ISSN : 2663-2187

Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants for Treatment of Animal Ailments by Traditional Healers in Nanded District (MS), India

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Shinde S. S*, Narwade K. B, Kharat V. V, Swami S. G., Raut S. D
ยป doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.9.2024.5542-5557

Abstract

Domestication of animals is as old as the civilization of human beings. So the ethnoveterinary medicine system is also a very old tradition. The present study reports the survey from one of the tribal pockets from the Nanded district which is very much known for the forest, tribal and traditional healers. Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is the main resort for treating various animal diseases especially in remote areas where doctors are rarely available. We collected the information about ethnoveterinary medicinal plants from traditional healers in the region through direct interviews and field observations with them. We interviewed 118 practitioners from different villages (89 male and 29 women). They provided disease-wise information about the plant species and their parts used methods of preparations, doses, duration, etc which they follow for years together without any side effects and promising results. In the present study, we reported a total of 55 plant species belonging to different families for the treatment of animal ailments and illnesses. The botanical name of plants, plant parts used, multiple usages, forms of preparations, and applications are described here for zootherapy. Herbal remedies were mostly used as decoctions, paste, or powdered plant materials to treat diseases of the eyes, gastrointestinal, respiratory tracts, inflammatory and dermatological ailments or conditions. Administration of plants to treat animal diseases was found mostly oral, followed by surface applications of paste and drops to treat ears and eyes. This study suggests the importance of in-situ and ex-situ conservation of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants for their further use and future importance. The methods of preparation and application used by traditional healers in treating different animal diseases should be preserved as ethnoveterinary knowledge. It will be very important in enhancing our understanding of the relationship between human society and nature since our origin. It will also help to elaborate more effective strategies against animal diseases in the future.

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