Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ethnoveterinary medicine in the Arribes del Duero, western Spain.
- Journal:
- Veterinary research communications
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- González, José A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Departamento de Botá · Spain
Plain-English summary
In a rural area of western Spain called Arribes del Duero, some traditional ways of treating animals with plants are still being used, even though most places in Europe have switched to modern veterinary medicines. Researchers found that 84 different plant species are used for animal health and comfort, with a total of over 2,200 reports on how these plants are applied. They also noted that a specific plant, Clematis campaniflora, has been used for veterinary purposes for the first time. Additionally, the study highlights some plants that are used for animal bedding or food, as well as some that can be toxic. Overall, this research shows that traditional plant-based treatments are still relevant in this region.
Abstract
Currently, traditional ethnoveterinary practices are rare in Europe and the plants used previously have been replaced by the modern drugs used by national veterinary services. However, in some rural areas of the Mediterranean basin these traditional practices persist. Here we analyze the plant resources still used, or that have been used up until recently, for the treatment of the health and comfort of animals in a region in the central-western part of the Iberian Peninsula, the Arribes del Duero. We document the use of 84 species, belonging to 39 families (with a total of 2243 use-reports), and 62 herbal remedies based on the use of a single plant species (43) and cited by at least three independent informants. The veterinary use of the Ranunculaceae Clematis campaniflora is reported for the first time. We also identify several plants used as bedding or fodder for livestock and discuss the relevance of some toxic plants and some "magical-curative" aspects reported in the territory.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21461643/