For centuries small-scale livestock farmers have been relying on plants to ensure the health of their animals, knowledge which could benefit veterinary science.

“Cattle farming is a traditional agricultural system that contributes to the rural economic, social and cultural values of communities. Cattle, and other livestock are affected by many diseases that cause mortality and economic losses. In many rural households the use of plants and associated knowledge are popular for managing cattle diseases – especially in areas experiencing challenges with conventional veterinary medicine,” says North-West University (NWU) academic Mompati Chakale.

This is according to his study for his master’s research, which aimed to collate and analyse the ethnoveterinary knowledge and biological evaluation of plants used against cattle diseases in South Africa.

Mompati’s study involved a review of indigenous knowledge and biological evaluation of plants used to treat cattle illnesses. It revealed that 310 plants belonging to 81 families were utilised to treat 10 types of cattle diseases across seven South African provinces.

It revealed that ethnoveterinary medicine plays an important role as a basis for sustainable treatment opportunities for cattle healthcare in developing countries.

“South Africa has a diverse range of plants used for mitigating diseases affecting cattle. The distribution and utilisation pattern of ethnoveterinary medicine reveals a significant variation across a range of geographical settings for seven out of the nine provinces in South Africa,” says Mompati.

“Despite the gradual socio-cultural transformation over the years, the inhabitants have retained remarkable knowledge of the plants and their uses up to the present day. This suggests that the use of plants for the management of cattle diseases remain culturally rooted among South Africans.”

Mompati says the leaves were the most-used plant part while the most common methods of preparation were infusions and decoctions.

His study recommends that pharmacological properties studies of ethnoveterinary medicine plants are worthwhile and can contribute to the discovery of a new entity to existing drug pools.

Mompati adds that these studies could help to mitigate the drug resistance issues that are increasingly encountered among disease-causing organisms. “Toxicology studies must also be incorporated so that the potential toxic effects of plants can be identified during early stages of bioprospecting. In addition, the study of the synergistic effectsof plants used in combination would also be beneficial in the development of potent extracts or herbal mixtures for resource-poor livestock farmers.”

With further investigation there is no doubt that Mompati’s research will hold economic benefits for resource-poor farmers and the industry at large.

 Mompati Chakale.