Traditional plant-based remedies to control gastrointestinal disorders in livestock in the regions of Kamina and Kaniama (Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gastrointestinal parasitic diseases present one of the main constraints hindering the productivity of the livestock sector (goat and cattle). Due to the limited availability and affordability of deworming drugs, traditional herbal remedies are still frequently used. The study aims at collecting traditional knowledge on local plants and remedies used to treat gastrointestinal parasitoses in livestock in two adjacent territories (Haut-Lomami district).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A field survey was carried out in a part of the Haut-Lomami district (province of Katanga). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 44 people including farmers, traditional healers and livestock specialists (veterinarians and agronomist), identified as using or practicing traditional medicine. To prepare botanically identified herbarium specimens, cited plants were collected with the participation of interviewed people.

RESULTS

Although interviewed people cannot precisely identify the etiology of gastrointestinal disorders/parasitoses in domestic animals, they treat the condition with herbals collected in their near environment. Nineteen different traditional remedies were collected and described; 9 plant species were identified as commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasitic infections. From these, Vitex thomasii De Wild (Verbenaceae) appears as the plant most often used.

CONCLUSION

This survey contributed to the establishment of an inventory of plants used in livestock parasitic treatment in this region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of these traditional remedies.