Inventory of Ethno-veterinary Practices used for the Control of Parasitic Infections in District Jhang, Pakistan
Sindhu, Z.U.D.; Ullah, S.; Abbas, R.Z.; Iqbal, Z.; Hameed, M.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 14(6): 922-928
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1560-8530 Accession: 070690684
This study aimed at documentation of ethno-veterinary practices (EVPs) to treat parasitic ailments in animals in District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. An initial appraisal was conducted to identify the traditional veterinary healers (n=200) among the local farmers. Interviews, group discussions and field visits were organized to collect the information over a period of six months. A total of 96 EVPs were documented, out of which 66 were based on medicinal plants and 30 on other organic and inorganic matters. A total of 35 plants representing 23 families were documented for the treatment of different parasitic diseases. The top 10 most frequently used plants were: Eruca vesicaria (n=69), Azadirachta indica (n=47), Citrullus colocynthis (n=32), Brassica rapa (n=25), Ocimum basilicum (n=22), Ferula asafetida (n=15), Nicotiana tabacum (n=13), Allium cepa (n=8), Withania coagulans (n=8) and Aloe vera (n=6). There was diversity in the use of plants in their dosage, mode of preparation, part used and indications. The most frequently reported prescriptions were for the treatment of mange (n=111) followed by helminthiasis (n=63), tick infestation (n=57) and fly infestation (n=39). On an overall basis, farmers expressed their satisfaction for the documented EVPs. Findings of the study indicated richness of the indigenous knowledge and its effective use in treating parasitic diseases prevalent in the area by the local farming communities. Value addition by standardization of doses of plants and their validation using scientific procedures would be of interest to the farmers, scientific community and pharmaceutical industry. Science Publishers