Ethnoveterinary medicine from Koch Bihar district, West Bengal

Abstract

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The ethnic communities like Kheria, Oraon, Rajbanshi, Rabha and Santal inhabit in Koch Bihar, a district of northeastern part of West Bengal. Rearing of cattle, goats, fowls, etc. are common practice among the tribal society. Treating the ailment of these domestic animals is done by the application of herbal drugs as the ethnic communities have their own system of herbal veterinary medicine practiced since time immemorial. The common veterinary diseases on this district are swelling of abdomen, retention of urine and stool, loose motion, intestinal worm, swelling of neck due to cold, suppression of milk, mastitis etc. During the field study, 25 ethnoveterinary prescriptions have been recorded in which 23 plants species belonging to 18 families have been used. In the present paper scientific and vernacular names of the plants, the mode of preparation of medicine have been given.

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