Ethno-veterinary medicinal uses of garlic (allium sativum) by livestock rearer

Abstract

Garlic (Allium Sativum) is used as an important ingredient in the traditional veterinary ethno-medicine since long time among the folk communities. The knowledge of the use of garlic individually or additively with other ingredients is scattered in different regions as well as literatures. The study was undertaken to screen the ITKs available in the different sources in which the use of Garlic is predominant in ethno-veterinary practices and validate these ITKs with the experts. The validation of ITK was done with 30 experts for their relevance in scientific scenario. The responses of experts for validation were taken on 3-point validity continuum. Out of 47 formulations of garlic with other herbal additives, 57.44 per cent were claimed to have the score above 120 out of 150, shows their wider applicability and validity in ethnoveterinary practice. Ethno-veterinary use of Garlic was found for curing cough, cold, fever, urinary problems like oliguria & anuria, bloat, foot and mouth disease, pleuropneumonia, otalgia, dog bite, snake bite, trembling, respiratory system disorder like pleuritis and pneumonia, yoke gall, bone fracture, flatulence, wounds and gangrene. Due to allicin and other sulfur compounds, garlic has antibiotic, antibacterial and antimycotic properties. As garlic is readily available in every household can be a cost effective first aid or emergency prescription to the livestock rearer who have no immediate access to modern veterinary facilities.