Ethnoveterinary Practices of Medicinal Plants and Non-plant Remedies Used in Animal Health Management in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine is frequently used for treating various livestock diseases by many different ethnic groups in Ethiopia. To this end, the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and non-plant remedies has not been systematically documented and studied in the Dawuro zone. Therefore, a community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from November, 2017 to September, 2018 in order to identify and document medicinal plants and non-plant ethnoveterinary practices in Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: Relevant ethnoveterinary data was collected from purposively selected 115 key informants using semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, observations and field guided walk methods. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, quantitative ethnobotanical methods and T-test and significantly test was set to p < 0.05. The plants claimed having medicinal value were collected and botanically identified.Results: The study revealed 103 plant species belong to 47 families and 11 non-plant remedies used to manage 36 different livestock ailments. Family Asteraceae accounted for 11.5% of the total species recorded. The majority of plants (56.2%) were harvested from wild habitat. Herbs (33.8%) were the main source of medicine followed by tree (30.6%). Leaves (43.6%) and roots (27.5%) were the main plant parts used while pounding was the major form in remedy preparation. The highest Informant Consensus Factor (0.83) value was scored for the diseases of reproductive system. Cyphostema sp., Calpurina aurea and Pentas schimperiana were showed the highest Fidelity Level (100%) to treat diseases of reproductive system, ectoparasites, and emaciation and bone broken as plant materials whereas Bear faeces, sharp hot iron or wire/knife, and salt were non-plant remedies used as treatment, respectively. Azadirachta indica was the most preferred species to treat blackleg and also with highest use-value (UVs = 0.25).Conclusion: The study revealed that the local community of the study areas was used with a rich of indigenous knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants. The loss of valuable medicinal plant resources of the area calls for urgent and coordinated actions to develop conservation strategy.

Survey of Ethnoveterinary Medicines Used to Treat Livestock Diseases in Omusati and Kunene Regions of Namibia

“…The recovery time for majority of EVM treatments in the current study was 2–3 days. Similar findings were also reported by ( 8 , 33 ).…”

“…The current research identified 15 plant species from 10 families that have veterinary use. However, this number is significantly less than the 46 species reported by ( 8 ) in Southern Ethiopia and the 31 plant species reported by ( 20 ) in north central Nigeria. Most of the species in EVM came from the Fabaceae family, which contributed four species.…”

“…X. americana , and C. imberbe were used to relieve eye infections in cattle, goats, and sheep. The use of X. americana and C. imberbe was also reported by ( 8 , 17 , 33 ). Leaves from Boscia albitrunca were used as a cold infusion for treating inflamed eyes of cattle.…”

“…It will also help with the creation of herbal gardens, which will help to preserve biodiversity. Ethnoveterinary medical knowledge must be documented to aid in the finding of innovative drug sources ( 8 ).…”