Abstract

MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK DISEASES IN SALEM DISTRICT, TAMILNADU, INDIA

C. Alagesaboopathi*

Abstract

The present report deals with some significant medicinal plants utilized by tribals (Malayali) and rural people to cure 22 familiar ethnoveterinary diseases in the Salem district of Tamilnadu, India. Great livestock maintained by farmers lead to growth of aboriginal veterinary healthcare practices in district. For ethnoveterinary practices, 34 plant species representing 30 genera and belonging to 22 families were identified. Popularly treated ailments were eye problems, dysentery, diarrhoea, ulcers, wounds, foot and mouth sickness, constipation, fractures, internal worms, skin disorders, ticks, fever, snake bite and scorpion stinge and bronchits. The most used plant part for the preparation of medicine was the leaf, followed by bark, rhizome, root, seed, stem, fruit and latex. The present investigation pointed out that the tribals and rustic people in Salem district have traditional information to manage veterinary illness. Some of the ethnoveterinary medicine have been reported for the first time in India. Scientific names along with, local / vernacular name (Tamil), plant parts used, methods of medicine preparation, doses and precautions have been documented.

Keywords: Ethnoveterinary practices, Medicinal plants, Indigenous knowledge, Livestock, Salem, Tamilnadu.