FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Ethnobiol Ethnomed / Traditional knowledge about plant, animal, and mineral-based...
Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine2018; 14(1); 50; doi: 10.1186/s13002-018-0250-7

Traditional knowledge about plant, animal, and mineral-based remedies to treat cattle, pigs, horses, and other domestic animals in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

Abstract: Mediterranean farmers traditionally utilized plants, animals, and minerals sourced locally to treat their animals. Research is needed to understand at what extent such knowledge of domestic animal care still survives and to document such traditions for further developments. Methods: We carried out our field study to recover ancient ethno-veterinary practices by means of questionnaires and interviews to farmers in rural areas of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Italy). Quantitative indices were used to evaluate the distribution and diversity of the acquired information. Results: We report here 98 sources (42 plant taxa, 14 animal-based substances, 15 minerals, and 27 other materials of various origin) emerged from the survey for the care of 41 ailments of cattle, pigs, and horses. Ethno-veterinary treatments, detailed in their formulations and applications, were used against ecto- and endo-parasites, gastrointestinal diseases, heart diseases, viral and bacterial diseases, wounds, sprains, and bruises. Conclusions: Our survey can be useful to implement the use of phyto-therapeutics and other remedies of non-herbal origin for diseased animals, and, as elderly farmers held most of the knowledge, it can contribute to the conservation of Mediterranean ethno-veterinary knowledge.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2018-07-20 PubMed ID: 30029686PubMed Central: PMC6054737DOI: 10.1186/s13002-018-0250-7Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on understanding the traditional methods used by Mediterranean farmers, particularly in Sardinia, Italy, to treat their domestic animals using locally sourced plants, animals, and minerals. The aim is to recover these ancient veterinary practices and potentially incorporate them into modern veterinary medicine.

Methods of the Research

  • The researchers carried out field studies to gain insight into these ancient practices. They used questionnaires and interviews to gather information from farmers in the rural regions of Sardinia, Italy.
  • The data were quantitatively analyzed to understand the distribution and diversity of the acquired information.

Results of the Research

  • The study identified 98 sources used in traditional veterinary care, including 42 plant taxa, 14 animal-based substances, 15 minerals, and 27 other materials.
  • These traditional remedies were used to treat 41 different ailments in cattle, pigs, and horses. The conditions ranged from parasitic infestations, gastrointestinal and heart diseases, to wounds, sprains, and bruises.
  • The specifics of these ethno-veterinary treatments, including their formulation and application, were also documented.

Conclusions of the Research

  • This research could pave the way for the introduction of phyto-therapeutics (plant-based treatments) and other non-herbal remedies into modern veterinary treatment methods.
  • Since most of the knowledge on these traditional veterinary practices was held by older farmers, this study could also aid in preserving this valuable ethno-veterinary knowledge for future generations.

Cite This Article

APA
Bullitta S, Re GA, Manunta MDI, Piluzza G. (2018). Traditional knowledge about plant, animal, and mineral-based remedies to treat cattle, pigs, horses, and other domestic animals in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 14(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0250-7

Publication

Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
ISSN: 1746-4269
NlmUniqueID: 101245794
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 50

Researcher Affiliations

Bullitta, Simonetta
  • Istituto per il Sistema Produzione Animale in Ambiente Mediterraneo - CNR-ISPAAM, Traversa La Crucca 3, località Baldinca, 07100, Sassari, Italy. simonettamaria.bullitta@cnr.it.
Re, Giovanni Antonio
  • Istituto per il Sistema Produzione Animale in Ambiente Mediterraneo - CNR-ISPAAM, Traversa La Crucca 3, località Baldinca, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
Manunta, Maria Domenica Iole
  • Istituto per il Sistema Produzione Animale in Ambiente Mediterraneo - CNR-ISPAAM, Traversa La Crucca 3, località Baldinca, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
  • Present address: Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Piluzza, Giovanna
  • Istituto per il Sistema Produzione Animale in Ambiente Mediterraneo - CNR-ISPAAM, Traversa La Crucca 3, località Baldinca, 07100, Sassari, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animal Diseases / therapy
  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Cattle
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Knowledge
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Mediterranean Islands
  • Middle Aged
  • Minerals / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Swine

Grant Funding

  • 66/4181/02 / Fondazione Banco di Sardegna

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE: All actors involved in this research were informed about the aims of the study and accepted to participate to the interviews. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

References

This article includes 66 references
  1. Bischoff T, Vogl CR, Ivemeyer S, Klarer F, Meier B, Hamburger M, Walkenhorst M. Plant and natural product based homemade remedies manufactured and used by farmers of six central Swiss cantons to treat livestock.. Livest Sci 2007;189:110–125.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.05.003google scholar: lookup
  2. Pieroni A, Giusti M, de Pasquale C, Lenzarini C, Censorii E, Gonzáles-Tejero M, Sánchez Rojas CP, Ramiro Gutiérrez JM, Skoula M, Johnson C, Sarpaki A, Della A, Paraskeva Hadijchambi D, Hadjichambis A, Hmamouchi M, El Jorhi S, El Demerdash M, El Zayat M, Al Shahaby O, Houmani Z, Scherazed M. RUBIA project: Circum-Mediterranean cultural heritage and medicinal plant uses in traditional animal healthcare: a field survey in eight selected areas within the RUBIA project.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2006;2:15.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-2-15pmc: PMC1447602pubmed: 16563158google scholar: lookup
  3. Lans C, Nancy T, Gerhard B, Grant L, Karla G. Ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses in Trinidad and in British Columbia, Canada.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2006;2:1.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-2-1pmc: PMC1559680pubmed: 16893454google scholar: lookup
  4. Bartha SG, Quave CL, Balogh L, Papp N. Ethnoveterinary practices of Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2015;11(1):35.
    doi: 10.1186/s13002-015-0020-8pmc: PMC4449595pubmed: 25943542google scholar: lookup
  5. Anyinam C. Ecology and ethnomedicine: exploring links between current environmental crisis and indigenous medical practices.. Soc Sci Med 1995;40:321–329.
    doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(94)E0098-Dpubmed: 7899944google scholar: lookup
  6. Pieroni A, Howard P, Volpato G, Santoro RF. Natural remedies and nutraceuticals used in ethnoveterinary practices in Inland Southern Italy.. Vet Res Comm 2004;28:55–80.
    doi: 10.1023/B:VERC.0000009535.96676.ebpubmed: 14989363google scholar: lookup
  7. Ali-Shtayeh MS, Jamous RM, Jamous RM. Traditional Arabic Palestinian ethnoveterinary practices in animal health care: a field survey in the West Bank (Palestine). J Ethnopharmacol 2016;182:35–49.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.005pubmed: 26869545google scholar: lookup
  8. Baharvand-Ahmadi B, Asadi-Samani M. A mini-review on the most important effective medicinal plants to treat hypertension in ethnobotanical evidence of Iran.. J Nephropharmacol 2017;6(1):3–8.
    pmc: PMC5295656pubmed: 28197520
  9. Akerreta S, Calvo MI, Cavero RY. Ethnoveterinary knowledge in Navarra (Iberian Peninsula). J Ethnopharmacol 2010;130(2):369–378.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.023pubmed: 20573568google scholar: lookup
  10. Benarba B, Belabid L, Righi K, Bekkar A, Elouissi M, Khaldi A, Hamimed A. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Mascara (north west of Algeria). J Ethnopharmacol 2015;175:626–637.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.030pubmed: 26440857google scholar: lookup
  11. Barkaoui M, Katiri A, Boubaker H, Msanda F. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of diabetes in Chtouka Ait Baha and Tiznit (western anti-atlas), Morocco.. J Ethnopharmacol 2017;198:338–350.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.023pubmed: 28109915google scholar: lookup
  12. Di Sanzo P, De Martino L, Mancini E, De Feo V. Medicinal and useful plants in the tradition of Rotonda, Pollino National Park, southern Italy.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2013;9(1):19.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-19pmc: PMC3621777pubmed: 23522331google scholar: lookup
  13. Piluzza G, Virdis S, Serralutzu F, Bullitta S. Uses of plants, animal and mineral substances in Mediterranean ethno-veterinary practices for the care of small ruminants.. J Ethnopharmacol 2015;168:87–99.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.056pubmed: 25843021google scholar: lookup
  14. Bullitta S, Piluzza G, Viegi L. Plant resources used for traditional ethnoveterinary phytoterapy in Sardinia (Italy). Genet Resour Crop Evol 2007;54:1447–1464.
    doi: 10.1007/s10722-006-9130-4google scholar: lookup
  15. Sindhu ZUD, Ullah S, Abbas RZ, Iqbal Z, Hameed M. Inventory of ethno-veterinary practices used for the control of parasitic infections in district Jhang, Pakistan.. Int J Agr Biol 2012;14:922–928.
  16. Yadav M, Rajput DS, Mishra P. Ethno-veterinary practices among tribes of Banswara District of Rajasthan.. Indian Res J Ext Educ 2016;15:87–90.
  17. Kujawska M, Klepacki P, Łuczaj Ł. Fischer’s plants in folk beliefs and customs: a previously unknown contribution to the ethnobotany of the polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian borderland.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2017;13(1):20.
    doi: 10.1186/s13002-017-0149-8pmc: PMC5364690pubmed: 28335791google scholar: lookup
  18. Martínez GJ, Luján MC. Medicinal plants used for traditional veterinary in the Sierras de Córdoba (Argentina): an ethnobotanical comparison with human medicinal uses.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2011;7(1):23.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-23pmc: PMC3163512pubmed: 21816043google scholar: lookup
  19. . Council Regulation (EC) no. 834/2007 on Organic Production and Labelling of Organic Products. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:189:0001:0023:EN:PDF. Council Regulation (EC) no. 889/2008 on laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) no. 834/2007. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:250:0001:0084:en:PDF. Accessed 17 July 2018.. .
  20. Boukraa L, Benbarek H, Benhanifia M. Herbal medicines for animal health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.. In: Katerere DR, Luseba D, editors. Ethnoveterinary botanical medicine. Herbal medicines for animal health. Boca Raton, London, New York: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group; 2010. pp. 303–320.
  21. Lev E. Traditional healing with animals (zoo-therapy): medieval to present day Levantine practice.. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;85:107–118.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00377-Xpubmed: 12576209google scholar: lookup
  22. Quave CL, Pieroni A. Mediterranean zootherapy: a historical to modern perspective.. In: RRN A, Rosa IC, editors. Animals in traditional folk medicine: implications for conservation. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag; 2013.
  23. Lawal OA, Banjo AD. Survey for the usage of arthropods in traditional medicine in southwestern Nigeria.. J Entomol 2007;4(2):104–112.
    doi: 10.3923/je.2007.104.112google scholar: lookup
  24. Alves RRN, Barbosa JA, Santos SL, Souto W, Barboza RR. Animal-based remedies as complementary medicines in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2011.
    pmc: PMC3094714pubmed: 19729490doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep134google scholar: lookup
  25. Martínez GJ. Use of fauna in the traditional medicine of native Toba (Qom) from the argentine Gran Chaco region: an ethno-zoological and conservationist approach.. Ethnobiol Conservat 2013;2:2–26.
  26. Alonso-Castro AJ. Use of medicinal fauna in Mexican traditional medicine.. J Ethnopharmacol 2014;152:53–70.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.005pubmed: 24440438google scholar: lookup
  27. Dossey AT. Insects and their chemical weaponry: new potential for drug discovery.. Nat Prod Rep 2010;27(12):1737–1757.
    doi: 10.1039/c005319hpubmed: 20957283google scholar: lookup
  28. Alves RRN, Rosa IL. Why study the use of animal products in traditional medicines?. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2005;1:5.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-1-5pmc: PMC1277085pubmed: 16270931google scholar: lookup
  29. González JA, Amich F, Postigo-Mota S, Vallejo JR. Therapeutic and prophylactic uses of invertebrates in contemporary Spanish ethnoveterinary medicine.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2016;12:36.
    doi: 10.1186/s13002-016-0111-1pmc: PMC5011348pubmed: 27595672google scholar: lookup
  30. Menale B, De Castro O, Cascone C, Muoio R. Ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants in the Vesuvio National Park (Campania, southern Italy). J Ethnopharmacol 2016;192:320–349.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.049pubmed: 27457693google scholar: lookup
  31. Wilkens B. La fauna sarda durante l’olocene: le conoscenze attuali.. Int J Archeol 2004;I:181–197.
  32. Mascheroni E. Zootecnia speciale. Equini.. Torino: UTET; 1929.
  33. Gratani L. Cavalli di Sardegna.. Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Assessorato Agricoltura e Riforma Agro-pastorale, Istituto Incremento Ippico della Sardegna. Sassari: Chiarella; 1984.
  34. Viegi L, Bioli A, Vangelisti R, Cela Renzoni G. Prima indagine sulle piante utilizzate in medicina veterinaria popolare in alcune localita` dell’alta Val di Cecina.. Atti Soc Tosc Sci Nat Mem Ser B 1999;106:1–10.
  35. Pignatti S. Flora d’Italia.. Bologna: Edagricole; 1982.
  36. Conti F, Abbate G, Alessandrini A, Blasi C. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora.. Roma: Palombi Editori; 2005.
  37. Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. An update of the angiosperm phylogeny group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IV.. Bot J Linn Soc 2016;181:1–20.
    doi: 10.1111/boj.12385google scholar: lookup
  38. Tardío J, Pardo-de-Santayana M. Cultural importance indices: a comparative analysis based on the useful wild plants of Southern Cantabria (Northern Spain). Econ Bot 2008;62:24–39.
    doi: 10.1007/s12231-007-9004-5google scholar: lookup
  39. Pardo-de-Santayana M. Las plantas en la cultura tradicional de la antigua Merindad de Campoo.. Ph.D. dissertation, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain. 2003.
  40. Fois P, Mura L, Bullitta S. Plant genetic resources protection in the Mediterranean basin: the case of Sardinian forage species.. Cah Options Méditerranéennes 2000;45:109–112.
  41. Bullitta S. Legal protection of local genetic resources and regulations for germplasm collection activities for scientific, economic and commercial purposes.. In: Swiecicki W, Naganowska B, Wolko B, editors. Broad variation and precise characterization-limitation for the future. Eucarpia section genetic resources. Poznan: Prodruk; 2001. pp. 15–18.
  42. Voultsiadou E. Therapeutic properties and uses of marine invertebrates in the ancient Greek world and early Byzantium.. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;130:237–247.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.04.041pubmed: 20435126google scholar: lookup
  43. Ahmad TB, Liu L, Kotiw M, Benkendorff K. Review of anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory and wound healing properties of molluscs.. J Ethnopharmacol 2017.
    pubmed: 28830818doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.008google scholar: lookup
  44. Meyer-Rochow VB. Therapeutic arthropods and other, largely terrestrial, folk-medicinally important invertebrates: a comparative survey and review.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2017;13:9.
    doi: 10.1186/s13002-017-0136-0pmc: PMC5296966pubmed: 28173820google scholar: lookup
  45. Quave CL, Pieroni A, Bennet CB. Dermatological remedies in the traditional pharmacopoeia of vulture-alto Bradano, inland southern Italy.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2008;4:5.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-4-5pmc: PMC2275234pubmed: 18254949google scholar: lookup
  46. Confessor MV, Mendonça LE, Mourão JS, Alves RR. Animals to heal animals: ethnoveterinary practices in semiarid region, northeastern Brazil.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2009;5(1):37.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-5-37pmc: PMC2788532pubmed: 19941663google scholar: lookup
  47. Alves RRN, Alves HN. The faunal drugstore: animal-based remedies used in traditional medicines in Latin America.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2011;7:9.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-9pmc: PMC3060860pubmed: 21385357google scholar: lookup
  48. Volpato G, Kourková P, Zelený V. Healing war wounds and perfuming exile: the use of vegetal, animal, and mineral products for perfumes, cosmetics, and skin healing among Sahrawi refugees of Western Sahara.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2012;8:49.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-49pmc: PMC3573916pubmed: 23270531google scholar: lookup
  49. Jarald E, Edwin S, Tiwari V, Garg R, Toppo E. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cow urine.. Glob J Pharmacol 2008;2(2):20–22.
  50. Tulobaev AZ, Aldaiarov N, Jumakanova Z, Niiazbekova Z. Information on traditional veterinary knowledge of Kyrgyz people.. Manas journal of agriculture and veterinary life. Science 2016;6(2):29–35.
  51. Yadav ML, Rajput DS. Ethno-veterinary practices by tribals of Banswara district of Rajasthan.. Indian J Nat Prod Res 2015;6:237–240.
  52. Maraver F, Fernández-Torán MÁ, Corvillo I, Morer C, Váquez I, Aguilera L, Armijo F. Pelotherapy, a review.. Med Nat 2015;9(1):38–46.
  53. Volpato G, Saleh SML, Nardo A. Ethnoveterinary of Sahrawi pastoralists of Western Sahara: camel diseases and remedies.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2015;11(1):54.
    doi: 10.1186/s13002-015-0040-4pmc: PMC4477503pubmed: 26087846google scholar: lookup
  54. Pieroni A, Nedelcheva A, Hajdari A, Mustafa B, Scaltriti B, Cianfaglione K, Quave CL. Local knowledge on plants and domestic remedies in the mountain villages of Peshkopia (eastern Albania). J Mt Sci 2014;11(1):180–193.
    doi: 10.1007/s11629-013-2651-3google scholar: lookup
  55. Ghazanfar SA. Wasm: a traditional method of healing by cauterization.. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;47:125–128.
    doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(95)01270-Npubmed: 8569235google scholar: lookup
  56. Viegi L, Pieroni P, Guarrera PM, Vangelisti R. A review of plants used in folk veterinary medicine in Italy as basis for a databank.. J Etnopharmacol 2003;89:221–244.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2003.08.003pubmed: 14611886google scholar: lookup
  57. Atzei AD. Le piante nella tradizione popolare della Sardegna.. Sassari: C. Delfino; 2003.
  58. González JA, García-Barriuso M, Amich F. Ethnoveterinary medicine in the Arribes del Duero, western Spain.. Vet Res Commun 2011;35(5):283–310.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-011-9473-ypubmed: 21461643google scholar: lookup
  59. Bonet MA, Vallès J. Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine.. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;110:130–147.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.016pubmed: 17059874google scholar: lookup
  60. Cornara L, La Rocca A, Terrizzano L, Dente F, Mariotti MG. Ethnobotanical and phytomedical knowledge in the north-western Ligurian alps.. J Ethnopharmacol 2014;155:463–484.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.05.046pubmed: 24910407google scholar: lookup
  61. Blanco E, Macía MJ, Morales R. Medicinal and veterinary plants of El Caurel (Galicia, Northwest Spain). J Ethnopharmacol 1999;65:113–124.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00178-0pubmed: 10465651google scholar: lookup
  62. Guarrera PM, Lucchese F, Medori S. Ethnophytotherapeutical research in the high Molise region (central-southern Italy). J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2008;4:7.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-4-7pmc: PMC2322956pubmed: 18334029google scholar: lookup
  63. Goraya K, Iqbal Z, Sajid MS, Muhammad G, ul Ain Q, Saleem M. Diversity of flora used for the cure of equine diseases in selected peri-urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan.. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2013;9(1):70.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-70pmc: PMC3851199pubmed: 24283263google scholar: lookup
  64. Bahmani M, Eftekhari Z. An ethnoveterinary study of medicinal plants in treatment of diseases and syndromes of herd dog in southern regions of Ilam province, Iran.. Comp Clin Pathol 2013;22:403–407.
    doi: 10.1007/s00580-012-1423-8pmc: PMC3648685pubmed: 23667351google scholar: lookup
  65. Adhikary SP. Indigenous knowledge on animal care practices in Surada block of Ganjam District, Odisha.. Eur J Environ Health Ecol 2014;1(1):1–6.
  66. Lim TK. Edible medicinal and non-medicinal plants. Camellia japonica.. Dordrecht: Springer; 2014.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.