Ethnoveterinary in Khalil Abad (Zarrin Dasht, Fars Province)

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Ethnobotany is a branch of indigenous knowledge about the multiple roles of plants of a region according to the knowledge of local communities. In this study, we examined the indigenous knowledge of the people of a village in Fars Province, on the treatment of livestock diseases using this knowledge. The information was obtained using a classified questionnaire. Methods: This study was conducted from February 2017 to April 2017 in Khalil Abad, a village near Zarrin Dasht, Fars Province in Iran. First, questionnaires were designed to identify the traditional treatments for livestock diseases in Khalil Abad and then were distributed among 10 people (three women and seven men) who were traditional livestock breeders aged 60–80 years old. Meanwhile, botanical samples of the region’s plants were collected, and the data on therapeutic effects were supplemented by information such as botanical name, family name, Persian name, local name, the used organs, and the methods of administration. Results: After reviewing the data on 27 livestock diseases in the region, 28 species of medicinal plants were found to be used in traditional treatments used by the villagers. 27 diseases were treated with herbal therapy and seven diseases by traditional method. Only one plant sample caused poisoning in the livestock. Conclusion: The information obtained in this study may help in uses and discovery of new drugs