Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges and Opportunities

*Vimbai Gobvu, Kudakwashe C. Chirigo, Takudzwa L. Charakupa and Clarice P. Mudzengi*

## **Abstract**

Cattle play a pivotal role especially for the rural farmer by providing milk, draught power, meat and serving as an indication of wealth among other roles. Research and development of cattle production especially in communal areas can be a sustainable way to improve the livelihoods of the rural population. Major constraints to communal cattle production include high prevalence of diseases, limited forage and poor marketing linkages. For reasons that include; lack of veterinary clinics and extension services, high costs of drugs and potency of the ethnoveterinary medicines, many farmers have resorted to the use of their indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the management of cattle diseases. Generally, these practices are cheap, locally available, and sustainable especially in times of climate change and variability. One of the challenges in the use of (IKS) is the lack of scientific evidence on their efficacy and the lack of precise dosages, which could lead to toxicity. There is need therefore for documentation, research and scientific validation of IKS to increase their sustainable use and adoption in livestock health management.

**Keywords:** ethnoveterinary medicine, livestock, conventional, research, scientific validation

## **1. Introduction**

Livestock production is important in the livelihoods of people living in developing countries like Zimbabwe. It has an important role in food security and nutrition, and the general economy [1, 2]. For instance, cattle provide food, manure for crop production and soil fertility management, raw material for industry, cash income as well as in promoting saving, fuel, social functions, and employment [3]. Cattle are an important livestock species in Zimbabwe, as they contribute about 25% to gross domestic product (GDP). Generally, cattle rearing is significant to the socio-economic profile of rural households [4].

Cattle production is hindered by several challenges in the rural areas which include nutrition-related problems, market linkages problems, lack of technical know-how and cattle health related problems. High costs of veterinary medicines, dilapidated government veterinary services that have since been incapacitated to supply veterinary drugs, poor road, and other communication networks affect information dissemination, hence the availability of conventional drugs to treat livestock diseases in most rural areas [5]. With farmers being aware of the need to keep their cattle in a state of well being they then resort to the use of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) through the use of ethnoveterinary medicines to treat their livestock.

Indigenous knowledge systems are an adhesive that binds society, being durable local knowledge [6], hence the cornerstone for building of our identity and ensuring coherence of social structures within communities [7]. Mapara [8] mentions that IKS have traditionally been passed from generation to generation orally; hence people possess little or no knowledge of invaluable practices such as ethnoveterinary medicine which depend only on historical evidence of use as proof of safety and effectiveness [5]. Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is the study of people's folk beliefs, knowledge, skills, methods, and practices on the healthcare of animals, including the use of medicinal plants, surgery techniques, and management practices for the prevention and treatment of livestock diseases [9]. Generally, ethnoveterinary practices are cheap, locally available, and sustainable especially in times of climate change and variability [5]. EVM have controlled a wide spectrum of common livestock diseases successfully, including diarrhoea, wounds, coccidiosis and reproductive disorders [10–12]. This review focuses on the use of IKS in managing cattle diseases in Zimbabwe including the methods of preparing and administering the remedies. The review will serve as a baseline for the use of these IKS remedies for potential veterinary drugs development.

## **2. Cattle production trends post Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe**

**Figure 1** highlights trends in cattle numbers from 2001 to 2021. As depicted in **Figure 1**, from 2001 to 2008, cattle production in Zimbabwe has been massively underperforming as the total national herd declined from between 6,270,000 to 5,012,000. The decline in cattle production was evidenced by various challenges such

#### **Figure 1.**

*Cattle populations, (2001–2021). Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Reports [13–19].*

*Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112369*

as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme which saw several large-scale cattle farmers selling their cattle and some losing their farms [20, 21]. Nevertheless, the effects of hyperinflation, lack of access to credit, foreign currency shortages, unfavourable and cost of doing business conditions, and the high cost of critical utilities such as electricity, inappropriate breeds, inadequate feed supply, lack of government support, cost of production, poor marketing channels, poor disease control methods, inadequate infrastructure, weak extension support, among other factors [22–24].

From 2009 to 2011, there was a slight increase in the national herd from 5,331,000 to 6,058,388. Unexpectedly, growth in national herd increased from 5,241,192 to 4,868,357 between 2012 to 2014. Various cases of diseases emanated from foot and mouth, anthrax, black leg, lumpy skin disease and tick borne [13, 25]. Also, in 2015–2018 growth in national herd increased from 5,477,338 to 5,774,525. The year 2018 started with the continuation of the South-Eastern Lowveld cluster disease outbreak which spread mainly due to illegal movements and movements in search of grazing eventually covering twenty districts. Foot and mouth disease originating from Mozambique was precipitated by movement of Zimbabwean cattle deep inside the Mozambican territory to access water at time when Mozambique was experiencing a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the area [14, 26]. From 2019 to 2021, national herd increased from 5,443,770 to 5,509,983. Though the national herd increased, calf mortality across provinces ranged from 2 to 31% which is against the recommended 2% and this was due to poor calf management, predation, poor housing and poor nutrition. The national average calving rates remain very low ranging from 35% in communal areas to 48% in large scale commercial farming sector, against a national target of above 60% [18].

## **3. Constraints to cattle production**

In view of anticipated increases in temperature, decreases in rainfall and subsequent shortening of the growing season due to climate change, livestock production is expected to become a more sustainable livelihood source compared to cropping. Actually, there already are projections of increases in the global demand for cattle products by 2050, mainly due to improvements in the worldwide standard of living [27]. However, there are various constraints to cattle production such as nutrition, diseases and markets (**Table 1**). An improved comprehension of these constraints is necessary for development of strategies to increase sustainability of livestock production.

Nutrition and health are generally regarded as the main challenges of livestock production and productivity [3, 23]. Animal feeds are expensive, accounting for more than 70% of livestock production costs. During the dry season, there are limitations in both the quality and quantity of feed. The grazing resource is more available in the wet season than the dry season in which poor quality cereal stover constitute the bulk of the feed resource. Moreover, there is competitive use of the common feed ingredients like maize and soya bean between humans and animals. The productivity of the rangeland, which is the main feed resource in extensive livestock production has also been decreasing, due to unsustainable utilisation which can be partly attributed to increasing population growth, mismanagement, and adverse effects of climate change. Management factors which cause reductions in livestock production include uncontrolled breeding which causes inbreeding, poor housing and low adoption of routine health management practices such as vaccination and dosing [25]. For


#### **Table 1.**

*Constraints to livestock production.*

instance, vector associated dermatophilosis, tick borne diseases, and parafilariosis are some of the common cattle health constraints.

Climate change has also caused a geographical shift in the occurrence of livestock diseases and parasites. Efforts to address the emerging diseases are hampered by increasing resistance to antibiotics. Resultantly, growth and reproductive performance of breeds that do not adapt to the prevailing climatic conditions are reduced. Similar to the grazing resource, water availability is also seasonal, with challenges of access experienced more in the dry season. The IPCC [41] anticipates even more water challenges due to decreases in precipitation resulting from climate change. Other limitations to livestock production include limited financial resources, e.g. capital, and extension services that offer veterinary or technical assistance. Market challenges in livestock production include low prices, high transport costs and shortages of buyers [36].

## **4. Use of indigenous knowledge systems in livestock health management in Zimbabwe**

In the absence of funds, farmers face problems of scarcity, erratic supply and prohibitive costs of synthetic drugs or veterinary services and they usually revert back to sustainable traditional systems of animal health care [42]. In Zimbabwe, there is evidence that ethnoveterinary medicines are gaining recognition at the expense of conventional drugs especially because of greater accessibility, lower costs and apparent effectiveness [5, 12, 42, 43]. A study by [5] in Masvingo province has shown that farmers use plants that occur in their respective districts of the province. Farmers justify the potency of the ethno-veterinary remedies in relation to livestock's health and production performance in terms of feed intake, body weight, carcass size and quality [12, 44]. **Table 2** shows indigenous plants and remedies that are used to manage different cattle ailments in Zimbabwe.

There are several challenges downplaying the use of IKS in Zimbabwe. One of the main disadvantages of the use of herbal plants is the lack of scientific evidence on their efficacy and the lack of precise dosages, which could lead to toxicity [42]. Indigenous ethnoveterinary practices were carried out essentially based on private practice. The information reserved by traditional healers due to high secrecy is relatively less susceptible to distortion but ends up being less accessible to the public [12]. The fact that


*Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112369*


#### **Table 2.**

*IKS remedies used to manage cattle health in Zimbabwe.*

some herbs are available only in certain seasons often limits the use of herbal plants. Moreover, some of the preparations are mixtures of many kinds of plants which may be difficult to find at the same time.

### *Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112369*

Ethnoveterinary medicines are often not as fast working and potent as allopathic medicines and their use is time consuming in their preparation and use. The ethnoveterinary medicines may therefore be less suitable to control and treat epidemic and endemic infectious diseases and acute life-threatening bacterial infections. Paucity of treatment against the infectious epidemic diseases is another limitation of ethnoveterinary medicines. The preparation and use of ethnoveterinary medicines is often difficult and has inconveniences [5].

There is still need for the validation, documentation and acknowledgement of EVM in Zimbabwe among other tropical countries [42]. Additionally, socio-economic factors as population pressure, agricultural expansion into the veld, and other stress on the land may cause unsustainable consumption [5] It is not easy to standardise herbal therapies as the concentration of active ingredients varies in different parts of the plants [9]. Cases of toxicity and underdosing are more as there is no exact dosage in relation to body weight. That some herbs are available only in certain seasons often limits the application of ethnoveterinary medicines. In the absence of regulatory control, product quality becomes variable.

Research and scientific validation of IKS, including EVM are therefore important to increase their adoption in livestock health management. The knowledge of traditional healers and experienced elderly people should be tapped to gather information on these practices so that the future generations can enjoy the same benefits [5]. The knowledge of traditional healers, stockmen, hunters, and other experienced elderly people may be the only ones with appropriate information regarding, for instance, the forms in which the drug has to be given for a particular disease: this information needs to be documented for the benefit of future generations [5, 42].

## **5. Conclusion**

Conventional veterinary services have played a paramount role in the control of livestock diseases. The conventional veterinary services cannot yet deliver complete coverage in preventive and curative health care practices because of inadequate labor, logistical problems, erratic supply of drugs, and the high cost of drugs and equipment. In Zimbabwe, there is evidence that ethnoveterinary medicines are gaining recognition at the expense of conventional drugs especially because of greater accessibility, lower costs and apparent effectiveness. A practical solution to cutbacks in veterinary services is to develop socially acceptable and effective remedies from reasonably inexpensive sources that can complement modern medicine like ethnoveterinary medicines.

## **Author details**

Vimbai Gobvu\*, Kudakwashe C. Chirigo, Takudzwa L. Charakupa and Clarice P. Mudzengi Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

\*Address all correspondence to: vgobvu@gmail.com

© 2023 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

*Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112369*

## **References**

[1] Hatab AA, Cavinato MER, Lagerkvist CJ. Urbanization, livestock systems and food security in developing countries: A systematic review of the literature. Food Security. 2019;**11**(2):1-21

[2] Mapiye O, Chikwanha OC, Makombe G, Dzama K, Mapiye C. Livelihood, food and nutrition security in southern Africa: What role do indigenous cattle genetic resources play? Diversity. 2020;**12**(2):74

[3] Ma'alin A, Abdimahad K, Hassen G, Mahamed A, Hassen M. Management practices and production constraints of indigenous Somali cattle breed in Shabelle zone, Somali regional state, Ethiopia. Open Journal of Animal Sciences. 2022;**12**:103-117. DOI: 10.4236/ ojas.2022.121008

[4] Nyamushamba GB, Mapiye C, Tada O, Halimani TE, Muchenje V. Conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa's smallholder areas: turning threats into opportunities—A review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 2016;**30**(5):603

[5] Mudzengi CP, Dahwa E, Skosana JLN, Murungweni C. Promoting the use of ethnoveterinary practices in livestock health Management in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 2014;**12**(12):398-406. DOI: 10.17348/ era.12.0.397-405

[6] Sithole PM. Indigenous knowledge Systems in Crop Management and Grain Storage in Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe. Southern African Journal of Environmental Education. 2020;**36**:21-32

[7] Chiwanza K, Musingafi M, Mupa P. Challenges in preserving indigenous

knowledge systems: Learning from past experiences. Information and Knowledge Management. 2013;**3**(2):19-25

[8] Mapara J. Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe: Juxtaposing Postcolonial Theory. Journal of Pan African Studies. 1 Sep 2009;**3**(1)

[9] Temeche MA, Asnakew AT. A review on status of ethnoveterinary medicine and challenges it faces in Ethiopia. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry. 2020;**5**:39-48

[10] Masimba ES, Mbiriri DT, Kashangura MT, Mutibvu T. Indigenous practices for the control and treatment of ailments in Zimbabwe's village poultry. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2011;**23**(12):2-9

[11] Matekaire T, Bwakura TM. Ethnoveterinary medicine: A potential alternative to orthodox animal health delivery in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. 2004;**2**(4):269-273

[12] Mwale M, Bhebhe E, Chimonyo M, Halimani TE. Use of herbal plants in poultry health management in the Mushagashe small-scale commercial farming area in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. 2005;**3**(2):163-170

[13] Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2014/2015 Season. 2015

[14] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2018/2019 Season. 2019

[15] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2017/2018 Season. 2018

[16] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2016/2017 Season. 2017

[17] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2015/2016 Season. 2016

[18] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2020/2021 Season. 2021

[19] Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report 2019/2020 Season. 2020

[20] Chatikobo P, Choga T, Ncube C, Mutambara J. Participatory diagnosis and prioritization of constraints to cattle production in some smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2013;**109**(3-4):327-333

[21] Mavedzenge BZ, Mahenehene J, Murimbarimba F, Scoones I, Wolmer W. The dynamics of real markets: Cattle in southern Zimbabwe following land reform. Development and Change. Wiley Online Library. 2008;**39**(4):613-639

[22] Chisango FF, Deliwe T, Prince N, Saziso M. Challenges and opportunities on beef cattle marketing and off take rates in Zimbabwe's small holder farming sector: A case of A1 resettlement farmers in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development. 2015;**4**(4):221-226

[23] Mutibvu T, Maburutse BE, Mbiriri DT, Kashangura MT. Constraints and opportunities for increased livestock production in communal areas: A case study of Simbe, Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2012;**24**(9):2012. Available from: http://www.lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd24/9/ cont2409.htm

[24] Tembachako DS, Ndlovu P, Mukomana S. Challenges and opportunities on beef cattle marketing and off take rates in Zimbabwe's small holder farming sector: A case of A1 resettlement farmers in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development. 2015;**4**(4):221-226

[25] Tavirimirwa B, Mwembe R, Ngulube B, Banana NYD, Nyamushamba GB, Ncube S, et al. Communal cattle production in Zimbabwe: A review. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2013;**25**(12):217

[26] Ndlovu T, Belle J, Silengo M. Participation of communal cattle farmers in drought risk reduction in southern Zimbabwe. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 2021;**13**(1):1-10

[27] Rojas-Downing MM, Nejadhashemi AP, Harrigan T, Woznicki SA. Climate change and livestock: Impacts, adaptation, and mitigation. Climate Risk Management. 2017;**16**:145-163. DOI: 10.1016/j. crm.2017.02.001

[28] Mavhura E, Manatsa D, Mushore T. Adaptation to drought in arid and semiarid environments: Case of the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 2015;**7**:1-7

[29] Chakoma I, Manyawu G, Gwiriri LC, Moyo S, Dube S, Imbayarwo-Chikosi VE, et al. Promoting the use of home-mixed

*Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Managing Cattle Health in Zimbabwe: Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112369*

supplements as alternatives to commercial supplements in smallholder beef production systems in the subhumid region of Zimbabwe. African Journal of Range and Forage Science. 2016;**33**:165-171

[30] Dzavo T, Zindove TJ, Dhliwayo M, Chimonyo M. Effects of drought on cattle production in sub-tropical environments. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2018;**51**:669-675

[31] Sungirai M, Moyo ZD, De Clercq P, Madder M. Communal farmers' perceptions of tick-borne diseases affecting cattle and investigation of tick control methods practiced in Zimbabwe. Tick and Tick-borne Diseases. 2016;**7**(1):1-9

[32] Paenda O, Musemwa L, Ndhleve S, Sibanda M. Determinants of farmers' marketing choices and preferences under communal cattle farming: Evidence from Mwenezi District in Zimbabwe. Journal of Human Ecololgy. 2020;**72**(1-3):13-23. DOI: 10.31901/24566608.2020/72.1-3.3263

[33] Mujeyi A, Mutenje M, Manyawu GJ, Gwiriri L, Chakoma I. Spearheading development through empowering smallholder farmers along beef cattle value chains: A case of Goromonzi and Murehwa districts, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Managing Value and Supply Chains. 2015;**6**(4):31-44

[34] Mapiye C, Chimonyo M, Dzama K, Raats JG, Mapekula M. Opportunities for improving Nguni cattle production in the smallholder farming systems of South Africa. Livestock Science. 2009;**124**:196-204

[35] Scholtz MM, Theunissen A. The use of indigenous cattle in terminal cross-breeding to improve beef cattle production in sub-Saharan Africa. Animal Genetic Resources. 2010;**46**:33-39

[36] Bidi NT, Dube AB, Khombe CT, Assan N. Community based small scale commercial cattle breeding programme in Mangwe district of Zimbabwe. Agricultural Advances. 2015;**4**(3):22-33. DOI: 10.14196/aa.v4i3.1845

[37] Gororo E, Makuza SM, Chatiza FP, Gwatibaya S, Gahadzikwa P, Chidzwondo F. The potential of reproductive technologies in breeding smallholder cattle populations in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Livestock Production. 2017;**8**:168-179

[38] Nyamushamba GB et al. Conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources in southern Africa's smallholder areas: Turning threats into opportunities—A review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 2017;**30**(5):603-621. DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0024

[39] Homann S, Van Rooyen A. Unexploited agricultural growth: The case of crop–livestock production Systems in Zimbabwe. In: 2nd African Association of Agricultural Economists Conference, Accra, Ghana. 2007;**22**(40):503-506. Available from: www.aaae-africa.org

[40] Tambi MD, Anyah FJ. Constraints and challenges in livestock production in Cameroon. South Asian Research Journal of Business and Management. 2019;**1**:10-17

[41] IPCC. IPCC fourth assessment report. The Physical Science Basis. 2007;**2**:580-595

[42] Marandure T. Concepts and key issues of ethnoveterinary medicine in Africa: A review of its application in Zimbabwe. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2016;**11**(20):1836-1841

[43] Jambwa P, Katsande S, Matope G, McGaw LJ. Ethnoveterinary remedies used in avian complementary medicine in selected communal areas in Zimbabwe. Planta Medica. 2021;**88**(03/04):313-323

[44] Muchadeyi FC, Sibanda S, Kusina NT, Kusina JF, Makuza SM. Village chicken flock dynamics and the contribution of chickens to household livelihoods in a smallholder farming area in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2005;**37**(4):333-344

[45] Marume A, Matope G, Katsande S, Khoza S, Mutingwende I, Mduluza T, et al. Wound healing properties of selected plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;**8**:544

[46] Maroyi A. Use of ethnoveterinary medicine by small-scale farmers to treat livestock diseases: An alternative to orthodox livestock health delivery system in southern Africa. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research. 2021;**10**(07):32-40

[47] Maroyi A. Use of traditional veterinary medicine in Nhema communal area of the midlands province, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. 2012;**9**(3):315-322

[48] Gumbochuma G, Hamandishe VR, Nyahangare ET, Imbayarwo-Chikosi VE, Ncube S. Ethnoveterinary practices for poultry and cattle in Zimbabwe: A case study of Takavarasha village. South African Journal of Animal Science. 2013;**2**(12):355-359

[49] Nyahangare ET, Mvumi BM, Mutibvu T. Ethnoveterinary plants and practices used for ecto-parasite control in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2015;**11**(1):1-6

[50] Madzimure J, Nyahangare ET, Hamudikuwanda H, Hove T,

Stevenson PC, Belmain SR, et al. Acaricidal efficacy against cattle ticks and acute oral toxicity of *Lippia javanica* (Burm F.) Spreng. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2011;**43**(2):481-489

## *Edited by Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira, Eloisa Helena de Aguiar Andrade, Ravendra Kumar and Suraj N. Mali*

*Medicinal Plants - Chemical, Biochemical, and Pharmacological Approaches* presents an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted relationships between medicinal plants and human health. This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate chemical and biochemical aspects of plants, shedding light on their pharmacological properties and applications. Within this book, readers will find a detailed examination of plant-derived compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, terpenes, and other bioactive constituents. These compounds are analyzed for their chemical structures and mechanisms of action, providing a foundational understanding of the chemical basis for their therapeutic potential. The book further elucidates the pharmacological actions of medicinal plants, showcasing their role in traditional healing practices as well as their integration into modern health care. It explores the diverse array of health conditions that can be addressed through phytotherapy, emphasizing evidence-based approaches that bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary scientific knowledge. Readers will gain insights into the latest research and discoveries in the field of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and ethnobotany, obtaining a comprehensive view of the potential applications of medicinal plants for various health-related purposes. The text also highlights the importance of sustainability and ethical practices in the harvesting and utilization of these botanical resources. *Medicinal Plants - Chemical, Biochemical, and Pharmacological Approaches* serves as an invaluable resource for scientists, healthcare professionals, and herbal enthusiasts alike, equipping them with a deep understanding of the chemical, biochemical, and pharmacological dimensions of these natural remedies. By promoting an evidence-based and sustainable approach to the use of medicinal plants, this book fosters a profound connection between the scientific community and the wealth of nature's therapeutic offerings.

Published in London, UK © 2024 IntechOpen © ValentynVolkov / iStock

Medicinal Plants - Chemical, Biochemical, and Pharmacological Approaches

Medicinal Plants

Chemical, Biochemical,

and Pharmacological Approaches

*Edited by Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira, Eloisa Helena de Aguiar Andrade,* 

*Ravendra Kumar and Suraj N. Mali*