Living with parasites Natural remedies to control Haemonchus contortus and Fasciola hepatica parasitic infections in ruminants in the Netherlands 30-04-2021 By Julia Boeré, Elise Schuurman, Marije Steensma, Jialing Qian, Willeke Weewer, Jinyi Zhong 1 Special thanks Without all the help we received we could not have written this report. We witnessed big hearts for animal production systems and a lot of enthusiasm on tackling parasite issues. Special thanks to Harm Ploeger, Adriaan Antonis, Jiaguo Liu, Dr. S. K. Kumar, Michael Walkenhorst, Hubert Cremer, Deyun Wang and Tedje van Asseldonk for explaining and discussing the issues and solutions regarding our topic. Special thanks to Klaartje van Wijk, Harmen van der Sluis, Jan Bruins, Jos Eldering, Chris Kennet, Karin Dijkstra, Frank Wennekers and Mara van den Berg for providing a practical perspective much needed for practical solutions. Colophon This report is produced by students of Wageningen University as part of their MSc-programme. It is not an official publication of Wageningen University or Wageningen UR and the content herein does not represent any formal position or representation by Wageningen University. This report was made in consultation with experts and veterinarians, but the writers have no veterinary experience themselves. Always consult with your vet or advisor before implementing natural remedies for your livestock. © 2021 J.C. Boeré, Schuurman, Steensma, Qian, Weewer, Zhong All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed, in any form of by any means, without the prior consent of the authors. Cover page illustration: Boeré, J. (2016). Cow in a field in Germany. 2 Abstract Parasitic resistance development has caused many difficulties for farmers trying to treat internal parasites in ruminants over the last decades. Natural remedies and practices against internal parasites in ruminants could provide a solution. However, a lot of knowledge on effective herbs has been lost in the Netherlands, which hampers implementation in Dutch agriculture. This study aimed to identify promising natural remedies and practices to control internal parasites in ruminants. In this report, the most promising natural remedies and practices against Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) and Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) were researched by literature study and interviews. Herbs which were shown to have significant effects in vivo and which are applicable in Dutch agriculture systems are considered promising herbs. It is advised to increase species richness by implementing Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) and Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) to control Haemonchus contortus, and Fumaria parviflora (fineleaf fumitory) to control Fasciola hepatica, in the pasture to allow self- medication. Moreover, these herbs keep their anthelmintic properties when processed into hay or silage, which increases their availability throughout the year. Additionally, Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) essential oil against Haemonchus contortus and Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) and Nigella sativa (black cumin) against Fasciola hepatica could be imported and added to the feed. Additionally, dried and fresh herbs could be combined into mixtures and be applied when infection rates are causing a burden to the animals. We recommend looking internationally, for example at the Chinese herb mixtures. Especially the Quchongxiehuosan and Ganzhisan mixture looked promising against Haemonchus contortus and Fasciola hepatica, respectively. Furthermore, applyingmedicinal herbs in combination with other alternative management methods could give more profound anthelmintic effects. 3 Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 6 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Lifecycle and pathology of important livestock parasites .......................................................... 8 Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) ....................................................................... 8 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 8 Pathology ........................................................................................................................... 8 Life cycle ............................................................................................................................. 9 Current management ....................................................................................................... 10 Fasciola hepatica (common liver fluke) ............................................................................... 11 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 11 Pathology ......................................................................................................................... 11 Life cycle ........................................................................................................................... 12 Current management ....................................................................................................... 13 Overview remedies .................................................................................................................. 14 Effective compounds in herbs .............................................................................................. 14 Tannins ............................................................................................................................. 14 Herbal medicines against Haemonchus contortus in sheep ................................................ 15 Promising herbs against Haemonchus contortus ................................................................. 20 Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and Malva sylvestris (mallow) ................................ 20 Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) .......................................................................................... 22 Cymbopogon citratus nano-emulsion (lemongrass essential oil) .................................... 24 Hedera helix (Hederae folium) ......................................................................................... 25 Hedysarium coronarium (sulla) ........................................................................................ 27 Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) ................................................................................ 28 Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese bush-clover) ....................................................................... 30 Punica granatum (pomegranate) ..................................................................................... 31 Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) ......................................................................................... 32 Promising herb mixtures against Haemonchus contortus ................................................... 34 Herb mixtures .................................................................................................................. 34 Herb mix from China 驱虫散 (Quchongsan) ................................................................... 36 Bio-dewormer .................................................................................................................. 41 Herbal medicines against Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) in cows and sheep ...................... 42 Complications for Fasciola hepatica treatment ............................................................... 42 4 Promising herbs tested in vivo ............................................................................................. 49 Albizia anthelmintica (worm-cure Albizia) ....................................................................... 49 Allium sativum (garlic) ..................................................................................................... 50 Balanites aegyptiaca (desert date) .................................................................................. 52 Bio-dewormer .................................................................................................................. 52 Caesalpinia crista (crested fever nut/nicker nut) ............................................................. 53 Fumaria parviflora (fineleaf fumitory) ............................................................................. 54 Chinese Herbmix: Ganzhisan (肝蛭散) ............................................................................ 55 Genistein (some fabacae species) ................................................................................... 58 Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) ................................................................................... 59 Nigella sativa (black cumin) ............................................................................................. 61 Saussurea lappa (costus/ kuth) ........................................................................................ 62 Promising herbs from in vitro studies .................................................................................. 63 Areca catechu (betel nut) ................................................................................................