Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine.
Abstract: The present paper deals with plants used in veterinary medicine in Montseny. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Montseny massif, which is situated in north-east Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), covers 826 km(2) and has a population of 80,000. The information was obtained through 120 ethnobotanical interviews to 180 informants. Out of 584 species reported, 351 are claimed to be used in the health field (human and veterinary medicine), 280 in human and animal food and 236 have another kind of popular use. Medicinal species represent around 16.5% of Montseny's vascular flora. In a previous paper we addressed plant use in human medicine, and the present paper deals with veterinarian uses. As a reflection of the importance of rural life in the region, at least until recent times, a substantial number of medicinal plants (89 species, representing 6% of the flora of the territory and 6.4% of all medicinal use-reports in the region) is used in veterinary medicine. These remedies are mostly for cows, calves, sheep, pigs and horses, and secondarily, to poultry, rabbits and dogs. The main ailments treated are postnatal problems, intestinal troubles, wounds and dermatological problems. In many cases, the use of these remedies in veterinary medicine is fully consistent with their use in human medicine.
Publication Date: 2006-09-23 PubMed ID: 17059874DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article focuses on the ethnobotanical practices of the Montseny biosphere reserve in Catalonia, Spain, particularly the use of local flora in veterinary medicine.
Research Context
- Montseny biosphere reserve located in Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula was the geographic focus of this research.
- Spread across 826 km(2) with a population of 80,000, this region boasts rich plant diversity.
Data Collection
- Researchers conducted 120 interviews with 180 informants to gather local knowledge on the use of plants.
- Information on the use of 584 species was collected as a result.
Plant Uses
- Out of the documented species, 351 were reported to have health benefits and are used in both human and veterinary medicine.
- 280 plant species are used for food purposes for both humans and animals.
- 236 plant species are used for various other popular applications
Importance in Veterinary Medicine
- Medicinal plant species make up approximately 16.5% of the area’s flora.
- From the total medicinal species, 89 species are particularly used in veterinary medicine.
- These are primarily used for treating postnatal issues, intestinal troubles, wounds and dermatological problems in animals like cows, calves, sheep, pigs and horses.
- The lesser used species are for ailments in poultry, rabbits, and dogs.
- The uses of many of these plant species in veterinary medicine are consistent with their applications in human medicine.
Implications
- The study provides insight into the rich traditional knowledge of plant use in veterinary practices in the Montseny region.
- Greater understanding of this could offer a valuable resource for the development of natural veterinary treatments in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Bonet MA, Vallès J.
(2006).
Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine.
J Ethnopharmacol, 110(1), 130-147.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratori de Botànica, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Ecosystem
- Ethnobotany / methods
- Ethnobotany / statistics & numerical data
- Humans
- Mediterranean Region
- Phytotherapy / veterinary
- Plants, Medicinal
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
Citations
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