Use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province of South Africa

Abstract

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods were employed to document the use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province of South Africa. The study indicated that Setswana-speaking people in the North West Province have a rich heritage of ethnoveterinary knowledge, which includes all aspects of ethnoveterinary medicinal plant use. Information was gathered from informants through individual interviews, group interviews, guided field walks and observations. Ethnoveterinary uses in cattle of 45 plant species representing 24 families were recorded. Plants were used in 84 % of the total number of recorded ethnoveterinary remedies. These plants were used alone (64 %) or in mixtures (36 %) for 29 indications. The most important indications were retained placenta, diarrhoea, gallsickness, fractures, eye inflammation, general ailments, fertility enhancement, general gastrointestinal problems, heartwater, internal parasites, coughing, redwater and reduction of tick burden. Plant materials were prepared in various ways including infusion, decoction, ground fresh material, sap expressed from fresh material, charred and dried. The most common dosage formwas a liquid for oral dosing. Other dosage forms included drops, licks, ointments, lotions and powders. Liquid remedies for oral dosing were always administered using a bottle. Medicinal plant material was preferably stored in a dried form in a cool place out of direct sunlight and wind. Lack of transfer of ethnoveterinary knowledge to younger generations puts this knowledge at risk. RRA was found to be a successful method of investigation for the study of ethnoveterinary medicine

Ethno Veterinary Practices Prevalent Among Livestock Rearers at Arbe Gona And Loka Abaya Woredas of Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia

“…The results as assessed in the present study are in agreement with the observations of (Haile and Delenasaw 2007). The use of toxic plants in ethno veterinary preparations as was observed in the study has also been reported by Van der Merwe et al (2001), Muhammad et al (2006), Kumar and Sharma (2012) and Naik et al (2012) from different parts of the world.…”

Coagulation efficiency of <i>Dicerocaryum eriocarpum</i> (DE) plant

“…If the plant is crushed and left overnight in water, the resultant mucilage from the leaves becomes a useful substitute for soap and shampoo (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000). In terms of medicinal purposes, DE can be used for antibacterial (Luseba et al, 2007) and ethnoveterinary medicines (Van Der Merwe et al, 2001). Parts of the plant have been used to treat diseases in the rural areas of the Vhembe District, South Africa.…”

Application of Plant Extracts and Products in Veterinary Infections

“…In animals, the most commonly treated disorders comprise diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal problems, internal parasites, eye inflammation, retained placenta, heartwater, coughing, redwater and tick infestation [33]. It is critical when evaluating herbal remedies used in animal health care to bear in mind that ethnoveterinary medicine as a whole includes diagnostic procedures, animal husbandry practices, surgical methods and traditional veterinary theory in addition to the use of ethnoveterinary plants to prevent and control disease [33,34].…”

“…It is critical when evaluating herbal remedies used in animal health care to bear in mind that ethnoveterinary medicine as a whole includes diagnostic procedures, animal husbandry practices, surgical methods and traditional veterinary theory in addition to the use of ethnoveterinary plants to prevent and control disease [33,34].…”