Application of Homeopathy in Veterinary Practices
A.Varun1 and M. Nithya Quintoil2
1Farm Manager, PGRIAS, TANUVAS, Kattupakkam
2Assistant Professor, RIVER, Puducherry
Homoeopathic system of medicine is the second largest medical system in the world. Homoeopathic medicines are prepared from wide range of natural sources such as plants, chemicals, minerals, microbes and animals. The principle of homeopathy treatment is that “like cures like” which means “a substance that causes certain symptoms which can also help to remove those symptoms”. Another principle is based on the process of dilution. Aspirin from willow tree, digitalis from foxglove, artemisinin from wormwood, taxol from the pacific yew tree, vinblastine and vincristine from periwinkle, etoposide from mayapple, etc., can be effectively used for treating disease conditions. Veterinary homeopathy is an excellent alternative for treating certain animal ailments or diseases, including conduct disorders. But it must not take the place of treatment for serious diseases.
Examples of homeopathic medicines
| Plant based homeopathic medicines | Arnica montana, Allium cepa (onion), Ledum palustre (wild rosemary), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), Ruta graveolens (rue), and Bellis perennis (daisy) |
| Animal based homeopathic medicines | Apis mellifica (honeybee), Anas barbariae (duck extract) and Lachesis mutus (Bushmaster venom) |
| Mineral based homeopathic medicines | natrum muriaticum (sodium chloride), calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate), kali bichromicum (potassium dichromate) and magnesia phosphorica (magnesium phosphate) |
Livestock sector is one of the fastest growing sector in agriculture. In recent years, there has been a great attention to minimize or completely avoid usage of antibiotics, as well as an increasing consumer concern for drug residues in meat, eggs and milk which leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and treatment failure in humans. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem created due to the excessive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in human, animal and plants. Since, Homeopathy has been undergoing resurgence and became popular in veterinary medicine and it helps to provide safe animal products to the humans.
Common homeopathy remedy used in veterinary practice
| Drug | Common name | Mode of action |
| Arnica | Leopard’s bane | Ø Herbal medicine for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes
Ø Main constituents of Arnica montana are essential oils, fatty acids, thymol, pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones and flavanone glycosides Ø It helps prevent bruising, limits bleeding, encourages healing and reduces pain and the effects of shock |
| Arsenicum album | White arsenic | Ø Prepared by diluting aqueous arsenic trioxide
Ø Helps to treat digestive disorders |
| Bryonia | White bryony | Ø Used to relieve constipation, upset stomach, and fluid retention. It’s also been used to treat chronic conditions such as arthritis
Ø Bryonia is an emetic Ø Have anti-inflammatory effects |
| Cantharis | Spanish fly | Ø Obtained from the insect Lytta vesicatoria; common names are Spanish fly or blister beetle
Ø The Spanish fly produces a toxic substance called cantharidin Ø Cantharis is primarily used to treat cystitis, burns and blisters. Ø It is also used to remove warts , treat baldness, increase loss of fluids (acting as a diuretic) |
| Euphrasia | Eyebright | Ø Euphrasia officinalis has a special affinity for the eyes
Ø Helps in the treatment of conjunctivitis where the eyes have a sticky yellowish discharge and where they appear sore |
| Fragaria | Wild strawberry | Ø Fragaria vesca
Ø Treat gum disease Ø Leaves of fragaria vesca contain flavanoids, oils, and tannins Ø As good astringent and diuretic |
| Hepar sulph | Calcium sulphide | Ø Hepar sulphuris calcareum is a mineral compound prepared from the inner layer of calcium-rich oyster shells that are mixed with flowers of sulfur and heated
Ø Helps to treat colds, coughs, sore throats, croup, abscesses, earaches, wounds, asthma, arthritis, emphysema, herpes, constipation, conjunctivitis, Candida albicans infections, sinusitis and skin infections Ø Hepar sulph. Prevents the formation of pus and hastens healing of abscesses |
| Nux vomica | Poison nut | Ø Seed is used to make medicine
Ø Nux vomica contains strychnine and brucine Ø Erectile dysfunction (ED), constipation, anxiety and many other conditions can be successfully treated Ø Has anti-inflammatory property Ø Strychnine improves the appetite and digestion |
| Phosphorus | The element | Ø Phosphorus is a natural body mineral that is very important for building and maintaining bone. It helps control the amount of calcium in the body and urine |
| Pulsatilla | Wind flower | Ø Pulsatilla is used for painful conditions of the male or female reproductive system, skin conditions
Ø Spasmolytic (relaxing of smooth muscles) Ø Analgesic (pain relieving) Ø Sedative (calming) Ø Pseudo pregnancy in bitches is one of the principle indications for Pulsatilla where symptoms include nesting, milk production, variable appetite, seeking attention or company and submissive behaviour. |
| Rhus tox | Poison ivy | Ø Homeopathic medicine prepared from Atlantic Poison Oak, Toxicodendron radicans (Anacardiaceae), also called Eastern Poison Ivy
Ø Most commonly used to relieve arthritis Ø Homeopathic dilution of Rhus tox has a dual activity that increases COX-2 expression and decreases NO generation, thus modulating inflammation |
| Ruta grav | Rue | Ø For treatment of inflammatory conditions, eczema, ulcers, arthritis, fibromyalgia, antidote for venoms, insect repellent, and as an abortifacient
Ø Furanocumarins, carotenoids, chlorophyll and furanoquinolones were present in rue Ø It also acts on the periosteal (outer) layer of bone and is important in treating injuries to bone including fractures |
| Belladonna | Atropa belladonna | Ø Belladonna has been used in alternative medicine as an aid in treating arthritis pain, colds or hay fever, bronchospasms caused by whooping cough |
| Borax | Sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate | Ø Important boron compound, a mineral and a salt of boric acid.
Ø Increases the ability of the human body to absorb calcium and magnesium. Ø Borax is commonly used in topical treatment of sores on the tongue or mouth, as well as swelling of the throat. |
| Turmeric | Curcumin | Ø Curcumin possess a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.
Ø In general, a paste of turmeric power and coconut oil is use for treatment of ulcer, injury and abrasion |
| Papaya seeds | Carpaine | Ø Rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins.
Ø Strong antioxidants and rich in fibre. Ø Carpaine present in papaya seeds kills bacteria and parasites in the gut |
| Tart | Tart Dilution 200 CH | Ø It helps to maintain a healthy respiratory system.
Ø It is also used for treatment of respiratory disease like pneumonia, whooping cough, bronchitis and asthma. |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale Roscoe | Ø Bioactive component present in ginger is gingerols and shogaols
Ø Ginger acts as a potent antioxidant. Ø It is used as carminative. Ø Ginger appears to exert anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing COX-2 with subsequent inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis |
| Garlic | Allium sativum | Ø Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and cardiovascular properties were found in garlic.
Ø Sulfur containing compounds alliin, ajoene, diallylpolysulfides, vinyldithiins, Sallylcysteine, and enzymes, saponins, flavonoids were present in garlic Ø Moreover, it boosts the immune system, improves the body weight gain, improves the digestibility of ingredients, decrease the bad cholesterol and also augment the meat quality parameters |
| Nilavembu | Andrographis paniculata | Ø It is used to treat gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, hepatitis and a variety of other chronic and infectious diseases.
Ø It exhibits antibacterial, antimalarial, filaricidal, antidiarrhoeal, cardiovascular activities and protection of liver and gallbladder. Ø Andrographolide, neoandrograholide, dehydroandrographolide, isoandrographolide, etc. Are reported to possess anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, astringent and anti-pyretic properties |
| Dronapushpi | Leucas cephalotes | Ø Owing to its anti-microbial, insecticidal, larvicidal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, dronapushpi is also used as an alternative medicine in treating various symptoms.
Ø Dronapushpi plays a vital role in treating various skin infections. Ø Antioxidants present in dronapushpi is very effective in eliminating harmful free radicals from the body and its antipruritic nature alleviates the itching sensation, there by helps in skin treatment |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica | Ø Active principles such as azadrachtin, nimbin, salanin, melicin, etc. present in neem
Ø Neem oil is selectively activates the cell mediated immune response by activating macrophage and lymphocytes. |
Ethno veterinary practice in India
Ethno veterinary practices concern to animal healthcare comprised of belief, knowledge, practices and skills pertaining to healthcare and management of livestock acquired through practical experience and has traditionally been passed down orally from generation to generation. The role of ethno-veterinary medicine in livestock development is presently realized beyond dispute, especially in the developing countries and is also viewed as a potential tool to overcome the side-effects of modern drugs and promote organic farming. Medicinal plants are the most commonly used ingredients in the preparation of ethnovet medicines.
Extensively used traditional treatment methods in dairy cattle (Balakrishnan., et al.,2009)
| Conditions | Application |
| Mastitis | Ø Applying turmeric, alovera and chalk powder on udder |
| Foot and mouth ulcers | Ø Allowing animals to walk in hot sand and applying sand to wounds externally
Ø applying linseed oil and turmeric externally Ø applying camphor/ kerosene if the wounds are infested with maggots Ø application of lord/ coconut oil in ulcers |
| Tympany | Ø Drenching linseed/ ground nut oil along with a mixture of ginger, turmeric and asafoetida |
| Retention of Placenta | Ø Feeding bamboo leaves or a mixture of oil bran and bajra |
Conclusion
Homeopathy medicine is eco-friendly. Since ancient times, herbs, minerals has been mentioned in several ayurvedic scriptures as an ultimate remedy for numerous health anomalies. Imbued with powerful analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties, it improves immunity. Traditional veterinary medicine, especially, the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of livestock diseases, needs to be scientifically explored.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1539764/pdf/canvetj00141-0066.pdf
