nigeria

Ethnoveterinary is the total of all practices that enable man to prevent his livestock from diseases, alleviate and relieve suffering to bring about healing, and increase the production and productivity of livestock within a minimum cost. Overutilization, overexploitation, deforestation for fuelwood, and farmland expansion expose some of the plants to threaten. The study was carried out in three randomly selected districts in Northern Gombe State, Nigeria. Among all, 80% of the respondents are male among which 56% are 35 years and above. 43 plants were reported used as ethnoveterinary plants in the area (oral interview) among which only 28 were found to be present in the field (field assessment). Guiera senegalensis is the most abundant plant (7.85%) followed by Piliostigma reticulatum (7.23%), Combretum collinum and Detarium microcarpum (3.00% both). Fabaceae is the most abundant family (30.85%) of the identified plants followed by Combretaceae (15.25%). Plant bark is the most common part used in curing and preventing animals from diseases which subject some of the plants (Burkia africana) to nearly endangered states. 28 plant samples were collected, identified, pressed, and laid in Botany Department Herbarium, Gombe State University, among these, 2 plant samples were not successfully identified. It is recommended that regulatory bodies should be empowered to check the uncontrolled deforestation occurring in the area