Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Natural Remedies and Nutraceuticals Used in Ethnoveterinary Practices in Inland Southern Italy

  • Published:
Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Traditional animal health practices are today only rarely used in Europe, as many natural remedies applied for the treatment of animals have been replaced by modern pharmaceuticals. Modern institutionalized veterinary services tend to cover every aspect of animal health care, and influence most of the veterinary practices carried out by shepherds and farmers. However, in some areas, particularly of the Mediterranean, such traditional practices persist. Few ethnoveterinary studies have been conducted in the Mediterranean. In this survey, we analysed the natural remedies that are still in use or were used until very recently to treat animals in central Lucania (inland southern Italy). Plants constitute the mainstay of the folk-veterinary regimen (about 40 preparations), but there are also a few animal- and mineral-derived preparations. Among them, the veterinary use of Cistus incanus, Colutea arborescens, Daphne laureola, and Erigeron acer is reported for the first time. Moreover, the study identified diverse traditional plant nutraceuticals used to improve animal health, as well as the quality of milk and dairy products. An important potential output of this study may be the development of eco-sustainable integrated projects focused on the maintenance of traditional animal breeding and healthcare systems. Pharmacological and toxicological considerations relating to possible applications of the recorded traditional knowledge in modern evidence-based veterinary medicine are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Abu-Rabia, A., 1999. Veterinary and medicinal plants among Bedouin tribes. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 1-13

    Google Scholar 

  • Adewumni, C.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M., Adebajo, A.C., Aladesanmi, A.J., Murphy, N. and Wando, J., 2001. Ethno-veterinary medicine: screening of Nigerian medicinal plants for trypanocidal properties. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 77, 19-24

    Google Scholar 

  • Agelet, A. and Vallès, J., 1999. Vascular plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Pallars (Pyrenees, Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 14-35

    Google Scholar 

  • Alawa, J.P., Jokthan, G.E. and Akut, K., 2002. Ethnoveterinary medical practice for ruminants in the subhumid zone of Northern Nigeria. Preventive Veterinary Research, 54, 79-90

    Google Scholar 

  • Amico, F.P. and Sorge, E.G., 1997. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Mussomeli area (Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy). Fitoterapia, LXVIII, 143-159

    Google Scholar 

  • Bâ, A.S., 1996. Passé, présent et perspectives de l'ethno-médicine vétérinaire africaine. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 15, 813-826

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbagallo, C. and Furnari, F., 1967. Flora Officinale del Territorio di Caltagirone (Catania), (Editrice Fusi, Pavia)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbagallo, C., Grillo, M. and Meli, R., 1979. Nota sulle piante officinali spontanee e coltivate del territorio di Cesarò (Messina). Filoterapia, 2, 57-66

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, J.E., 2001. Evaluation of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and functional food ingredients for companion animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 218, 1755-1760

    Google Scholar 

  • Berdini, R., Bianco, A., Guiso, M., Marini, E., Nicoletti, M., Passacantilli, P. and Righi, G., 1991. Iridoids in the flora of Italy. 12. Isolation and partial synthesis of 7,8-dehydro-6-beta,10-dihydroxy-11-noriridomyrmecin, a methylcyclopentanoid monoterpene from Scrophularia canina. Journal of Natural Products, 54, 1400-1403

    Google Scholar 

  • Birrenkott, G.P., Brockenfelt, G.E., Greer, J.A. and Owens, M.D., 2000. Topical application of garlic reduces northern fowl mite infestation in laying hens. Poultry Science, 79, 1575-1577

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco, E., Marcía, M.J. and Morales, R., 1999. Aus der rumänischen Volksmedzin: unspezifische Reiztherapie durch transkutane Implantation der Nieswurz (Helleborus purpurascens, Fam. Ranuncolaceae) bei landwirtschaftlichen Nutztieren. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift, 97, 525-529

    Google Scholar 

  • Brag, S. and Hansen, H.-J., 1994. Treatment of ruminal indigestion according to popular belief in Sweden. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 13, 529-535

    Google Scholar 

  • Catanzaro, F., 1968. Piante officinali dell'Isola di Pantelleria. Webbia, 23, 135-148

    Google Scholar 

  • Catanzaro, F., 1970. Le piante officinali del territorio di Bivona (Agrigento) nella tradizione popolare. Fitoterapia, 41, 66-84

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrain, C. and Zampini, P., 1961. Note di veterinaria popolare riguardanti il Polesine. Archivio Antropologia Etnologia, XCI, 249-263

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D.K., Quraishi, K., Sherman, D., Sollod, A. and Stem, C., 1995. Ethnoveterinary medicine in Afghanistan: an overview of indigenous animal health care among Pashtun Koochi nomads. Journal of Arid Environments, 31, 483-500

    Google Scholar 

  • De Feo, V. and Senatore, F., 1993. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in the Amalfitan Coast, Salerno province, Campania, southern Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 39, 39-51

    Google Scholar 

  • De Feo, V., Aquino, R., Menghini, A., Ramundo, E. and Senatore, F., 1992. Traditional phytotherapy in the Peninsula Sorrentina, Campania, southern Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 36, 113-125

    Google Scholar 

  • De Meneghi, D. and Sanga, G.L., 1999. Indigenous knowledge and ethnoveterinary medicine in the southwestern highlands of Tanzania. Plants used for traditional veterinary medicine: a preliminary survey. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 37-44

    Google Scholar 

  • De Simoni, E. and Guarrera, P.M., 1994. Indagine etnobotanica nella Provincia di Teramo. Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata, 1, 3-10

    Google Scholar 

  • Ertuğ, F., 1999. Plant, animal and human relationships in the folk medicine of Turkey. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 45-63

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethnoveterinary Mailing List, 2002. Available by e-mailing to: join-EVM@lyris.nuffic.nl

  • Etkin, N.L., 1994. The cull of the wild. In: N.L. Etkin (ed.), Eating on the Wild Side. The Pharmacologic, Ecologic, and Social Implications of Using Noncultigens, (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ), 1-21

    Google Scholar 

  • Etkin, N.L. and Ross, P.J., 1982. Food as medicine and medicine as food: an adaptive framework for the interpretation of plant utilization among the Hausa of northern Nigeria. Social Science and Medicine, 16, 1559-1573

    Google Scholar 

  • Etkin, N.L. and Ross, P.J., 1991. Should we set a place for diet in ethnopharmacology? Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 32, 25-36

    Google Scholar 

  • Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., Puleio, R., Morelli, I. and Panizzi, L., 1999. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Calamintha nepeta and its constituent pulegone against bacteria and fungi. Phytotherapy Research, 13, 349-351

    Google Scholar 

  • Furler, M., 1999. Giftpflanzen Datenbank für die Veterinärmedizin, University of Zurich, Switzerland, available at: http://www-vetpharm.unizh.ch/giftdb/giftf.htm (last visited 27.06.2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garber, P.A. and Kitrom, V.S., 1997. Seed swallowing in tamarins: evidence of a curative function or enhanced foraging efficiency? International Journal of Primatology, 18, 523-538

    Google Scholar 

  • Glander, K.E., 1982. The impact of plant secondary compounds on primate feeding behavior. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 25, 1-18

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Tejero, M.R., Molero Mesa, J., Martínez Cobo, A., Gúzman, A. and El-Ouardani, F., 1999. Medicinal plants used in traditional veterinary practices in Andalusia. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 73-81

    Google Scholar 

  • Goud, P.S. and Pullaiah, T., 1996. Folk veterinary medicine of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh. Ethnobotany, 8, 71-74

    Google Scholar 

  • Guarrera, P.M., Tammaro, F., Bernardini, D. and Carluccio, A., 1995. Etnobotanica and fitoterapia veterinaria in Italia Centrale. In: Anonymus, Atti del Convegno “Problematiche Veterinarie Emergenti Nelle Aree Protette”, 19–20 October 1995, (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo and del Molise/Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo), 89-96

    Google Scholar 

  • Guèye, E.F., 1999. Ethnoveterinary medicine against poultry diseases in African villages. World's Poultry Science Journal, 55, 187-198

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, G., 2000. Nutraceuticals and functional foods: introduction and meaning. Nutrition, 16, 688-689

    Google Scholar 

  • Hänsel, R., Sticher, O. and Steinegger, E., 1999. Pharmakognosie -Phytopharmazie, (Springer Verlag, Berlin), 532

    Google Scholar 

  • Hidalgo, P.J., Ubera, J.L., Santos, J.A., La Font, F., Castellanos, C., Palomino, A. and Roman, M., 2002. Essential oils in Calamintha sylvatica Bromf. ssp ascendens (Jordan) P.W. Ball: wild and cultivated productions and antifungal activity. Journal of Essential Oils Research, 14, 68-71

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschkind, L., 2000. Sal/Manteca/Panela: ethnoveterinary practice in Highland Ecuador. American Anthropologist, 102, 290-302

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffman, M.A., 2002. Animal origins of herbal medicine. In: Fleurentin, J., Pelt, J.M. and Mazars G. (eds), Des Sources du ?? aux Médicaments du futur, (IRD Editions, Paris), 31-39

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffman, M.A., Gotoh, S., Turner, L.A., Hamai, M. and Yoshida, K., 1997. Seasonal trends in intestinal nematode infection and medicinal plant use among chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania. Primates, 38, 111-125

    Google Scholar 

  • International Network Prelude, 2002. Available at: http://www.fundp.ac.be/prelude/index.htmo (last visited 27.06.2002)

  • Janzen, D.H., 1978. Complications in interpreting the chemical defenses of trees against tropical arboreal plant-eating vertebrates. In: G.G. Montgomery (ed.), The Ecology of Arboreal Folivores, (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC), 73-84

    Google Scholar 

  • Johns, T., 1990. The Origins of Human Diet and Medicine. Chemical Ecology, (The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitic, D., Palic, R., Stojanovic, G. and Ristic, M., 2002. Composition of the essential oil of Calamintha vardarensis (Greuter et Burdet). Journal of Essential Oil Research, 14, 58-59

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostova, I., 2001. Fraxinus ornus L. Fitoterapia, 72, 471-480

    Google Scholar 

  • Lans, C. and Brown, G., 1998a. Observation on ethnoveterinary medicines in Trinidad and Tobago. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 35, 125-142

    Google Scholar 

  • Lans, C. and Brown, G., 1998b. Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in Trinidad and Tobago. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 35, 149-163

    Google Scholar 

  • Lans, C., Harper, T., Georges, K. and Bridgewater, E., 2000. Medicinal plants used for dogs in Trinidad and Tobago. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 45, 201-220

    Google Scholar 

  • Lans, C., Harper, T., Georges, K. and Bridgewater, E., 2001. Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1, 10

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentini, F., 1987. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. II. L'uso tradizionale delle piante in alcune comunità del trapanese. Atti Convegno Scientifico “Ricerca Sperimentale in Farmacobotanica”, Urbino, 25–26 Settembre, 1987. Studi Urbinati, 29, 151-167

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentini, F. and Aleo, M., 1991. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. V. L'uso tradizionale delle piante nel territorio di Erice (Trapani). Atti dell'Accademia di Scienze Lettere e Arti di Palermo, 1-30

  • Lentini, F. and Raimondo, F.M., 1990. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. IV. L'uso popolare delle piante nel territorio di Mistretta (Messina). Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata 1, 103-117

  • Lentini, F., Catanzaro, F. and Aleo, M., 1988. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. III. L'uso tradizionale delle piante nel territorio di Mazara del Vallo (Trapani). Atti dell'Accademia di Scienze Lettere e Arti di Palermo, 1-29

  • Leporatti, M.L. and Pavesi, A., 1989. Usi nuovi, rari o interessanti di piante officinali di alcune zone della Calabria. Webbia, 43, 269-289

    Google Scholar 

  • Manzi, A., 1989. Piante utilizzate nella veterinaria popolare a Gessopalena. Rivista Abruzzese, 3, 253-260

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, M., McCorkle, C. and Mathias, E., 2001. Ethnoveterinary Medicine. An Annotated Bibliography of Community Animal Healthcare, (ITDG Publishing, London)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marzell, H., 1943. Wörterbuch der deutschen Pflanzenanmen, vol 2, (Verlag von S. Hirzel, Lepzig), 276-278 (Reprint Parkland Verlag, Köln, Germany, 2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Masika, P.J. and Afolayan, A.J., 2002. Antimicrobial activity of some plants used for treatment of livestock diseases in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83, 129-134

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathias, E., Rangnekar, D.V. and McCorkle, M., 1999. Ethnoveterinary Medicine. Alternative of Livestock Development, Proceedings of the International Conference, Pune, India, 4–6 November 1997 (BAIF, Pune, India)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCorkle, C., 1986. An introduction to ethnoveterinary research and development. Journal of Ethnobiology, 6, 129-149

    Google Scholar 

  • Meepagala, K.M., Sturtz, G., Wise, D. and Wedge, D.E., 2002. Molluscicidal and antifungal activity of Erigeron speciosus steam distillate. Pest Management Science, 10, 1043-1057

    Google Scholar 

  • Minja, M.M.J., 1994. Medicinal plants used in the promotion of animal health in Tanzania. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 13, 905-925

    Google Scholar 

  • Minja, M.M.J., 1999. The Maasai's role in the conservation of ecosystems through widespread practice of ethnoveterinary medicine. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 82-93

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagle, T.M., Torres, S.M., Horne, K.L., Grover, R. and Stevens, M.T., 2001. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal product (P07P) for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology, 12, 265-274

    Google Scholar 

  • Namanda, A.T., 1998. Ethnoveterinary practice among the Gabbra nomadic pastoralists of Northern Kenya. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 5, 305-308

    Google Scholar 

  • Nfi, A.N., Mbanya, J.N., Ndi, C., Kameni, A., Vabi, M., Pingpoh, D., Yonken, S. and Moussa, C., 2001. Ethnoveterinary medicine in the Northern Province of Cameroon. Veterinary Research Communications, 25, 71-76

    Google Scholar 

  • Oláh, A., 1979. Althergebrachte Tierheilpraktiken im Komitat Békés, Ungarn. Ethnomedizin, 3/4, 301-318

    Google Scholar 

  • Ole-Miaron, J.O., 2003. The Maasai ethnodiagnostic skill of livestock diseases: a lead to traditional bioprospecting. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 84, 79-83

    Google Scholar 

  • Penzig, O., 1924. Flora Popolare Italiana. Raccolta dei nomi dialettali delle principali piante indigene e coltivate din Italia, vol. 1, (Reprint Edizioni Edagricole, Bologna, 1974), 181

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrucci, S., Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., Morelli, I., Macchioni, F. and Macchioni, G., 2001. In vitro and in vivo efficacy of extracts of Artemisia verlotorum against Psoroptes cuniculi. The Veterinary Record, 148, 814-815

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieroni, A., 1999. Botanica etnoveterinaria in Italia: lo stato attuale delle consocenze. In: A Pieroni (ed.), Herbs, Humans and Animals/Erbe, Uomini e Bestie, (Experiences Verlag, Cologne), 103-154

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieroni, A. and Giusti, M.E., 2002. Ritual botanicals against the evil-eye in Tuscany, Italy. Economic Botany, 56, 201-204

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieroni, A., Quave, C., Nebel, S. and Heinrich, M., 2002. Ethnopharmacy of the ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë) in northern Basilicata, southern Italy. Fitoterapia, 73, 217-241

    Google Scholar 

  • Piyadasa, H.D.W., 1994. Traditional systems for preventing and treating animal diseases in Sri Lanka. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 13, 471-486

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, K.N., Bhanja, M.R. and Raju, V.S., 1998. Plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ethnobotany, 10, 75-84

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, L., Daunderer, M. and Korman, K., 1994. Giftpflanzen Pflanzengifte, (Ecomed Landsberg/Lech, Germany), 495-496, 649–650

    Google Scholar 

  • Scarpa, G.F., 2000. Plants employed in traditional veterinary medicine by the Criollos of the Northwestern Argentine Chaco. Darwiniana, 38, 253-265

    Google Scholar 

  • Schilcher, H. and Kammerer, S., 2000. Leitfaden Phytotherapie, (Urban & Fischer Verlag, Munich)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, P.K. and Singh, V., 1989. Ethnobotanical studies in northwest and trans-Himalaya. V. Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 27, 63-70

    Google Scholar 

  • Theves, G., 1994. Remèdes de maladie animales au Luxembourg pendant les XVII et XVIII siècles. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 13, 513-528

    Google Scholar 

  • Uncini Manganelli, R.E., Camangi, R. and Tomei, P.E., 2001. Curing animals with plants: traditional usage in Tuscany (Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 78, 171-191

    Google Scholar 

  • Viegi, L., Bioli, A., Vangelisti, R. and Cela Renzoni, G., 1999. Prima indagine sulle piante utilizzate in medicina veterinaria popolare in alcune località dell'Alta Val di Cecina. Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali -Memorie Serie B, 106, 131-140

  • Viegi, L., Pieroni, A., Guarrera, P.M. and Maccioni, S., 2001. Piante usate in Italia in medicina veterinaria popolare. Annali della Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria di Pisa, LIV, 405-420

    Google Scholar 

  • Vucevat-Bajt, V. and Karlović, M., 1994. Traditional methods for the treatment of animal diseases in Croatia. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 13, 499-512

    Google Scholar 

  • Waller, P.J., Bernes, G., Thamsborg, S.M., Sukura, A., Richter, S.H., Ingebrigsen, K. and Höglund, J., 2001. Plants as de-worming agents of livestock in the Nordic countries: historical perspective, popular beliefs and prospects for the future. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 42, 31-44

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO, 2002. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005, (World Health Organisation, Geneva). Available at: http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/trm/orgtrmmain.shtml (last visited 25.01.2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrangham, R.W. and Waterman, P.G., 1983. Condensed tannins in fruits eaten by chimpanzees. Biotropica, 15, 217-222

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, B.H., Guan, Y.Y., He, H. and Lin, M.J., 1999. Erigeron breviscapus prevents defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic rat aorta. Life Science, 65, 1553-1559

    Google Scholar 

  • Zitterl-Eglseer, K., Ludwig, M. and Franz, C., 1999. Phytotherapie beim Rind einst und jetzt -alte Indikationen ausgewählter Arzneipflanzen neu bewertet. Wiener Tierärztliches Montasschrift, 86, 166-176

    Google Scholar 

  • Zitterl-Eglseer, K., Moder, H., Franz, C. and Zitterl, W., 2000. Literaturstudie über Einsatzmöglichkeiten von Phytopharmaka bei veterinärmedizinischen Indikationen von Schaf und Ziege. Wiener Tierärztliches Montasschrift, 87, 111-121

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK

    A. Pieroni

  2. Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, NL-6706, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    A. Pieroni, P. Howard & G. Volpato

  3. Vico II Maglietta 2, I-85010, Castelmezzano, Potenza, Italy

    R.F. Santoro

Authors
  1. A. Pieroni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Howard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Volpato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R.F. Santoro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pieroni, A., Howard, P., Volpato, G. et al. Natural Remedies and Nutraceuticals Used in Ethnoveterinary Practices in Inland Southern Italy. Vet Res Commun 28, 55–80 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VERC.0000009535.96676.eb

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VERC.0000009535.96676.eb

Search

Navigation