A quantitative ethnoveterinary study of traditional medicinal plants used for the management of livestock diseases in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India

The present study aimed to document, analyze and evaluate the traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plants employed for treating livestock diseases by rural communities in the Tiruchirappalli district. Many farmers (82 %) in the Tiruchirappalli district depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood and practice ethnoveterinary medicine. Ethnoveterinary field surveys were conducted from 2023–2024 across different seasons and 280 respondents, including farmers and traditional healers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires across multiple villages. Data were analyzed quantitatively using informant consensus factor (ICF), relative frequency of citation (RFC) and use value (UV) indices to assess the importance and agreement of reported species. A total of 45 plant species belonging to 43 genera and 25 families were documented for managing seven categories of livestock ailments, including gastrointestinal, gynaecological, dermatological, cold and fever, respiratory, poisoning and general health disorders. The Fabaceae family was the most represented with eight species recorded in the survey. Leaves (92 %) and roots (87 %) were the most frequently used plant parts and raw plant material was the preferred method. Piper betel L., Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link, Aerva lanata (L.) Juss., Cassytha filiformis L., Aloe vera (Burm.) f. and Bambusa vulgaris Schrad ex. J. C. Wendl. recorded the highest citation and use values. The findings demonstrate a high level of consensus among informants and emphasize the relevance of traditional plant-based knowledge for sustainable livestock healthcare and future pharmacological investigations.