Botanical ethnoveterinary therapies used by agro-pastoralists of Fafan zone, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, plant based remedies are still the most important and sometimes the only source of therapeutics in the management of livestock diseases. However, documentation of this indigenous knowledge of therapeutic system still remains at a minimum level. The aim of this study was, thus, to document the traditional knowledge of botanical ethnoveterinary therapies in the agro-pastoral communities of Fafan Zone, Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsThe study employed a cross-sectional participatory survey. Purposive sampling technique was applied to select key respondents with desired knowledge in traditional animal health care system. Data were gathered from a total of 24 (22 males and 2 females) ethnoveterinary practitioners and herbalists using an in-depth-interview complemented with group discussion and field observation.ResultsThe current ethnobotanical survey indicated that botanical ethnoveterinary therapies are the mainstay of livestock health care system in the studied communities. A total of 49 medicinal plants belonging to 21 families, which are used by traditional healers and livestock raisers for the treatment of 29 types of livestock ailments/health problems, were identified in the study area. The major plant parts used were leaves (43%) followed by roots (35%). In most cases, traditional plant remedies were prepared by pounding the remedial plant part and mixing it with water at room temperature.ConclusionThe various types of identified medicinal plants and their application in ethnoveternary practice of Fafan zone agro pastoralists indicate the depth of indigenous knowledge in ethnobotanical therapy. The identified medicinal plants could be potentially useful for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Plant Diversity and Ethnoveterinary Practices of Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

“…The majorly treated livestock ailments of this study were supported by number of documents [19, 20, 29, 34]. However, this result is in contrast with [18, 27] which indicate the majorly treated livestock ailments are diarrhea and wound rather than black leg. The in agreement might be due to the prevalence rate of most livestock ailments from different agroecology oblige healers and respondents to focus on frequently occurring ailment with long years of experience in treatment.…”

In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Crude Extracts of Aerial Parts of Cissus quadrangularis L. and Leaves of Schinus molle L. against Haemonchus contortus

“…C. quadrangularis is claimed to be used in livestock against helminthiasis, tick and lice infestation, and leach infestation. Similarly, S. molle is widely used by pastoralists and agropastoralists of Ethiopia to eradicate intestinal parasites [ 13 , 14 ]. Therefore, it was found necessary to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of two of the commonly used herbs by the pastoralist communities of Ethiopia.…”

Immunomodulation of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines by Prosopis juliflora alkaloids during bovine sub-clinical mastitis

“…The use of herbal extracts or the traditional ethno-veterinary medicinal practices in the treatment of various veterinary diseases in developing countries is well known; however, the reports of ethno-veterinary medicinal practices in treatment of bovine mastitis is lesser known and reported. Feyera et al (2017) reported that botanical ethnoveterinary therapies are the mainstay of livestock health care system in Fafan Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Aziz et al (2018) investigated 73 medicinal plants used by indigenous communities for veterinary practices in Pakistan.…”