ETHNO VETERINARY MEDICINAL USES OF PLANTS OF POONCH VALLEY AZAD KASHMIR

An ethnobotanical study on veterinary medicinal plants of Poonch valley was conducted from April 2004 to August 2005 in order to generate ethnoveterinary data in the valley. A total of 14 animal ailments were reported, of which mastitis, stomach flatulence, diarrhea, foot and mouth disease and milk deficiency were the most frequently reported diseases. Nineteen veterinary medicinal plant species including weeds that were distributed among 19 genera and 14 families were recorded. The most utilized growth forms were shrubs (7 species, 36.84%) and herbs (7 species, 36.84%), followed by trees (5 species 26.32%). Roots and leaves (6 species 31.57% each) followed by stem and seed (5 species each 26.32) were the most frequently used plant parts for ethnoveterinary medicine. Usually fresh materials were used for medicinal preparation. The most frequently used route of drug administration was oral followed by dermal. Indigenous knowledge was mostly transferred orally indicating that it was prone to fragmentation or loss.