Ethno-veterinary practices for animal healthcare from Sudhnutti Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

Background:  Medicinal plants have been substantial role for livestock health care system in remote area. This study aims to documents the folklore ethnoveterinary knowledge of medicinal practiced by local inhabitants of District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir for primary health care management of livestock.

Methods: A total of 70 informants of different age groups were interviewed using semi-structure questionnaire method to collect the data. Data was quantitatively analyzed using Use value, Fidelity level, Informant Census Factor, Relative Frequency of Citation and Jaccard Index. The information regarding plant parts uses, herbal formulation and mode of administration were also recorded.

Results: A total of 48 plant species belonging to 32 families were being used as ethnoveterinary practices in the study area. Leaves were the most preferred part used followed by the stem, bark and fruit. Latex, seeds, pods were among the least used parts. As for as the mode of herbal remedy preparation is concerned, the paste was mostly used (30 %), followed by raw form (26%), and decoction (20%), while oil (2 %) is the least preferred method. The highest ICF values were recorded for respiratory diseases (0.90) followed by toxic effects (0.86) and infectious diseases (0.84) and least for abdominal disorder.

Conclusion: The present study contributes to the documentation and preservation of significant folklore ethnoveterinary knowledge from the local communities of study area. The present findings suggest that plant species with high fidelity level, use value and relative frequency of citation should be screened for phytochemical and pharmacological analysis

Keywords: Indigenous knowledge; Livestock ailments; Remote area; Medicinal plants; Ethnobotanical indices, Sudhanoti