Herbs for deworming
These articles are an attempt to explain what a holistic, natural view of raising sheep is and how to incorporate this into your farm, either in part or in full. It is not a replacement for veterinary advice or medical care when needed but is useful to maintain health in a flock so that less intervention is necessary. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I’m always interested in further information, experiences, etc.
Herbs have always been a part of animal husbandry and probably no place more important than their use as anthelmintics. Although primitive areas and traditional cultures still use herbs for this purpose, in developed countries, especially the United States, Canada and most of Europe, chemical dewormers have dominated the farm scene. Inexpensive (here), readily available and easy to administer, they appear to be the perfect solution to parasite problems for the modern shepherd. Unfortunately, there are drawbacks; chemical dewormers introduce new and sometimes toxic molecules to the environment through animal feces and parasites rapidly develop resistance to the chemicals (Wynn, 2003, p. 36). Chemical dewormers may cause birth defects in fetuses when given to pregnant animals (Wynn, 2003, p. 31). Farms wanting a more natural approach to animal husbandry or those trying to meet organic standards must look elsewhere for deworming products (Wynn, 2003, p. 35).
Many plants have been traditionally used for this purpose but scientific or on-site studies on efficacy have been slow in following. Nevertheless, those plants studied do show varying amounts of efficacy, some as high as 100% against certain species of parasites (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 328). Herbal deworming products and/or plants should be considered for use based on efficacy, safety to the animal, possible resistance in parasites and willingness of the shepherd to follow through on administration, which will probably need to be long term (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 327). Benefits of herbal use is broad spectrum efficacy, non toxic with a wide margin of safety while being rapidly metabolized and eliminated from the body and sustainability of the product (Wynn, 2003), p. 35). Use of herbal dewormers does not mean other mechanical means of parasite control are not needed, parasites can develop resistance to herbs and rotation of plant species may be necessary (although use of more than one herb at a time may mitigate this effect), while pasture management and nutrition must also be taken into account (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 442).
Following is a partial list of herbs studied, results of efficacy in ruminants (sheep, goats or cattle) and parasites effected. Plants with traditional use status versus scientifically studied results are noted as such. For the most part, I have chosen to include only herbs common to the U.S. or Europe and used in ruminants, otherwise the list of possible herbal anthelmintics would be tremendous. Most studies are not done in the U. S., possibly due to influence by large pharmaceutical companies and agribusiness relationships, but that does not mean the studies should be viewed as inaccurate (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 442) All of the studied plants have a history of use for parasite control and some have proven to be more effective than common chemical dewormers (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 443).
Scientific Name of Species of Parasites Studied (not always specified):
Cichorium intybus (chicory) grazed showed fewer adult abomasal helminths
Hedysarum coronarium (sulla) grazed showed higher antibody titers against antigens of Ostertagia circumcinta and lower numbers of adult parasites also
Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) grazed showed lower fecal egg counts
Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) legume with polyphenols and tannins had significant in vitro and in vivo effects on larva and adult H. contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Dictyocaulus viviparous (lungworm)
Plants Showing Potential as Anthelmintics and Recommended as Pasture Plants (U. of Aberdeen, 2003):
By Alethea Kenney
Works Cited (numbers refer to sources cited in spreadsheet):
1. De Bairacli Levy, J. (1991). The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable. London: Faber.
2. Satrija, F., Retnani, E. B., Ridwan, Y., and Tiuria, R. (2001). Potential Use of Herbal Anthelmintics as Alternative Antiparasitic Drugs for Small Holder Farms in Developing Countries. Proceedings of 10th Conference of Association Institutions for Tropical Veterinary Medicine. Copenhagen, Denmark
Online: http://www.aitvm.kvl.dk/E_periurban/E6Satrija.htm
Retrieved Feb. 25, 2008
3. University of Aberdeen, 2003, www.abdn.ac.uk/organic/organic_14c.php, Retrieved Feb. 29, 2008
4. Wynn, S. (2003). Herbal Treatment of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Companion Animals. Journal of the American Herbalists Guild 4(1) pp. 29-39.
5. Wynn, S. and Fougere, B. (2007). Veterinary Herbal Medicine. Missouri: Mosby.
All works copyright Alethea Kenney 2017
Herbs have always been a part of animal husbandry and probably no place more important than their use as anthelmintics. Although primitive areas and traditional cultures still use herbs for this purpose, in developed countries, especially the United States, Canada and most of Europe, chemical dewormers have dominated the farm scene. Inexpensive (here), readily available and easy to administer, they appear to be the perfect solution to parasite problems for the modern shepherd. Unfortunately, there are drawbacks; chemical dewormers introduce new and sometimes toxic molecules to the environment through animal feces and parasites rapidly develop resistance to the chemicals (Wynn, 2003, p. 36). Chemical dewormers may cause birth defects in fetuses when given to pregnant animals (Wynn, 2003, p. 31). Farms wanting a more natural approach to animal husbandry or those trying to meet organic standards must look elsewhere for deworming products (Wynn, 2003, p. 35).
Many plants have been traditionally used for this purpose but scientific or on-site studies on efficacy have been slow in following. Nevertheless, those plants studied do show varying amounts of efficacy, some as high as 100% against certain species of parasites (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 328). Herbal deworming products and/or plants should be considered for use based on efficacy, safety to the animal, possible resistance in parasites and willingness of the shepherd to follow through on administration, which will probably need to be long term (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 327). Benefits of herbal use is broad spectrum efficacy, non toxic with a wide margin of safety while being rapidly metabolized and eliminated from the body and sustainability of the product (Wynn, 2003), p. 35). Use of herbal dewormers does not mean other mechanical means of parasite control are not needed, parasites can develop resistance to herbs and rotation of plant species may be necessary (although use of more than one herb at a time may mitigate this effect), while pasture management and nutrition must also be taken into account (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 442).
Following is a partial list of herbs studied, results of efficacy in ruminants (sheep, goats or cattle) and parasites effected. Plants with traditional use status versus scientifically studied results are noted as such. For the most part, I have chosen to include only herbs common to the U.S. or Europe and used in ruminants, otherwise the list of possible herbal anthelmintics would be tremendous. Most studies are not done in the U. S., possibly due to influence by large pharmaceutical companies and agribusiness relationships, but that does not mean the studies should be viewed as inaccurate (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 442) All of the studied plants have a history of use for parasite control and some have proven to be more effective than common chemical dewormers (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 443).
Scientific Name of Species of Parasites Studied (not always specified):
- Round Worms: Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Cooperia, others
- Stomach Worm: Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus contortus
- Tapeworm: Moneizia
- Albizia anthelmintica 89.8% efficacy for mixed parasites in sheep (Wynn &Fougere, 2007, p. 442)
- Azadirachita indica Neem (Wynn, 2003, p. 31)
- Calotropis procera for H. contortus (Wynn, 2003, p. 34)
- Caesalpinia crista for Toxocara vitulorum in calves (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Diospyros mespiliformis (African ebony) extract in rodents 97-100% effective (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Hilderbrantia sepalosa 90% efficacy for mixed parasites in sheep (Wynn & Fougere, 2007 p. 442)
- Khaya anthotheca decoction for Fasciola hepatica in ruminants (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Mallotus philippensis powdered fruit for Cestodes in goats (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Myrosine afriacana 77% efficacy mixed parastes in sheep (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 442)
- Nauclea latifolia extract as effective as albendazole for mixed nematodes in sheep (Wynn, 2003, p. 32).
- Ocimum gratissimum (Basil) essential oil, eugenol (at 0.5% conc.) for H. contortus (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 443)
- Pittosporum spp. for Moneiza in sheep (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Spigelia anthelmia ethyl acetate inhibited 100% of H. contortus eggs and 81% of larval development, methanolic extract inhibited 97% of eggs and 84% of larva (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 443)
- Spondias mombin 100% effective for Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides spp., and Trichurias spp. in sheep (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 328)
- Terminalia glaucescens infusion and decoction for strongyles in calves (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Vernonia amygdalina infusion and decoction for strongyles and coccidia in calves (Wynn, 2003, p. 32)
- Plants high in tannins also show anthelmintic properties (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 433).
- Bertholletia excelsa
- Coptis chinensis
- Nycanthes arbortristis leaves
- Parthenium hysterophorus flower
- Ranunculus sceleratus
- Xanthium strumarium (rough cocklebur)
- Zanthoxylum liebmannianun
- Allium sativum (garlic)
- Artemisia spp. (wormwood, southernwood)
- Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
- Ruta graveolens (rue)
- Thymus vulgaris (thyme)
Cichorium intybus (chicory) grazed showed fewer adult abomasal helminths
Hedysarum coronarium (sulla) grazed showed higher antibody titers against antigens of Ostertagia circumcinta and lower numbers of adult parasites also
Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) grazed showed lower fecal egg counts
Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) legume with polyphenols and tannins had significant in vitro and in vivo effects on larva and adult H. contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Dictyocaulus viviparous (lungworm)
Plants Showing Potential as Anthelmintics and Recommended as Pasture Plants (U. of Aberdeen, 2003):
- Fagus (Beech creosote possibly)
- Fraxinus spp. (young ash shoots)
- Legumes (possibly)
- Rubus spp. (blackberry and raspberry)
- Sambucus spp. (young elder shoots)
- Artemisia absinthium (wormwood)
- Chenopodium
- Juglans nigra (black walnut)
- Ruta Graveolens (rue)
- Tanacetum vulgare (tansy)
By Alethea Kenney
Works Cited (numbers refer to sources cited in spreadsheet):
1. De Bairacli Levy, J. (1991). The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable. London: Faber.
2. Satrija, F., Retnani, E. B., Ridwan, Y., and Tiuria, R. (2001). Potential Use of Herbal Anthelmintics as Alternative Antiparasitic Drugs for Small Holder Farms in Developing Countries. Proceedings of 10th Conference of Association Institutions for Tropical Veterinary Medicine. Copenhagen, Denmark
Online: http://www.aitvm.kvl.dk/E_periurban/E6Satrija.htm
Retrieved Feb. 25, 2008
3. University of Aberdeen, 2003, www.abdn.ac.uk/organic/organic_14c.php, Retrieved Feb. 29, 2008
4. Wynn, S. (2003). Herbal Treatment of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Companion Animals. Journal of the American Herbalists Guild 4(1) pp. 29-39.
5. Wynn, S. and Fougere, B. (2007). Veterinary Herbal Medicine. Missouri: Mosby.
All works copyright Alethea Kenney 2017
A pdf chart of the herbs is available below.
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