Plants used as ethnoveterinary medicines in Sikkim Himalayas

Abstract

Field work was conducted to document the ethnoveterinary medicine used by members of the indigenous community in Sikkim Himalayas, India, in order to treat ailments of their livestock. This research detailed the use of 37 medicinal plants to treat ailments in animals such as diarrhea, dysentery, digestive disorders, injury, wound, fever, maternity complications, skin disease, urinary problems, cough and cold, skeleto-muscular disorders, inflammation, scorpion sting, snake and insect bite, weakness, parasite, ulcer and bleeding. 12 medicinal plants being used in Sikkim Himalayas have not been documented in ethnoveterinary medicine elsewhere in the world. 15 plant species were found to contain previously unreported medicinal properties.