Available online 27 February 2017
- a P.G. and Research Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mannampandal, Tamil Nadu, India
- b Department of Botany, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mannampandal, Tamil Nadu, India
- c Department of Zoology, Dharmapuram Gnanambigai Government Arts College for Women, Mayiladuthurai – 609001, Tamil Nadu, India
- Received 29 December 2016, Revised 23 February 2017, Accepted 24 February 2017, Available online 27 February 2017
Abstract
Ethenopharmacological relevance
India
has a long tradition of practicing Ayurvedic medicine not only for
human ailments, but also for the management of livestock in the form of
ethno-veterinary practices. Asian elephant is a significant part of
Indian culture, and ethno-veterinary practices have extended to manage
and cure various ailments of Asian elephant in captivity. Much of this
knowledge has been lost in the light of modern practices.
Aim of the study
This study is aimed at documenting the existing knowledge on ethno-veterinary medicines practiced by elephant keepers (mahouts) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Materials and methods
The study was carried out between June 2015 and February 2016 employing a questionnaire survey among 50 selected informants (mahouts)
with traditional knowledge on plants in veterinary medicine.
Information was elicited from the informants on various diseases
prevailing among captive elephants and the traditional treatment
employed by them.
Results
In
total, the study documented 53 plant species belonging to 29 families
being used as medicine for 23 types of ailments prevailing among captive
elephants. Ferula assafoetida, Zingiber officinale, Piper longum, P. nigrum, Cuminum cyminum, Trachyspermum roxburghianum and Carum bulbocastanum were the most commonly used plants either independently or in combination. Among them, Ferula assafoetida (12.4%) and Zingiber officinale
(10.4%) had the highest usage. Of the 23 diseases reported,
constipation was the most common ailment (14.6%) followed by bloating
(8.7%) and flatulence (8.7%).
Conclusion
Documentation
of this indigenous knowledge is valuable for the communities concerned,
both at present and in future and for scientific consideration for
wider use of traditional knowledge in treating captive elephants. The
study has identified 53 medicinal plants to treat various ailments among
captive elephants in southern India. The most frequently used plants in
the captive elephant health care practice are F. assafoetida, Z. officinale, P. longum and P.nigrum.
Among the 29 families, Apiaceae and Piperaceae are widely used. The
leaves are the most useful part of the plants, while paste is the widely
used form of preparation. The present findings show that mahouts have
wide knowledge about elephant diseases and their treatment using herbal
medicine. A more detailed investigation should be designed on priority
to document the dying art of ethno-veterinary practices for the
long-term conservation of the Asian elephant.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Ethno-veterinary practices;
- Elephant mahouts;
- Tamil Nadu;
- Herbal medicine;
- Traditional practices
