13th Conference on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Southeast European Countries (CMAPSEEC 2026)

Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine encompasses traditional knowledge and practices developed by local communities for the prevention and treatment of animal diseases, primarily through the use of medicinal plants. These practices represent a culturally significant and underexplored reservoir of veterinary knowledge. Plant-based remedies have historically been employed to address a wide range of health conditions in livestock, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory infections, reproductive issues, and dermatological problems.
Objectives:This study aimed to document ethnoveterinary practices in Serbia during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Material and methods: Data were collected through a systematic review of ethnographic sources, including monographs, field reports, and periodicals, providing valuable insights into traditional veterinary applications.
Results: A diverse array of medicinal plants and their associated therapeutic uses were recorded. In the treatment of fasciolosis in livestock, sumac (Cotinus coggygria) leaves, masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium), centaury (Centaurium umbellatum), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) were traditionally employed. Sheep affected by this condition were also treated with a mixture of powdered wormwood and calamus (Acorus calamus) root. In cases of anthrax in pigs, Verbascum phoeniceum was reportedly used, while powdered Acorus calamus mixed with bran was administered to horses as a stomachic. For the treatment of ocular diseases in chicks, a remedy consisting of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), ivy (Hedera helix), and ironwort (Sideritis spp.) was applied.
Conclusion: Documenting these traditional practices is crucial not only for the preservation of cultural heritage but also for identifying sustainable, accessible, and potentially effective alternatives to conventional veterinary therapies. Such knowledge may guide future research in ethnopharmacology and contribute to more holistic and eco-friendly approaches to animal healthcare.