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The idea of
using medicinal plants to treat livestock is not new. Many of
the active ingredients in chemically manufactured drugs were originally
derived from plant compounds (e.g., the pyrethroids). Also, in
many developing countries, medicinal plants are still being used
on a regular basis. (The use of plants and traditional methods
for treating animals is called ethnoveterinary medicine .) There
is a renewed interest, especially in developed countries, in using
plants to treat livestock, pets, and humans. Why?
- Many people
believe that plants are less toxic and safer than manufactured
drugs.
- Many people
believe that plants are more natural than manufactured drugs.
- Medicinal
plants can be made at home and are less expensive than manufactured
drugs.
- In developing
countries, medicinal plants often are more accessible than manufactured
drugs.
The big questions
are: Are medicinal plants effective for livestock? Are they really
safe? Of the hundreds of plants used in ethnopharmacology, very
few have been researched for their efficacy and toxicity. In the
U.S., medicinal plants for humans are registered with the Food
and Drug Administration. Medicinal plants for livestock currently
are not sold on a wide scale in the U.S. Based on the U.S. Department
of Agriculture regulations, medicinal plants for livestock must
meet the same stringent requirements as other animal drugs if
they are to be registered and approved for use in food producing
animals.
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