Homemade Remedies Research Articles

Awareness, knowledge, attitude, perception, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in the common population of Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Background:Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)/natural products/herbs are frequently used for therapeutic purposes as a homemade remedy in Saudi Arabia. The use of CAMs is rising globally. However, special attention or precaution should be paid when using CAMs along with other drugs.Objective:The current study aims to examine the perception, attitude, knowledge, and awareness of the general population about CAMs and their utilization.Material and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020 in the Dammam region of Saudi Arabia. The study included both the gender participants of the general population of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire contains the following sections including socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and behavior of participants related to CAMs, and the prevalence of CAMs utilization in Dammam.Results:Participants were closely sex-matched (male: 50.93% and female: 49.07%), consisting of 97.1% Saudis and only 2.9% expats. The response rate was 67%; out of 559 participants, only 375 participants completed the questionnaire. Approximately 53% of participants had some knowledge of CAMs. Mass media (media/web/internet, advertisement, and television (TV), academic education, and family friends/relative represented the main source of the CAMs information (50%, 8.8%, and 15.2%, respectively). Among 77.3% of the participants, one of their family members has used some form of CAMs earlier. 90% of the participants or their family members using CAMs reported that olive oil (95.7%), green tea (89.1%), thyme (85.3%), cinnamon bark (84.8%), star anise (84.5%), and black seeds (78.4%) were the most used CAMs. Participants used CAMs for cold (28.3%), cough (14%), constipation (11.97%), ease of menstruation (10.8%), diarrhea (9.87%), and fever (8.62%). Approximately 75% of participants did not observe any side effects. Only 1% of participants reported that the CAMs are not useful therapeutically whereas the majority of the participants reported them as very useful (32.7%), useful (45.5%), and good (20.7%).Conclusion:Current study demonstrates that there is a positive attitude and perception toward CAMs. It is influenced by their traditional use as well. However, a community awareness program is essential for the adverse effects of CAMs.

Attitudes and Belief among the Population in Saudi Arabia about the Consumption of Herbal Products for the Prevention of COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the Saudi population’s perceptions about the use of herbal products to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 infection in Saudi Arabia. Here, 803 subjects participated in the online survey, which was cross-sectional in nature and self-administrated. The study included all Saudi Arabian adults, whereas pregnant women were excluded. Participants who decided to participate in the study filled out the questionnaire completed by 803 people. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, most participants were aware of alternative and complementary medicines, whereas 60.1 % obtained their knowledge from social media sites. Prior to online shops/pharmacies and homemade remedies, the traditional apothecary was the most common source for alternative and complementary medicines. About 56 % of participants (p<0.05) did not believe that the complementary and alternative therapies could prevent or treat coronavirus disease 2019 infection, whereas 53.9 % of them considered safe. Only 22 % of those who took part in the survey agreed that alternative and complementary therapies could successfully combat coronavirus disease 2019 and could be used as a substitute for vaccines. Finally, our study found that during coronavirus disease 2019, medicinal plants and other complementary and alternative therapies were used and considered to be more effective.

What can we learn from past and recent Bavarian knowledge for the future development of European veterinary herbal medicine? An ethnoveterinary study

Ethnopharmacological relevanceWhile the interest in finding medical solutions for the worldwide antibiotics crisis is rising, the legal possibility of simplified authorization of herbal veterinary medicinal products is dwindling.An important basis for both the preservation and development of knowledge in veterinary herbal medicine are pharmacological and clinical studies on the performance of herbal remedies, based on historical written sources on the treatment of farm animals with medicinal plants, as well as current ethnoveterinary research.Nevertheless, there is only limited systematic ethnoveterinary research in Europe, with the exceptions of the Mediterranean region, Switzerland and Austria. We conducted a survey on the ethnoveterinary knowledge of farmers in Bavaria, and analyzed two regional historical textbooks. Aim of the studyWe documented the local veterinary knowledge about livestock in Bavaria based upon local historical textbooks and upon ethnoveterinary interviews to discover opportunities for the future development of European veterinary herbal medicine. Material and methodsIn 2018/2019 we conducted 77 semi-structured interviews with 101 farmers from different types of farms. Detailed information about homemade herbal remedies (plant species, plant part, manufacturing process, source of knowledge) and the corresponding use reports (target animal species, category of use, route of administration, dosage, source of knowledge, frequency of use, last time of use and farmers’ satisfaction) were collected. To compare our data with the literature, the use reports of two local historical textbooks were analyzed and compared with the data from the interviews. Results716 homemade remedy reports (HRs) for altogether 884 use reports (URs) were documented in this study. We picked the 363 HRs that consisted of a single plant species with or without other natural products (HSHRs) for a deeper analysis. These HSHRs were prepared from 108 plant species that belonged to 57 botanical families.The most URs were documented for the families of: Asteraceae, Linaceae and Urticaceae. Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae), Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae) and Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) were the most often documented single species. A total of 448 URs were gathered for the 363 HSHRs. The largest number of URs was for treatments of gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic dysfunctions, followed by skin alterations and sores.For nearly half of the URs the source of knowledge was family and friends. For 80 URs the source of knowledge was different from that of the corresponding HSHRs. For 68% of the URs farmers mentioned at least one use during the last 5 years. Half of the plant species that were mentioned in the historical literature were also mentioned in URs by the interviewees. ConclusionIn Bavaria, medicinal plants are actively used by farmers to treat their livestock with a high level of satisfaction. The knowledge is not passed on from generation to generation in a purely static way, but is dynamically developed by the users in almost one fifth of the URs. Ethnoveterinary research combined with data from regional historical textbooks may facilitate pharmacological and clinical studies in veterinary medicine, and the discussion about a simplified registration for traditional herbal veterinary medicinal products.

Ethnoveterinary study of galactogenic recipes used by ruminant breeders to improve milk production of local cows in Benin Republic

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn Benin, traditional recipes are used to improve livestock dairy performance, but they are not sufficient documented. The study aimed to inventory the galactogenic recipes used by herders to improve production in cow farming. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to inventory the galactogenic recipes used by herders to improve production in cow farming. Material and methodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews among 65 peuls camps, 4 bioclimatic zones, and 565 farmers dialogue partners, including agro-pastoralist, healers and pastoralists from the rainy season April and May 2019. Detailed information about homemade herbal remedies of galactogenic recipes (plant species, plant part, manufacturing process) and the corresponding use reports (dialogue partner, category of use and route of administration) was collected. Then other to classify the various recipes identified into homogeneneous groups according to their effectiveness in stimulating milk, a numerical classification was carried out on the recipes taking into account the milk gain. ResultsThey showed that Peuls and Gandos sociocultural groups have a better knowledge of galactogenic recipes. Of the 295 recipes inventoried, 102 frequently cited recipes were divided into two groups. Group 2, consisting of 16 recipes, had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher milk yield than group 1. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. and Arachis hypogaea L. were the main ingredients of the recipes (respectively 56 and 31% of incorporation rate). The composition of the recipes varied according to the agro-ecological zones. Herders in Northern Benin used more recipes based on Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Harms) J.H.Kirkbr. & Wiersema, Saba comorensis (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon and Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton. Those in Southern Benin mainly used recipes based on Gardenia aqualla associated with Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp or Arachis hypogaea L.. To improve the effectiveness of galactogenic recipes, socio-cultural and magical-religious practices are used when procuring the plant material to be used, preparing the galactogen and administering the recipe to the animals. These include pronounced incantations or recited Koranic verses. The most commonly used route of administration is the oral route with an average treatment duration not exceeding 5 days. ConclusionThe study reveals that the majority of breeders (90%) opt for the use of galactogenic plants rather than synthetic products to improve milk production.

Comparative Assessment of Traditional Medicine Utilizations in Three Adjacent Districts of East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Traditional medicine (TM) is the earliest culturally-based alternative medicine extensively practised as a primary health care system in developing countries. The current study was designed to make the comparative assessment of TM utilization from three adjacent districts of east Hararghe, Ethiopia using a community-based cross sectional study. Study participants were selected using the systematic random sampling technique method until the required sample size was reached in each district. The majority of the respondents from the three districts were rural households, Muslims, 31 to 40 years old, illiterate, male-headed with seven or more family-sized households and had less than 1000 birr monthly income. The most frequently used homegrown TM remedies were Allium sativum (69.17%, 67.13%, and 68.42%), Capsicum spp (67.14%, 68.43%, and 69.33%), Guizotia arborescens (61.52%, 63.19%, and 59.17%) and Ocimum lamiifolium (59.11%, 61.13%, and 60.19%) in Haramaya, Meta and Kombolcha districts, respectively. Family and friends were the most trusted sources of information in utilizing TM. The highest commonly occurring diseases were diarrhoea, fever, Malaria and common colds. The majority of respondents used TM through the use of traditional healers (THs). Sick people in the community were treated at the serious stage of the illness. Grandmothers/fathers served as THs and they used herbs made in liquid form to treat the sick. The major factor impeding the respondents not to use modern health facilities are inaccessibility and unaffordability of western medicine and culturally accepted TM utilization in primary health care system the districts. Keywords: TM, Homemade remedies, Haramaya, Meta, Kombolcha, east Hararghe, Ethiopia.

Effective Home Remedies that Provide Quick Relief for Puffy Eyes

Background: Periorbital edema is a major cosmetic concern for women across all the ages. Many lifestyle changes contribute to the worsening of puffy eyes in all age groups, while aging, chronic medical conditions are also a factor. The purpose of this study is to identify the various remedies women use to treat periorbital edema with a focus on studying homemade remedies, their mechanism of action and their effectivity. Study around this topic is important as there is a distinct lack of literature on a topic that is a cosmetic concern for women. Method: An online survey of 14 questions was conducted asking questions regarding periorbital edema and the quick effective homemade remedy used by them. Results: 50.8% (n=61) participants deal with puffy eyes while 49.2% (n=59) did not. From the 61 participants who dealt with eye puffiness, only 37.7% (n=23) took active measures to counteract it. From 23 respondents, it was found that most found using cold compression (n=17), getting enough sleep (n=11), and cucumbers (n=11) the most effective in dealing with eye puffiness, while vitamin E, K, caffeine treatments and witch hazel were less popular. Majority found these methods effective ‘sometimes’, and only one person didn’t find them effective. Conclusion: Women find cold compression, cucumber, and getting enough sleep most effective. Although more than half the participants of the survey dealt with eye puffiness, majority chose not to treat them.

Efficacy of Natural Plants Extract and Ethnomedicinal Dilution on Bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus) Management in Storage Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Background: Storage of pulse grain is a severe on-going problem for farmers, traders and also the consumers. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is one of such vital protein rich pulse crops of Indian origin referred to as poor man’s meat. Bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) are the major polyphagous storage pest of mungbean which causes the substantial post-harvest qualitative and quantitative loss, especially in long time storage condition. This loss directly affects the agricultural economy and also the human health.Methods: To find a solution, we first screened a large variety of mungbean genotypes against bruchid attack and narrowed down to six most potential varieties with highest resistance to bruchids. The present study is intended to manage pest control in post-harvest storage condition using easily available natural and eco-friendly treatment materials against the much-used chemical pest control materials. We have instinctively chosen eight treatment materials that are not used before except one in any earlier but similar studies of pest control management on other grains. Apart from direct natural sources of these treatment materials, we have used two ethnomedicinal dilution and evaluated their management efficacy as well.Result: The study highlights a new promising eco-friendly approach for bruchid management either through the ‘Homeo-Bruchid Interaction’ or through the ‘Easily Available Homemade Remedies.’ Our results are based on the crude extracts. In few specific situations, we have tried to give possible molecular level interactions that provide the bruchid resistance. However, further investigation is deemed necessary to properly assess the quality components of treating seed as well as identifying particular properties that are responsible for bruchid resistance and to confirm the level of human safety based on their bioactivity before commercialization.

Frequency, Associated Symptoms and Prognosis of Intussusception in Tertiary Care Hospital of Province Sindh

Background: Intussusception is an important disease of childhood &amp; has been recognized since ancient time. It commonly involves young infants of 3 ½ months to 10 months of age. Diagnosis is mostly clinical on the basis of classical triad or quarter of pain in abdomen, vomiting palpable abdominal mass and currant red jelly stools. It is confirmed by ultrasound, barium enema which also has a therapeutic potential. The parents in our region lacks awareness regarding the intussusception. They usually bring the child to hospitals after trying various homemade or herbal remedies. The delay in diagnosis always results in severity in symptoms and aggressive mode of treatment.&#x0D; Objective: The current study was aimed to identify the Frequency, associated symptoms and post-operative complications of intussusception in tertiary care hospital of Province Sindh&#x0D; Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted from July 2017 to June 2020 at department of Pediatric Surgery Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College Teaching Hospital Sukkur. Data regarding symptoms and prognosis was noted on the file of patient and written informed consent was taken from parents. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Chi square was applied as test of significance at 95%confidance interval and p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.&#x0D; Results: Fourty patients of intussusceptions were reported the mean age was 5.88 ± 1.5 months while 8 (20%) patients were 1to10 years with mean age of 3.88± 3.18 years. Thirteen (32.5%) patients presented within 24 hours of onset of symptoms and 27 (67.5%) presented after 24 hours 19 (47.5%) patients had history of diarrhea while 6 (15%) patients had respiratory tract infection. The most common postoperative complication was gut gangrene.&#x0D; Conclusion: In three years of study we found only 40 children who came to our hospital with diarrhea and the triad i.e. abdominal pain, abdominal mass and bleeding per rectum. Ultrasound abdomen was found to be best diagnostic modality with impressive accuracy rate at our setup. Gut gangrene was postoperative complication and recurrence was uncommon.

Fé, princípio-ativo, testemunhos de cura e rastreamento na produção de remédios caseiros por raizeiras e raizeiros do cerrado

A partir da descrição etnográfica do projeto de autorregulação do ofício de raizeiras e raizeiros reunidos em torno da Articulação Pacari, este artigo pretende problematizar sobre as supostas fronteiras entre religião, ciência e política. Trata-se de um projeto que incorporou para o ofício de raizeiras e raizeiros alguns elementos reconhecidos como científicos sem, contudo, abandonar outros repertórios que compõem suas trajetórias. O resultado destas dinâmicas produziu um conjunto original de práticas e saberes não previstos anteriormente e que desafia dicotomias clássicas – como a de tradição e modernidade – e que será objeto de análise deste artigo.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in Type 2 Diabetes in Eastern Nepal

Background: The chronic and progressive nature of Diabetes Mellitus often leads people to use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) which may be defined as a group of medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not considered to be part of conventional medicine.&#x0D; Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Nepal from 15th June 2018 to 15th September 2019 to determine proportion of type 2 diabetic patients who have tried complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) exclusively prior to presentation to endocrine OPD (Outpatient department). Consecutive sampling was done after informed verbal consent.&#x0D; Results: Out of 401 participants, 60.6 percent were male and 39.4 percent were female. Mean age of participants was 52.21 ± 11.42 years. Regarding use of CAMs, 11 percent sad tried some form of CAMs exclusively without any allopathic antidiabetic medicines for some period in their lifetime prior to presentation to endocrine OPD. More specifically, 10.3 percent had tried products under brand of ayurvedic medicines from local practitioners. Similarly, 0.2 percent had tried medicine from Homeopathic Practitioner and rest (0.5 percent) had tried homemade herbal remedies like garlic, fenugreek, aloe vera and bitter melon.&#x0D; Conclusion: A significant proportion of type 2 diabetics in our community are still using CAMs. The associated factors behind this and long term effects of such products in diabetic patients need to be explored further in details.

Overview of TikTok's most viewed dermatologic content and assessment of its reliability

Overview of TikTok's most viewed dermatologic content and assessment of its reliability

Etnobotânica aplicada à seleção de espécies nativas amazônicas como subsídio à regionalização da fitoterapia no SUS: município de Oriximiná – PA, Brasil

O Brasil apresenta rica diversidade vegetal, sobretudo na Amazônia, onde grupos étnicos utilizam diversas plantas no preparo de remédios caseiros. Estas práticas terapêuticas ocorrem sem interface com políticas de saúde. Neste contexto, conduziu-se levantamento etnobotânico das plantas utilizadas como medicinais, por moradores de Oriximiná-PA, e analisou-se presença das nativas da Amazônia em documentos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Após a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas, obteve-se a coleta e identificação de 112 espécies pertencentes a 50 famílias, sendo a maior parte referente à família Fabaceae e nativas da Amazônia (56%). Após identificação, comparou-se as nativas da Amazônia com aquelas presentes em 14 documentos do SUS, onde a Relação de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS (RENISUS) e o Programa de Pesquisa em Plantas Medicinais (PPPM) demonstraram mais quantidade de nativas, enquanto houve exclusão nas atualizações da Farmacopeia Brasileira. Porém, observou-se tendência de aumento em documentos elaborados após reconhecimento da fitoterapia no SUS. Entretanto, a maior parte das endêmicas da Amazônia não consta em nenhum dos documentos analisados. Logo, o estudo etnobotânico conduzido em Oriximiná demonstra a importância das nativas para a população, em contrapartida à sua pouca representatividade no SUS. Pesquisa desta natureza, objetiva alinhar políticas de saúde ao território.

Parents' perception on cause of malaria and their malaria prevention experience among school-aged children in Kutcha district, Southern Ethiopia; qualitative study.

School-aged children become a highly vulnerable group for malaria, yet they are less likely to use malaria prevention interventions. Previous studies exploring perception on cause of malaria mainly focused on pregnant mothers or parents of children under age five years. Exploring parent's perception on cause of malaria and their experiences on the prevention of malaria and associated challenges among school-aged children is important to develop a malaria prevention education package for school-aged children to reduce malaria and malaria related morbidities among school-aged children. A descriptive qualitative study is conducted in Kutcha district by recruiting 19 parents of school-aged children for semi-structured interviews, 6 key informants and 6 focus group discussion which consists of parents, health development army and health extension workers. A semi-structured interview guide is used to guide the interview process. The collected data is analyzed thematically with a focus on the three major areas of concern: perceived cause of malaria, experience of malaria prevention and challenges of bed net use for prevention of malaria. Five causes of malaria were identified, namely hunger, mosquito bite, exposure to hot sunshine, poor sanitation and hygiene and eating some sweet foods and unripe maize. Participants perceived that eating sweet foods and unripe maize lead to enlargement of the spleen that ends in malaria while poor hygiene and sanitation leads to either development of the ova of mosquito and the landing of the housefly to contaminate food for consumption. The experiences of malaria prevention were largely influenced by their perceived cause of malaria. The malaria prevention measures undertaken by parents were vectors control measures, homemade herbal remedies and restricting children from eating sweet foods. The challenges of malaria prevention by using bed nets were related to a negative attitude, sleeping behaviors of children; use of bed nets for unintended purposes, shortage of bed nets and delays in the distribution of bed nets. There were misconceptions about the cause of malaria and associated experiences of malaria prevention. Control of malaria among school-aged children need health education targeting the challenges and correcting identified misconceptions by parents in Kutcha district and in other similar settings.

Knowledge and practices regarding management of minor ailments of pregnancy among antenatal mothers: a descriptive study from Rajasthan

Background: Pregnancy is considered as one of the most beautiful events in every female life which brings a lot of physiological and hormonal changes to prepare women for motherhood. Even though these changes are not dangerous, still they are bothersome. Women use number of homemade remedies to alleviate these discomforts. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and practices regarding management of minor ailments of pregnancy among antenatal mothers.Methods: This study was conducted at obstetrics OPD of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. 368, 3rd trimester pregnant mothers were recruited by convenient sampling technique. Self- structured knowledge questionnaire, checklist for practice were used for data collection using face to face interview method.Results: Most common health problems as reported by pregnant women were increased urine frequency and fatigue. Nearly 61% of mothers had fair knowledge levels. Majority of the antenatal mothers used one or another home remedy to alleviate their symptoms. 86.6% ate small and frequent meals followed by 74.3% avoided strong odors to prevent nausea and vomiting.Conclusion: Increased urine frequency is the most evident minor ailment faced during pregnancy. Overall antenatal mothers had fair knowledge regarding management of minor ailments and varied practices have been performed by antenatal mothers to relieve their problems. There is a need to conduct aggressive and comprehensive health promotion and awareness sessions for the expectant mothers so as to manage these ailments and prevent further complications.

A Short Review on OSMF : Oral Submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant condition caused by betel chewing. OSMF is a premalignant condition that can lead to oral cancer. A risk that is further increased by concomitant tobacco consumption. OSMF is a diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and confirmation by histopathology. Major constituents of betel quid are arecoline from betel nuts and copper, which are responsible for fibroblast dysfunction and fibrotic band formation. Drug therapy include antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants, homemade remedies including turmeric and tulsi . Prevention is most important in case of OSMF , because severe cases of OSMF are irreversible.

Perceived Myths and Misconceptions about the Novel COVID-19 Outbreak

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) which was first reported in Wuhan, China has now spread globally becoming a matter of international concern. The World Health Organization officially changed their classification of the situation from a Public Health Emergency of International Concern to a Pandemic on March 11, 2020. As the corona virus continues to spread rapidly so do the headline news and a host of misconceptions surrounding the outbreak. This paper investigated and highlighted some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the outbreak of the covid-19. Using a cross-sectional survey method, the study collected and analysed data on these misconceptions and examined factors that influence the levels of these misconceptions. The study identified four top misconceptions respondents believe or agree with. These are; the novel corona virus is deadly (83.3%), Hand sanitizers do kill the virus (67.5%), face mask offer protection against the virus (55.8%) and Drying the hands with hand dryer helps to prevent the virus (44.2%). However, respondents were able to disagree, identify correctly and debunked certain statements of misconception. These include coronavirus affect only the elderly (95%), the virus can spread by mosquito bites (87.5%), antibiotics are effective for treatment (60%) and homemade remedies can cure the corona virus (54. 2%). Factors such as employment status and the relatedness of respondent’s occupation to Human Health were found to influence some of these misconceptions. Exploring these misconceptions keep the general public fully educated and informed about the facts of the outbreak as well as avoiding making up these misconceptions to protect themselves.

Plant and natural product based homemade remedies for veterinary uses by the Peul community in Benin

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAcross Africa, Peul community typically rely on plant-based veterinary knowledge to manage common livestock health problems. Unfortunately, their nomadic life-style being affected by conflicts, land tenure constraints, and drought, they have been shifting to a sedentary life. The process of their settlement led to the erosion of the vast ethnoveterinary skills they had acquired over centuries and forced them to replace the plant and other species they used by commercial products. Aim of the study1) To collect comprehensive data from the Benin Peul community on common plant-based remedies used to treat livestock diseases and document their preparation and administration. 2) To evaluate the differences and consensus among the Peul community across ecological regions in Benin. Materials and methodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews among 88 Peul camps, three (03) bioclimatic zones, and 225 transhumant dialog partners, including agro-pastoralists, healers and pastoralists from mid-July to end of December 2015. Detailed information about homemade herbal remedies (plant species, plant part, manufacturing process) and the corresponding use reports (target animal species, category of use and route of administration) was collected. ResultsA total of 418 homemade remedies were reported, of which 235 involved only one plant species (Homemade Single Species Herbal Remedy Reports; HSHR). Information on a total of 310 use reports (UR) were mentioned for the 235 HSHR, and they included 116 plant species belonging to 39 botanical families. Among them, 229 UR were indicated for cattle, 43 UR for poultry, and 38 UR for sheep and goats. The most cited plant species were Khaya senegalensis (19 HSHR; 8.08%), Parkia biglobosa (14 HSHR; 5.95%), Euphorbia unispina (11 HSHR; 4.68%), and Anogeissus leiocarpus (6 HSHR; 2.55%). The URs were indicated for the treatment of viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases but also for multifactorial disorders like diarrhoea, fever, threatened abortion, agalactia etc. The number of plants referred to HSHR decreased from Sudanian to Guineo-congolian zones in concordance with the presence of Peuls. ConclusionThe Peul community holds a huge ethnoveterinary knowledge, which needs to be documented, valorised, and promoted. It appears vital to assess phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the most reported species, and their availability across the ecological zones in order to ensure their sustainable use and before this indigenous knowledge disappears completely.

Natural Products and Homemade Remedies as COVID-19 Active Agents: An Overview

Natural Products and Homemade Remedies as COVID-19 Active Agents: An Overview

PHYTOTHERAPY – HISTORY AND MODERN USE, EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION IN TREATMENT AND EVERYDAY PRODUCTS

Since the beginning of human race, people have used plants as the source of nourishment. Plants are made of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates; they contain mineral salts and other kinds of substances such as vitamins. All of the plant compounds are well known to modern science due to technology development and possibility of performing the experiments. However, our accentors could only depend on good luck and observe themselves after use of unknown plant. The knowledge about positive effects after the usage of plant extracts or their consumption were cherished and passed down to next generations. The prescriptions for home-made remedies for rheumatism, different kinds of pain, wounds etc. were always present in people’s life next to plant use in food preparation as spice or medical tinctures. There are certain experiments which showed that plants are very complex organisms. After many years of scientific research, it has been finally discovered what is responsible for making some plants beneficial for human and animal health or dangerous and toxic in other cases. These days, biochemical characters of plant properties do not pose any secret to people who are conscious of the advantages resulting from using them every day. Particularly every cosmetic product contains some secondary metabolites or plant extracts, which provide certain results in everyday body care. When it comes to night creams, certain chemical peelings and face gels plant enzymes should be mentioned. The positive activity of these creams is connected with skin regeneration processes. Flaking is obstructed by the enzymes which are able to degrade dead skin cells. This process may cause new cells’ activation, which will replace dead skin cells. Such a reaction triggered by enzymes is used in treatment of scars, as well as in the prevention of skin aging. The effectiveness of the herbal therapy is found in substances high in biological activities. Herbs and their products of metabolism can be used in medical treatment of numerous conditions such as indigestion disorders starting from malnutrition and ending with obesity. In case of cardiac failure the most important remedies are heart medicaments.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge of farmers in bilingual regions of Switzerland – is there potential to extend veterinary options to reduce antimicrobial use?

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn the pre-antibiotic era, a broad spectrum of medicinal plants was used to treat livestock. This knowledge was neglected in European veterinary medicine for decades but kept alive by farmers. Emergence of multidrug resistant bacterial strains requires a severely restricted use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. We conducted a survey on the ethnoveterinary knowledge of farmers in the bilingual (French and German speaking) Western region of Switzerland, namely the cantons of Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Jura, and in the French speaking part of the canton of Bern.Aim of the studyTo find out whether differences exist in plants used by farmers in French speaking and bilingual regions of Switzerland as compared to our earlier studies conducted in Switzerland. Additional focus was on plants that are used in diseases which commonly are treated with antimicrobials, on plants used in skin afflictions, and on plants used in animal species such as horses, for which the range of veterinary medicinal products is limited.Material and methodsWe conducted in 2015 semistructured interviews with 62 dialog partners, mainly cattle keeping farmers but also 18 horse keeping farmers. Of these, 41 were native French (FNS) and 21 native German speakers (GNS). Detailed information about homemade herbal remedies (plant species, plant part, manufacturing process) and the corresponding use reports (target animal species, category of use, route of administration, dosage, source of knowledge, frequency of use, last time of use and farmers satisfaction) were collected.ResultsA total of 345 homemade remedies were reported, of which 240 contained only one plant species (Homemade Single Species Herbal Remedy Reports; HSHR). A total of 289 use reports (UR) were mentioned for the 240 HSHR, and they comprised 77 plant species belonging to 41 botanical families. Of these, 35 plant species were solely reported from FNS, 20 from GNS, and 22 from both. Taking into account earlier ethnoveterinary studies conducted in Switzerland only 10 (FNS) and 6 (GNS) plant species connected with 7% of FNS and GNS UR respectively were “unique” to the respective language group.The majority of the UR (219) was for treatment of cattle, while 38 UR were intended to treat horses. The most UR were for treatment of gastrointestinal and skin diseases. The most frequently mentioned plants were Linum usitatissimum L., Coffea L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, and Quercus robur L. for gastrointestinal diseases, and Calendula officinalis L., Hypericum perforatum L. and Sanicula europaea L. for skin afflictions.ConclusionNo clear differences were found between the medicinal plants used by French native speakers and German native speakers. Several of the reported plants seem to be justified to widen the spectrum of veterinary therapeutic options in gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders in cattle and horses, and to reduce, at least to a certain degree, the need for antibiotic treatments. Our findings may help to strengthen the role of medicinal plants in veterinary research and practice, and to consider them as a further measure in official strategies for lowering the use of antibiotics.