Documentation and Consensus Analysis of Traditional Knowledge about Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants of Birbhum District, West Bengal (India)

Int. J. Livest. Res.. 2016; 6(1): 43-56

doi: 10.5455/ijlr.20160113031509

Suman Kalyan Mandal, Chowdhury Habibur Rahaman.

Abstract Present paper highlights the quantitative analysis of recorded information on the indigenous phytotherapy for livestock health problems in Birbhum district, West Bengal, India. Survey was conducted through semi-structured and open ended questionnaires. Altogether 25 plant species have been recorded among which about 60% are of herbaceous type. Underground parts (38%) are considered as most effective ingredients. The data have been analyzed employing suitable indices like Informants’ consensus factor (Fic) and Use Value index (UV). Fic value ranges from 0.7 to 1. Disease categories like reproductive system disorders and helminthosis scored highest Fic value of 1. Considering the use value index, the most important plant species identified here is Piper nigrum L. (UV- 0.76). Use of Ludwigia adscendens (L.) H. Hara has been found exclusively new to the ethnoveterinary knowledge base of India . These ethnoveterinary claims have to be validated further for development of new cost effective veterinary medicine. Key words: Ethnoveterinary medicines, Birbhum district, New claims, Quantitative analysis