Application of Ethnoveterinary Practice in Treatment of Mastitis in Dairy Cattle
Dr Md Moin Ansari
Associate Professor/Senior Scientist
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry
SKUAST K, Shalimar-190025. Jammu & Kashmir
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“To treat four times: the man, the animals, the plants and the soil” – old African saying
Ethnoveterinary medicine is the holistic interdisciplinary study of the local people’s knowledge, skills, methods, the socio-cultural structures and environment associated with practices and beliefs about the care of their animals healthcare and husbandry, which will be produced by the research centre will be generally cost-effective, environment-friendly and sustainable to a specific area. The chemical laboratories tests and research of the traditional formulations and medicinal plants, is expected to be helpful for developing the new veterinary drugs and medicines. Ethnoveterinary knowledge is acquired through practical experience and has traditionally been passed down orally from generation to generation. Widespread interest in documenting and validating ethnoveterinary practices arose in the early 1980s. Since then, several studies have been carried out, many reports documented and numerous conferences, symposia and workshops held. Despite recent efforts to promote the use of ethnoveterinary knowledge worldwide, much information is only docu- mented in field reports and scientific publications.
World Health Organization, at the moment, at least 80% of people in developing countries depend largely on these practices for the control and treatment of various diseases that affect both animals and humans. The importance of a ethnoveterinary approach to animal health of current research and future prospects, which hopes to inform and encourage investigations in new directions. Sustainable development requires a concerted effort to combine indigenous knowledge systems with scientific research to improve animal health. This is the case not only in rural areas where access to orthodox veterinary health care may be limited, but also against the backdrop of antibiotic resistance and increased demand for alternative and complementary therapies to enhance the health of both production and companion animals.
Udder and teat health are increasingly important for dairy producers and any disease condition involving udder or teat ultimately affects the productivity and the farmer’s economy. Unscientific milking and management practices are the main cause for teat and udder affections and cause a great loss to the poor farmers. The dairy farmers are less aware about clean milk production and teat or udder health. Further, they also do not pay enough attention on udder care and sometimes even mishandle the udder which always leads to teat and udder affections. For successful dairy farming practice also ensures that the milk is produced by healthy animals in a manner that is sustainable and responsible from the animal welfare, milking hygiene, nutrition in term of feed and water, social, economic and environmental perspectives. Mastitis is one of the most significant diseases of dairy cattle. Mastitis is an infectious disease condition resulting in an inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland of the cow. It may be accompanied by signs of inflammation in the mammary gland including swelling, redness, and painfulness. As per the texts of Ayurveda, mastitis is known as Sthanavidhradi, a disease of pitta origin, the drugs used in this formulation (Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Calcium hydroxide) is potent pitta shamaka (Pacifies Pitta humour), other formulation for mastitis are Aloe vera – 250 g; b) Turmeric- 50 g (rhizome or powder); c) Calcium Hydroxide (lime)-15 g; d) Lemon – 2 nos. For udder edema Sesame or mustard oil – 200 ml; Turmeric powder1 handful; Garlic-2 pearls. For teat obstruction freshly plucked & clean neem leafstalk– 1; Turmeric powder; Butter or Ghee is used for the satisfactory results. The formulation possesses Krimighna (antimicrobial), Vranashodaka (wound cleanser), Vranaropaka (wound healing), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) and Srotoshodaka (channel cleanser) properties. Hence, mastitis can be efficiently managed with this formulation. The antimicrobial activity of Aloe vera is attributed to the anthraquinones (aloin and emodin), flavonoids, tannins (active against MRSA), saponins, p-coumaric acid, ascorbic acid, pyrocatechol and cinnamic acid. Alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid and α-turmerone in fixed oils of Curcuma longa also possess antimicrobial activity against wide range of bacteria. The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe vera is reported to be due to Brady kinase which decreases vascular permeability, neutrophil migration, and leukocyte adhesion and reduces edema formation. It is also found to decrease the production of TNFα, inhibit PGF2α and TB4. Curcumin, the active principle of Curcuma longa is reported to inhibit NF-κB which in turn decreases TNF-α, superoxides, COX-2, iNOS and NO. It inhibits LOX pathway and decreases the formation of leukotriene. Calcium hydroxide is known to possess anti-inflammatory action and reduces edema formation. Frequent sanitary milking of the affected quarter(s) is also recommended for the prevention of the teat and udder affections. Evidence based on historical use of a treatment is the most widely used criterion to determine whether a treatment is safe and effective or not. In most cases, ethnovets will try to find out how many other cattle
owners use the same treatment: the more users, the higher the credibility of the treatment.
All parts of the plants, including leaves, bark, fruits, flowers, seeds are used in medicinal preparations. At present over 35,000 plants are known to have healing properties. Edible earth and minerals Edible earth, especially from termite and ant hills, is commonly used in ethnovet preparations. Limestone is a commonly used edible type of earth used in decoctions and concoctions. Parts and products of animals, such as skin and hides, bones, milk, butter and even urine and dung are ingredients of ethnovet medicines. Other ingredients include honey, vegetable oils and butters, and salt are used for their healing and preservative properties. Unlike conventional medicines, which are only approved for public use after carefully planned laboratory research followed by field trials on animals both for toxicology and effectiveness, ethnovet medicines depend only on historical evidence of use as proof of safety and effectiveness. Changing environmental factors have in some cases led to some important medicinal plants becoming scarce and to the emergence of new diseases. These developments have led to pressure on ethnovet treatments from time to time. In the face of these challenges, local cattle owners have often used the following criteria to validate the safety and effectiveness of ethnovet medicines.
Suggested reading:
Aiello, SE. 1998. Udder diseases. In the merk veterinary manual, 8th edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, P. 1028.
Ansari, MM. 2019. Recent trends for teat and udder surgery in ruminants. Astral International Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, pp. 239-252.
Ansari, MM., Makhdoomi, DM., Sarkar, TK. And Muzammil, S. 2019. Innovative technique using modified infusion set tubing for rectification of milk outflow disorders in cow. Pharma Innovation J. 8(5): 795-798.
FAO and IDF. 2011. Guide to good dairy farming practice. Animal Production and Health Guidelines. No. 8. Rome.
Jarra, KR and Seetharami, RTVV. 2011. Ethnoveterinary Medicine in India, Lap Lambert AcademicPublishing.
Kone, WM and Atindehou, KK. 2008. Ethnobotanical Inventory of Medicinal PlantsUsed in Traditional Veterinary Medicine in Northern Cote d’Ivoire (West Africa)”. South Afr. J. Bot. 74- 76-8
