Abstract

Ethno-veterinary practices (EVPs) are traditional wisdom, practices and skills rooted in cultural beliefs to heal and uphold animal health. Our study focused on investigating and documenting EVPs applied to treat specific ruminant species and cattle, within the remote hilly region of District Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Through this comprehensive assessment of the EVPs the study fills an important gap in the scientific understanding of the ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) wealth of this understudied region of Pakistan. Valuable insights were gathered through structured questionnaires and guided dialogue techniques in interviews with pastoralists, traditional healers, farmers, cattle owners, and veterinary assistants. The study revealed 43 distinct ailments reported by the respondents in this area, with 65 various plants commonly utilized in diverse remedies to address these ailments. The highest plant usage for remedies was noted in gastrointestinal conditions (n = 22), followed by parasitic (n = 20), skeleto-muscular (n = 14), infectious and respiratory (n = 13) and reproductive (n = 9) diseases. Gastrointestinal diseases comprised a significant portion (26%) of the total reported livestock ailments in District Upper Dir, according to respondents. The main four preparation methods for remedies and medicine included crushing and squeezing (28%), decoction and boiling (21%), powder form (17%) and grinding and paste preparation (14%). Study findings affirmed that the primary plant parts are leaves utilized in traditional medicine, followed by fruits, flowers, seeds, and roots. Additionally, respondents noted the costliness and potential side effects of allopathic treatments. Veterinary officers and assistants acknowledged the widespread use of EVPs in the studied area. Ensuring the transmission of indigenous knowledge from the older generation to the youth is crucial to preserve invaluable ethno-veterinary expertise.