African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (4), pp. 303-307, April 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Review

Herbal remedies in animal parasitic diseases in Nigeria: a review

FAJIMI, A. K.  and TAIWO, A. A.

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.  E-mail: rocovo4@yahoo.com.

Accepted November, 2004

This review of literature elucidates previous and current status of herbal remedies in animal parasitic diseases in Nigeria. It provides background information on the rationale behind ethnoveterinary research in general especially as it relates to the developing nations where cost of drugs majorly limit the full use of modern medicine. It presents in quantifiable terms the degree of efficacy of whole or plant parts and their extracts in percentages of efficacy. Dosages and concentrations were reported in certain instances especially in confirmatory research trials unlike in “surveys” where dosages were not recorded but presented only as “traditional practices among herdsmen” for which scientific validation is necessary. Also, comparative inferences were drawn between the efficacy of tested herb and its counterpart in modern medicine. This review concludes that ethnoveterinary medicine should form a part of modern day animal health delivery system.

Key words: Herb, efficacy, ethno-veterinary, parasite.