Abstract

            In veterinary practice, especially in developing countries, antibiotics are being commonly used for treatment of different ailments. Owing to increased consumer awareness and scientific developments to quantify the antibiotic residue in animal products, and the implications of the antibiotic residue on human health and antibiotic resistance, now-a-days alternatives to antibiotics are being searched. Ethno-veterinary practice based on traditional wisdom might be an alternate for usage of antibiotics in veterinary practice. This is expected to facilitate clean, green and environment friendly animal production and reduce the usage of antibiotics to the maximum possible extent. Use of herbal ingredients as a feed additive or for treatment purpose is preferred due to its natural constituent of a variety of beneficial molecules, absence of residual effects, non-hazardous and ecofriendly with minimum problem of drug resistance. In this review, it is aimed to
summarize the information on experimental knowledge on efficacy, possible modes of action, and aspects of application of phytomedicine as feed additives in ruminant as well as on non-ruminant animals. The medicinal properties such as appetizers and digestion stimulant, galactagogue, growth promoter, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulators, anti-cancer and the effects of various herbs on reproductive performance of animals are also discussed.

Keywords : Herbs, spices, antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunemodulation, farm animals