Ethnoveterinary Uses of Medicinal Plants in District Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir: Cultural Insights

Abstract

The practice of ethnoveterinary is very significant in maintaining the health of livestock among rural populations in the Himalaya. This paper reports the customary practice of using medicinal plants in the District Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where the local farmers and herders use the available plants in the area to treat the common diseases in cattle, sheep and goats. Field surveys and interviews showed that there was a wide range of plants used in the treatment of digestive disorders, respiratory problems, parasitism, wounds and general weakness. Some of the species to note are Rumex nepalensis, Artemisia absinthium, Berberislycium, Plantago major, and Chenopodium album which have a variety of therapeutic attributes that include deworming, wound healing, and others. These customs underscore the importance of the culture and the usefulness of the indigenous remedies, as well as the necessity to protect wild plants in the area. The results are the groundwork of applying traditional knowledge in modern veterinary practice, which can guarantee the sustainability of livestock health and survival, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in the Himalayan agro-pastoral systems.