Abstract
This study was conducted to document the ethno-veterinary practices (EVPs) used for treatment of different ailments in bovine and bubaline (dairy buffalo; Bubalus bubalis) livestock, over one year in peri-urban areas of Faisalabad. Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques were-used for selection of key-respondents (bovine & bubaline owners). Questionnaires with open-ended interviews were used to collect the information on EVPs used in bovine and bubaline for treatment of different ailments. There were a total of 58 EVPs, comprising of 41 based on plant usage, I I combinations of plants and animal products/chemicals/organic matter and 6 based on animal products, chemicals or organic matter were documented for different ailments in dairy animals. Thirty-nine plant species representing 26 families were reported in the Study area for treatment of different ailments in bovine and bubaline during past one year. Plants used in :2 conditions were Capsicum frutescens L., Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dund: (Solanaceaea); Eruca sativa Mill., Brassica campestris L. var. Sarson Prain, Lepidium sativum L., (Brassicaceae); Allium cepa L., Allium sativum (Liliaceae); Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague ex Turill. (Apiaceae); Amomum subulatum Roxb. Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Zingiberaceae); Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae) and Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae). The Remedies were prepared by pulverization, soaking in water and decoctions and administered per os or applied topically included pepper-corns, bulbs, flowers, leaves, rhizomes, seeds and fruits. Which are the commonly used part of plants. The EVPs that claimed to be effective need to be validated using scientific procedures and their quality, safety and standardization of doses should be assured.