Background
Animal-based remedies constitute an integral part of Brazilian Traditional Medicine. Due to its long history, zootherapy has in fact become an integral part of folk medicine both in rural and urban areas of the country. In this paper we summarize current knowledge on zootherapeutic practices in Northeast of Brazil, based on information compiled from ethnobiological scientific literature.

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Fauna used in popular medicine in Northeast Brazil

Zootherapy is the treatment of human ailments with remedies made from animals and their products. Despite its prevalence in traditional medical practices worldwide, research on this phenomenon has often been neglected in comparison to medicinal plant research. This review discusses some related aspects of the use of animal-based remedies in Latin America, identifies those species used as folk remedies, and discusses the implications of zootherapy for public health and biological conservation. The review of literature revealed that at least 584 animal species, distributed in 13 taxonomic categories, have been used in traditional medicine in region. The number of medicinal species catalogued was quite expansive and demonstrates the importance of zootherapy as an alternative mode of therapy in Latin America. Nevertheless, this number is certainly underestimated since the number of studies on the theme are very limited. Animals provide the raw materials for remedies prescribed clinically and are also used in the form of amulets and charms in magic-religious rituals and ceremonies. Zootherapeutic resources were used to treat different diseases. The medicinal fauna is largely based on wild animals, including some endangered species. Besides being influenced by cultural aspects, the relations between humans and biodiversity in the form of zootherapeutic practices are conditioned by the social and economic relations between humans themselves. Further ethnopharmacological studies are necessary to increase our understanding of the links between traditional uses of faunistic resources and conservation biology, public health policies, sustainable management of natural resources and bio-prospecting.

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The faunal drugstore: Animal-based remedies used in traditional medicines in Latin America

The use of natural honey (NH) as a nutraceutical agent is associated with nutritional benefits and therapeutic promises. NH is widely accepted as food and medicine by all generations, traditions and civilizations, both ancient and modern. The nutritional profiles, including its use in infant and children feeding reported in different literatures as well as health indices and biomarkers observed by various researchers are illustrated in this manuscript. The review documents folk medicine, experimentation with animal models, and orthodox medical practices shown by clinical trials. This covers virtually all human organs and body systems extensively studied by different workers. The sources and adverse effects of NH contamination, as well as the preventive methods are identified. This could promote the availability of residue free honey and a wholesome natural product for domestic consumption and international market. This could also help to prevent health problems associated with NH poisoning. In addition, apicultural practices and the economic importance of honey are well documented. This report also includes information about a relatively unknown and uncommon South American stingless bee species. We concluded this review by identifying important roles for Ethno-entomologists, other Scientists and Apiculturists in the development of stingless bees to boost honey production, consumption and economic earnings.

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Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth

Although animal-derived remedies constitute an integral part of folk medicine in many parts of the world, particularly for people with limited or no access to mainstream medical services, their role in health care has generally been overlooked in discussions about public health, conservation, and management of faunistic resources and ecosystem protection. Brazil’s high biological and sociocultural diversity translates into a wealth of traditional knowledge and practices, including the use of animals for medicinal purposes. In this chapter, we report on the use of 354 medicinal animal species in Brazil, 96% of which are wild caught and 21% of which are on one or more lists of endangered species. Further population declines may limit users’ access to these bioresources and diminish the knowledge base upon which traditional medicine is built.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1641/B571107

The Role of Animal-derived Remedies as Complementary Medicine in Brazil

The present work provides an overview of the global use of reptiles in traditional folk medicine and the implications for conservation. The results demonstrate that at least 165 reptile species belonging to 104 genera and 30 families are used in traditional folk medicine around the world. Some species are used as sources of drugs for modern medical science. Of the reptiles recorded, 53% are included on lists of endangered species, demonstrating the importance of understanding such medicinal uses in the context of reptile conservation as well as the need for considering socio-cultural factors when establishing management plans directed towards the sustainable use of these reptiles.

Reptiles used in traditional folk medicine: conservation implications

The present study aims to review the zootherapeutic practices of the different ethnic communities of India. This work is also an attempt to present a list of animals' use for medicinal purposes by different communities of India. Data were gathered from 15 published research papers of various authors on zootherapeutic studies in India from 2000 to 2007. Approximately 109 animals and their 270 uses are reported in traditional medicine in different parts of India. Of these, the highest numbers of animal species (42, 38.5%) with 50 (18.5%) uses have been reported for the treatment of Respiratory system related problems. Rheumatic and other pains are treated with 32 species (29.4%) in 34 (12.9%) uses. Gastric problems are reported to be treated with 22 (20.2%) species in 26 (9.9%) uses. The mammals constitute the highest number of animals used for medicinal purposes. 44 (40%) mammals, 24 (22%) invertebrates, 18 (17%) birds, 12 (11%) reptiles, nine (8%) fishes and two (2%) amphibians have been reported for medicinal purposes. Of the total 109 animal species reported, 76(70%) are included in IUCN red data list and 36 (33%) animal species are listed in CITES appendix I, II, and III. This work will be helpful in biodiversity conservation in India and also give a clue to investigate bio-active compound in these animal raw materials.

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Traditional zootherapeutic studies in India: a review

The present ethnozoological study describes the traditional knowledge related to the use of different animals and animal-derived products as medicines by the inhabitants of villages surrounding the Ranthambhore National Park of India (Bawaria, Mogya, Meena), which is well known for its very rich biodiversity. The field survey was conducted from May to July 2005 by performing interviews through structured questionnaires with 24 informants (16 men and 8 women), who provided information regarding therapeutic uses of animals. A total of 15 animals and animal products were recorded and they are used for different ethnomedical purposes, including tuberculosis, asthma, paralysis, jaundice, earache, constipation, weakness, snake poisoning. The zootherapeutic knowledge was mostly based on domestic animals, but some protected species like the collared dove (Streptopelia sp.), hard shelled turtle (Kachuga tentoria), sambhar (Cervus unicolor) were also mentioned as important medicinal resources. We would suggest that this kind of neglected traditional knowledge should be included into the strategies of conservation and management of faunistic resources in the investigated area.

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Animals and their products utilized as medicines by the inhabitants surrounding the Ranthambhore National Park, India.

The present zootherapeutic study describes the traditional knowledge related to the use of different animals and animal-derived products as medicines by the Saharia tribe reside in the Shahabad and Kishanganj Panchayat Samiti's of Baran district of Rajasthan, India. A field survey was conducted from April to June 2006 by performing interview through structured questionnaire with 21 selected respondents, who provided information regarding use of animals and their products in folk medicine. A total of 15 animal species were recorded and they are used for different ethnomedical purposes, including cough, asthma, tuberculosis, paralysis, earache, herpes, weakness, muscular pain etc. The zootherapeutic knowledge was mostly based on domestic animals, but some protected species like the peacock (Pavo cristatus,), hard shelled turtle (Kachuga tentoria), sambhar (Cervus unicolor) were also mentioned as medicinal resources. We would suggest that this kind of neglected traditional knowledge should be included into the strategies of conservation and management of faunistic resources. Further studies are required for experimental validation to confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in these traditional remedies and also to emphasize more sustainable use of these resources.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2F1746-4269-3-25.pdf

Traditional knowledge on zootherapeutic uses by the Saharia tribe of Rajasthan, India

There is evidence that human beings are familiar with use of animals for food, cloth, medicine, etc since ancient times Enormous work has been done on ethnobotany and traditional medicine Like plants, animal and their products are also possessing medicinal properties that can be exploited for the benefit of human beings In India, many ethnic communities are dispersed all over the country and these people are still totally depended on local traditional medicinal system for their health care India is gifted with faunal and floral biodiversity, Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary is also one of them, and thus the aim of this work was to take an ethnozoological field survey among Garasiya people (main tribal group of this area) in the adjoining areas of this sanctuary In order to document the ethnozoological information about animal and their products prevalent among these people in the adjoining area of Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary, a study was carried out from January, 2008 to April, 2008 Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire and open interview with 25 (16 male and 9 female) selected Garasiya people The name of animal and other ethnozoological information were documented Photographs and discussion were also recorded with the help of camera and voice recorder A total of 24 animal species were used in 35 different medicinal purposes including asthma, weakness, tuberculosis, cough, paralysis and blister and for other religious purposes It has been find out that animal used by Garasiya, consist of fourteen mammals, five birds, three reptiles, one arthropods and one amphibian The meat of Cynopterus sphinx used to relieved fever and cough has the highest FL (96%) although flesh of Sus scrofa and tooth of Elephas maximus have the lowest FL (12%) Some protected species such as Elephas maximus (elephant), Semnopithecus priam (monkey), Cervus unicolor (sambhar) were also mentioned as important medicinal resources We also found that cough, asthma and other respiratory diseases are the most frequently cited disease, as such, a number of traditional medicine are available for the treatment The present work indicates that 24 animal species were being used to treat 34 various ailments in the surroundings areas of Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary The results show that ethnozoological practices are an important alternative medicinal practice for the Garasiya people This study also indicates the very rich ethnozoological knowledge of these people in relation to traditional medicine So there is an urgent need to properly document to keep a record of the ethnozoological information We hope that this information will be useful for further research in the field of ethnozoology, ethnopharmacology and conservation point of view

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An ethnozoological study in the adjoining areas of Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary, India

This Paper deals with the domestic animals based traditional medicinal knowledge of Rebari community of Rajasthan. Field study was conducted with Rebari people with the help of semi-structured questionnaire and open interview. 25 Rebari people including both sexes provided valuable information regarding uses of domestic animals and their products in local medicinal system and information was obtained, about their conservation too. The results show that there are 15 domestic animals and 2 plant species used in 30 ailments like headache, tuberculosis, paralysis and anal infection. The Rebari community has devised rules to ensure the social and ecological sustainability of their livestock but presently, these domestic animals are on verge of extinction due to the shortage of grazing land and loss of their territories. So there is an urgent need to uphold livestock diversity for appropriate medicinal use and to maintain an ecological balance in nature. Key words: Rebari community, traditional medicine, livestock conservation, Rajasthan DOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2560 Our Nature (2009) 7:129-138

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DP Jaroli

Papers

Traditional zootherapeutic studies in India: a review

Animals and their products utilized as medicines by the inhabitants surrounding the Ranthambhore National Park, India.

Traditional knowledge on zootherapeutic uses by the Saharia tribe of Rajasthan, India

An ethnozoological study in the adjoining areas of Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary, India

Traditional Medicines Derived from Domestic Animals Used by Rebari Community of Rajasthan, India