Ethno-medicinal uses of vertebrates in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal

Abstract

Traditional knowledge on the use of animal products to maintain human health is important since time immemorial. Although a few studies reported food and medicinal values of different animals, a comprehensive ethno-medicinal study of vertebrates in Nepal is still lacking. Thus, present study is aimed at documenting the ethno-medicinal knowledge related to vertebrate fauna among different ethnic communities in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed by using Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL). Results showed a total of 58 (53 wild and 5 domestic) species of vertebrate animals. They were used to treat 62 types human ailments. Four animals were also used for veterinary diseases and agriculture benefits. The most widely used species was Felis chaus (UV = 0.25) with 3 use-reports by 10 informants. Cardiovascular and dental problems had the highest ICF value (0.974) with cardiovascular problems having 351 use-reports for 10 animal species and dental problems having 77 use-reports for 3 animal species. The least ICF was found in ophthalmological problems (ICF = 0.833, use reports = 7 for 2 species). We concluded that the different animals were an important part of traditional medicine for the local people living in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape. However, the majority of animals and most likely to be threatened due to their uses. The present documented ethnozoological knowledge can be used in conservation and management of vertebrates so that they could be protected for future generations.

Medicinal Animals and Plants as Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Southern Regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…The participants of age group above 40 years secured a high percentage and were predominantly involved in using ethnomedicines. A similar trend was observed in previous studies conducted in Nepal Adhikari et al (2020) , Ethiopia Kendie et al (2018) , India Borah and Prasad (2017) , and Pakistan Altaf et al (2018) indicating that elder respondents possessed more knowledge and experience regarding ethnomedicines. Mostly respondents stated that they acquired knowledge from their elders.…”

“…In our findings, mammals remained as the highly utilized animal group for therapeutic purposes. Similar studies have been reported in Pakistan, North-Western Ethiopia, Nepal, and South Africa Whiting et al (2013) , Altaf et al (2018) , Adhikari et al (2020) where mammals were mostly used as medicines. Most of these animals were domesticated and therefore, easily accessible.…”

“…Capra hircus, Macaca mulatta, Paraechinus micropus, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Funambulus palmarum, Anas platyrhynchos, and Gallus gallus meat was used to treat hepatitis, cough, cancer, asthma, epilepsy, anemia, weakness, and kidney problems. Similar uses of different animals’ meat have been reported to treat patients suffering from paralysis, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis, poor vision, and tuberculosis ( Adhikari et al, 2020 ). Columba livia meat was utilized for early onset of puberty in females in our study.…”

“…People living in rural areas mostly have a strong belief and prefer traditional medicine ( Adhikari et al, 2020 ). All the informants were having substantial knowledge of using ethnomedicines.…”

“…The result was supported by earlier reports Mahomoodally et al (2019) confirming females as the most predominant users of animal-based recipes. However, male respondents were more dominant and actively involved in using ethnomedicines in Nepal, India, and Ethiopia ( Borah and Prasad, 2017 ; Kendie et al, 2018 ; Adhikari et al, 2020 ). The ratio of male to female respondents that were interviewed in the present study and those reported earlier may justify this difference.…”