Ethnoveterinary use of medicinal plants in the treatment of small ruminants – a survey in Bavaria

Introduction Sheep and goats are the oldest farm animals due to their various uses [1]. Likewise, herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of treatment for humans and animals [2]. From 2018 to 2021, we conducted an ethno-veterinary study on Bavarian farms.

Aim The aim was to elaborate if medicinal plants and their potential uses are still known today among Bavarian farmers.

Method As part of a study that included further livestock, 16 interviews were conducted with keepers of small ruminants. Thereby, detailed information about plant species, plant part used, the manufacturing process of the end-product, dosing, administration, and therapeutic intention was recorded.

Results 52 use reports (URs, corresponding to 41 herbal remedy reports (HRs)) with 47 different plant species were specifically linked to diseases of small ruminants (39 URs sheep and 13 URs goats).

Altogether, Calendula officinalis L. (7 URs), Picea abies (L.) H.Karst. (6 URs) and Symphytum officinale L. (5 URs) were mentioned most frequently.

For 33 URs (22 HRs), a single plant was used. 19 URs (10 HRs) were mixtures. The most comprehensive mixture (a composition for strengthening in multiple pregnancies and thus preventing gestational toxemia) contained 7 different medicinal plants.

7 URs referred to the general strengthening of pregnant animals. Overall, HRs were reported mainly and with the same frequency for use in diseases and wounds of the skin and claws (QD, 27%) digestive tract disorders (QA, 23%), and for prophylaxis of endo- and ectoparasites (QP, 23%) ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Distribution of indication areas according to ATC-Vet codes. QD = Dermatologicals, QP = Antiparasitic products, QA = Alimentary tract and metabolism, GS = General strengthening, Others = Respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, sensory organs, mastitis.

Conclusion Bavarian farmers still use a wide variety of mainly indigenous medicinal plants to prevent and treat a broad spectrum of diseases in sheep and goats. Exact dosages for small ruminants were rarely reported, as the plants were mostly used ad libitum for the whole herd or were individually prepared for external use.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
13. Juni 2022

• References

• 1 Peters J. et al. Paléorient 1999; 25 (02) 27-48
• 2 Petrovska BB. Pharmacogn Rev 2012; 6 (11) 1-5