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Non-experimental validation of ethnoveterinary plants and indigenous knowledge used for backyard pigs and chickens in Trinidad and Tobago

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Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study on ethnoveterinary medicines used for backyard pigs and backyard chickens in Trinidad and Tobago. Research data was collected from 1995 to September 2000. Six plants are used for backyard pigs. Crushed leaves of immortelle (Erythrina pallida, E. micropteryx) are used to remove dead piglets from the uterus. Leaf decoctions of bois canôt (Cecropia peltata) and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) are used for labour pains or leaves are fed as a postpartum cleanser. Boiled green papaya fruit (Carica papaya) is fed to pigs to induce milk let-down. The leaves and flowers of male papaya plants (Carica papaya) are fed to de-worm pigs. Sour orange juice (Citrus aurantium) is given to pigs to produce lean meat, and coffee grounds are used for scours. Eyebright and plantain leaves (Plantago major) are used for eye injuries of backyard chickens. Worm grass (Chenopodium ambrosioides) and cotton bush (Gossypium species) are used as anthelmintics. Aloe gel (Aloe vera) is used for internal injuries and the yellow sap from the cut Aloe vera leaf or the juice of Citrus limonia is used to purge the birds. A literature review revealed few toxicity concerns and the potential usefulness of the plants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BCICS, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R4, Canada

    C. Lans

  2. School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

    K. Georges & G. Brown

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  1. C. Lans
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  2. K. Georges
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  3. G. Brown
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Correspondence to C. Lans.

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Validation non-expérimentale des installations ethnovétérinaires et des connaissances indigènes utilisée à l’endroit des porcs et des poulets d’arrière-cour à Trinidad et Tobago.

Résumé – Cet article présente les constatations d’une étude exploratoire menée sur les médicaments ethnovétérinaires utilisés pour des porcs et des poulets d’arrière-cour à Trinidad et Tobago. Les données de recherche ont été recueillies de 1995 à septembre 2000. Six installations sont utilisées pour les porcs d’arrière-cour. Il est utilisé des feuilles écrasées d’immortelles (Erythrina pallida, E. micropteryx) pour enlever les porcelets décédés de l’utérus. Des décoctions de feuilles de bois canôt (Cecropia peltata) et de bambou (Bambusa vulgaris) permettent de soulager les douleurs à l’accouchement ou des feuilles sont données comme nourriture pour le nettoyage post partum. Il est donné du fruit de papaye verte bouillie (Carica papaya) aux porcs pour encourager la production de lait. Il leur est donné les feuilles et les fleurs des plantes de la papaye mâle (Carica papaya) à titre de vermifuge. Du jus d’orange aigre (Citrus aurantium) est donné aux porcs pour produire de la viande maigre et du marc de café est utilisé pour les nettoyer. Les feuilles d’euthraise et de planten (Plantago major) servent à traiter les lésions oculaires des poulets d’arrière-cour. L’ansérine vermifuge (Chenopodium ambrosioides) et le cotonnier (Gossypium species) sont utilisés comme antihelminthiques. Le gel d’Aloe (Aloe vera) sert au traitement des lésions internes et la sève jaune de la feuille d’Aloe vera coupée ou du jus de Citrus limonia est utilisé pour purger les oiseaux. Une revue de la littérature a révélé peu d’inquiétudes liées à la toxicité et à l’utilité potentielle des plantes.

Validación no experimental de plantas etnoveterinarias y conocimiento indígena utilizado para los cerdos y pollos domésticos en Trinidad y Tobago.

RESUMEN – Este informe presenta los hallazgos de un estudio exploratorio sobre medicinas etnoveterinarias empleadas para los cerdos y pollos domésticos en Trinidad y Tobago. Los datos de investigación se recopilaron entre 1995 y septiembre de 2000. Para los cerdos domésticos se utilizan seis plantas. Se utilizan hojas machacadas de árbol de coral o cachimbo (Erythrina pallida, E. micropterix) para quitar cerditos muertos del útero. Para dolores de parto se emplean jugos de cocción de hojas de guarumo (Cecropia peltata) y de bambú amarillo (Bambusa vulgaris) o se alimentan con hojas a modo de limpiador post-parto. Para inducir la salida de leche se alimenta a los cerdos con fruta de papaya verde hervida (Carica papaya). Para deshacerse de los gusanos de los cerdos se les alimentan con hojas y flores de plantas de papaya macho (Carica papaya). Para producir una carne magra se les da a los cerdos zumo de naranjo agrio (Citrus aurantium) y para las diarreas se utiliza café molido. Las hojas de eufrasia y llantén (Plantago major) se utilizan para los daños oculares de los pollos domésticos. Como antihelmínticos se utilizan apazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) y algodón (especies de Gossypium). El gel de aloe o sábila (Aloe vera) se usa para las heridas internas y la savia amarilla de la hoja cortada de Aloe vera o el zumo de Citrus limonia se utilizan para purgar a las aves. Un informe escrito reveló pocos efectos tóxicos así como la utilidad potencial de las plantas.

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Lans, C., Georges, K. & Brown, G. Non-experimental validation of ethnoveterinary plants and indigenous knowledge used for backyard pigs and chickens in Trinidad and Tobago. Trop Anim Health Prod 39, 375–385 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9026-0

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