AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinay medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products. In this sense, we sought to determine the connections between human and animal ethnopharmacology and their implications for ethnoveterinary medicine in northeastern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we analyze data gathered through fieldwork conducted in the semi-arid of Paraiba State, NE Brazil, where 123 people (98 men and 25 women) provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies and illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. RESULTS: A total of 46 animal species (43 vertebrates and 3 invertebrates) were found to be used to treat 33 different ailments in livestocks and pets and 62 conditions in humans. Interviewees cited a wide range of materials derived from animal bodies (or their metabolic products) that are used as remedies in local EVM, nonetheless, fats (and/or suet) is the most frequently reported natural remedies. EVM practices have close relationships with human complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and probably evolved based on traditional human medicine practices; as such, the division between EVM and CAM is not always obvious from the viewpoint of the local residents. Descriptions of diseases, symptoms or treatments were often associated with both humans and animals (especially livestock), and 24 animal species (52%) were prescribed to treat similar ailments in both humans and animals based on local knowledge about CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that traditional knowledge of animal-based medicines in ethnoveterinary practices co-evolved with traditional knowledge of human ethnomedicine. The examination of folk knowledge and animal health practices will give us a better understanding of human interactions with their local environment and aid in formulating appropriate strategies for the validation of traditional remedies and for natural resource conservation.
AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinay medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products. In this sense, we sought to determine the connections between human and animal ethnopharmacology and their implications for ethnoveterinary medicine in northeastern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we analyze data gathered through fieldwork conducted in the semi-arid of Paraiba State, NE Brazil, where 123 people (98 men and 25 women) provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies and illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. RESULTS: A total of 46 animal species (43 vertebrates and 3 invertebrates) were found to be used to treat 33 different ailments in livestocks and pets and 62 conditions in humans. Interviewees cited a wide range of materials derived from animal bodies (or their metabolic products) that are used as remedies in local EVM, nonetheless, fats (and/or suet) is the most frequently reported natural remedies. EVM practices have close relationships with human complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and probably evolved based on traditional human medicine practices; as such, the division between EVM and CAM is not always obvious from the viewpoint of the local residents. Descriptions of diseases, symptoms or treatments were often associated with both humans and animals (especially livestock), and 24 animal species (52%) were prescribed to treat similar ailments in both humans and animals based on local knowledge about CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that traditional knowledge of animal-based medicines in ethnoveterinary practices co-evolved with traditional knowledge of human ethnomedicine. The examination of folk knowledge and animal health practices will give us a better understanding of human interactions with their local environment and aid in formulating appropriate strategies for the validation of traditional remedies and for natural resource conservation.
Authors: Wedson M S Souto; José S Mourão; Raynner R D Barboza; Lívia E T Mendonça; Reinaldo F P Lucena; Maine V A Confessor; Washington L S Vieira; Paulo F G P Montenegro; Luiz C S Lopez; Rômulo R N Alves Journal: J Ethnobiol Ethnomed Date: 2011-10-10 Impact factor: 2.733
Authors: Nkechi V Offiah; Sunday Makama; Ishaku L Elisha; Micah S Makoshi; Jurbe G Gotep; Christiana J Dawurung; Olusola O Oladipo; Ann S Lohlum; David Shamaki Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2011-07-11 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: Mario Eduardo Santos Cabral; Diógenes de Queiroz Dias; Débora Lima Sales; Olga Paiva Oliveira; Diego Alves Teles; João Antonio de Araujo Filho; José Guilherme Gonçalves de Sousa; Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho; José Galberto Martins da Costa; Marta Regina Kerntopf; Rômulo Romeu da Nóbrega Alves; Waltécio de Oliveira Almeida Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-04-23 Impact factor: 2.629
Authors: Ulysses Paulino de Albuquerque; Elcida de Lima Araújo; Ana Carla Asfora El-Deir; André Luiz Alves de Lima; Antonio Souto; Bruna Martins Bezerra; Elba Maria Nogueira Ferraz; Eliza Maria Xavier Freire; Everardo Valadares de Sá Barreto Sampaio; Flor Maria Guedes Las-Casas; Geraldo Jorge Barbosa de Moura; Glauco Alves Pereira; Joabe Gomes de Melo; Marcelo Alves Ramos; Maria Jesus Nogueira Rodal; Nicola Schiel; Rachel Maria de Lyra-Neves; Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves; Severino Mendes de Azevedo-Júnior; Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior; William Severi Journal: ScientificWorldJournal Date: 2012-08-01