Plant-based veterinary practices in Peru: a review of traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge and phytochemical components

Authors

  • Wilsser Silva Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina
  • Anderson Mijahuanca Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca
  • Gabriela I. Seminario Ordoñez Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca
  • Juan F. Seminario Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

Abstract

Background: For millennia, medicinal plants have been employed in ethnoveterinary practices to cure and avert diseases in domesticated animals, particularly livestock. Ethnoveterinary medicine studies traditional beliefs, knowledge and practices to maintain the health and well-being of animals, using mainly plants, minerals, animals and magical-religious or spiritual elements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and healing. In Peru, the trend of urban migration has led to a decline in traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants in veterinary treatment. This study aims to pinpoint the medicinal plants traditionally employed in Peru and to identify their phytochemical makeup.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using various online databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, ResearchGate, Scopus, ScienceDirect, university databases and other related publications.

Results: In total, 13 studies were found that refer to the use of medicinal plants in ethnoveterinary medicine in Peru. The studies recorded a total of 189 plant species from 61 families, used in treating a variety of diseases in Peruvian domestic animals. In ethnoveterinary medicine, a total of 58 conditions were identified, primarily in livestock and alpacas. The most frequently observed conditions were diarrhea (23%), fever (13%), worm infestation (10%), pneumonia (8%), and mastitis (7%). Among the 189 species used in Peruvian ethnoveterinary medicine, 69% have studies on their phytochemical components listed in the databases. The most important phytochemical compounds found were simple and complex phenolic compounds, essential oils, including simple and complex terpenes.  Other less frequent were phytosterols, alkaloids, glycosides, quinones and peptides.

Conclusions: Studies on ethnoveterinary medicine in Peru document 181 plant species used in the treatment of ailments in cattle, llamas and alpacas, mainly. The most common diseases include diarrhea, fever and mastitis. Approximately 69% of these plants have been studied for their phytochemical content, were found mainly polyphenols, oils, alkaloids, quinones and peptides. While for the rest of the plants there is no record of their components, which represents an opportunity for future research.

Keywords: Ethnoveterinary, livestock, medicinal plants, phyto-remedies, Peru.

Author Biographies

Wilsser Silva , Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina

D. Candidate in Engineering and Environmental Sciences at the Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina. Master's Degree in Science and Technology of Sustainability from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya- Spain. Agricultural Engineer by the National University of Cajamarca, graduated in the first place of the class of 2013. Researcher in conservation of vulnerable ecosystems. Also, advisor in reforestation projects, vulnerable ecosystems, climate change, circular economy and sustainable development.

Anderson Mijahuanca , Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

Agronomy graduate from the National University of Cajamarca (UNC), with experience in research and conservation of endangered species in the region. Currently, I work in the area of Andean roots and tubers, focusing on the preservation and sustainable development of these crops.

Gabriela I. Seminario Ordoñez, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

I am currently pursuing a master's degree at the National University of Cajamarca, in the area of Public Health, I am investigating the in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils of Piper aduncum and Tara spinosa on multidrug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis. I am a graduate of the career of veterinary medicine from the National University of Cajamarca. Currently I am in charge of the National Service of Agrarian Health of Peru, in Peru.

Juan F. Seminario, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

Senior lecturer at the National University of Cajamarca (UNC), with a Master's degree in Botany from the Colegio de Postgraduados de Mexico, with a PhD from the National University of Cajamarca. Professor of the courses of Plant Physiology, Tuberous Culture and Plant Propagation, in the undergraduate and. Methodology of Scientific Research and Thesis Seminar at the Postgraduate level. I do research on agrobiodiversity. I have published in indexed journals on these topics.

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Published

2024-11-07

How to Cite

Silva, W., Mijahuanca , A. ., Seminario Ordoñez, G. I. ., & Seminario, J. F. . (2024). Plant-based veterinary practices in Peru: a review of traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge and phytochemical components. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 29, 1–40. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/6401

Issue

Vol. 29 (2024)

Section

Reviews

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