Use of Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants in Cattle by Setswana-Speaking People in the Madikwe Area of the North West Province of South Africa
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Article — Artikel Use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province of South Africa D van der Merwea*, G E Swana and C J Bothaa created alienation between traditional ABSTRACT health systems and the more controllable Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods were employed to document the use of and predictable effects of orthodox medi- ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe cines5. Developed societies, especially area of the North West Province of South Africa. The study indicated that Setswana- those belonging to cultures derived from speaking people in the North West Province have a rich heritage of ethnoveterinary knowl- the dominant western European cultures, edge, which includes all aspects of ethnoveterinary medicinal plant use. Information was abandoned much of their traditional gathered from informants through individual interviews, group interviews, guided field medical/veterinary practices in favour walks and observations. Ethnoveterinary uses in cattle of 45 plant species representing 24 of what is now viewed as orthodox families were recorded. Plants were used in 84 % of the total number of recorded medicine40. Loss of indigenous culture, in ethnoveterinary remedies. These plants were used alone (64 %) or in mixtures (36 %) for 29 favour of western European-derived indications. The most important indications were retained placenta, diarrhoea, gallsickness, fractures, eye inflammation, general ailments, fertility enhancement, general culture, is an accelerating process among 40 gastrointestinal problems, heartwater, internal parasites, coughing, redwater and reduc- indigenous people around the world . tion of tick burden. Plant materials were prepared in various ways including infusion, Recently, recognition has been given to decoction, ground fresh material, sap expressed from fresh material, charred and dried. the importance of the cultural and medic- The most common dosage form was a liquid for oral dosing. Other dosage forms included inal resources that are under threat. drops, licks, ointments, lotions and powders. Liquid remedies for oral dosing were always This has led to a renewed interest in, and administered using a bottle. Medicinal plant material was preferably stored in a dried form research into, traditional medicine36. in a cool place out of direct sunlight and wind. Lack of transfer of ethnoveterinary knowl- Traditional medicine forms a valuable edge to younger generations puts this knowledge at risk. RRA was found to be a successful resource for the development of new method of investigation for the study of ethnoveterinary medicine. pharmaceuticals8,13,23,27. Compounds de- Key words: cattle, ethnobotany, ethnoveterinary medicine, EVM, herbal medicine, rived from plants were reported in 1993 Madikwe, North West Province, Rapid Rural Appraisal, traditional medicine. to be used in approximately 25 % of 27 Van der Merwe D, Swan G E, Botha C J Use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by orthodox drugs in clinical use . Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province. Journal of the South Africa is home to more than South African Veterinary Association (2001) 72(4): 189–196 (En.). Department of Paraclinical 23 000 plant species, representing around Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 10 % of all plant species in the world. The Onderstepoort, 0001 South Africa. country incorporates 1 of the 6 Floral Kingdoms of the world – the Cape Floral Kingdom32. This diversity of flora is a rich INTRODUCTION passed on verbally, by example and some- source of herbal medicines for indigenous Use of medicinal plants to treat various times through writing36. South African people for human as well diseases has been part of human culture Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is as animal use9,20–22,30,34,35,45. since ancient times. Medicinal properties important in animal health care in devel- Traditional medicinal use of plants in of plants were mostly discerned through oping countries10. It has become a recog- South Africa is strongly related to physio- trial and error, but were also influenced nised field of research that includes logical and pharmacological activity of by the belief systems of the people in- traditional veterinary theory, medicines, active plant ingredients15. Active constitu- volved and often became entangled with surgical methods, diagnostic procedures ents were found in 81 % of plants tested religious and mythical practices36. Medici- and animal husbandry practices36. Veteri- when traditional medicinal use was used nal plant use evolved into an art and a nary aspects of ethnobotany are included as the basis of plant selection. Nine science, practised according to the experi- in the field of EVM. Ethnobotany can be percent of medicinal plants tested have ence, traditions and disease theory of the defined as ‘the scientific investigation of potentially harmful toxic effects15. healer. Treatment of animal diseases plant use by indigenous cultures for food, Publications that deal specifically with developed in parallel with the treatment medicine, pesticides, clothing, shelter and EVM in South Africa include studies in of human diseases. This knowledge was other purposes25. northern KwaZulu-Natal10 and central Traditional medicine is part of indige- Eastern Cape Province35. One publication 5 aDepartment of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary nous peoples’ cultural heritage . Most cul- on Lesotho, which has relevance for Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 41 Onderstepoort, 0001 South Africa. tural information in Africa, including South Africa, is available . Published data *Present address: Animal Health for Developing Farmers traditional medicine, is contained within are incomplete and inadequate compared Division, ARC - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, oral tradition. Its absence from written to the data available on human traditional Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. records adds to the fragility of cultural medicine. Most South African ethno- The article is based on a MSc dissertation titled ‘Use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana- knowledge in Africa22. veterinary data is found in publications speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province’ by D van der Merwe. In developed countries, the success of where records of EVM plant use are inci- Received: March 2001. Accepted: September 2001. commercially-produced medicines has dental to the main aims of the publica- 0038-2809 Jl S.Afr.vet.Ass. (2001) 72(4): 189–196 189 tions. A comprehensive database of EVM in South Africa is needed to bring it into mainstream knowledge and expose it to research. This study aimed to document plant species used in ethnoveterinary medi- cine, the indications for their application and the methods of collection, prepara- tion and administration. A secondary aim was to assess the suitability of the Rapid Rural Appraisal approach to the investi- gation of EVM in southern Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area Fig. 1: Location of the Madikwe State Veterinary Area. The Madikwe State Veterinary Area (Fig. 1) is situated in the northern part of Formally-arranged group meetings, medicinal plant material, signs of impact the North West Province of South Africa. such as farmers’ days and community on natural plant populations and artificial meetings at tribal offices, as well as infor- propagation of medicinal plants. Infor- Survey procedure mal group meetings with farmers at mants were asked to demonstrate certain The Rapid Rural Appraisal approach to state-held brucellosis survey days and aspects of ethnoveterinary plant use not data collection was used2. Ethnoveterinary communal dip tanks, were attended. The adequately explained during interviews. information was collected using 3 tech- research aims were explained at these Plant samples were collected and pho- niques, namely interviews, observations meetings. Informants who were willing tographs taken during field walks with and guided field walks. Permission to and able to contribute to the research informants. Plant names were verified conduct research in the study area was were identified and arrangements for during field walks. Informants were also obtained from traditional leaders (kgosi) more detailed discussions were made. asked to point out medicinal plants from at the start of the study. Field work was Two group interviews with selected in- dried plant samples and photographs. conducted during the summer months of formants were held, but individual inter- Plant samples were identified with the 1998 and 1999. Winter months were views were generally more practical. help of the Department of Botany, Uni- unsuitable for data collection owing to the Incidental interviews were conducted versity of Pretoria. Plant specimens were seasonal occurrence of some plants and with farmers or herdsmen encountered pressed, dried and stored in a herbarium the lack of reproductive organs and while travelling through the study area. cabinet at the Department of Pharmacol- leaves needed for plant identification. To provide structure to interviews and ogy and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Setswana-speaking people in the study to ensure that important aspects of animal Science, University of Pretoria at Onder- area who were involved in livestock health were not omitted, questions were stepoort. Specimens were protected