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Traditional Herbal Medicines as Antimicrobial Alternatives in Livestock
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes a technical brief in August 2026 titled “Traditional herbal medicines as alternatives to antimicrobials in the livestock sector.” The brief outlines traditional herbal medicines (THMs), associated challenges, and the use of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) in livestock health programs, including initiatives in India.
Traditional Herbal Medicines as Alternatives:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Traditional herbal medicines (THMs) | Traditional herbal medicines (THMs) comprise primarily plant-based preparations or extracts that contain multiple active compounds. |
| Properties of THMs | THMs often possess anti-infective and antimicrobial properties. |
| Use in livestock | THMs have traditionally been used to prevent and treat diseases in livestock. |
| Geographic prevalence | The use of THMs is particularly common in low- and middle-income countries. |
| Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) term | In veterinary medicine, the body of traditional knowledge is also referred to as ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). |
| Benefits of THMs | THMs provide for reduced unnecessary use of antimicrobials, supportive treatments that are affordable and locally accessible, and a source for the discovery of new anti-infective compounds. |
| Key challenges | Challenges comprise insufficient scientific evidence, variability in active compounds, lack of standardisation, safety concerns, and regulatory challenges. |
| Insufficient scientific evidence | The effectiveness remains unproven, and additional clinical research is required. |
| Variability in active compounds | Potency and safety vary depending on geographic origin, seasonal factors, species differences, and methods of preparation. |
| Lack of standardisation | Non-uniform manufacturing and processing methods impede the achievement of consistent product quality. |
| Safety concerns | Natural products are not inherently risk-free, and variable concentrations of active compounds may result in adverse effects. |
| Regulatory challenges | The scope of regulation remains unclear, and achieving global harmonisation presents significant difficulties. |
| India and EVM integration | India has established experience in integrating traditional veterinary knowledge into livestock health programs. |
| NDDB role | The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) promotes the use of Ethnoveterinary Medicine (EVM) to rationalize antibiotic use. |
| NDDB implementation mechanism | NDDB implements EVM through the Disease Control through Alternate Methods project across milk unions and producer organizations in 8 states. |
| NDDB anticipated outcomes (by March 2025) | By March 2025, more than 1.1 million EVM interventions are expected to be conducted, and a reported success rate of over 80% has been achieved. |
| DAHD recommendation | The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has recommended the inclusion of EVMs in standard veterinary treatment guidelines for livestock and poultry. |
| DAHD capacity building | DAHD conducts training and awareness programs for farmers. |