Traditional Herbal Medicines (THMs) in Livestock

Why in News?

In August 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published a technical brief entitled “Traditional herbal medicines as alternatives to antimicrobials in the livestock sector.”

• Traditional herbal medicines (THMs) – These are primarily plant-based preparations or extracts that contain multiple active compounds.
• These preparations often possess anti-infective and antimicrobial properties.
• THMs have traditionally been used to prevent and treat diseases in livestock.
• Their use is particularly common in low- and middle-income countries.
• In veterinary medicine, this body of traditional knowledge is also referred to as ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM).

• Benefits
  • It reduces unnecessary use of antimicrobials.
  • It provides supportive treatments that are affordable and locally accessible.
  • It serves as a source for the discovery of new anti-infective compounds.
• Key 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.

Reference

Down to Earth | Traditional Herbal Medicines