CHAPTER 8
ETHNOVETERINARY MEDICINAL PLANTS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL HIMALAYAS
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
The present review summarizes the published literature on ethnoveterinary plants of Western and Central Himalayas covering the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and part of Punjab. A brief review on published literature is given. Details of about 350 ethnoveterinary plants are given. Name of the plant species, part used, ethnoveterinary use and reference are given in a tabular form.
8.1 INTRODUCTION
Pastoralism plays an important role in the ecology of alpine habitats and the economy of rural people in some regions of India. The pastoralists move from lower altitudes of the Himalayas to higher alpine regions in summer and return back to lower altitude villages with the onset of autumn. Animal husbandry is the backbone of the rural sector of the Himalayan region and development of this sector may improve the living standard of rural communities. Livestock provides a wide range of services and products including animal power, wool and supplementary nutrition (Maikhuri, 1992). In spite of environmental compulsions and hardships of remote areas, the spectrum of livestock diversity in this region is rich and varied. Horses and mules are the backbone of the rural transport system in Western and Central Himalayas. Sheep-rearing for wool can be good opportunity for alternative livelihood, whereas Yak is used for the tourism in a few districts. This is evident from the occurrence of different breeds of sheep, goats, cattle, horses, mules, buffaloes and poultry, etc. In these remote areas, where modern veterinary health curative systems are very poor, the traditional societies have evolved several indigenous veterinary health care practices to maintain a variety of livestock populations (Palni et al., 1998; Samal et al., 2004). Ethnoveterinary medicine is a system that is based on folk beliefs, traditional knowledge, skills, methods and practices used for curing diseases and maintaining health of animals. Ethnoveterinary medicines provide the major source for the treatment of diseases in livestock throughout the world even today. Ethnoveterinary medicines are used extensively and quite effectively for primary health care treatment to make domestic animals productive and healthy. The indigenous knowledge of the veterinary health care system acquired by traditional herbal healers (Pashu Vaidyas) is orally transformed from one generation to other. Over centuries, people have developed their own system of keeping animals healthy and productive using age-old home remedies, surgical and manipulative techniques, husbandry strategies and associated magicoreligious practices. Cost, inaccessibility and other problems like side effects of modern animal health care system have encouraged the local people to rely on traditional rural wisdom. Ethnoveterinary practices are often cheap, safe, long time tested and based on local resources and strengths. These can provide useful alternatives to modern animal health care systems (Kumar, 2002; McCorkle, 1995). Attempts should, therefore, be made to explore new possible species having medicinal importance especially veterinary and to grow them in suitable areas so as to meet national demands. The present review is expected to provide basic data for further studies aimed at conservation of traditional medicine and economic welfare or rural people of Western and Central Himalayas.
8.2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Issar (1981) studied the traditionally important medicinal plants and folklore of Uttaranchal Himalaya used for animal treatment. Sharma and Singh (1989) studied the traditional practices and knowledge about 18 plant species used to cure different diseases of their livestock in the North-West and
Trans-Himalaya. Chaurasia et al. (1999b) investigated ethno-medicinal
plants of arctic desert - Ladakh used in veterinary practices.
Tiwari et al. (2000) reported the utilization of plants and plant products in ethnoveterinary medicines of Dwarahat area of Uttarakhand Himalayas and documented traditional veterinary medicinal information against the diseases and disorders. Many of traditional practices and treatments are very unique and effective. Beigh et al. (2004) reported 25 plants within 19 families of Bakerwals and other migratory herders and shepherds for treatment of a variety of animal problems.
Tiwari and Pande (2004) have given traditional veterinary practices in south-eastern part of Chamoli district in Uttaranchal. In all 72 plants important in ethnoveterinary medicine, their mode of preparations to the diseases and disorders are given.
Pande et al. (2007) reviewed the ethnoveterinary plants of Uttarakhand and found 364 plants of 107 families used for various veterinary ailments by Bhotiya, Boxa, Tharu, Jaunsari and Rajis tribal communities of the State.
The maximum number of plants recorded from family Asteraceae (23) followed by Fabaceae (22), Rosaceae (18), Poaceae (15), Lamiaceae (14), Apiaceae (12), Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, Moraceae and Ranunculaceae (9 each) etc. Among the top genera Ficus (8), Artemisia (6), Asparagus (5), Berberis, Bassica, Quercus, Rubus and Solanum (4 each) etc. Out of 364 ethnoveterinary plants 66 species were used in treatment of dermatological disorders (Skin diseases dermatitis, eczema, ricket, scabies, infarction, chhiparh) followed by 66 species in stomachache, stomachic, indigestion, vomiting, digestive disorders, loss of appetite, impaction and alimanty diseases; 62 species in wounds, cuts and contusion; 51 species in bone fracture and dysentery, diarrhea, dehydration; 47 species for lactation, 40 species for removing external and internal parasites; 39 species in foot and mouth diseases; 38 species in tympany and flatulence; 35 species in blisters and sores; 33 species in cold and cough; 30 species in eye disease and conjunctivitis; 29 species for tonic and strength; 28 species for food poisoning; 21 species in broken horn; 20 species in mastitis and sore in nipple; 18 species in boils, pimples, carbuncles and retention of placenta; 17 species in internal injury and inducing fertility; 16 species in tonsil, lockjaw (tetanus), burns and dog bite, snakebite and scorpion stings; 15 species in paralysis and paraplegia; 13 species in swelling and inflammation; 10 species in rheumatism, pain and arthritis; 9 species in hematuria; 7 species in post calving care and liver disorders; 6 species in giddiness and insanity; 5 species in urinary troubles; 4 species to remove sterility and 2 species in piles. Besides this, 12 species are also used in treatment of bird (hen/cocks). The leaves of 103 species are used in ethnoveterinary and animal healthcare practices followed by bulb, root, rhizome and tubers of 97 species; seeds of 57 species; whole plant of 54 species; bark of 39 species; fruits and nuts of 38 species; stem, shoot and wood of 31 species; gum, latex, resin and oil of 17 species; thorn of 3 species; aerial parts, buds and pseudostems of 2 species each and epicarp, cob and flowers of 1 species each. The diverse use of these species was also reported such as edible (183 species); folk-culture (130 species); fodder (112 species); oil (90 species); wood (68 species); household goods (53 species); beverages (41 species); fiber (28 species) and (109 species) in other traditional system. Besides ethnoveterinary uses 283 species are also used in treatment of human diseases.
Shah et al. (2008) described the uses of 57 plant species for treating 24 most common livestock diseases and disorders. The biomedicines are composed of single drug or combination of drugs.
Kumari et al. (2009) discussed the 111 veterinary ethnomedicinal plants of Uttarakhand in central Himalayan region. Phondani et al. (2010) reported the plants and household remedies for curing veterinary ailments. About 34 ailments commonly found in nine different categories of livestock/animals (i e., buffalo, cow, oxen, sheep, goat, horse, mule, dog and cat) and their treatment with 73 medicinal plant species belonging to 70 genera and 45 families of forests as well as rural settlement areas. Majority of the people (more than 80%) dependent on traditional (herbal) system of treatments practiced by local healers (Pashu Vaidyas), while rest of the people preferred modern (allopathic) system of treatments for curing veterinary ailments. The important species, i.e., Trachyspermum ammi, Lyonia ovalifolia, Curcuma domestica, Bombax ceiba, Vigna mungo, Coriandrum sativum, Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Angelica glauca, Piper nigrum, Sesamum orientale, etc. are commonly used in treatment. However, it is also reported that people prefer allopathic treatment for some of the diseases like sterility, foot and mouth disease, uterus disorder, cataract, etc.
8.3 ETHNOVETERINARY PLANTS
Plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Western and Central Himalayas are listed in Table 8.1.
KEYWORDS
- Central Himalayas
- ethnoveterinary medicine
- prescriptions
- tribals
- Western Himalayas
TABLE 8.1 Etluioveterinary plants of Western and Central Himalayas
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