Volume 151, Issue 1, 10 January 2014, Pages 333–342
Ethno-botanical remedies used by pastoralists for the treatment of livestock diseases in Cholistan desert, Pakistan
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Account of the traditional plant based viz.
ethno-botanical remedies used by the pastoralists of Cholistan desert,
Pakistan, for the control and treatment of livestock diseases and
ailments.
Materials and methods
The
study was conducted across five locations in Cholistan desert,
Pakistan, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 100
livestock farmers (LF) and 20 livestock healers (LH). From correlation
analyses 3 least correlated variables were identified among 5, which
were representative of LFs. Cluster analysis was performed on the basis
of these 3 variables and LFs were grouped into 3 logically different
clusters. Kruskal–Wallis test and crosstab analyses were used to detect
significant differences between clusters and effects of various
variables on their use of ethno-botanical remedies.
Results
Most
of the male only interviewees (LF 78%; LH 70%) were married and
illiterate (LF 66%; LH 70%). LH had larger herds (average 109 animals)
than LF (average 85 animals) and were more experienced in livestock
husbandry and management. LF spent about 162.5 Euros annually on the
treatment of their livestock, but there was great variability in
expenditures. Average animal treatment experience of LH was 29 years;
all were experts in treatment of all types of diseases (100%) and animal
species (70%).
Eighty-six traditional remedies based
on 64 plants belonging to 43 families were used. Capparaceae was the
botanical family with the largest number of used species (4), followed
by Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae and Zygophyllaceae (3). Aerial
parts (43%), leaves (26%), fruits (9%), seeds and seed oils (9%) were
frequently used parts, while flowers, roots, bulbs and pods were less
frequently used (<5%). Common preparations were decoction, jaggery
and ball drench; oral drug administration was very common and doses were
estimated using lids, spoons, cups and handfuls. Doses used for
different animal species varied depending on animal age, size and
physical condition and severity of the disease.
Conclusions
Pastoralists
are practicing traditional plant-based livestock medication without
scientific validation as they cannot afford allopathic drugs due to
their livelihood conditions. Therefore, efficacy of documented medicinal
plants against the most prevalent livestock diseases should be
evaluated, in order to recommend effective preparations and treatments
to this poor population group.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Ethno-veterinary medicine;
- Livestock farmers;
- Livestock healers;
- Traditional remedies
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