Toxic plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Italy.
Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Botanica generale e sistematica, Pisa University, Via L. Ghini 5, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
Natural product communications (Impact Factor: 0.96). 07/2011; 6(7):999-1000.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to document the use of toxic or potentially
toxic plants for the treatment of ailments in livestock and pets in
ethnoveterinary practice in Italy. More than 250 of the entities used
(81% for curative purposes) can be toxic unless dosed appropriately.
Many (55%) are dietary supplements. The list included 186 species (45%)
for internal and 175 (55%) for external use, many used in places where
animals are kept. The species belong to 71 families, among which the
Fabaceae predominate. The purpose of the study was to provide
information that can be validated and associated with correct
determination, permitting even potentially dangerous plants to be used
in veterinary practice.
