Ethnoveterinary use of medicinal plants for treatment of dogs – a survey in Bavaria

Interest in the use of medicinal plants in small animal veterinary practice is growing increasingly in German-speaking countries [1]. In 2018 and 2019, an ethnoveterinary study was conducted on Bavarian farms. This included the documentation of medicinal plant applications for all animals living on the farm, also dogs.

A total of 77 interviews were carried out of which 28 interview partners kept dogs. Altogether 884 use reports (URs) were recorded, comprising detailed information about plant species, plant part used, the manufacturing process for the end-product, dosing, administration, and therapeutic intention. Six interview partners reported 17 URs with 14 different plant species specifically linked to the treatment of dogs.

We were able to determine a daily dosage in dry plant equivalent per kg metabolic body weight (g/kg^0.75) for each of the following five plant species: Artemisia abrotanum L. (herb) 0.4; Elymus repens L. (root) 1.8; Ricinus communis L.

(oil) 7.1; Rubus idaeus L.(leaves) 0.3 and Sambucus nigra L. (flowers) 0.2.

Rubus ideaeus L. was given to the female dogs during lactation, whereas the other four plant species were used in cases of gastrointestinal disorders and parasites. Instead of castor oil more effective laxatives with far fewer side effects are recommended for constipation nowadays [2]. The other four species are well known medicinal plants in humans and animals. However, clinical studies in dogs are rare.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

• References

• 1 Hahn I, Zitterl-Eglseer K, Franz C. Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 2005; Vol. 147 Issue 3: 135-141 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.147.03.135.
• 2 Alookaran J, Tripp J. Castor Oil. In StatPearls. Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2020. PMID: 31869090

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021