Ethnoveterinary Study of Medicinal Plants of District Okara, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicines have long been integral to disease treatment, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, where 84% of the population relies on traditional remedies. The ethnoveterinary practices in District Okara, Punjab, Pakistan, involve the use of medicinal plants for livestock health management.

Objective: This study aimed to document and analyze the ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants in District Okara, focusing on their application in treating livestock and bird diseases.

Methods: The study was conducted in District Okara, located between 31º-55’ and 32º-30’ North latitudes and 74º-35’ and 75º-21’ East longitudes. Ethnoveterinary data were collected from 150 local inhabitants through a semi-structured questionnaire during five visits from April to June 2023. Participants included 46 women and 104 men, aged 25-70 years, from diverse occupations such as hakims, merchants, shepherds, nomads, woodcutters, baildaars, instructors, cowmen, farmers, and local healers. The questionnaire gathered detailed information on livestock diseases treated, medicinal plants used, their local names, plant parts utilized, and preparation methods. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics to summarize demographic characteristics and the usage patterns of medicinal plants. The study adhered to ethical standards as per the Declaration of Helsinki, with verbal consent obtained from all participants.

Results: The study identified 60 medicinal plant species from 29 families used to treat livestock ailments. Fabaceae was the largest family, with 8 species, followed by Solanaceae and Apiaceae, each with 5 species. Herbs were the predominant plant habit, comprising 39 species, followed by trees (16 species), shrubs (4 species), and herbaceous vines (1 species). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, followed by fruits and seeds. The ethnoveterinary practices included the use of Ficus religiosa for foot and mouth disease, Brassica campestris for muscle cramps and heat stress, and Zingiber officinale for oral diseases and fever. Cross-referencing among informants validated the data.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the extensive use of medicinal plants in District Okara for livestock health management, with Fabaceae being the most represented family and leaves being the most commonly used plant part. The documentation of these practices underscores the need for conservation efforts to protect these valuable plant resources from threats such as overgrazing, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. Raising awareness among the local population about the importance of medicinal plants is crucial for their preservation and sustainable use.