An Inventory of the Plants Used for Parasitic
Ailments of Animals
Wasim Babar, Zafar Iqbal*, Muhammad Nisar Khan
and Ghulam Muhammad1
Department of Parasitology; 1Department
of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan *Corresponding Author: zafaruaf1@gmail.com
Abstract
This study was conducted to document the
botanicals used for major parasitic ailments of animals in Bhakkar District of
Pakistan. Rapid rural appraisal was carried out to identify the key respondents
(n=115) including local healers, quacks,
herders and farmers for the present study. Information was collected
using a pre-designed questionnaire and verified through focused group
discussions through participatory rural appraisal technique. Gastrointestinal
(GI) parasites were the most frequently (n=105/115; 91%) reported problem of
livestock followed by tick infestation (n=91/115; 79%) and myiasis (n=84/115;
73%). A total of 69 prescriptions based on 30 plants including 32 for GI
parasites, 16 for tick infestation and 21 for myiasis were documented. Same
plant was reported to be used with a different dose, method of preparation
and/or vehicle within the same or a different parasitic condition. Leaves, seeds
and/or seed oil and fruit were the most commonly used parts of the plants. The
plant materials were given orally in crude form as powder, oil and decoction,
and topical application as powder, sprinkling, bath, washing and paste. Plants
documented in the present study were new to the area but have already been
reported elsewhere for different ailments of animals. Majority of the plants,
however, need to be evaluated using standard parasitological procedures to
validate their use as anti-parasitics.