Some Common Plants in Ethnoveterinary Treatment of Small Ruminants

The Baobab is a massive deciduous tree with a swollen, water-storing trunk. It is commonly found in hot, semi-arid savannahs, often near settlements in Northern Nigeria. It drops leaves in the dry season and fruits during the dry to early rainy season.

Uses of Adansonia digitata (Baobab Tree)

• For treating Diarrhoea

Plant Part used: Leaves or bark

Method of Preparation: The leaves are dried, grinded then mixed with the animal's drinking water

The bark can also be grounded and mixed with feed for the animal

• For treating Trypanosomasis

Plant Part used: Leaves and bark

Method of Preparation: The leave and the bark are dried and grinded together and given to the animal in feed

A major horticultural crop in Northern Nigeria, grown in shallow, alluvial soils and irrigated during the dry season.

Uses of Allium cepa (Onion)

• For treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Bulb and leaves

Method of Preparation: The leaves and the stem are grinded together, mix with water and given to the animal to drink.

A small evergreen tree with a sprawling canopy, producing a kidney-shaped nut and a fleshy accessory fruit (cashew apple). Commonly cultivated in savanna zones; flowers in the dry season and bears fruit at the end of the dry season.

Uses of Anacardiaceae occidentale (Cashew Tree)

• For treating Diarrhoea

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: 

1. The bark is dried, grinded and mix with the feed of the animal. 

2. The powdered bark can also be added to the water for the animal

An evergreen, fast-growing tree with dense foliage and small white flowers. It thrives across Northern Nigeria and is found year-round.

Uses of Azadirachta indica (Neem Tree)

• For treating Ticks, Mites and Manges

Plant Part used: Seeds

Method of Preparation: 

1. The seeds squeeded to extract oil. 

2. The oil gotten is rub on the affected skin of the animal

A sturdy shrub with broad, grey-green leaves, white flowers with purple centres, and latex. Found commonly in overgrazed or waste lands in the Sahel zone.

Uses of Calotropis procera (Sodom Apple)

• For treating Bloat

Plant Part used: Leaves and Seeds

Method of Preparation:  Pound and mix with water and drench in water

A small, erect herb or shrub known for medicinal pods and yellow flowers. Found in disturbed, rainy-season areas.

Uses of Cassia occidentalis (Coffee Senna)

• For treating Retained Placenta

Plant Part used: Bark and Roots

Method of Preparation: It is soaked in water and fermented  for 2 days after which the water is given to the animal to drink

A herbaceous plant with bright yellow flowers. Found in savannah woodlands; blooms during the rainy season.

Uses of Cochlospermum planchoni (Yellow Flowered Cotton Tree)

• For boosting fertility

Plant Part used: Leaves and Roots

Method of Preparation: It is soaked in water for 48 hours and the water is given to the animal

• For Treatment of Infertility

Plant Part used: Roots

Method of Preparation: Pounded roots and mixed with water. Allow to soak for 24 hours, after which it is given to the animal orally

A large evergreen tree found in riparian habitats and dry forest areas of Northern Nigeria.

Uses of Diospyros mespiliformis (African Ebony)

• Anti-inflamatory and for treating Snake Bite

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: The bark is grinded and applied with shea butter on the affected place

A small, hairy, prostate herb with milky latex. Often found in disturbed soils in the rainy season.

Uses of Euphorbia hirta (Asthma Weed)

• For Improving Appetite

Plant Part used: Leaves and Bark

Method of Preparation: It is grinded and fed to the animal

A fungal species that grows on rotting wood of tropical trees, typically in the humid, southern parts of Northern Nigeria.

Uses of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi Mushroom)

• Anti-inflamatory and for treating Snake Bite

Plant Part used: Leaves and Fruit

Method of Preparation: The leaves and fruits are soaked inside water, squeezed and given to the animal orally

A multi-stemmed perennial shrub (1–3 m) with grey-green, pubescent leaves and small, yellowish, clustered flowers. It is widely distributed across the Sahel region. It is active during the rainy season and persists during the dry season.

Uses of Guiera senegalensis (Silver Button Tree)

• For treating Diarrhoea

Plant Part used: Leaves and Bark

Method of Preparation: The leaves and bark are grounded together, mixed with water and given to the animal orally

A small, succulent tree/shrub known for its oily seeds. Often used as a boundary fence in northern regions.

Uses of Jatropha curcas (Physic Nut)

• For treating Respiratory Problem (Pneumonia/CCPP)

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: It is pounded and soaked in water and filer it. 2 spoons are given to the animal twice a day till the condition improves

Similar to K. senegalensis but usually restricted to more humid areas. In Northern Nigeria, it is less common than K. senegalensis, usually found in the southern Guinea savanna.

Uses of Khaya ivorensis (Lagos Mahogany)

• For treating Tick, Mites and Manges

Plant Part used: Seeds

Method of Preparation:

1. The seeds are squeezed to extract the oil. 

2. The extracted oil is rubbed on the affected part of animal's skin

The African Mahogamy, also know as the Dry Zone Mahogany is a large, semi-deciduous tree (15–30 m) with thick grey bark and a dark, reddish-pink wood. It is commonly found near watercourses in the Savannah zone. It flowers towards the end of the dry season (March–May), with fruit maturing during the rainy season.

Uses of Khaya senegalensis ( African Mahogany)

• For treating Diarrhoea

Plant Part used: Leaves and bark

Method of Preparation:

1. Leaves and bark chippings are obtained from the tree, 

2. These are then dried properly and pounded together,

3. The powder obtained is soaked in water for 24hours prior to administration

4.  The animal is drenched in the solution

• For treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Leaves and bark

Method of Preparation: The leave and bark are dried, grinded and mix with animal feed

• For treating Trypanosomiasis

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: It is grinded, mixed with water and the animal is drenched with it

A drought-tolerant shrub known for the red-orange dye produced from its leaves. Found throughout arid regions.

Uses of Lawsonia inermis (Henna Plant)

• For treating Open Wound of the Animal

Plant Part used: Stem

Method of Preparation: Dry the stem, it is then pounded and applied on the wound

A widely cultivated tree with a large canopy and sweet fruits. Flowers in the dry season and fruits during the early rains.

Uses of Mangifera indica (Mango)

• For treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Bark and Leaves

Method of Preparation: Soak in water for 24hours and drench to animals

A climbing, herbaceous vine. Common in cultivated areas.

Uses of Momordica balsamina (Balsam Apple)

• To Aid Milk Production

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The leaves are given to the animal to eat.

A small, fast-growing tree known for its edible leaves and pods. It is highly drought-resistant and found in arid areas, blooming sporadically.

Uses of Moringa oleifera (Moringa, Miracle Tree)

• For treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Leaves and Flowers

Method of Preparation: The leaves and flowers are soaked in water and drench to the animal

• For treating Conjunctivitis

Plant Part used: Stem

Method of Preparation:  The stem is squeezed in water and the water is used to wash the eye of  the sheep or goat

• For immunity, mineral deficiency  and prevention of diseases

Plant Part used: Stem and Leaves together

Method of Preparation:  The stem and leaves are dried and pounded and added to the animal feed

A leafy cash crop, requiring careful cultivation in specific areas of the savanna.

Uses of Nicotiana tobacum (Tobacco)

• For treating Treating Tick, Mites and Manges

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The affected part of the animal's skin is washed with the leaves and soap

A prickly shrub or small tree with compound leaves and yellow flowers. Found in arid zones; blooms primarily during the dry season.

Uses of Parkinsonia aculeata (Jerusalem Thorn)

• For treating Trypanosomiasis

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The leave is soaked in water for 48 hours and the water is given to the animal orally

A small herb (10–30 cm) common in disturbed areas during the rainy season, used in traditional medicine.

Uses of Phyllanthus amarus (Stonebreaker)

• For Treatment of Infertility

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The leaves squeezed in water. The liquid is then given orally to the animal

Rarely native to Nigeria; likely restricted to highland areas (e.g., Jos Plateau) or cultivated as an ornamental.

Uses of Pinus deodara (Himalayan Cedar)

• Anti-inflamatory and for treating Snake Bite

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: It is dried, grinded and mix with oil then applied on the skin of the animal

A savanna tree with hardy timber and pods used in producing "dadawa." Found throughout the savanna woodland.

Uses of Prosopis africana (Iron Wood)

• To Improve Milk Production

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: The bark is boiled in water and given to the goat and sheep orally

A medium-sized tree of the dry forest and savannah, deciduous, producing wood and fodder.

Uses of Pterocarpus erinaceus (African Rosewood)

• For  treating Anemia

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: It is soaked in water for a day and drenched to the animals

A hardy, branching perennial herb/undershrub (up to 1 m) with yellow flowers and a woody taproot. Found in dry, disturbed habitats across Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season.

Uses of Sida acuta (Wireweed/Broom weed)

• For  treating Diarrhoea

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The leave is mixed with feed given to the animal

The most crucial cereal crop in the Sudan savanna, requiring moderate rainfall. Planted in the rainy season and harvested early in the dry season.

Uses of Sorghum bicolor (Guinea Corn / Sorghum)

• For  treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Seeds

Method of Preparation: The seeds are grinded and mix with feed

A tree commonly found in dry savannah areas with distinctive large, woody fruit pods.

Uses of Sterculia setigera (Sterculia)

• For  treating Infertility

Plant Part used: Bark

Method of Preparation: Dried bark is grinded and mixed with feed and administered to animals orally.

A parasitic plant that attacks cereal crops (sorghum, maize) in savanna regions. Appears during the late rainy season.

Uses of Striga hermonthica (Witchweed)

• For  treating Respiratory Problem(Pneumonia/CCPP)

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: The leaves are dried, grinded and drenched to the animal till the condition improves

A small shrub with woody stems and bitter leaves, common in disturbed, cultivated areas across the savanna.

Uses of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf)

• For  treating Helminthosis

Plant Part used: Leaves

Method of Preparation: Boil leave and give the water to animal to drink

• For  treating Retained Placenta

Plant Part used: Bark and Leaves

Method of Preparation: Dry and grind into power and infused in water and given to the animal orally