Medicinal Plants in Livestock Ethnoveterinary Medicine: Traditional Knowledge

Abstract

Objective. To identify the plant species used in ethnoveterinary medicine and to document their preparation methods, routes of administration, and categories of use in animal health in the municipality of Tlahuiltepa, Hidalgo, Mexico.
Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with an ethnobotanical and ethnoveterinary approach was conducted. Seventy-eight livestock producers were interviewed using semistructured questionnaires, complemented by field visits for the collection and identification of plant species. Common and scientific names, plant parts used, preparation methods, routes of administration, and categories of use were recorded. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to identify patterns of use.
Results: Twenty-two species belonging to 16 botanical families were identified, predominantly used in cattle. Leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part, infusion was the most common preparation method, and oral administration was the predominant route. The most representative categories of use were general health and gastrointestinal disorders, whereas other systems, such as the renal, hepatic, and cardiovascular systems, were addressed less frequently.
Limitations/implications: The information was based on reports from local producers, which may introduce variability in dosage and observed effects. The pharmacological efficacy of the documented species was not evaluated; therefore, further research is required to validate their therapeutic properties.
Findings/conclusions: Medicinal plants constitute a key resource in local ethnoveterinary practices, providing accessible and sustainable alternatives for livestock health management and underscoring the importance of traditional knowledge in animal care.