Exploring ethnoveterinary practices: a comprehensive study of medicinal plants in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study examines ethnoveterinary knowledge related to wild and cultivated medicinal plants used for treating livestock and poultry ailments in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Fieldwork was conducted between February and June 2023, during which ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 173 informants, including herbalists, veterinarians, farmers, and local healers. A total of 80 plant species belonging to 79 genera and 42 families were documented. These plants were traditionally used to treat 42 different animal diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, tympanites, mastitis, hepatitis, and vaginal prolapse. Herbs represented the majority of species (66.25%), followed by trees (20%) and shrubs (13.75%). The most commonly used plant parts were the whole plant (26.25%), leaves and seeds (21.25% each), and fruits (17.5%). Remedies mainly were administered orally (78.75%), with transdermal (16.25%) and smoke-based (5%) applications also practiced. Fresh plant material was preferred in most preparations. Notable species with high use values included Calotropis procera, Brassica campestris, and Withania somnifera. This study highlights the importance of preserving traditional knowledge systems and suggests that integrating such practices into local veterinary healthcare could provide sustainable, low-cost alternatives for rural animal management.