TURK 2025

In recent years, livestock farming in the Kyrgyz Republic has faced significant challenges due to various economic, political, and social factors. Several zoonotic infectious diseases have emerged, leading to substantial economic losses and posing risks to human health. Given the high cost, low quality, and limited availability of modern veterinary medicines, livestock owners have increasingly turned to ethnoveterinary practices to address these issues. This study aims to analyze and document the plants used by Kyrgyz farmers to treat infectious livestock diseases, including their local names, preparation methods, and applications. The research is based on scientific studies conducted in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Researchers selected participants using both snowball and spontaneous sampling methods, collecting data through semi-structured interviews. According to 550 URs, farmers used 32 plant species from 14 families to treat infectious diseases. These included wild herbs (429 URs), wild trees (96 URs), and cultivated herbs (25 URs). The most frequently used plant family was Asteraceae (8 species), followed by Ranunculaceae (5 species), Apiaceae (4 species), and Gentianaceae (3 species). Commonly used plants included Juniperus pseudosabina Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (51 URs), Juniperus polycarpos var. seravschanica (45 URs), Peganum harmala L. (45 URs). Farmers primarily utilized aerial parts (207 URs), whole plants (148 URs), and roots (121 URs). These plant-based remedies were mainly used for sheep (201 URs), followed by horses (162 URs) and cattle (136 URs). The most common extraction methods were infusion (171 URs) and decoction (167 URs). The remedies were administered primarily through application to affected skin (206 URs), oral intake (198 URs), and inhalation (146 URs). The most frequently treated diseases were adenitis equorum (171 URs), colibacillosis (163 URs), ringworm (108 URs). Most plants used by Kyrgyz farmers are known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, though some require further phytochemical and pharmacological research.