Indigenous plants for ethnoveterinary uses in the Pondoland, South Africa

Abstract

Over the years, indigenous practices have been used by natives as a means of controlling livestock diseases. Livestock producers have invaluable knowledge of medicinal plants and combine ethno-veterinary practices to reduce reliance on acaricides. The purpose of this study was to investigate and document the indigenous plants used for the treatment of livestock diseases. From the gathered data two plants were further studied for their antibacterial potential. The purpose was to test their medicinal value and their activity against 10 bacterial strains that cause an array of diseases. The results of this study revealed 23 plant species, belonging to 18 families that-are used for the treatment of livestock diseases. The results indicate that the leaves and roots were the most used plant parts. This study showed that the most common method of herbal preparation was infusion. Our observations showed that the rural natives of Pondoland still employ medicinal plants for ailing livestock, highlighting the need to preserve the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. Aqueous extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum inhibited both Gram-negative and Grampositivebacterial strains at an MIC ranging from 0.5 to 1 mg mL-1. The MIC for Coddiarudis was recorded at 5 mg mL-1 for all bacterial strains. This activity may explain and justify usage of H. caffrum and C. rudis among others for the treatment of livestock diseases in the study area.