Ethno-veterinary practices and use of herbal medicine for improving livestock health

1. Ethno-veterinary practices and use of herbal medicine for
improving livestock health
Dr. Suheel Ahmad
Sr Scientist and Officer Incharge
ICAR-IGFRI Regional Research
Station, Srinagar
Email: suhail114@gmail.com
Mob. No. 9419018157

2. Outline
Introduction
Definition
Historical perspective of ethnoveterinary medicine
Himalayan Pastoralism and Ethnoveterinary medicine
Resurgence of interest in ethnoveterinary medicine
Threats to ethnoveterinary knowledge
Case studies
Constraints
The way forward
Conclusions

3. Introduction

5. DEFINITION
This term was for the first time in research forum, applied and used by Dr Constance McCorkle in
1986.
(McCorkle 1986)
Mathias-Mundy and McCorkle (1989) defined it as 'folk beliefs, knowledge, skills and methods and
practices pertaining to the health care of animals.'
Martin (1996) considered ethnoveterinary medicine in simple terms, to be a sub-discipline of
ethnoecology, that simply means, the 'ecological wisdom of local people regarding animal health.‘
Mathias (2000) is an old advocate of the revival and use of traditional knowledge, who defined the
terminology as: 'traditional practices used by livestock raisers all over the world to keep their animals
healthy and productive, and to treat and control diseases.‘
“A holistic tradition or local/native system of livestock health management rooted in the people's cultures,
customs, taboos and traditions and adopted by livestock raisers all over the world in their respective
environmental conditions to keep their animals healthy and productive and to treat and control diseases and
livestock-related problems by use of medicines, management practices, information about diseases, animal
production and breeding methods, tools and technologies and magico-religious beliefs embodied in people's
traditional and local practices for their own developments and survival”.
Wanzala, et al., 2005

6. Ancient concept (s) of livestock ill-
health
Believed specific cause(s) of ill-
health in livestock populations and
systems
Ethnoremedy(ies)
Demonic theory Witches
Superhuman entities
Spirits of the dead
Evil eye
Sorcery
Religious impurity
Predation
Rustling
Straying
Placation (sacrifices).
Prayers.
Chants.
Exorcism (forcible expulsion).
Evasion (scattering millet seeds to avoid
vampires).
Marriages of live stock couples.
Worshipful care of tiny animal idols.
Magical-ritual ceremonies.
Suspension of amulets, talismans, fetishes
and icons, totems etc. in animal quarters or
on their bodies.
Divine Wrath Displeased supreme being
Disease as a punishment from their gods or
God eg, animal plague of Egypt
Placation (sacrifices) and offering special
prayers.
Changing lifestyle in the community.
Holding a propitiatory rite.
Hiring the services of a shaman.
Drenching with herbal infusions.
Metaphysical Medicine Occult forces beyond the physical universe
Moon, Stars, Planets
Earthquakes, Floods and Comets
Traditional medicines and ethnopractices
that persisted for many centuries include
the use of toads to treat warts and also the
use of sheep livers in Babylon.
Some traditional concepts of causes of livestock diseases and their corresponding ethnoremedies

7. Ancient concept (s)
of livestock ill-health
Believed specific cause(s) of ill-health
in livestock populations and systems
Ethnoremedy(ies)
The Universe of natural
law
Derangement of 4 humours of the body that
were associated with 4 properties (heat,
moisture, dryness and cold) and with 4
elements (air, earth, water and fire)
External forces eg climatic and geological
changes
Local eruptions of noxious air: the miasma
Alterations in diet and purges.
Move away from the site of bad air.
Balance the 4 elements: -earth, water, wind and fire
Acupuncture.
Contagion Diseases transmitted by contact or air-borne
means by seeds or animalculae being taken in
by nose or mouth.
Zoonotic diseases were realized when man
was suspected to contract infections from dead
rats
Separate the sick animals from the healthy ones and
completely avoid mixing the sick and non-sick
animals.
Kill the sick animals to stop spreading the disease to
others.
Place some health animals from the sick stock in other
persons’ herds in order to avoid losing all their stock
in case of an epidemic.

8. Vector Theory Ticks
Lice
Mange
Other flies and
arthropods
Physical removal of ticks from the victim animals-by Fulani and Somalis
in Africa.
Pierce the ticks with the needle or blade so that they die and fall off-by
smallholder livestock farmers in Sierra Leone.
Use of Maycha‘s leaves (Senecio pseudotites Griseb and S. vulgaris) by
Peruvian Andes to drive off the brown ear ticks.
Avoiding infested grazing grounds and shade trees infested with flies.
Washing of cattle with plant-derived infusion, ointments, dust, eg, from
tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and Sesbania aculeata - by Nigerian
pastoralists to control tsetse flies.
A wash of squash-leaf juice as a fly repellent-by Venezuelans.
Feeding animals on special salty ‘plants’ so that ticks fall off.
Burning of livestock pastures to kill vectors and drive away others by the
smoke produced during the burning process.
Andeans use Barbasco or root of Rumez patientia L. control Lice and
Mange.
Somalis use latex from Euphorbia somaliensis, camel urine or an infusion
of Iphiona rotundifolia.
In China, mange is controlled by rubbing rhubarb and caustics into
lesions.
In Bulgaria, mange is controlled by rubbing tobacco decoction into
lesions.
Sources: Thrusfield 1986; Mathias-Mundy and McCorkle 1989; Martin et al 2001

9.  Although the veterinary art is such ancient (Bierer 1955), the recognition and subsequent appreciation of
people' s traditional healthcare for animals is a very recent one in both scientific and academic cycles,
only its importance being made the focus of attention the beginning of mid-1970s and gaining its
momentum from early 1980s.
(McCorkle 1986)
 The days are gone or are going when folk medicine of local/native communities was considered with
suspicion as based on myths and labelled primitive.
(McCorkle (1998)
 Herbs represent one of the first pharmacological interventions attempted by healers, and even today, 25%
of our conventional drugs are plant derived in a traditional format.
(Spore 1992)
 More than 80% of the world's people, mostly in poor and less-developed countries, depend on traditional
medicine for their primary health care requirements.
(Bajaj and Williams 1995; WHO, IUCN and WWF 1993)
Resurgence of interest in ethnoveterinary medicine

10.  Because of their holistic nature, traditional remedies offer efficacy combined with safety more often
than single cosmopolitan/conventional drugs.
(Varier 1996; Wynn 2001)
 The useful therapeutic principles are concentrated by the additive effects of multiple herbs
("synergy") and at the same time, the other herbs in the combination dilute any toxic effects in one
herb. One treatment in the case of traditional medicine, applies for various ailments within the same
victim
(Toyang et al 1995)
 There is a very high rate of increasing drug resistance with the currently used modern drugs. With
traditional medicine, there is locally available manpower, materials and equipments and good rapport
in view of long association.
(Rangnekar 1997)
 Traditional medicine is easily accessible by people of all levels, and sometimes not costing anything
and can be obtained through barter trade which is very convenient for rural people.

11.  Interdisciplinary research between ethnoveterinarians and orthodox veterinarians reveals that the
traditional knowledge closely parallels orthodox veterinary medicine in many ways.
(Toyang et al 1995; Wynn 2001)
 Scarce and erratic supply of veterinary drugs and supplies.
 high costs of veterinary drugs.
 Because of their illiteracy, local/native healers and animal owners are not in a position to distinguish
between the various types of industrial medicines and understand their underlying principle of
administration and action.
(Rathore et al 1997)
 They do not however encounter such kind of problems with their traditional preparations, and hence
considered to be their best alternative

12.  Multiple ethnic composition is a striking feature of Himalayan realm. There are numerous tribal
groups confined to the Indian Himalayan region. Population size and distribution of different ethnic
groups greatly varies.
 The diversity of plant species used in various ailments is dispersed all across the IHR (Samal et al.,
2002, Samal et al., 2004).
 Due to cultural and ethnic diversity in different biogeographic provinces of the region, the knowledge
base varies considerably (Maikhuri et al., 1998; Dhyani, 2000).
 The tribal people use over 7500 plant species in primary health care and over 2000 species are also
used in the Indian traditional system of medicine. India possesses vast cultural and geographical
diversity and the communities of each region offer their own unique way of practising indigenous
medicine. There are over 460,000 medicinal practitioners in India, including 30,456 institutionally
trained “professionals”
(Bajaj and Williams 1995)
Pastoralism and Ethnoveterinary medicine
 More than 171 of total 573 scheduled tribes of India inhabit the region.
(Samal et al., 2000)

13.  Pastoralism is a subsistence pattern in which people make their living by domesticating large herds of
animals.
 Pastoralism is a successful strategy to support a population with the limited resources of land.
 All forms of pastoralism can be considered as different methods of economic adaptations, the
parameters of which are determined by ecology and level of technological development.
(Bhasin, 2011)
 Livestock industry provides for a major source of livelihood for many people worldwide, particularly
the rural poor in developing countries.
 Ill-health is a major constraint to livestock production and development in rural and pastoral
communities where a half of the world's livestock population is found.
 Most of these communities live in marginal areas affected with endemic pathogens, vectors and
diseases. These areas are not easily accessible to modern veterinary information and services and
people are less economically endowed albeit coping with enormous animal health problems.
 The survival mechanisms and strategies are simply based on people's own local and inherent
centuries' old knowledge that has withstood the test of time in all aspects of human evolutionary life.
(Wanzala et al., 2005)

14.  The role of ethnoveterinary medicine in livestock development is beyond dispute.
(Wanzala et al., 2005)
 Ethnoveterinary knowledge (EVK) continues to be recognized at a global level as a resource that reflects
people's total commitment and experience in life, from origin through evolutionary stages to current
situation.
 These experiences, stem from people's ingenuity, credulity and their insatiable curiosity that over many
centuries, they accumulated the current rich and resourceful traditional knowledge that has been passed
on from generation to generation by word of mouth, traditional songs, poems, drawings, paintings,
stories, legends, dreams, visions and initiation ceremonies
(Mathias-Mundy and McCorkle 1989; Kokwaro 1993; Backes 1998; Patricia 2001;
Mweseli 2004).
 The knowledge is believed to be collectively and communally owned by ancestors and kept under the
custody of living old men and women, depending on the community, ethnicity, sex, age, caste etc.

15. Threats to ethnoveterinary knowledge
Traditional knowledge ‛an immense knowledge about natural environments, based on centuries of living
close to nature, possessed by indigenous people of the world.‘
Mayor (1994)
'When an elder dies, is just like a library burning down.‘
Dr Patricia A. L. Cochran
Many hundreds of books and publications can be written out of just one elder's experience with the
natural environment.
Plotkin (1990)
There is a danger however this method of vesting knowledge in human custodians can be undermined by
mortality, thereby losing important information to the future generations.

16. Case Studies

17. Darjeeling District, West Bengal
It is famous for its biodiversity as well as for medicinal plants. Siliguri Subdivision belongs to
Darjeeling District and a part of famous ‘tarai’ region the foot hills of Darjeeling Himalaya; well
known area for its rich biodiversity.
The study area, Siliguri Subdivision was situated at 26º43´N latitude and 88º25´E longitude
within Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India.
The ethnic groups live in this area are Santhals, Munda and Oraon tribes.
In this Investigation as well as field survey a total of 36 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families
were found which are used successfully by the traditional healers of that area for treatment of
various disease and disorders of livestock.
Case study 1:

18. Serial Scientific Local Name Family Plant parts used Veterinary Medicinal uses
No. Name
(In Bengali)
1. Acorus Buch Areceae Leaf,roots Stomachic,stimulant,digestive
calamus problems
2. Adhatoda Basak Acanthaceae Whole plants Cough and
vasica cold,bronchitis,scabis
3. Aegle Bael Rutaceae Fruits Gastric problems, diarrhea
marmelos and dysentery, respiratory
disorder,
4. Aloe vera Ghritakumari Liliaceae Flashy leaves Cut and burn,skin
diseases,diarrhea

19. 5. Alstonia Chatim Apocynaceae Leaves and bark Jaundice, Diarrhea and
scholaris dysentery
6. Amaranthus Bonnote Amaranthaceae Leaves Skin problems, cough and
oleraceus cold, eye problems, pimples
7. Amaranthus Lal sak Amaranthaceae Whole plants Blood purifier, anemia,
tricolor
8. Andrographis Kalmegh Acanthaceae Leaves, whole Liver problems, bile problems
paniculata plants
9. Artemisia Nagdamoni, Asteraceae Leaves,roots Ringworm,blister,pimples
vulgaris
Titapati
10. Azadirachta Neem Meliaceae Leaves,bark, Skin problems, dental
indica problems
11. Bryophyllum Pathar kuchi Crassulaceae Leaves Urinary problems, piles
calycinum
12. Cajanus Aorhar Fabaceae Leaves,seeds Jaundice, bile problems,
cajan digestive disorder,
13. Calotropis Akando Asclepiadeceae Leaves Acidity,flatulance,
procera
Asthma, dental problems,
14. Cannabis Vang Cannabinaceae Whole plant Any type of pain,nausa and
sativa vomiting
15. Centrella Thankuni Apiaceae Whole plant Diarrhea and
asiatica dysentery,fever,blood
purifier,
16. Chenopodium Bethua sak Chenopodiaceae Whole plant Worms, blood purifier, piles
Album
17. Citrus Kagoji labu Rutaceae Fruits,seeds Digestive
aurantifolia problems,collera,worm

20. 18. Curcuma Holud Zingiberaceae Rhizome extracts Jaundice and wonds
longa
19. Datura metel Dhuturo Solanaceae Leaf,root,seeds Muscle pain,worms,wonds
20. Emblica Amlaki Euphorbiaceae Fruit,leaves Indigestion,gastric problems
officinalis
21. Ficus carica Dumur Moraceae Leaves, fruits Diabetes, gastric problems
22. Heliotropium Hatisur Boranginaceae Leaves Insomnia, digestive problems
indicum
23. Ipomoea Kalmi sak Convolvulaceae Leaves,total plants Menstruation problems,
hederacea digestive problems,
constipation
24. Lantena Chotra Verbinaceae Leaves,flower Antibiotic,antiseptic,skin
camara problems
25. Luffa Dhudul Cucurbitaceae Fruit,leaves Acidity, bile problem
cylindrica
26. Marsilea Susni sak Marsileaceae Leaves,total plants Cough and
quardrifolia cold,bronchitis,eye problems
27. Mentha Pudina Lamiaceae Whole plants Indigetion,vomiting,ear
piperita problems
28. Mimosa Lajjabati Mimosaceae Leaves Asthma,nerve problems
pudica
29. Mirabilis Sondhamoni Nyctaginaceae Roots,Leaves,seeds Wounds,anti-inflammatory
jalapa activity
30. Moringa Sojina Moringaceae Flower,fruit Piles,worm,cough,
oleifera
31. Ocimum Tulsi Lamiaceae Leaves,seeds,total Cough and cold,fever,skin
sanctum plants problems

21. 32. Paedenia Ghandhamadan Rubiaceae Leaves,total plants Diarrhea and decentry,gastric
foetida problems
33. Solanum Kakmachi Solanaceae Fruits,seeds Fever, cough and cold, acidity
nigrum
34. Tagetes Gada Asteraceae Leaves,Flowers Cut and wounds,burn,insect
erecta bite
35. Vitex Nisinda Verbenaceae Leaves Muscle & Joint
negundo pain,antiinflamatory,antibiotic
36. Zizyphus Kul Rhamnaceae Fruits Acidity,thrust,bile problems
mauritiana

22. Case study 2:
► A field survey was done to study and document the indigenous knowledge of various
ethnic groups of Sikkim regarding animal healthcare. The hills of Sikkim Himalaya are
inhabited by number of ethnic groups. They use medicinal plants not only for human being
but also for their domestic animals. Large number of plants has been collected and the
information on their ethnoveterinary uses was gathered from local inhabitants. The
information about folk medicinal use, vernacular names of plants and the parts of the plants
used are documented. During the investigation, a well developed ethnoveterinary system
among tribal people was observed. Twenty plant species used by local people to cure various
disease and disorders were recorded.
Sikkim Himalaya. 27°10'–28°5' N latitude
and 88°31'–89° E longitudes,
Inhabited by various ethnic tribes like
Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbus etc
Bharati and Sharma, 2010; Bharati and Sharma, 2012

23. Ethnoveterinary uses of plant resources of Sikkim
Plant name/ Family Local name Uses
Alstonia scholaris R. Br. Chition
To cure fever, bark powder mixed with common salt is
given thrice
Apocynaceae a day.
Bauhinia vahlii (Wt. & Am.)
Benth. Baro lara
Stem bark paste is applied on fractured bone and
bandaged with the
Caesalpinaceae help of cotton cloth.
Bauhinia variegata L. Takki
To control expel placenta, two cups of root decoction is
given twice
Caesalpinaceae daily.
Betula utilis D. Don. Bhujpata Crushed stem is applied on injuries.
Betulaceae
Boenninghausenia albiflora
Reich. Likhijari
Leaf extract is applied on body of cattle to kill lice and
flea.
Rutaceae
Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex.
Lambert) Deodar Oil is applied externally to treat ringworm.
G. Don. Pinaceae
Datura metel L. Dhontrey
Seed powder is used in skin disease and crushed leaf is
applied on
Solanaceae insect bite.
Elsholtzia balande Benth. Jungli Tulsi
Root powder paste with mustard oil is applied on the
affected parts

24. Juglans regia L. Okhor Leaf paste is applied on hoof disease of cattle.
Juglandaceae
Mallotus philippinensis Muel. Arg. Sindure Dried seed powder is applied on wound.
Euphorbiaceae
Melastoma malabathricum L. Augeri In fever, leaf decoction is administered twice a day till cured.
Melastomaceae
Potentilla fulgens Wall. Samokhil
To regulate fertility, whole plant decoction is given once daily
for
Rosaceae fifteen days.
Prunus cerasoides D. Don. Panyun Crushed stem bark is applied on injuries.
Rosaceae
Rubia cordifolia L. Majitho
In postal-natal problems, crushed stem mixed with rice wash
is
Rubiaceae given.
Rubus ellipticus Sm. Panyun Crushed stem bark is applied on injuries.
Rosaceae
Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth. Chilone Crushed stem bark with common salt is used as vermicide.
Theaceae
Taxus baccata L. Dhengre salla
Bark paste is applied on fractured bone and bandaged with
cotton
Taxaceae cloth.
Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. Dahahari Leaves are given in ulcer.
Lythraceae

25. Comparison of plant part(s) used between remedies and plant species, in
ethnoveterinary medicine in Sikkim, Himilayas, India
Medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Sikkim
Himalayas, India arranged according to their life forms
Major ailment categories and number of associated plant species
used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Sikkim Himalayas, India

26. Case study 3:
A survey for documentation of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used by the farmer community
to cure animal diseases in Tehri District of Garhwal Himalaya.
Ethno-veterinary information was gathered through individual interviews and personal
observations among the farmer community. A total of 35 species of ethno-veterinary medicinal
plants belongs to 26 families and 34 genera were recorded in the study with the help of ethno-
veterinary traditional healers. These 35 medicinal plant species were dominated by herbaceous
flora and were used to cure almost 30 different diseases. Leaves were dominant part of the plant
used to cure different livestock diseases.

27. Details of plant species and their application/dosage procedure
Scientific name Family Life Major Application and dosage procedure
form parts
used
Tinosporia cardifolia Menispermaceae S Stem Stem of this plant and Gylcine max (Bhatt)
(Willd.) Miers ex are grinded together and prepared into a
Hook.f&Thoms fruit thick paste. This paste is applied to skin of
livestock to cure skin disease
Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae H Leaves Fresh leaves are kept is water for 1-2 hours
and then grinded and extract thus made is
given to cattle twice a day to cure dysentery.
Leaves of this plant and black pepper are
grinded together and prepared a thick paste.
This paste is fed to the animal along with
matha in case of blood in excreta
Ficus palmata Forsk. Moraceae T Latex Latex is applied on wounds
Streblus aspera Lour. Moraceae S Seed Seed of this plant are sundried and grinded in
powder. Approximately half tea spoon is
given for 10-15 days to treat mouth disease
Urtica dioica Linn. Urticaceae H Leaf Root of plant is crushed and 1-2 drops of
mustard oil is mixed and suspension is given
to animal to cure Haemturia
Boehmeria rugulosa Wedd. Urticaceae T Bark The bark is chipped to 2"-3"sticks and is tied
with ropes on fractured bones for 15- 20
days.

28. Myrica esculenta Buch. and Myricaceae T Bark Bark of this plant and leaves of bhang are
Ham crushed together and made into paste and
then paste is applied on the vagina 2-times a
day for a week during the prolepses of
uterus. Bark is also used to intoxicate fishes.
Quercus leucotrichophora Fagaceae T Gum Gum of plant obtained is boiled with small
A. Campus. amount of cow urine. The prepared is then
applied on the wounded area of the animal in
broken horn.
Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae T Bark, Bark is made into paste and is applied 2-3
Leaves times a day for four days to cure pimples
Leaves of this plant and leaves of Aegle
marmelos are ground together and paste is
prepared, the paste is then applied on the
body of animal to expel lice.
Momordica charantia L. Cucurbitaceae H Leaves Pound the leaves and extract the juice to use
as a drench in water 1-3 times within one day
to treat anemia; internal parasites.
Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae T Leaves Fresh leaves are rich in iron and given to
animal that do not usually graze.

29. Prunus persica L. Rosaceae T Leaves Leaves of this plant are grinded and water is
mixed to make paste. The paste is then
applied 2-3 times a day to cure hooves
disease.
Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham- Rosaceae T Fruits Fruits are boiled with a 2-3 pinches of sindur
ex D. Don. in water for 15 minutes, after cooling this
water is sprayed in the affected eyes of cattle
to cure Pterygium.
Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae T Leaves Fresh leaves of this plant are boiled in water
for half an hour the extract is then used as
drench to cure cuts and wounds
Punica granatum L. Punicaceae S Roots Roots are grounded to powder and then
mixed with half liter of water and fed to
animal to remove internal parasite
Termenalia bellerica Combretaceae S Fruits Fruits are roasted in 100mg of ghee and are
(Gaertner) Roxb. then grounded to made paste of it and paste
is applied to cure redness of eyes
Euphorbia heterophylla L. Euphorbiaceae H Leaves, Leaves and seeds are grounded together and
Seeds mixed in water and given to live stock in
case of food poisoning. This process should
be done till animal starts vomiting.

30. Rhus parviflora Roxb. Anacardiaceae H Leaves The Fresh leaves are grinded and paste is
applied to wound or cut to stop bleeding .It
has quick healing effect.
Rhus javanica L. Anacardiaceae S Bark Bark is grounded and paste of it is made with
water and this paste is applied on swelling 2-
3 times a day
Boenninghausenia albiflora Rutaceae H Leaf Leaf paste is applied on the body of the
Reichem back ex Meisner animal to expel the external parasites.
Citrus hystrix DC. Rutaceae T Fruits Fruit juice obtained from this plant is mixed
with paste of haldi and given with matha
(churning churd) during food poisoning in
animals.
Nicandra physalodes (L.) Solanaceae H Whole Whole plant is used as an anti-helmintic and
Scop. plant insecticide. Leaf extract is locally used to kill
lice.
Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae S Leaves The tender leaves and twigs are grinded and
then decoction of leaves are given to cattle
for relieving joint pain
Colebrrookea oppositifolia Lamiaceae S Leaves The leaves are grinded and the decoction
Sm. thus obtained is filled in syringe and sprinkle
is made to eye of cattle to cure redness of
eyes. The traditional method of use of this is
that leave are eaten by human beings and
then spit to cattle eye if syringe is not
available

31. Mentha arvensis L. Lamiaceae H Leaves A fresh leaf of this plant and bhrami are
grinded together and is then fed to live stock
to cure fever.
Buddleja asiatica Lour. Buddlejaceae S Stem Stem is made into paste and applied on the
swelling of animals.
Acorus calamus L. Araceae H Root Root is made into paste and 2-3 drops of oil
is mixed with it and suspension is applied on
wounds and fresh cuts 2-3 times a day. Root
paste is also applied on animal body to expel
external parasites.
Arisaema tortuosum (wall.) Araceae H Tuber Paste of tuber is applied externally on the
Schott wounds caused by the nails and teeth of tiger
on cattle. Paste is applied till wound is cured.
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae H Leaves, Leaves are pounded and mixed with jaggery
Rhizome and paste of fresh rhizome and haldi is made
and some amount of honey is mixed with
mixture. It is then fed 2-3 times a day to treat
indigestion in livestock.
Eleusine coracana (L.) Poaceae H Leaves Flour and leaves of this plant is fed during
Gaertn. foot and mouth disease particularly in case of
hooves infection
Musa paradisiaca L. (pro Musaceae H Leaves Chop 3-4 leaves and feed to the animal twice
sp.) a day in case of blot. However this remedy is
good for mild cases or during the early
stages of blots.

32. Curcuma domestica Zingiberaceae H Leaves Fresh leaves are pounded and juice or
long(L.) and poultices of fresh leaves are applied to heal
Rhizome cuts and wounds. Small piece of rhizome of
this plant and zingiber officinale are grinded
with seed of coriander and a thin paste thus
obtained is given to animal to cure
constipation
Zingiber officinale Roscoe Zingiberaceae H Rhizome 50g of rhizome is pounded with 250ml oil
obtained from Ricinus cummnis , 5g seeds of
jeera and a pinch of salt is also added. The
product is given to live stock during
constipation.
Allium sativum L. Lillaceae H Fruit Burn three heads of garlic with clove, pound
and mix with one glass of water and fed one
glass of mixture as drench to make animal
vomit in case of snake bite.
Coelogyne cristata Lind l. Orchidaceae H Fruit Resin obtained from fruit is used to heal the
bone fracture of domestic animals. A
substantial amount of resin is applied twice a
month externally on the affected part of the
body and tied with thick cloth.

33. The result of the present study highlighted that the knowledge on medicinal plants for the
animal treatment is deteriorating day by day, so the efforts should be taken for the
conservation of these medicinal plants as well as the traditional knowledge.
The different diseases treated by these medicines include mouth diseases, prolepses of uterus,
dysentery, food poisoning and fever etc. Five plant species are used to cure food poisoning, 7
species to stop bleeding from cuts and wounds, 3 to remove internal and external parasites.
(Table-1) Majority of the plants (50%) had leaves, bark of (12%), seeds/fruits of (17%),
Rhizome/root (15%) and stems of (16%) as their medicinal parts

34. Case study 4:
► The present study was aimed to identify and document the plants used by various pastoral communities in
North-Western Indian Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir in ethnoveterinary practices for treating various
livestock ailments. Four field trips were conducted from September, 2012 to October, 2014 in the alpine
pastures and several pastoralist groups were randomly selected and information was collected through
interviews, focus groups, participant observation and by administering questionnaires. A total of 80 informants
falling in the age group of 40–75 years, familiar with livestock health issues including farmers, shepherds,
housewives and herbalists as well, participated in the study. The paper documents 32 plant species belonging
to 19 families that are used as a source of herbal remedies by pastoralists.
Ahmad et al., 2015
Map of Jammu and Kashmir showing principle migration routes
(shown in red) and summer pastures (shown as stars) of
pastoralists. Field trips were conducted in these pasture lands
during the course of study

35. Major Pastoralists of Jammu & Kashmir
Name of the community Composition of Livestock/animals Type of Pastoralism
Bakarwal Mainly goats, sheep, horses Transhumance
Gujjars Cattle and buffaloes, sheep, horses Semi-sedentary and
sedentary
Chopans and Gaddies Mainly sheep Semi-sedentary and
sedentary
Changpas Pashmina goats, sheep and yak Nomadic

36. S.
No.
Botanical name
(Family)
Vernacular
name
Plant part used/
Preparation/ Application
Ailment treated
1 Achillea millifolium L.
(Asteraceae)
Pahel-ghass Whole plant fed to the animals Abdominal worms
2 Allium cepa L.
(Amaryllidaceae)
Piyaz Bulbs are crushed along with salt
and mixed in flour.This paste is
administered orally for 4–5 days
or spread on the body part
Stomach disorder,
fever, Skin
infections
3 Allium sativum L.
(Amaryllidaceae)
Lahsun Bulbils are crushed, mixed with
flour and administered orally
Abdominal worms
4 Alnus nitida Endl.
(Betulaceae)
Sarol Dried leaves mixed with oil Foot and Mouth
disease
5 Amaranthus viridis L.
(Amaranthaceae)
Fresh plant is crushed and mixed
in wheat husk; paste is fed to
animal twice a day for 10–12 days
Against weakness
6 Amaranthus caudatus L.
(Amaranthaceae)
Seol/
Ganhar
Seeds used as feed for newly
hatched chicken
Easy to swallow,
Help in weight gain
7 Artemisia absinthium L.
(Asteraceae)
Tethwan Whole plant crushed and made
into a ball and fed to the animals
Abdominal worms
8 Brassica campestris L.
(Brassicaceae)
Sarson Seeds are ground and mixed with
mustard oil. This paste is topically
applied for a week
Skin infections and
abdominal worms

37. 9 Cannabis sativa L.
(Cannabaceae)
Bhang Fresh leaves are crushed and applied
topically
Lice and ticks
10 Cedrella toona Roxb. ex. Rottle
Willd (Toon)
(Meliaceae)
Bark is mixed with methi (Trigonella
foenicum L.) seeds and yogurt and
given orally to cattle and sheep
Diarrhea, Dysentery
11 Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don f.
(Pinaceae)
Deodar oil is applied on the skin Lice and ticks
12 Chenopodium album L.
(Amaranthaceae)
Wan palak/ Bathua Leaves are boiled in mustard oil, and
then crushed and topically applied to
wounds
Wound healing
13 Convolvulus arvensis L.
(Convolvulaceae)
Fresh plant is crushed along with sugar
and water; this paste is given orally for
3–4 days
Constipation and milk
deficiency
14 Curcuma longa L.
(Zingiberaceae)
Powder from dried rhizome is applied
and wrapped or sprinkled onto wounds
for 2–3 days
Wound healing
15 Delphinium roylei Munz
(Rananculaceae)
Moori Whole plant especially roots fed to cattle Liver problems
16 Eremostachys superb Royle ex
Benth.
(Lamiaceae)
Whole plant mixed with fodder and fed
to cattle
Enhancement of
lactation
17 Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
(Apiaceae)
Saunf Aerial parts are boiled in water and are
fed to the animal for 2-3 days
Indigestion
18 Mallotus philippensis (Lam) Muell
(Euphorbiaceae)
Kamila Dried fruits are ground and fed to
animals along with wheat flour for 2–3
days
Abdominal worms
19 Melia azedarach L.
(Meliaceae)
Fresh leaves are crushed along with
sugar and water; the mixture is
administered orally to animals for 2–3
days
Foot and mouth
infection
20 Mentha sylvestris L.
(Lamiaceae)
Pudhina Leaves are fed to the livestock Abdominal worms

38. 21 Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks
(Pinaceae)
Kayud Needles along with grass are fed to
the animals
Abdominal worms
22 Populus nigra L.
(Salicaceae)
Phras Bark decoction Abdominal worms
23 Rumax patientia L.
(Polygonaceae)
Obuj Dried roots are powdered and fed to
animals
Indigestion and liver
fluke disease
24 Salix alba L.
(Salicaceae)
Vir Bark decoction and leaves are fed to
the animals
Abdominal worms
25 Saussurea sacra Edgew.
(Asteraceae)
Joge padshah Leaves and young shoots are
crushed and applied topically
Curing of wounds
26 Malva neglecta Wallr.
(Malvaceae)
Soutchal Leaves are crushed with salt and fed
to newly born calves
Against weakness

39. 27 Sorghum halepense (L.)
Pers.
(Graminae)
Zahar ghass/
Drahma
Root decoction is mixed with
mud of pound and pasted on teats
of cattle
Mastitis(swollen
mammary glands)
28 Taraxacum officinale
Webber
(Asteraceae)
Hand Whole plant is fed to cattle and
goats with other forages
Milk deficiency
29 Trifolium pratense L.
(Fabaceae)
Batakh loot Whole plant is fed to cattle and
goats
Milk deficiency
30 Trifolium repens L.
(Fabaceae)
whole plant is fed to cattle and
goats
Milk deficiency
31 Trigonella foenum- graecum
L.
(Fabaceae)
Methi Leaves and seeds are mixed with
fodder and fed to animal for 3–4
days.
Diarrhea
32 Zizyphus vulgaris
(Rhamnaceae)
Breyi Leaves and fruit given to sheep General tonic, skin
diseases

40. Case study 5:
► An ethno veterinary study was carried out in the tribal’s of Kupwara (Budnamel, Keran,
Karnah, and Jumgand) during 2013- 2014. The study was aimed to document the traditional
folk knowledge of local people about the use of the medicinal plants as ethno veterinary. Field
survey was conducted during the different seasons of the year to collect data about the
knowledge and practice of using wild plant species by local people as ethno veterinary. The
data collected reveals that about 22 plant species belonging to 18 families and 23 genera are
used as ethno veterinary. Plant parts are used to increase milk content and cure different
diseases like liver infection, gaseous bloat, general weakness, diarrhea, cough, cold, and fever.
Mir, 2014
Map of the Kupwara showing study area (Chowkibal, Karnah, Keran, and Jumgand).

41. S.no.
(Vernacular
name)
Family
Part used Habit Uses
Allium cepa L. Cultivated
A mixture of crushed bulbs and
common salt is made into soft
01. Liliaceae Bulb
balls. These balls are widely
used to stimulate the oestrus
cycle
(Gande) Herb
in cows.
02.
Aquilegia
vulgaris. Ranunculaceae Whole
Wild Herb
Extract of the whole herb is
used against weakness in live
stock
(Dadue jaid ) plant and for increasing milk yield.
03.
Amaranthus
caudatus L. Amaranthaceae Whole Cultivated
Increase milk content in cows
(Leesa) plant Herb
04.
Artemisia
absinthium L.
Asteraceae
Whole
Wild Herb
Extract of the whole herb is
used to cure the liver infection
in
(Teethwen ) plant cattle.
Bergenia
ligulata.
Saxifragaceae
Dried roots are grinded to make
powder which is given to cattle
05.
Roots Wild Herb
with warm water against
diarrhea, weakness and to
enhance milk production in
cows.
(Pulfort)

42. 06.
Brassica
rapa L. Brassicaceae Leaves Cultivated Leaves given to cows after
the removal of placenta.
(Tilgogal) Herb
07.
Codonopsis
rotundifolia. Campanulaceae Whole
Wild Herb
Extract of the herb is used
for the treatment of asthma
and
(Tunda-
jaide) plant
general weakness in
livestock.
Conyza
Canadensis
Aerial
Aerial portion of the plant
is crushed and made into
small soft
08.
(Linn).Cron
quist. Asteraceae Wild Herb
balls which are given to
cattle for immediate relief
from
portion
(Shallut) indigestion and dysentery.
Datura
stramonium
L.
The seeds are crushed with
the help of mortar and
pestle and
09. Solanaceae Seeds Wild Herb
mixed with egg yolk and
are given to cattle’s to cure
urinarybladder infections.
(Datur )

43. 10. Dipsacus inermis
Wall.
Dried leaves are boiled in water to
prepare decoction which is
Dipsacaceae Leaves Wild Herb
given to cows, sheep’s, and goats
immediately after delivery to
(Wopal hakh) keep them healthy and enhance their
milk production.
11.
Helianthus annus
L.
Asteraceae Seeds
Cultivated Seeds are used as tonic for cattle and are
highly energetic.
(Gul-e-aftab) Herb
12. Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Fruits Cultivated
The oil is obtained from the fruit kernels,
which is given to
(Doon ) tree cows to increase milk production.
13.
Malva sylvestris.
Malvaceae Leaves Wild Herb Crushed leaves are given to cows
(Gurisochal)
Malva neglecta L.
The green leaves are crushed by pestle
and mortar and made
14. Malvaceae Leaves Wild Herb
into small ball which is feed to young
calves as treatment
(Sochal)
against diarrhea.
15.
Morus alba L.
Moraceae Leaves
Cultivated
The trees are lopped and used as fodder
for the cattle’s.
(Tul) Tree
16.
Plantago major. Plantaginaeace Whole
Wild Herb Used as fodder.
(Bud gull) plant
17.
Plantago
lanceolata. Plantaginaeace Whole Wild Herb Used to increase milk contents in cows
(Gull) plant

44. 18.
Rosa sp.
Rosaceae Flower
Wild
Shrub
Petals of the herb are given to cure
cold in cattle.
(Gulab)
Rumex acetosa. Polygonaceae
Fresh roots are crushed mixed with
salt and made into semi sold
19. Roots
Wild
Herb
balls which are given to cattle to cure
cough , gaseous bloat and
(Abjie )
sprained body parts.
Sisymbrium irio
L.
A mixture of the seed powder, common
salt and water is made
20. Brassicaceae Seeds
Wild
Herb
into semi sold balls which are given to
cattle (especially horses)
(Cheri laschiji) in winter against cough, cold, and to
keep them healthy.
21.
Sonchus arvensis
L.
Asteraceae
Whole Wild
Herb
Fresh plants are feed to cows and goats
to enhance their milk
(Dudij) plant production.
Taraxacum
officinale
22.
Weber ex
wiggers. Asteraceae Leaves
Wild
Herb
Dried leaves are given to cows to
remain healthy.
(Madan hand)
23.
Thymus linearis
Benth.
Lamiaceae
Aerial Wild
shrub
Aerial portion is boiled and decoction
is made which is given to
(Jangli javind ) Portion
domestic livestock to cure cough, cold,
and fever.
24.
Trifolium
pretense L.
Fabaceae
Whole Wild
herb Increase milk production in cows.
(Batak launt ) plant
Viburnum
grandiflorum Caprifoliaceae
Leaves
Wild
shrub Leaves used to feed cattle.25. Wall.
(Kalmach)

45. Case study 6:
► The study was conducted in Doda district of J & K state. The established prevalence of
nomadism and traditional farming system in the hills and valleys, this region was considered fit
for such a study. Doda district comprises of 8 blocks. Out of these 8 blocks, 4 blocks where
indigenous technical knowledge was extensively practiced were selected purposely. The
selected blocks were Bhaderwah, Bhalesa, Thathri and Marmat. A comprehensive list of the
villages of the selected blocks was prepared. Three villages were selected purposely from each
selected block where indigenous technical knowledge was extensively used for the treatment of
animals. Thus, a total of 12 villages were selected. For selection of the respondents, 10
pastoralists who were known for using indigenous technical knowledge were selected purposely
from each village. Thus, a total of 120 respondents were selected for the study. The data was
collected with the help of a structured interview schedule through personal interview
technique during the months of May to August in years 2012-2013, as the study area
receives heavy snowfall in winters. Prior informed consent of some most famous
traditional healers of Bhaderwah region was taken
Khateeb, et al., 2015

46. Table 1 Plants used by pastoralists in treatment of animal diseases
S.No Diseases Scientific name of plant/ Local name of Parts Method Animals
ingredient plant/ingredient used
1. Tympany/Bloat Angelica glauca Chouria Root Grind 300 gm root of Angelica glauca Cow/buffalo/
Edgew. Edgew., mix in water and drench twice a sheep/goat
day.
Sodium chloride + Common salt + N/A 100 gm wood ash and 60 gm sodium Cow/buffalo/
Wood ash Wood ash chloride is fed twice a day. sheep/goat
Rumex nepalensis Spreng Hubul Root Grind 100 gm roots of Rumex nepalensis Cow/buffalo/
Spreng , add water and drench twice a sheep/goat
day.
Rumex nepalensis Hubul + Root Grind 100 gm root of Rumex nepalensis Cow/buffalo/
Spreng. + Piper nigrum Black pepper Spreng. with 20 gm Piper nigrum L. and sheep/goat
L. feed twice a day.
Solanum lycopersicum L. Tomato Pulp Juice of 0.5 kg Solanum lycopersicum L. Cow/buffalo/
is administered twice a day. sheep/goat
Sodium bicarbonate Soda N/A 60-80 gm sodium bicarbonate is Cow/buffalo/
administered orally. sheep/goat
2. Diarrhoea Thymus vulgaris L. Van jawain Leaf Leaves of Thymus vulgaris L. are Cow/buffalo/
pulverized and about 20 gm are fed sheep/goat
to the animal, two to three times a day.
Trigonella foenum- Methi Flower 10 gm Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Cow/ buffalo/
graecum L. is administered 2 to 3 times a day. sheep/ goat
Trachyspermum Ajwain + Gur N/A 50 gm mixture of Trachyspermum Cow/ buffalo/
ammi (L.) Sprague + ammi (L.) Sprague and jaggery is fed sheep/ goat
Jaggery twice a day.
Artemisia annua L. + Kandhe + Flower + Flowers of Artemisia annua L. and Cow/buffalo/
Prinsepia utilis Royle Zintola Stem stem of Prinsepia utilis Royle are sheep/goat
pulverized with little salt and 60 gm is
given to animal twice daily.
Trachyspermum Ajwain + Methi Whole A mixture of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Cow/buffalo/
ammi (L.) Sprague + + Gur plant Sprague, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. sheep/goat
Trigonella foenum- and Jaggery in equal quantities is made
graecum L. +Jaggery and 20-30 gm is fed twice a day.
Allium sativum L. Garlic 200 gm of garlic is fed twice a day. Cow/buffalo/
sheep/goat
Acorus calamus L. Naglash Grind whole plant of Acorus calamus L. Cow/ buffalo/
and feed 100 gm twice a day for two days. sheep/goat
3. Stomatitis Prinsepia utilis Royle Zintola Stem 200 gm stem of Prinsepia utilis Royle is Cow/buffalo/
pulverized and then fed to animal twice sheep/goat
daily, rubbing the paste of Prinsepia utilis
Royle on tongue is also recommended.
4. Dysentery Aconitum heterophyllum Patis Root Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Cow/buffalo/
Wall. ex Royle are pulverized and 10-15 gm is fed to sheep/goat
animal with butter once a day for 2 to 3
days.
5. Constipation Brassica juncea (L.) Sarsoon + Whey Flower 150 gm mustard and 150 gm barley is Cow/ buffalo/
Czern. + Milk serum + + Whishk/ barley mixed in 1 L whey and then feed to sheep/ oat
Hordeum distichon L. animal once a day.
6. Indigestion Piper nigrum L. + Black pepper + Dried 50 gm mixture of Piper nigrum L. and Cow/buffalo/
Sodium chloride + Salt + Ajwain Berries Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague is sheep/goat
Trachyspermum given to animal once a day.
ammi (L.) Sprague
Ash + Sodium Chloride + Ash + Salt + N/A 50 gm mixture of ash, salt and soda is Cow/buffalo/
Sodium bicarbonate Soda fed to animal once daily. sheep/goat
Camellia sinensis (L.) Kashmiri tea + Leaf 500 ml boiled leaf water of Camellia Cow/buffalo/
Kuntze + Sodium Soda sinensis (L.) Kuntze with Sodium sheep/goat
bicarbonate bicarbonate is given once a day.
Plants used by pastoralists in treatment of animal diseases

47. S.No Diseases Scientific name of plant/ Local name of Parts Method Animals
ingredient plant/ingredient used
Black Salt Nimak Suchan 50 gm of nimak suchan once a day. Cow/buffalo/
sheep/goat
Brassica juncea (L.) Sarsoon + Black 30 gm of pepper is mixed in 200 ml of Cow/buffalo/
Czern. + Piper nigrum L. pepper pure mustard oil and given once a day. sheep/goat
7. Vomition Fumaria parviflora Lam. Chauriata Whole Grind 100 gm of Fumaria parviflora Lam. Cow/buffalo/
plant and feed twice a day. sheep/goat
8. Abscess Allium sativum L. Garlic Bulb Allium sativum L. is used as a paste “on Cow/buffalo/
the area. sheep/goat
9. Yoke gall Brassica juncea (L.) Sarsoon Flower Massage with lukewarm pure mustard oil Bull
Czern. twice a day.
N/A Bear fat Apply Bear fat on the site after properly Bull
heating it.
10. Fever Trigonella foenum- Methi Flower 10 gm of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Cow/buffalo/
graecum L. is given 2 to 3 times a day. sheep/goat
Inula royleana DC. Laddar Flower Grind 300 gm flowers of Inula royleana Cow/buffalo/
DC. and fed twice a day. sheep/goat
Rumex nepalensis Hubul + Black Root Grind 100 gm root of Rumex nepalensis Cow/buffalo/
Spreng. + Piper nigrum pepper Spreng. and add 10 gm Piper nigrum L. sheep/goat
L. and fed twice a day.
11. Pneumonia Fumaria parviflora Lam. Churaita Whole 100 gm Fumaria parviflora Lam. is Cow/buffalo/
plant pulverized and given to animal sheep/goat
twice daily for 3 days.
N/A Fumigation N/A Smoke from burning wool is made Sheep/goat
to be inhaled by the affected animals.
12. Cough Aconitum heterophyllum Patis Root Roots of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Cow/buffalo/
Wall. ex Royle ex Royle are pulverized and 10-15 gm sheep/goat
fed to animal once a day for 2 to 3 days.
Prinsepia utilis Royle Zintola Flower 50 gm flowers of Prinsepia utilis Royle Cow/buffalo/
is pulverized and then fed to animal sheep/goat
once a day for 3 to 4 days.
Angelica glauca Edgew. Chouria Root Grind 100 gm root of Angelica glauca Cow/buffalo/
Edgew. and feed once a day for 3 to 4 sheep/goat
days.

48. 13. Oligouria Cynodon dactylon (L.) Droub Whole Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is given as Cow/buffalo/
Pers. plant feed and also paste made with water is sheep/goat
applied on the pelvic region.
14. Haematuria Phytolacca acinosa Roxb Asral+ Whey Whole 100 gm of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb is Cow/buffalo/
+ Milk serum plant pulverized and mixed with 500 ml whey sheep/goat
and given to animal once a day.
Urtica dioica L. Soi Root Grind 200 gm root of Urtica dioica L. Cow/buffalo/
and feed once a day for 3 days. sheep/goat
Oryza sativa L. Rice N/A 500 ml of rice water is given once a day Cow/buffalo/
for 3 to 4 days. sheep/goat
15. Urolithiasis Equisetum diffusum D. Ram pori Whole 250 gm of Equisetum diffusum D. Don is Cow/buffalo/
Don plant boiled in water. Strain and give 250 ml sheep/goat
twice daily for 7 days.
16. Colic Taraxacum officinale (L.) Hannd Leaf 250 gm leaves of Taraxacum officinale(L.) Horse
Weber ex F.H.Wigg. Weber ex F.H.Wigg. are given as such,
twice a day for 3 days.
Aesculus indica (Wall. Han doun Seed Grind one seed of Aesculus indica (Wall. Horse
Ex Cambess.) Hook. ex Cambess.) Hook. and feed to animal.
17. Pleuritis Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Kelam Oil Oil of Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) Cow/buffalo/
ex D.Don) G.Don G.Don is applied topically once a day. sheep/goat
18. Anaemia Skimmia laureola Franch. Shungun Leaf 250 gm leaves of Skimmia laureola Cow/buffalo/
Franch. are given twice a day for 7 days. sheep/goat

49. S.No Diseases Scientific name of plant/ Local name of Parts Method Animals
ingredient plant/ingredient used
Rheum emodi Wall. Ex Panbchalan Root Grind 100 gm root of Rheum emodi Cow/buffalo/
Meissn. Wall. Ex Meissn. and feed twice a day sheep/goat
for 5 to 6 days.
19. Jaundice Berberis lycium Shanfole Root After proper boiling of the roots of Cow/buffalo/
Royle Berberis lyceum Royle, water is filtered sheep/goat
and about one glass is fed to animal
once a day for 10 days.
Gentiana kurroo Butein Whole About 100gm Gentiana kurro Royle is Cow/buffalo/
Royle plant given to animal twice daily for 7 days. sheep/goat
Fumaria parviflora Lam. Churiata Whole 100 gm Fumaria parviflora Lam. is Cow/buffalo/
plant pulverized and given to animal twice sheep/goat
daily for 5 to 6 days.
20. Liver problem Piper nigrum L. +Butter Black pepper + Dried 10 gm of black pepper is mixed with Cow/buffalo/
Butter Berries 100gm butter and given once a day for sheep/goat
3 days.
Fagopyrum Chok drou Leaf About 250 gm leaves of Fagopyrum Cow/buffalo/
esculentum Moench esculentum Moench are fed to animal sheep/goat
twice daily for 3 days.
Punica granatum L. Anardana Seed 100 gm seeds of Punica granatum L. Cow/buffalo/
is given to animal with butter milk sheep/goat
thrice a week.
21. Stomachache Picrorhiza Kour Root Grind 50 gm root of Picrorhiza Cow/ buffalo/
Scrophulariaeflora Scrophulariaeflora sheep/ goat
and feed once a day.
Thymus vulgaris L. Van jawain Whole About 50 gm of Thymus vulgaris L. Cow/buffalo/
plant fed to animal once a day. sheep/goat
Verbascum thapsus L. Honi tamokh Whole Grind about 250 gm of Verbascum Cow/buffalo/
plant thapsus L. and administer once daily. sheep/goat
22. Wound healing Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Kangul Resin Resin of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. is Cow/buffalo/
applied on the wound topically. sheep/goat
Bergenia ciliate (Haw.) Zakhme hayat Leaf/ Paste of leaves/ root of Bergenia cilliata Cow/buffalo/
Sternb. Root (Haw.) Sternb. is applied topically. sheep/goat
N/A Wool Ash N/A Woolen blanket is burnt and the Cow/buffalo/
half burnt piece is put on wound. sheep/goat
Rheum emodi Wall. Pambchalan Root Paste made from the root of Rheumemodi Cow/buffalo/
Ex Meissn. Wall. Ex Meissn. is applied on wound and sheep/goat
20 gm Rheum emodi Wall. Ex Meissn. is
given orally.
23. Internal injury Polygonum Ragadh mundh Tuber Grind 250 gm tuber of Polygonum Cow/buffalo/
amplexicaule D.Don amplexicaule D.Don and feed once a day sheep/goat
for 3 to 4 days.
Rheum emodi Wall. Pambchalan Root Grind 20 gm root of Rheum emodi Wall. Cow/buffalo/
Ex Meissn. Ex Meissn. and feed once a day for sheep/goat
3 to 4 days.
Curcuma longa L. + Milk Turmeric + Milk Root 10 gm Alum and 20 gm Curcuma longa L Cow/buffalo/
+ Potassium aluminum + Phatkari is mixed in 100 ml of milk and given sheep/goat
sulfate dodecahydrate (Alum) once a day for 3 to 4 days.
24. Abscess Arnebia benthamii (Wall. Ratanjal Root Paste of root of Arnebia benthamii Cow/buffalo/
maturation ex G.Don) I.M.Johnst. (Wall. ex G.Don) I.M.Johnst. is applied sheep/goat
on the site for 2 to 3 days.

50. Case study 6:
► Kathua district is situated between 32
◦ 14
_ and 32
◦ 55
_ N lati-tude and 75
◦ 70
_ and
76
◦ 16
_ E longitude. Forest cover of Kathua is 1158 km2 (FSI, 2009) and the altitude
varies from 253 to 4162 m (Ashutosh et al., 2010). The annual rainfall varies from 912 to
1801 mm while the mean minimum and maximum annual tem-peratures varies from 9 to
23
◦ C in the district (Ashutosh et al., 2010).
The data collected from the direct interviews with the local people and traditional healers was analyzed by applying two
quan-titative methods. The Microsoft Excel spread sheet was used to analyze the data. The first method employed in the
data analy-sis was calculating the informant consensus factor (ICF) (Heinrich et al., 1998; Gazzaneo et al., 2005). ICF
values will be low (near 0) if plants are chosen randomly, or if informants do not exchange information about their use.
Values will be high (near 1) if there is a well-defined selection criterion in the community and/or if infor-mation is exchanged
between informants (Gazzaneo et al., 2005; Srithi et al., 2009). The ICF is calculated as number of use-report in each
category (nur ) minus the number of species used (nt ), divided by the number of use use-report in each category minus one.
The use-value (Phillips et al., 1994) was the second quantita-tive method used to analyze the data. It demonstrates the
relative importance of species known locally or to the informants. The use-value (UV) of each species is therefore based
objectively on the importance attributed by the informants and does not depend on the opinion of the researcher. The use-
value was calculated as:
where U is number of use-reports cited by each informant for a given species and n refers to the number of informants.

51. Veterinary diseases and their informant consensus factor (ICF).
Ailment categories Species Use-report ICF
Urological 7 119 0.95
Ophthalmological 6 87 0.94
Skeleto-muscular 10 142 0.94
Gastrointestinal 41 573 0.93
Parasite related diseases 21 264 0.92
Gynecological/andrological 16 163 0.91
Dermatological 12 114 0.90
Poisonous animal bite 11 101 0.90
Other/undefined 5 36 0.89
Weed intoxication 10 61 0.85
Fever 38 226 0.84
Respiratory diseases 8 39 0.82
Nutritional diseases 34 165 0.80
The important ethnoveterinary plant species were: Brassica campestris (UV = 7.52), Saccharun
officinarum (UV = 5.56), Emblica officinalis (UV = 5.45), Trachyspermum ammi (UV = 3.87),
Aspara-gus adscendens (UV = 3.16), Musa paradisica (UV = 2.87), Oryza sativa (UV = 2.72),
Curcuma longa (UV = 2.68), Azadirachta indica (UV = 2.65), Tinospora cordifolia (UV = 2.43) and
Tamarindus indica (UV = 2.01). Most of the species (72.2%) showed high, i.e. more than 0.50
use-values.

52.  A total of 72 plant species and 69 genera from 37 families were found to cure 33 common ailments of
milk yielding animals of Kathua.
 Fabaceae was the most represented family with highest number of species (7) closely followed by
Poaceae (6 species). The other important families were Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Caesalpiniaceae,
Liliaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae and Solanaceae, all represented by 3 species each. Ten families were
represented by two species each and eighteen families by one species each.
 Indigenous veterinary remedies are typically made from plant preparations, although other materials
such as kerosene oil, alum, ash, etc. were also used.
 Leaves (27.2%) were the most frequently used plant part for the preparation of medicine followed by
fruit and seeds (18.5% each), underground parts (13.0%), stem (8.7%), and whole plant (7.6%). The
routes of administration of the eth-noveterinary practice were oral (74.4%) and external application
(25.6%).
 Of the various life-forms of plant species collected, the most frequently used were herbs with 48.6%
contribution, followed by trees (33.3%), shrubs (11.1%) and climbers (6.9%).
 The ethnovet-erinary flora usually taken from the nearby forests accounted for 58.3%, from
cultivation 30.6%, from both wild and cultivation 9.7%, and from both wild and purchased from
market contributed 1.4%.

53. Case study 8:
This study entails clinical validation and subsequent monitoring of ethno-veterinary practices adopted for
healing of three types of chronic dermal wounds in animals, viz., Sole crack in captive elephants (Sajan),
non-specific chronic superficial wounds in cattle, and yoke-gall in bullocks by farmer participatory research
method using farmers’ perception as the concurrent control, and allopathic treatment as the active comparator
(Positive control).
The results revealed that ethnoveterinary formulations had no side-effects, were easy to prepare, easily
available and involved less cost in the treatment of sole crack and non-specific chronic superficial wounds,
besides being more efficient in the treatment of yoke-gall than allopathic therapy. Follow up of the patients at
weekly intervals up to 36 weeks during post-trial period did not exhibit relapse of the treated cases.
This paper presents the composition, method of preparation, and application of the covert and select ethno-
veterinary formulations used by the tribal in wound healing and their clinical validation
Chandra et al, 2014

54. The ethno-veterinary medicine used to treat sole crack in
elephants (Sajan) was prepared from Jam tree bark (50 g), Bheloa
fruit (8-10 pc), Gurjo lata (700 g), Alum (50 g), which were boiled
together in tortoise shell. Earthen pot can be used to boil the
mixture, if tortoise shell is not available.
The positive control, i.e., Nitrofurazone ointment was applied locally twice
daily, besides intramuscular injection of Oxytetracyline @ 15mg/ kg body
weight daily for 10 days.
In the ethnoveterinary practice, mustard oil was rubbed first
on the yoke gall, followed by the leaf latex of Akanda. Then,
the lesion was thoroughly massaged. This led to
inflammation of the wound that burst subsequently, the next
day. Then, the yokegall was pricked by a needle for
aspiration of the exudates. The wound healed automatically.
Injection of oxytetracycline along with pheneramine maleate
into the yoke gall that continued for 5 days was the allopathic
treatment offered to the affected animals.

55. The ethnoveterinary medicine used to treat nonspecific chronic superficial dermal wounds in cattle was
prepared from the bark of mango tree (50 g), bark of kadam tree (50 g), and silk cotton seeds (7 pc), which
were crushed, and t he extracts obtained from these ingredients were mixed together, and orally
administered to the animals @ 50 ml twi c e dai ly. The allopathic t r e a tmen t ( Po s i t iv e c ont r o l ) ,
amoxicillin oral suspension was administered @ 7 mg/kg body weight da i ly f o r 1 5 d a ys .
Non- spec i f i c chroni c super fi c i al dermal wounds in cattle

58.  slow rate of production of many medicinal plants,
 long gestation period,
 shortage of suitable cultivation technology,
 production of small quantity,
 unscientific harvesting,
 paucity of research on the high yielding varieties,
 inefficient processing techniques,
 fluctuation in demand and supply,
 poor quality control procedures,
 scarcity of good manufacturers,
 poor marketing infrastructure, and
 poor coordination among different stakeholders
Constraints in the medicinal plant sector:
Kala et al, 2006
Various studies indicate that the availability of
information on medicinal plants of the
Himalayan Region is meagre and mainly
restricted to inventory. Dhar et al. (2000)
noted that 50% of the contributions focussed
on distribution and availability, 16.3% on
status (21% on population studies , 79%
general), 24.4% on cultivation and
propagation, 4.7% on extraction and trade
and 4.7% on conservation.

59.  There is a need to focus research on ethnoveterinary medicine and ultimately blending with
conventional veterinary practices in order to achieve sustainable animal health care in rural and peri-
urban communities of the world.
 Strengthen the traditional systems by orthodox veterinarians providing support, as well as certain
critical services, such as vaccines and treatment of diseases not understood and properly managed by
the stock raisers and ethnopractitioners.
 Little or no research is focused on traditional veterinary medicine to understand the underlying
science and promote validation procedures and processes (Lans 2001).
 Train and equip ethnoveterinary practitioners with modern veterinary techniques, practices and
knowledge so as to make them be the 'frontline para-vets' to deliver in primary livestock healthcare
systems at community level (Toyang et al 1995).
 Development of appropriate legal frameworks with a view to protecting a country's ethnoknowledge
and its overexploitation and ensuring that the source community benefits from any accruing benefits
(Mathias 2004).
The way forward

60.  The researchers should understand, recognize, appreciate and learn to respect the medical traditional
knowledge of other cultures and any results obtained from a given local community involved in an
ethnoveterinary research programme, should be taken back to the same community with a reward and
be made to benefit from its wider adaptation and use.
(Kasonia and Ansay 1997)
 Martin et al (2001) described three circumstances leading to the selection of effective and
appropriate practices for differing conditions from either orthodox medicine, ethnoveterinary systems or
both, as follows: -
 For acute, life-threatening infections and epidemics, modern medicine such as antibiotics will
remain the first choice.
 For common diseases and chronic conditions (colds, skin diseases worms, wounds, reproductive
disorders, nutritional deficiencies, mild diarrhea etc.), ethnoveterinary medicine has much to
offer and should be strongly considered as an alternative or complement to modern treatments.
 For problems such as ticks and trypanosomiasis, neither modern nor ethnoveterinary medicine
alone provides a satisfactory solution. A combination of modern and local remedies and
management practices might be the best.

61.  Enhance education and multidisciplinary research programmes on ethnoveterinary medicine at all
levels, particularly in Schools, Middle-level Colleges, Universities and National and International
Research Institutions.
(Fielding 1997)
 Multidisciplinary approach is very exhaustive and effective in collecting, evaluating, analyzing and
documenting ethnoveterinary information.
(Grandin 1985; Martínez and Miguel 1988)
 The world governments and donor groups and agents such as IMF, World Bank, WHO, FAO, IFAD,
WAC, CGIAR, ICAR, NMPB etc., should, morally, financially and physically give ER and D support
and attention it deserves in its research and implementation interventions.
 Location specific data covering different climatic and geographical regions of the Himalaya is vital to
pinpoint the relative threats to natural populations of taxa, particularly those c o n s i d e r e d
threatened (Badola and Pal 2002, 2003).

62. Conclusions
 Traditional medicine has existed since pre-historic times and flourishes today as the primary form of
human and animal medicine for perhaps as much as 80% of the world's population.
 Today, ethnoveterinary medicine remains an ethnoscientific resource that is yet to be tapped and has a far-
reaching implication on the economic development and enhancement of veterinary health of particularly
rural poor communities, which do not have access to modern medical services.
 Ethnoveterinary research should put more emphasis on first,
 documentation of the knowledge in new unexploited areas, and
 secondly, on learning procedures and methods as used in traditional knowledge.
 Little of this work has been done in many communities all over the world and currently, there is fear that
this information has not been and is not being passed over to the future generations and hence, a lot of it if
not all, may get lost forever without reaching the future generations
 More pharmacological, clinical validation and ethnoveterinary studies must be carried out to improve our
understanding of traditional practices.

63. Cultivation of medicinal plants
 Information on the propagation of medicinal plants is available for less than 10% and agro-technology
is availa-ble only for 1% of the total known plants globally.
(Lozoya, 1994, Khan and Khanum, 2000)
 This trend shows that developing agro-technology should be one of the thrust areas for research.
Furthermore, in order to meet the escalating demand of medicinal plants, farming of these plant species
is imperative. Apart from meeting the present demand, farming may conserve the wild genetic diversity
of medicinal plants.
 Since ethnoveterinary medicine has its roots embodied in ethnobotany, there is an urgent need
 to judiciously harvest, process, store, preserve and utilize the botanical preparations (Levy 1988;
Lötschert and Beese 1983)
 and establish botanical gardens of particularly endangered medicinal plants (Gbile 1991; Spore 1992),
so that a sustainable system of conservation and utilization of medicinal plants is achieved and
maintained, thereby safeguarding, preserving and conserving biodiversity (Kasonia and Ansay 1997).