Ethnoveterinary Survey on Medicinal Plants Used by Indigenous People of Limpopo for Treatment of Covid-19 Symptons on Pets and Animal

Animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been documented around the world. Most of these animals became infected after contact with people with COVID-19, including owners, caretakers, or others who were in close contact. Animals in zoos and sanctuaries, including several types of big cats (e.g., lions, tigers, snow leopards), otters, non-human primates, a binturong, a coatimundi, a fishing cat, hyenas, hippopotamuses, and manatees. There is no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines available for the treatment of this lethal disease. The prevention measures as pronounced by World Health Organization (WHO), are less effective but can only delay the spread of the virus. Medicinal plants used to treat viral infections are assumed to be safe due to their long usage in traditional medicine. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat Covid-19 . Using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, ethnobotanical data were collected from 5 farmers and 30 traditional healers in Sekhukhune region. The results showed that 34 plant species were used to manage respiratory livestock diseases. Plant leaves, roots were commonly used, being crushed in water, and administered orally or smoking. During the survey, it was noted that this thirty four plants were traditionally used by indigenous people to treat various human and veterinary diseases such as basic first aid for pneumonia, respiratory, flu, bronchitis, tonsillitis, influenza ,TB and chronic conditions like anthrax or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.