Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Preliminary study of plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Tunisia and in Italy.
- Journal:
- African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
- Year:
- 2014
- Authors:
- Viegi, Lucia & Ghedira, Kamel
- Affiliation:
- Department of Biology · Italy
Plain-English summary
Researchers looked into the use of plants for treating animals in Tunisia and compared their findings with similar practices in central and southern Italy. They found 39 different plants used in Tunisia, belonging to 22 different plant families. About 18% of these plants are not found in Italy, while 35% are used in both countries. In Tunisia, the most commonly treated animals include camels, sheep, horses, bulls, and dogs, with some plant uses being similar to those in Italy. Overall, the study shows some overlap in how plants are used for animal care in both countries, but more research is needed in Tunisia to explore additional areas and the active compounds in these plants.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A survey relative to the use of plants for the cure of animals in Tunisia was conducted in order to make a comparison with the same species (or similar ones) in central and southern Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: available bibliographical data both for Italy and for Tunisia were consulted. RESULTS: Thirty-nine plants, representing 22 families, used in Tunisia in ethnoveterinary medicine were reported, and comparisons made with close species used in Central and Southern Italy. Seven of the 39 species (about the 18% of the total) are not present in Italian flora. Fourteen of the 39 species (35% of the total) are also used in Italy. Camelidae (dromedaries and camels) are the most valuable types of domestic animals cured in Tunisia, but ovines, horses, bulls, dogs are also treated. Some uses coincide with those existing in different Italian regions. The plants used are the most common and most easily found in these areas. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the convergence in ethnoveterinary medicine between Tunisia and Italy, even if it appears less significant than in human ethnobotany. Further studies are required in areas of Tunisia that have not yet been studied, in order to get the possibility of an evaluation of active compounds.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25371582/