Livestock Diseases and the Traditional Medicine in the Bushi Area, Kivu Province, Democratic Repoblic of Congo

Abstract

Ethnobotanical inquiries were carried out from 1980 to 1990 to collect plants used in both veterinary and human medicines. A description of livestock diseases is made and the plant material formulas used for their treatment are inventoried. Vernacular and scientific names, parts of the plant used and instructions for use are reported. About 31 groups representing 62 vernacular names of animal diseases have been recorded and translated into English and French languages, and 124 plant species for treatment of livestock diseases identified. Plant materials are usually prescribed as maceration, infusion or decoction to be taken orally or by rectal administration and by application of ashes loco denti in the scarifications made on the ailing part of the body. Plant material is used singly or in combination. People say that the combination of several ingredients increase the chance of recovery. Moreover, a disease can be cured by one or more medicinal formulas and one formula can be used for the treatment of several diseases.