Planta Med 2021; 87(15): 1245
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736765
Abstracts
3. Short Lectures

Ethnoveterinary use of medicinal plants in the treatment of equids – a survey in Bavaria

T Schlittenlacher
1   Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick & Frankfurt
2   LMU, München;
,
G Knubben-Schweizer
2   LMU, München;
,
A Maeschli
1   Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick & Frankfurt
,
M Walkenhorst
1   Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick & Frankfurt
› Author Affiliations
 
 

As pure herbivores, horses and donkeys are predestined for the use of medicinal plants. In 2018 and 2019, we conducted an ethno-veterinary study on Bavarian farms.

A total of 77 interviews were carried out with 101 farmers. Altogether 884 use reports (URs) were recorded, comprising detailed information about plant species, plant part used, the manufacturing process for the end product, dosing, administration and therapeutic intention. Among them, 34 URs (corresponding to 32 herbal remedy reports (HRs)) with 45 different plant species were specifically linked to diseases of equids (23 URs horses and 11 URs donkeys).

For 23 URs (22 HRs) a single plant was used, 11 URs (10 HRs) were mixtures. The most frequently mentioned plant species in mixtures were: Calendula officinalis L. (5 URs), Achillea millefolium L. (4 URs) and with each 3 URs: Carum carvi L., Cinnamomum verum J. PRESL, Geranium robertianum L., Plantago lanceolata L., and Pimpinella anisum L. Among the single plant applications, Calendula officinals L. (3 URs) and Urtica dioica L. (3 URs) were mentioned most often.

Apart from cinnamon, the most frequently reported plant species are regionally indigenous. Except Geranium robertianum L., these plants are well known in the phytotherapeutic use in equids. Geranium robertianum L. is increasingly analyzed chemically due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity [1]. Clinical data and especially applications in equids are still lacking.


The authors declare that they have no competing interests.


Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

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