VARIOUS INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (IK) /ETHNO VETERINARY MEDICINE (EVM) FOR HEALTHCARE PRACTICES USED IN ORGANIC LIVESTOCK FARMING IN INDIA
Organic Dairy farming means raising animals on organic feed (i.e. pastures cultivated without the use of fertilizers or pesticides), have access to pasture or outside, along with the restricted usage of antibiotics and hormones. Products obtained from Organic dairy farm are the organic dairy products. Organic farming is a system of production, a set of goal-based regulations that allow farmers to manage their own particular situations individually, while maintaining organic integrity.In the organic dairy farms following protocols are followed.
These include the following.
• Cows and calves are fed 100% organic feed.
• Organic crops, hay, and pasture are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that have not been carefully screened and approved for organic use.
• Non-natural feed additives and supplements such as vitamins and minerals must also be approved for use in organic.
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs, called “Excluded Methods” in the regulation) are strictly forbidden.
• Land used to grow organic crops must be free of all prohibited materials for at least three years prior to the first organic harvest.
• Synthetic milk replacers are prohibited. Calves must be fed organic milk.
• All animals must have access to the outdoors, weather permitting. Animals over six months of age must have access to pasture during the growing season.
• Only approved health care products can be used. Many of these are restricted in how and when they can be used. Antibiotics are not allowed.
• Organic animals may not be fed ANY slaughter by-products, urea, or manure.
• The welfare of the animals must be attended to. Certain procedures, such as tail docking, are prohibited. Other procedures, such as dehorning, must be done so as to minimize the stress to the animal.
• An organic farmer must keep sufficient records to verify his or her compliance with the standards.
• Each farm is inspected and audited every year. Any farm can be inspected unannounced at any time.
In order to achieve these above mentioned protocols our ethno veterinary knowledge or indigenous traditional knowledge are of great help.
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (IK) IN ORGANIC DAIRY HEALTHCARE ——
Dairy development policy has undergone dramatic changes though it still suffer from certain inconsistencies. One of the major lacunae is its relative failure to recognize the importance of the indigenous knowledge (IK) of dairy farmers, as a potent surface of powerful ingredients of a judiciously synthesized technology to be evolved as a viable solution to meet the problem of modernization of dairy farmers. Those involved in the development and dissemination of technology has a facile tendency to reject outright any IK. They do not perceive that even farmers can develop technologies on the basis of traditional knowledge, belief, customs, experience and a rest of trials and experimentations. The development of traditional or indigenous knowledge and the associated technology has a logic of its own as also some kind of rough and ready methodology that is not altogether without merit and further that there is much to be learn from the vast structure of such IK as offered by various cultures all over the world. IK are not primitive, left over from the past but on the contrary, are systems of finely tuned and adopted, both biologically and socially, to counter the process of what are often harsh and inimical environment and often represents hundreds, sometimes thousands of years of adaptive evolution in which vagaries of climate, the availability of land, water, the basic needs of people and their animals for food, shelter and health have been amalgamated in a system which has allowed society to exist and develop in the face of tremendous odds. It defined as a sum total of knowledge and practices based on acquired knowledge and experience of people in dealing with problems and typical situation in different walks of life. Research on IK and on farmers’ experimentation is still in its infancy. Given the complexities of issues, many aspects of this prove to be descriptive. It would therefore, take some time for it to attain quantitative vigor for certain patterns to emerge by way of concretizing the analytical issues. Keeping these in view, an attempt has been made to prepare an inventory of IK in healthcare practices of dairy animals; to appraise the rationality of IK; studies on indigenous knowledge in animal healthcare system are of recent origin.
Following thirty one IK have been collected, classified and documented with rationality
(i) Treatment of cough and cold with vasak:
Methodology:
Decoction of vasak leaves was given to animals suffering from cough and cold.
Rationale:
Vasak (Adhatoda zeylanica) leaves contain an alkaloid vasicine, and an essential oil. It is used as expectorant. The expectorant activity is due to stimulation of bronchial glands.
Farmers’ perception:
This will cure animal.
(ii) Treating animals with fig leaves against fever:
Methodology:
Farmers treat fever by providing adequate quantity of fig leaves thrice a day in the first stage and then rubbing of fig leaves in the tongue of animals.
Rationale:
Fig (Ficus carica Linn.) leaves contain inverted sugar (51.4%), mucilages (0.8%), flavonoids, vitamins and enzymes. Fresh leaves contains 80.8% moisture, 1.3% protein, ether extract 0.2%, mineral matter 0.6%, carbohydrates 17.1%, calcium 0.06%, phosphorus 0.03%, iron 1.2 mg/100g, carotene 270 IU, vitamin A, nicotinic acid 0.6 mg/100gm, riboflavin 50 mg/gm and ascorbic acid 2 mg/100gm. Fig leaves owe their value chiefly to their mineral and sugar contents. Fig leaves act as mild laxative, diuretic and expectorant.
Farmers’ perception:
This will cure animal.
(iii) Indigenous treatment of fever by raw turmeric and molasses
Methodology:
Paste of raw turmeric and molasses was given to animals 2-3 times a day.
Rationale:
-pinene in turmeric is anti-influenza A and B viruses. Molasses increases the water intake capacity.Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) possesses caffeic acid, curcumin, limonene, eugenol and turmerin. All these compounds are antimutagenic in property. Inhibition of carcinogenesis is imparted by limonene. Limonene is anti-influenza A and B viruses
Farmers’ perception:
This mixture helps to lower down the temperature due to cooling effect of turmeric.
(iv) Treating diarrhoea with bamboo leaves:
Methodology:
Animals were given bamboo leaves in adequate quantities twice a day.
Rationale:
Bamboo leaves contain 15.09% crude protein, 23.15% crude fibre, 1.43 ether extract, ash 18.35%, phosphorus 170.0 mg/100gm, calcium 1,550.0 mg/100 gm. It is antidiuretic.
Farmers’ perception:
It helps to solidify dung.
(v) Treating diarrhoea with bel (Aegle marmelos):
Methodology:
Animals were fed with an unripe or half ripe bel with kitchen wastes twice a day. Sometimes unripe bel was burned and then it was given to animals to check diarrhoea.
Rationale:
The unripe or half ripe bel fruit is regarded as astringent, digestive and stomachic. It helps to remove constipation, which hinders the healing of ulcerated surfaces of intestines.
Farmers’ perception:
It helps to solidity dung.
(vi) Feeding of rice husk with banana against diarrhoea.
Methodology: Farmers practiced feeding of rice husk with banana thrice a day to control diarrhoea. It is followed for 2-3 days.
Rationale: Banana (raw or ripe) has been reported to contain high amount of 5 hydoxytryptamine, ranging from 0.36 to 8.40 mcg of dry tissue as base, the content being highest in raw banana and nor-epinethrine. Serotonin, (5-hydoxytry-ptamine) inhibits gastric secretion and stimulates smooth muscle in the intestine and elsewhere. Nor-epinephrine acts as a mediation of autonomic function as a vasoconstrictor agent. The efficacy of banana in diarrhoea in attributed to these active principles.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to solidity dung.
(vii) Feeding of whey to control diarrhoea.
Methodology: Animals were fed with whey in case of diarrhoea.
Rationale: Whey is a by-product obtained during the course of production of chhana. Chhana contains whey-water 93.6%, fat 0.5%, protein 0.4%, lactose 5.1%, ash 0.1%, lactic acid 0.2%, and milk solid 6-7%. It is good source of vitamin A & D. It is diuretic and having antibacterial property.
Farmers’ perception: It supplies mineral to animals and animal used to gain strength.
(viii) Feeding of tamarind leaves and mustard seeds to control bleeding dysentery.
Methodology: Animals were fed with tamarind leaves and sarsoon or mustard (Brassica sp) seeds with some water for consecutive three days in the morning in empty stomach to control bleeding dysentery.
Rationale: Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) contains malic acid, which acts as mild laxative besides this acid; presence of a fair amount of fibre contributes towards laxative. This acid acts as diuretic. Geranial and geraniol in tamarind inhibit several photogenic fungi and bacteria. Tamarind pulp contains metheyl-salicylate, which acts like salicylate exerting antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It is astringent. Ferulic acid and coffee acid present in mustard are anti-mutagenic; while coumaric acid is antipyretic.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to solidity dung.
(ix) Treating animal with white sandal to control bleeding dysentery.
Methodology: Paste of white sandal placed on banana leaf is given to animal.
Rationale: White sandal wood (Santalum album) contains a triterpene, urs-12-en-3-beta-Y) –palmitate chief constituents of essential oil from heartwood are α- and β- santalol. Other constituents include the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons α– and β– epi- β–santalane, α– and β-curcumene and β-farnesene parnesence dihydroaga reform jornesene. Dihydroaga–rofuran also present in the essential oil acts as antidysentric agent. Banana leaf contains serotomin, which inhibits gastric secretion, and stimulates smooth muscle in the intestine and elsewhere.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to solidity dung.
(x) Treating animals with turmeric against bloat.
Methodology: Raw turmeric paste mixed with molasses was fed twice a day to animal.
Rationale: Cineol, camphor and linalool present in volatile oil have shown antispasmodic activity. Molasses increase the water intake capacity of animals.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to remove the gas from the stomach.
(xi) Treating animal with Anthocephalus against bloat.
Methodology: Animals were fed with the leaves of Anthocephalus sp with molasses twice a day to control bloat.
-sitosterol. It is said to be nutritious and astrirgent. Molasses used to increase the palatability of feed.-isodihydro-cadambine. The leaves also yield hentriacontanol and -dihydrocadambine and 3 -isodihydro-cadambine, 3 -dihydrocadambine, 3Rationale: Anthocephalus leaves contain dry matter 30.0%, crude protein 21.3%, hemicellulose 13.8%, lignin 8.3%, cellulose 11.7%, calcium 2.72%, phosphorus 0.25% and silica 0.5%. The methanolic extract of the leaves contains cadambine, cadambine, isocadamine, 3
Farmers’ perception: It helps to remove the gas from the stomach.
(xii) Treating FMD with neem leaves.
Methodology: Neem leaves were boiled in water, after cooling the green water was used to wash the infected hooves.
Rationale: Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves contain triterpenes and tetranortriter penoids (limonoids and protolimonoido of the gedunin group): nimbin, nimbidin, nimbinine, nimbosterol, nimbolide, salanin, azadirone along with polyphenolic compounds, tannins, various acids and sulphur. Neem leaves extract is reported to be effective on helmithiasis, having antibacterial property. Nimbin and nimbidin are reported to possess anti-inflammatory property. Nimbidin acts as analgesic and antipyretic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic and antinicotinic.
Farmers’ perception: It acts as antiseptic to the wounds in hooves.
(xiii) Walking of animal into mud to control FMD.
Methodology: Animals were allowed to walk into mud, so that a thick layer of mud was formed and covered the wounds of feet.
Rationale: Mud layer helps to protect the wound from the flies, mosquitoes or other insects can not act on the wounds.
Farmers’ perception: Farmers expressed the same opinion.
(xiv) Treating animals with tarpin oil and camphor for FMD
Methodology: After washing the wounds in feet or mouth with luke warm water, drying of infected portion was done, then mixture of tarpin oil and camphor was applied to the infected feet.
Rationale: Tarpin oil acts as insect repellent. Camphor is applied externally to the skin acts as rubefacient, counter-irritant and local anodyne. It is a mild antiseptic.
Farmers’ Perception: It is antiseptic.
(xv) Treating open wound with lime, garlic and turmeric.
Methodology: Paste of garlic, turmeric and lime was applied on open wound after that it was covered with akand leaves.
Rationale: Ascorbic acid or vitamin C present in garlic (Allium sativum) imparts analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihepatoxic, antioxidant, and chromosome stabilization activities. Linoleic acid present in garlic exerts immunomodulation; while quercetin is anti-platelet forming compound. Curcumin present in turmeric (Curcuma domestica) is an ideal therapeutic agent in the cases of suspected staphylococcal infections and is also having anti-inflammatory action. Akand (Calotropis procera Linn.) leaves possess anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. The dried or withered leaves are found to be non-toxic to ruminants and it exerts a stimulant and tonic effect.
Farmers’ perception: This mixture exerts cooling effect.
(xvi) Application of warm coconut oil containing garlic extract to open wound.
Methodology: Luke warm coconut oil heated with garlic was applied on open wound.
Rationale: Ascorbic acid present in garlic imparts analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihepatoxic, antioxidant and chromosome stabilization properties. L. ascorbic acid present in garlic is antimutegenic and acts as desmutagen. Linoteic acid present in garlic exerts immunomodulation. Coconut oil acts as a medium.
Farmers’ perception: It is used to get relief from pain resulting from open wound.
(xvii) Application of tobacco leaf extract to open wound of shoulder.
Methodology: Wound in shoulder is washed with luke warm water, then after drying, tobacco leaf extract was applied for 3-4 days.
Rationale: Leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) are thermogenic, sedative, anodyne, antiinflammatory, antihelminthic, carminative, laxative, mental stimulant and toxic.
Farmers’ perception: it helps to cure local infection.
(xviii) Treatment of fracture by square stalked–vine (Hadjoda)
Methodology: Paste of Hadjoda was applied in bone fractures and the area was covered with bamboo leaves for 6 weeks.
Rationale: Hadjoda (Cissus quadrangulaus L.) stem contain 2-tetracyclic triterpenoids and 2- teriodal principles. The anabolic steroidal principles showed a marked influence in the rate of facture-healing by influencing early regeneration of all connective tissues involved in the healing and quicker mineralization of the callus. The total alcoholic extract of the plant, on potential administration neutralizes the anti-anabolic effect of the cortisone in healing of the facture.
Farmers’ perception: Hadjoda stem helps in calcification of bones.
(xix) Treating wound of udder with neem.
Methodology: Neem leaves boiled in water for some time, after cooling, the water was used to wash the affected part of udder, and then it was dried with a clean cloth.
Rationale: Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves contains triterpenes and tetranortriter penoids (limonoids and protolimonoido of the gedunin group) nimbi, nimbidin nimbinine, nimbosterol, nimbolide, salanin, azadirone along with polyphenoic compounds, tannins, various acids and sulphur. Neem leaves extract is found to be effective on helmithiasis, having antibacterial property. Nimbin and nimbidin are found to possess antiinflammatory property. Nimbidin acts as analgesic and antipyretic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic and antinicotinic.
Farmers’ perception: It acts as antiseptic to the wounds of udder.
(xx) Application of ghee/butter in case of cracking of udder.
Methodology: In case of cracking in udder, farmers usually apply ghee/butter in udder before milking.
Rationale: Ghee/butter massage used to soften the skin and it helps in easy milking.
Farmers’ perception: Farmers have the same view.
(xxi) Treating animal with kalmisak for snakebite.
Methodology: In case of snakebite, first tying was done just above the affected area, then second and third tying were done 10-15 cm interval. The animal was fed with Kalmisak. The length of kalmisak was equal to the length of body of the animal.
Rationale: Kalmisak (Ipomoea aquatica Linn.) is emetic in case of poisoning due to snakebite. It is having purgative properties. Leaves are said to be cooling.
Farmers’ Perception: It is anti-venom.
(xxii) Control of intestinal parasites by pineapples leaves.
Methodology: Pineapple leaves extract was fed to animals for few days.
Rationale: Pineapple leaves are antagonistic to the internal environment, by this treatment, the faces become loose and the parasites are expelled.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to expel parasites from intestine.
(xxiii) Feeding sugarcane to the animals suffering from jaundice
Methodology: Sugarcane was cut into small pieces and it was given to animals suffering from jaundice for few days.
Rationale: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) when chewed, mixed with saliva is considered a nourishing tonic. It is diuretic. It is used as disinfectant of urinary tract.
Farmers’ perception: It helps in proper functioning of liver.
(xxiv) Treatment with doorva in case of bleeding from any injury.
Methodology: In case of bleeding from any injury, paste of doorva was applied.
Rationale: Doorva (Cynodon dactylon Linn.) contains six phenolic phytotoxins- ferulic, syringic, P-coumaric, vanillic, P-hydroxybenzoic and O-hydroxyphenyl acetic acids. Leaves contain tricin, flavor C-glycosides and a flavonoids sulphate. It exhibits anticoagulant, wound healing, astringent, and anti-fungal activities. Plant paste helps in immediate stoppage of blood if applied on wound or injuries.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to stop bleeding from any injury.
(xxv) Treatments with marigold leaves in case of bleeding from any injury.
Methodology: Paste of marigold leaves are applied in the affected part.
Rationale: Paste of marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) leaves is emmenagogue, vermifuge, diuretic and carminative.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to stop bleeding from any injury.
(xxvi) Feeding of arjun bark and black pepper to check loose motion.
Methodology: Paste of arjun bark and black pepper is fed to animal to check loose motion.
-sistosterol, ellagic acid and arjunic acid. The bark is acrid, and credited with styptic, tonic, febrifugal and anti-dysenteric properties.Rationale: The bark of arjun contains
Farmers’ perception: It solidifies the dung.
(xxvii) Feeding of wheat flour, mustard oil and molasses in case of constipation.
Methodology: A mixture with wheat flour, mustard oil/ghee and molasses prepared by farmers is given to animals suffering from constipation.
Rationale: This mixture is laxative in action.
Farmers’ perception: Farmers had same opinion.
(xxviii) Treating eye infection by little gourd (Coccinia indica).
Methodology: Little gourd leaf juice is applied in each eyes of animal twice a day for 3-4 days continuously.
Rationale: The leaves of little gourd are having cooling and astringent effect.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to keep the eyes cool and free from infection.
(xxix) Treatment with tea liquor in case of blood in urine.
Methodology: Tea liquor after cooling was given to animals.
Rationale: The main constituents in tea are caffcine polyphenols, essential oil, and the purin base alkaloid. Tea is a stimulating drink; it relieves muscular and mental fatigue. The stimulating action is attributed due to the purine base alkaloid, caffeine (1,3,7– trimethylxanthine). Caffeine has a diuretic effect on the kidneys and stimulates gastric secretion. Hence it is thought to aid digestion. Tea shows antiinflammatory activity. The constituents responsible for the antiinflammatory and capillary strengthening properties of tea are the flavanols, (-)–epicatechin and (-)–epicatechin gallate.
Farmers’ perception: It helps in curing kidney infection.
(xxx) Treating animals with young seedlings of date palm to prevent abortion.
Methodology: Farmers used to feed the animals with young seedlings of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) to prevent abortion.
Rationale: Date palm contains reducing sugars, chlorogenenic acid, caffeic acid and aspirin. It has mild estrogenic effect.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to maintain pregnancy.
(xxxi) Feeding of Cuscuta against abortion.
Methodology: Farmers used to measure cuscuta by their hand. Cuscuta 3.5 times length of hand was fed to animals to prevent abortion.
Rationale: Cuscuta sp contains flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acid, cuscutin, cuscutalin, leeta-sitosterol, buteolin, lergenin and kaempferol. It is purgative and febrifuge and useful for urinary incontinence, premature senility.
Farmers’ perception: It helps to maintain pregnancy.
Conclusion
Many indigenous veterinary beliefs and practices persist, given that the benefits of centralized, high-tech driven and top-down approaches to animal healthcare have reached only a minority of the world’s stock raisers and farmers. Till now, as little as 15-20% of the livestock population in developing countries has enjoyed some regular and affordable access to modern veterinary medicine. High- tech healthcare is beyond the reach of the dairy farmers, who cannot afford them in view of their high cost thereof coupled with their own economic constraints and other problems like side effects associated with the conventional animal healthcare system. Dairy farmers believe that this kind of traditional way of treating animal diseases by employing the knowledge passed on orally from generation to generation provides a permanent and safe cure for this commonly occurring diseases.
A systematic approach to protect and honour IK needs a series of logical steps, which are as follows: considering IK as the mainstream form of therapy suitable for the majority of the poorer section of society, especially in the developing countries. While orthodox modern therapy, which is out of reach for most of the people should be considered as the ‘alternative’; indigenous knowledge is potent, but the information on it is rare because most practitioners are getting old and many have in fact passed without entrusting their knowledge to interested persons. Indigenous knowledge, which is widely used, should be documented. Healers should be encouraged read/write or to have assistants who read, write and even keep records for them; IK for animal healthcare system may be toxic to the body, if not properly analyzed. Concerted effort is needed to modify the traditional practice so, that it can be used safely; users of traditional medicines should be educated on dosage of herbal preparations; publications of magazines on ethno-veterinary therapies in local language may be helpful to the users; emphasis should be given on traditional media for communication of IK. It must be remembered that through lacking access to the modern media, the rural masses have their own communication modes and processes to reach people. They have their mode of oral communication. So, transfer of IK should be encouraged through traditional means like puppet show, kavi samelan, drama, street plays, kirtan, etc.; adequate compensation for the owners and custodians of indigenous knowledge should be considered. Traditional healers have been found to refuse giving out information for fear of loosing monopoly. If they are assured of compensation, they will surely open up and give out more information that will be useful.
USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (ITKs) IN ANIMAL REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS IN INDIA
Introduction of Ethno veterinary knowledge/practices/medicines
Livestock production is found to be major source of income in rural and semi urban areas of India. The rural and tribal people are not easily accessible to modern veterinary services for their livestock. They are less economically healthy to cope with various bovine ailments therefore they depend upon their traditional knowledge of healing animals. It serves as a cheap, safe, biodegradable and easily accessible alternative to the synthetic and modern methods of disease control. According to the World Health Organization, at least 80% of people in developing countries depend largely on indigenous practices for the control and treatment of various diseases affecting both human beings and their animals. Livestock owners use a variety of plants and their products to form traditional medicines for primary health care treatment and maintaining animals productive. India is one of the world’s 12 mega-diversity countries accounting for 8% of global plant genetic resources, therefore have a variety of plants to be the source of herbal medicines. Ethno-veterinary medicine has evolved through observations, trials and errors, and passes from one generation to the next through verbal communication. Therefore, these practices are hardly documented and unfortunately largely lost, diluted and distorted. In order to understand its scientific justification, logic and to develop new concepts, it is of utmost need and importance to document the practices involved in EVM. The traditional knowledge of animal healthcare practices requires great attention for pharmaceutical analysis to prospect new drugs in the concerned field. In the present paper the documentation of ethnic practices used all over the country for livestock treatment has been done. The electronic and print databases were searched for the documentation of ethno veterinary practices. Components of Ethno veterinary Practices Ethno veterinary term does not only comprise of herbal and traditional medicines but it also constitutes informations, practices, beliefs, skills, tools and technologies, selection of breeds and human resources. It was observed that almost all parts of the plant are used in the preparation of ethno veterinary medicines. These include bark, leaves, stem, flowers, roots, seeds, fruits.
According to the Word Health Organisation (WHO), at least 80% of people in developing countries depend largely on indigenous practices for the control and treatment of various diseases affecting both human beings and animals (Jabbar et al 2005). It was not until recently that more attention was drawn to these practices. Increased attention on ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is justified because; it is accessible, easy to prepare and administer at little or no cost at all (Jabbar et al 2005). These practices may be the only option in areas where conventional services are economically unavailable or cannot effectively reach (Mathias and McCorkle 2004), many EVM practices do work and make sound veterinary sense (Schillhorn van Veen 1996). Herbal medicines are known to be broad spectrum and therefore may be a future answer to pathogen resistance to conventional drugs (Mwale et al 2005).
Most rural households in Asia and other continents keep livestock & poultry native to their areas, especially dairy animals & chickens. The major constraints in the production oflivestock & poultry under rural settings include diseases, poor nutrition and predation (Guèye 1997; Mungube et al 2008). Rural farmers are aware of the need to keep their flocks in good health. However, conventional drugs are either unavailable or too expensive for these resource-poor farmers, hence their dependence on EVM. The use of herbs and other medicinal plants is an integral part of ethnoveterinary practices. It is interesting to note that a number of medicinal plants found in different countries are used to cure the same ailments in livestock.
Knowledge on these indigenous livestock health management practices is passed on through oral education from older to younger generations. If not captured and documented, practices that are peculiar to certain ethnic groups or areas may be lost.
Growth in livestock sector can contribute to enhanced nutrition and poverty reduction in India, because a large share of the rural poor is dependent on poultry for food and income. Traditional medicines have the potential to improve the growth as well as health status of the livestock & birds. Ethno veterinary practices involve the traditional beliefs, knowledge, practices and skills pertaining to healthcare and management of livestock and poultry. Ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) system, an indigenous knowledge on animal health is re-emerging as holistic animal health care.
India has a rich biodiversity of medicine plants. Many medicinal plants have been claimed to be effective in modulating reproduction but the systematic scientific evidence regarding their mechanism of action, dosage or clinical efficacy is lacking. Though incorporation of cheap, efficacious and scientifically proven indigenous plant based medicines is needed, their safety needs to be established.
A) Management of anestrous:——
Anoestrus may be defined as a prolonged period of sexual quiescence. It may be physiological (pubertal, a short interval post partum or during pregnancy)or pathological where the ovaries may either be quiescent (true anoestrus) or may contain a progesterone secreting luteal tissue due to some uterine pathology. Various methods for management of true anoestrus through alternative medicines have been suggested.
i) Herbal Preparation: Many indigenous preparations marketed by Indian Pharmaceuticals
have been used to manage delayed puberty, post partum anoestrus and for breeding during off breeding seasons in domestic animals & yaks. The preparations include Prajana H.S (Indian Herbs; Natural Remedies), Janova (Dabur Ayurvet), Aloes compound (Alarsar),
Fertivet (Ar Ex Labs), Sajani (Sarabhai), Heat-Up (Century), Heatraj (Rajan) etc. These
formulations are potent combination of herbs formulated scientifically to induce ovarian
activity. The proposed mechanism of action is similar to gonadotrophins. Though, a very high success rates for inducing ovulatory estrus and subsequent conception were reported, their clinical applicability and efficacy under field conditions, on a large cattle population, has not been proved. However, supplementing essential amino acids, minerals and trace elements with or without these preparations seems logical and encouraging results are expected.
ii) Pigeon Waste: The effect of feeding 100 gram dried powdered pigeon waste for three days for inducing ovulatory estrus in anoestrus heifer and post partum cows was evaluated at IVRI. The pigeon waste successfully induced estrus in 40 percent of cows and 44 percent of heifers of which 71 and 50 percent, respectively, became pregnant. The estrus induction as well as pregnancy rate was higher compared to that obtained after using allopathic medicines. The determination of chemical composition of the pigeon waste was also done. Substantial amount of copper, cobalt, lead, cadmium, zinc, iron and fluorine were present in the waste.
Substantiating the above findings the workers at G.B Pant University of Agriculture
and Technology reported very high concentration of Iron (48.5 Times) and Zinc(2.23 Times) in pigeon waste as compared to standard Mineral Mixtures. The feeding of pigeon waste mixed with feed in proportions equal to or higher increased growth of genital organs by 84.5 percent in pre- pubertal Swiss mice. The work need to be substantiated on a larger group of animals.
ii) Garlic and Raspberry: The garlic plant or cloves were found effective for management of
infertility, prevention of abortion and cleansing action post abortion. The raspberry plant
(whole chopped) or leaves extract along with either chopped garlic plant or 4-5 cloves fed
twice daily to bovines reduced chances of post partum infertility. The raspberry leaves have
very high minerals and vitamin content.
iv) Ginseng plant has hormone balancing properties.
B) Retained Placenta: ——–
Retained placenta is an important post partum complication. The placenta may be retained
because of lack of expulsive forces or failure of separation of fetal cotyledons and maternal caruncles. Since it has multiple etiologies, the therapy commonly advocated includes ecbolics, drugs and/or hormones stimulating uterine contractility, minerals (mainly Ca & P), enzymes which may facilitate placental separation and antibiotics along with supportive therapy. The herbal remedies may help in uterine contractibility or have antimicrobial properties. Some of the herbs used have been documented below:
ª Raspberry leaves when fed to pregnant mares during last 45 days of gestation reduced the incidence of peri-parturient diseases viz prolonged labor, retained placenta. etc.
ª Garlic has cleansing action & helps expulsion of retained fetal membranes and placenta.
ª Thyme (Thymus serpillum) plant extract is useful in retained placenta and metritis.
ª Starwort (Helonias root) – plant found in North America has uterotonic properties and is
also indicated for threatened abortions.
ª The feeding of bamboo leaves mixed with oil bran or bajra grains helps in expulsion of
placenta.
ª The plant extract of Grewia ferrugina or Girardina bullosa were useful for easy expulsion of placenta membranes.
ª The scientists of central arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, validated the claim that
chick pea floor mixed with butter milk (rabri) helped in expelling retained fetal membranes.
The parched chick pea floor (1 kg) mixed with buttermilk was fed to the affected animals (4
cows & 3 buffaloes). The placenta was expelled in majority (6/7) of the animals within 1-24
hrs of the treatment. The kheem (laptodenia pyrotecnica) roots, churmi (Abrus perkatorius), chopped bamboo leaves or sticks and decoction prepared with black pepper, coriander, ajwain, sonth and methi have also been used as cleansing drought by farmers of Rajsthan. However, feeding of either banana inflorescence or baykhal (Principia utilis) twigs extract was not effective for expulsion for retained placenta as claimed by some farmers of
Himachal Pradesh. An electuary prepared from liquid extract of ergot(8 ml), quinine sulphate
(4 g),Magnesium sulphate (200 g),pulv. gentians (16 g) and molasses is known cleansing
agent after parturition.
Homeopathic Medicines Uses———-
Sepia + calcaria phos+ pulsatilla +
alertis ferti + iodum ———Infertility
Sabina 200, Pulsatilla 200
Echinaca I M, Secale, Heper sulph, Silica ————–Metritis
Calc phos + carbo-veg +Sepia ————– Anti partum prolapsed
Aloes 200 ———-Morning diarrhoea with post-partum prolapsed
Agnus Castus 200 ———-White discharge after post partum prolapsed
Secale Cor 30 Violent straining
Podophylum 200 ———–Prolapse after staring at parturition
Iodum 30 ———— Anoestrus with small ovaries
Sepia 200 ————To regulate estrus cycle
Acid Nitric, Cantharis, Hydrastis, Mere cor,
Rhus tox ————-Vesicular Vaginitis
Sepia, Podophyllum Uterine prolapsed
Sepia, pulsatilla, calc. phos, Iodum
Oophorinum Repeat Breeding
Arnica, Sabina, Secale, Pulsatila, China,
Rhus tox. ———-Abortion in equines
Aconite 30 (1/2 hourly) Ipecac, Trillium, Amica ——— Miscarriage in bitches
NB: The power of homeopathic medicin in most of the cases in dairy cows should be given 200 and doses should be 10 globules TID orally in 40 size.
Though many homeopathic medicines have been recommended for management of reproductive disorders, the systemic studies to prove their efficacy have not been done
Antifertility Drugs: ——-
Some of the species of domestic/wild/semi wild animals have become hazards to either crops or may help spread diseases. These mainly include monkeys and stray dog. The invasive methods have been suggested for the control of their population. Some of the herbs effecting reproduction which might be useful are:
ª Vasicine: It holds the promise of being an ideal abortifecient by acting through the
promotion of synthesis or release of prostaglandins.
ª Azadirachta indica (Neem): The Na-nimbinate derived from neem has powerful
spermicidal activity.
ª Gossypol: a phenolic compound from cotton seed oil can produce aspermia and hinder
sperm motility.
ª Albizzia lebbeck: Inhibits ovulation through central neuro-humoral mechanisms.
ª Embelia vibes and Mentha avensis have anti-implantation activity through their anti-
prostaglandin action.
ª Centachroman, a research product of CDRI, derived from rhizomes of Curcuma longa
(turmeric), hampers reception of fertilized ovum by endometrium.
These sources of use of Veterinary herbal medicines are not so reliable. But this medical tradition of ancient India deserves a better recognition. Any attempt to understand and evaluate genuine Ayurvedic system of treatment on animals will be a futile exercise unless exhaustive, scientific & clinical studies are undertaken.
Herbal medication for Infertility : ———-
For animals suffering repeat breeding, infertility or suboestrus or not coming to heat the following method has to be followed.
Administer orally Gheekumari (Aloe vera) 1-2 petals for 3 days in the empty
stomach. Administer orally sprouted chana dal (bengal gram) or sprouted bajra or
sprouted wheat 200 gm daily for 15 days. When signs of oestrus cycle is noticed
administer orally neem oil 100-150ml before taking the animal for insemination or
natural crossing (insemination shall be within 24 hours of noticing the symptom).
After insemination feed the animals with curry leaves about 2 handfull daily for a
week.
Herbal medication for Retention of Placenta: ——–
Symptoms: Non – shedding of placenta beyond 3-5 hours post-partum Treatment:
1.The leaves of two sesame plants (Sesamum indicum) about 250 gm are pounded
with 1000 ml of water and drenched; placenta would be shed in 1to 2 hours. OR
2.Seeds of sesame 100 gm and jaggery 100 gm are taken and pound together and made into bolus and administered orally. OR
- Take Bada goksur (Peadlium murex) plant about 200 gm, pound and soaked in 1000 ml of water and stir well and drenched.
Herbal medication for Prolapse of the Uterus: ——–
Treatment: Clean the mass with sugar added water or any antiseptic lotion. Lift the mass by placing banana leaf with both hands (special care must be taken to avoid laceration or tear with nails, and hand must be washed in the antiseptic lotion). Mostly the urinary bladder will be filled. After lifting of the mass urine will easily go out and the mass will easily go inside.
Leaves of touch me not /Chhui-Mui ( Mimosa pudica) whole plant two handfuls are
ground well and mixed with 200 ml goat’s milk to be administered orally for three
times (morning, evening and next day morning). Keep the animal in a slightly slanting
position in such a way that keeping the head portion in a lower level at least for a
week.
Herbs can be used as a good alternative therapeutic aid to costly allopathic medicines/chemotherapy and boosting immune functions in intoxicated conditions and can also effectively complement allopathic medicines in diseased state. Detailed scientific validation on these in livestock would be a worthful research in future. Ethnoveterinary practices using plant products are effective against some diseases. These plant products are locally available and free or very cheap. These will all together improve prospects of this traditional wealth towards modern medicines, drugs and health care products derived from their origin to improve the market potential and commercialization aspects at global level.
USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (ITKs) IN ANIMAL REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS IN INDIA
INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE (ITK) PRACTICES IN LIVESTOCK FARMING IN INDIA
Today is Indigenous people day , so I have compiled some of the important Indigenous knowledge used by our rural livestock farmers.Indigenous knowledge is characterized as the sum of experience and knowledge for a given ethnic group, which forms the basis for decision making in regard to familiar and unfamiliar problems and challenges. It can play key role in designing of sustainable farming systems including animal husbandry practices thereby increasing the livelihood that rural populations would accept, develop and maintain innovations and interventions. For ages, human beings, in particular, the resource poor farmers and marginal societies around the world, have been utilizing locally available plant resources for formulating a wide range of plant based medicines for treating animal diseases as an economical, accessible, efficacious and ecologically sustainable means to animal health care practices. It is hardly surprising that due to these reasons, the domain of traditional veterinary knowledge has attracted a considerable amount of interest amongst scientific community, policy planners, and extension workers and development agencies in recent times.
ITKs Used in Dysentery—–
• One hundred to one hundred fifty g stem, leaves of Anantamul (Indian sarsaparila, Hemidesmus indicus) is grounded and juice is extracted and mixed with honey and to be fed to the animal suffering from dysentery.
• Three pieces of Golmorich (Black pepper, Liquorice Glcyrrhiza glabra Piper nigrum), 2 teaspoon full ghee and 50 g smashed Jastimadhu are mixed with 250 ml cold water and to be drenched.
• One hundred ml sap is collected from the extract of Thankuni (Indian pennywort, Centella asiatica), Patharkuchi (Coleus aromaticus) and Durba(Dhub grass, Cynodon dactylon) and drenched to the cattle for 2-3 days.
• Fifty ml extract of Ganda (African marigold, Targetes erecta) shoot is mixed with 50 ml extract of Durba (Dhub grass, Cynodon dactylon) and is drenched to the animal.
• Three pieces of Golmorich (Black pepper, Piper nigrum), 5 g Jowan (Bishop’s weed, Trachyspermum ammi) and 5 g Chirata (Swertia angusti folia var pulchella) are grounded and fed to the animal for 3-4 days.
• One hundred g bark of Simul tree (Salmalia insignis, Bombax insigne) is boiled with 500 ml water and then being drenched to the animal.
• Latex of Chatim (Dita bark, Alstonia scholaris) is mixed with Golmorich (Black pepper, Piper nigrum) in the ratio of (3:2) to be given to animal.
• Bark of Palas tree (Butea monosperma) is boiled with 250 ml water and then is drenched to the cattle for 3-4 days.
• Two hundred g Kalmegh (Creat, Andrographis paniculata) leaves and 100 g Thankuni leaves (Indian pennywort, Centella asiatica) are grounded to make a paste and then fed to the cattle.
• One hundred ml extract of Kurchi (Holarrhena antidysenterica) leaves is drenched to the animal for 2-3 days.
• Decoction of the root of Babul (Acacia arabica) is mixed with mustard oil in the ratio of 1:3 and to be drenched to the animal.
•
ITKs Used in Arthritis———–
• Decoction of the root of Babul (Acacia arabica) is mixed with mustard oil in the ratio of 1:3 and to be drenched to the animal.
• Roots of Dhutra (Thorn apple, Jimson weed, Datura stramonium), Bonkul tree and Rasun (Garlic, Allium Sativum) are mixed and grounded. A paste is made and applied on the affected part.
• Hot fomentation is given with Akanda leaves (Asclepiadaceae, Calolropis gigantea) along with ghee.
• A luke worm paste is made from Rasun (Garlic, Allium sativum) and ghee and applied on the affected part.
• Sometimes some people put warm iron on the affected part.•
ITKs Used in Dog bite——
• Roots of Bonson tree are mixed with 21 pieces Golmorich (Black pepper, Piper nigrum) and the paste is fed to the animal.
•
ITKs Used in Cough and cold——–
• One hundred g Tulsi leaves (Holy basil, Ocimum sanctum) and 100 g Basak leaves (Adhatoda vasica) are boiled with water. Then extracted juice is mixed with 1-teaspoon honey and fed to the animal.
• Three to four pieces of Tejpata (Indian cassia lignea, Cinnamomum tamala), 50 g Ada (Ginger, Zingiber officinale) and Aswatha (Ficus religiosa) leaves are mixed. Extract is made from the mixture and is drenched to the animal along with water.
• Efflorcence of Tulsi (Holy basil, Ocimum sanctum) and Basak (Adhatoda vasica) leaves are mixed and extract is taken and mixed with ghee, Ada(Ginger, Zingiber officinale) and molasses and fed to the cattle.
• Fifty ml Begna leave’s sap, 50 ml sap of Ada (Ginger) and 3 pieces of grounded Black pepper are mixed and fed to the cattle.
• A paste is made from ghee, Golmorich (Black pepper, Piper nigrum), Ada (Ginger, Zingiber officinale) and Rasun (garlic, Allium sativum). Then it is divided into 2 parts. One part is fed to the animal and other part is topically applied over head and neck.
•
ITKs Used in Anoestrus———
• Seven pieces of chicken egg per day is to be fed for seven days.
• Twelve pieces of Kala (Edible banana, Musa paradisiaca) along with 400 g sugar are to be fed for 2 days.
• One hundred g paste is made from Jaba (Chinese hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa sinensis) flower’s bud and old sugarcane (Saccharum sinense) jaggery, then to be fed for 15 days.
• One hundred g Asok (Ashoka, Saraca asoka) tree’s bark is grounded and fed to the cattle.
• Two hundred g bark of Asok tree (Ashoka, Saraca asoca) is to be boiled with 1 litre milk, then, every day it is to be drenched with water for 15-20 days.
• A mixture is made with the extract of bark of Aswatha (Ficus religiosa) and gruel and is to be fed for 10-15 days.
•
ITKs Used in Wound———
• Sap extracted from leaves and stem of Kesurta (Scirpus grossus) is mixed with Rasun (Garlic, Allium sativum) and to be applied topically.
• Halud (Turmeric, Curcuma domestica) is grounded and applied topically.
• Extract of Ganda (African marigold, Targetes erecta) leaves is applied topically.
• Jiyeti plant is to be burnt and ash of Jiyeti is then mixed with coconut oil and applied over it.
• Extract of Visalyakarani leaves is applied topically.
• Powder is made by grinding the seeds of Ata (Custard apple, Annona squamosa) and applied topically on the worm-infested wound.
• Paste is made from root, bark of Jam (Syzgium jambolanum) and applied topically on wound.
• Fruits of Khudikathi are to be grounded and mixed with coconut oil and applied topically.
• Roots of Kuchila (Snakewood, Strychnos nux-vomica) and roots of Surjamukhi (Common sunflower, Helianthus annuus) is mixed with Palas (Butea monosperma) petals and mustard oil and applied topically over the wound.
• Latex of Akanda (Asclepiadaceae, Calotropis gigantica) is applied topically.•
ITKs Used in Bloat———
• Fifty g Amlaki (Emblic myrobalan, Emblica officinalis), 50 g Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan, Terminalia chebula) and 50 g Bahera (Terminalia bellirica) are mixed and fed to the animal daily once for 7 days.
• Ten g bark of Aswatha (Banyon, Fiscus benghalensis), 10 g Ada (Ginger, Zingiber officinale) and 10 g salt are mixed and fed to the animal daily once for 7 days.
• A mixture is made from flower of Tal tree (Palmyra palm, Borassus flabellifer), flower of Halud (Turmeric, Curcuma domestica), fruit of Lata tree, soot of kitchen room, bark of Sonari tree and bark of Banahata and then fed to the cattle.
• One hundred g mixture is made of salt, Pyaj, Bakhad, Ada (Ginger, Zingiber officinale), bark of Aswatha and honey and then fed to the cattle for 3-4 days.A mixture is made with Pat alu (one type of potato), Halud, Bel, Gad (one type of creeper), ghee, Rasun, bark of Aswatha and then fed to the cattle.
• A mixture is prepared from burnt tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum), burnt Bhutta (Maize, Zea mays) and cockroach faeces and applied on the belly.
• One hundred ml sap extracted from leaves of Kadam (Anthrocephalus cadamba) is drenched to the cattle for 2-3 days.
• Mixture of 250 g Somraj (Centrathierum anthelminticum) and 250 g Indrajan (Pala indigo plant, Wrightia tinctoria) is fed to the cattle.
• Twenty ml decoction of stem bark of Kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis) is given to the animal.
• A 250 g mixture is made from Bitlaban (Natrum mur bit), grounded sulphur, molasses, black pepper and glue and then fed to the cattle.
•
ITKs Used in Diarrhoea———
• Pulp of 100 g old ripened Tentul (Tamarind, Tamarindus indica) is fed to the animal for two to three days.
• Fifty ml sap of Peyara (Common guava, Psidium guajava) leaves is fed. It is efficient for goat especially.
• Valukchairi trees bark and roots of Lajjawati (sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica), Apang (Prickly chab flower, Achyranthes aspera) and Chakunda are to be mixed and grounded. Then 100 pieces Gol morich (Black pepper, Piper nigrum) and 2 teaspoons ghee are added to it. In case of calf, 40 pieces Black pepper are to be added. Then daily 100 g is to be fed.
• Bonkutti’s leave and Kirkichi tree’s roots are taken in an earthen pot and mixed with 2000 ml water. Then the mixture is boiled till it becomes 500 ml. Then 125 ml is to be fed to the cattle daily.
• One hundred and fifty gram Pelakacha’s fruit is collected and smoked and then fed to the cattle.
• Juice of Anarash (Pine apple, Ananus comosus) leaves is mixed with water and then is to be drenched 100 ml daily for 2-3 days.
• Neem (Margosa tree, Azadirachta indica) leaves and bark of Daka and bark of Daniaa are mixed and sap is extracted from the mixture and then 100 ml of
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
