Analysis of ethnobotanical formulas used for the treatment of dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) diseases

Abstract

Plants are important sources of food; at the same time, they present medicinal virtues for the man and the animal. Thus, the present ethnobotanical study was aimed to identify ethnobotanical formulas for the treatment of diseases affecting dromedaries. The study was carried out through individual interviews with 41 breeders using pre-established ethno-veterinary survey sheets. A total of 188 formulas, 130 of which are of plant origin, have been designated for the treatment of 28 camel diseases and symptoms identified in the study area. The results of this study showed that: Stereospermum kunthianum, Water + Camellia sinensis, Water + Lepidium sativum, Water + Acacia nilotica and Water + Salvadora persica are the most reputable formulas. Stereospermum kunthianum and Camellia sinensis are the most requested species in the constitution of these formulas. General tiredness and Diarrhea are the most common diseases with a citation rate of 18.09% and 16.49%, respectively. The leaves are the parts of the plant most used in the formulation of ethnobotanical recipes with a rate of use of 54,1%. On the other hand, pounding and maceration are the most frequent methods of preparing recipes with respective rates of 52,7% and 26,4%. And the oral route is the best choice for the administration of products to camels. This study revealed important endogenous information on the ethnomedicine held by the cameleer and which can be valued by modern medicine for the management of camel health.