impetigo, superficial folliculitis, pruritic superficial folliculitis and dermatophilus infection. Fungal skin diseases are mainly of superficial mycosis (dermatophytosis-ringworm), subcutaneous mycosis (histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, protomycosis, etc.) and systemic mycosis (blastomycoses).
Apart from these infections there are various allergic conditions, which attacks the skin. These include eczema of various kinds, scabies, etc., which not only compromise the health of the animal but also are of the zoonotic importance.
Amongst the drugs, which are being tried for skin disease, some have indicated drug resistance. Also in spite of a lot of effective drugs against skin diseases, coming in the market, the
possibility of getting treatment of skin diseases with a cost-effective drug preparation, which an average Indian farmer can afford, is yet to be explored. Many of the allopathic drugs used are advocated to be costly, have problems of drug resistance, many are toxic at certain concentration, may be harmful to humans handling them and may contaminate the environment as well.
As against the scenario with allopathic drugs, we have the other side with herbal medicines, which are these days gaining significance due to their reduced costs, ease of use and are proposed to be free from risk of harming human handling them as well as they hardly contaminate the environment.
This paper is a compilation of information on plants, used for the treatment of various skin diseases of animals. In addition to detailed discussion of 20 major plants and one herbal formulation developed by IVRI, a list of 82 plants including their common names and uses has been given in Table1. Hopefully it will be helpful to encourage further research and evaluate or revalidate the efficacy of these plants in controlling skin diseases of animals.
M C Sharma* and Chinmay Joshi National Fellow Laboratory
Division of Medicine Indian Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar-243122, UP, India *Correspondent author
Introduction
The proliferation of opportunistic pathogens on skin resulting in bacterial, parasitic, fungal and non-specific dermatitis occurs mainly due to change in local resistance. The dermatological concern develops when the dermatitis produced by these organisms living in or on the skin produce irritation and sensitization. External skin diseases comprises of parasites viz., tick, mite and lice. The genus Demodexis a group of mites, which live in the hair follicle and sebaceous gland causing demodicosis. The bacteria Staphylococcus
intermedius is an important pathogen involved in pyoderma. Superficial pyoderma is bacterial infections causing
Abstract
Skin diseases in animals comprise scabies bacterial and fungal infections, ulcers, bruises and sprains, inflammation, burns, sore feet, ringworm, eczema, skin eruptions, urticaria and infestation of tick, mite, lice and maggots. Though a lot of allopathic medicines are available for the treatment of these problems, herbal formulations are preferred for the safety of both animal and owner of the animal. The paper presents a compilation of information on plants used for the skin diseases of animals.
Keywords: Plants, skin diseases, animals IPC code; Int. cl.7⎯ A61K35/78, A61L15/00
Plants used in skin diseases of animals
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Some major plants used
against skin diseases
Abrus precatorius Linn. (Hindi - Ratti) ⎯ Leaves warmed with mustard oil give relief to the painful areas. Juice mixed with Plumbago zeylanica Linn. roots (chitraka) is applied to the leucodermatic spots. It is also applied to the bare skin in alopecia, stiffness of shoulder joint and paralysis.
Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Delile subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan (Hindi -Babul) ⎯ Powdered gum mixed with egg white is applied with burns and scalds.
Allium cepa Linn. (Hindi
-Piyaz) ⎯ The bulb and seeds are locally used in irritation of insect or scorpion bites and also in skin diseases. Mixed with mustard oil it is highly effective in inflammatory swellings.
Allium sativum Linn. (Hindi - Lahsun) ⎯ Mustard or coconut oil in which garlic has been fried is an excellent antiseptic application for scabies and maggots infesting ulcers, ulcerated surfaces and wounds. Its juice mixed with salt is applied to bruises and sprains and also to relieve neuralgia and earache. Garlic is applied externally for deafness and pain. Garlic juice mixed with 3 or 4 parts of ordinary or distilled water is used as a lotion for washing wounds and foul ulcers.
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Hindi - Neem) ⎯ Seed and leaf oil possess insecticidal and antiseptic properties. It is used as a dressing for foul
ulcers, eczema and skin diseases like ringworm, scabies and mange in dogs. As insecticide it is used for the destruction of lice. Dry seeds are used for killing pediculi and powdered kernel for washing of hair. Leaves are boiled with water to form a paste and mixed with honey can be applied to pustules boils, ulcers and other skin diseases. Toddy or fermented sap of leaves is also useful valuable in skin diseases. A preparation called Pancha tikta
ghritamade from boiling 800g each of neem bark, leaves of Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. ( Hindi- Jangli karela), Solanum surattense Burm. f. (Hindi–Kateli), Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms. (Hindi – Gulancha) and bark of Adhatoda vasica Nees (Hindi –Adusa), in 5-6 litre of water, till it is reduced to quarter and then adding 3.5litre of butter and about 3 kg myrobalans is recommended as one tablespoonful with little hot milk internally twice daily in chronic skin diseases.
Beta vulgaris Linn. (Hindi
-Chukander) ⎯ Infusion or decoction of the root when applied to the temples it stops inflammation of eyes and in burns it is used in combination of oil and Alum.
Brassica juncea (Linn.) Czern. & Coss. (Hindi−Sarson) ⎯ Mustard seeds and oil have a cleansing effect on the skin make soft, remove the grease and are useful in general pustular condition. Mustard oil is used as a base for many herbal preparations and in combination with several other medicinal plants is used in skin ailments of various degrees.
Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Hindi - Ak or Madar) ⎯ The physiologically active substance is found in the milky juice of the plant. Flowers are digestive, tonic and have powerful action on the skin. An oily preparation (Arka
taila) made by boiling together 8 parts sesamum oil, 16 parts Calotropis juice and one part turmeric is useful in eczema and skin diseases. In scorpion and insect bites it relieves pain and burning. It is also useful in ringworm infection. Equal part of branches, leaves, milky juice and flower are taken to prepare pills and given every morning to treat various kinds of skin diseases. A powder of dried leaves, mixed and boiled with sweet oil and turmeric is applied to eczema and other skin ailments with high efficacy.
Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. (Hindi - Deodara) ⎯ Its wood yields an oleoresin known as Kelanka
tel. Which is applied to ulcers and other skin diseases especially in mange in horses and sore feet of cattle.
Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Nees & Eberm. (Hindi
-Kapur) ⎯ In pruritus and eczema camphor ointment is very useful. Its strong odour protects animals from the menace of insects.
Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm. f. (Hindi - Nimbu) ⎯ Lime juice is applied externally for relieving irritation of insect bites. A local application made up of lime juice, potassium carbonate and copper sulphate is useful for warts and other skin eruptions. Lemon oil mixed with glycerine is applied to pruritus of vulva and scrotum. Lemon oil with
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camphor is also used in various skin diseases.
Curcuma longa Linn. (Hindi-Haldi) ⎯ Juice of the fresh rhizome is applied to recent wounds, bruises and leech bites. A paste of turmeric and leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees with cow urine is rubbed on the skin affected with prurigo and eczema. When mixed with ginger oil and applied to the skin it prevents skin eruptions. A paste of turmeric along with the pulp of neem leaves is used in ringworm infection, itching, eczema and other parasitic diseases of the skin. In chronic eczema and itches ointment made of turmeric, hemp leaves, onion and warm mustard oil gives immediate and immense relief. In chronic skin ailment turmeric 640g, clarified butter 500g, milk 1.5 litre, sugar 120g are boiled and black pepper, ginger, cinnamon are mixed to it. The dose includes 10ml every morning in prurigo, boils, urticaria and chronic skin eruptions.
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. The dried leaves, gum exudation from the stem and oil distilled from the fresh leaves are used against skin diseases. Externally fresh young leaves are applied as local stimulant in small wounds. The leaf extract suitably diluted is used as disinfectant lotion and antiseptic lotion in certain chronic skin diseases and in erysipelas of the face, leg and scrotum.
Jatropha curcas Linn. (Hindi-Jangli-erandi) ⎯ Seed oil is highly effective for itches, ringworm, scabies, herpes and eczema and it is a cleansing agent for wounds, sores and ulcers.
Mentha piperita Linn. emend. Huds. (Hindi-Peppermint) ⎯ Locally the oil is used as a powerful anaesthetic, antiseptic and germicide and is very useful in pruritus.
Momordica charantia Linn. (Hindi - Karela) ⎯ The juice of whole plant is mixed with Cinnamon, Long pepper, Rice and Chaulmogra oil to forms a good ointment for psoriasis, scabies and other skin diseases. Externally it is applied to scalp in the burns and boils.
Nicotiana tabacum Linn. (Hindi - Tambaku) ⎯ Nicotine salycylate found in the plant is the remedy for certain skin ailments. Decoction of tobacco is applied locally to relieve pain, irritation in swellings, syphilitic nodes, other skin diseases and to reduce orchitis. In orchitis the upper surface of the leaf painted with silarasa is applied to the painful swollen part. A paste made with snuff, lime and bark of Calophyllum
inophyllum Linn. is also applied in orchitis.
Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Hindi -Tulsi)
⎯
The leaves made into paste are used to cure parasitical diseases of the skin, especially the ringworm. A 12% decoction of the plant acts as a parasiticide and antiseptic and makes the larvae inactive.Piper nigrum Linn. (Hindi
-Kalimirch) ⎯ In the form of paste it is applied externally to the boils, alopecia and other skin diseases. Massage with pepper and onions makes hair growth on bald patches left after ringworm.
Pongamia pinnata Pierre (Hindi-Karanj) ⎯ Seed oil is applied to scabies, sores and eczema. A paste prepared with karanj seeds, Cassia tora Linn. seeds and the root of Saussurea hypoleuca Spreng. is mixed with cow urine and applied in various kinds of skin diseases with high success.
Ollinall ⎯ It is the product of IVRI and an outcome of several years of research and trial on thousands of animals. In a study conducted in whole of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal on the skin diseases in dog, sheep and goats, Ollinall, a new herbal formula contains Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash, Annona squamosa Linn., Argemone mexicana Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze and Azadirachta indica A. Juss.in specific proportions. In mange in dogs, fungal infections of skin in sheep, pyoderma of goats, ollinall gave promising results. Abrus precatorius
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Table 1 : List of plants used against skin diseases in veterinary practices
Botanical name of Plant Local name Part used Ailment Adansonia digitata Linn. Gorakh amli Seed Skin diseases
Anamirta cocculus Wight & Arn. Kakamari Fruit Ringworm or lice and obstinate parasitic skin diseases
Altingia excelsa Noronha Silaras Resin Skin diseases Ananas comosus(Linn.f.) Merrill Ananas Fruit Vermicide Andropogon citratus DC. Haree chana Oil Ringworm Annona reticulata Linn. Lona Leaves Lice
Annona squamosa Linn. Sharifa Leaves seeds Vermicide, insecticides Artemisia absinthium Linn. Vilayati afsanthin Leaves Skin diseases
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Katahara Tender leaves Skin diseases Barringtonia racemosa Roxb. Norvishee Fruits Skin diseases Bauhinia macrostachya Wall. Gundawall Leaves Skin diseases Bauhinia variegataLinn. Kachnar Bark Skin diseases Brassica campestris Hook.f. & Thoms. Shulgam Oil Skin diseases Buchanania lanzan Spreng. Piyar-chironji Fruits, seed, gum Skin diseases Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze Palas Gum, seeds, flower, Ringworm and
bark and leaves erysipelatous inflammation Calophyllum inophyllum Linn. Sultanachampa seeds Oil Skin diseases
Cassia absus Linn. Chaksu Seeds Ringworm infection Cassia fistula Linn. Amaltas Leaves Ringworm
Cassia sophera Linn. Bas-ki-kasunda Seeds Ringworm
Cassia tora Linn. Chakunda Leaves Pruritus, Ringworm Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban Khulakhudi Whole plant Skin disease Cinchona officinalis Linn. Cinchona Bark Antiseptic
Coccinia cordifolia Cogn. Kanduriki-bel Leaves Ringworm and itch Cocos nucifera Linn. Nariyal Oil Ringworm
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Botanical name of Plant Local name Part used Ailment Crotalaria spectabilis Roxb. Jhunjhunia Leaves Scabies Crotalariaverrucosa Linn. Jhunjhunia Leaves Scabies Cuminum cyminum Linn. Safed jeera Oil Skin diseases Eclipta prostrata (Linn) Linn. Bhringraj Root, leaves Scabies
Embelia ribes Burm.f. Baberang Fruits Ringworm and other skin diseases
Euphorbia thymifolia Linn. Nigachuni Whole plant Ringworm and other skin diseases
Ferula assafoetida Linn. Hingras Gum Antiseptic Ficus religiosa Linn. Pipal Root bark Eczema Garcinia indica Choisy Kokam Oil Skin disease Glinus oppositifolius (Linn.) A. DC. Jima Resin Skin disease Grangea maderaspatana Poir Mustaru Leaves Skin disease Gymnosporia montana (Roth.) Benth. Vingar Bark Pediculi Hydnocarpus kurzii (King) Warb. Chaulmogra Seed Skin disease
Hydnocarpus laurifolia (Dennst.) Chaulmogra Seeds, oil Scabies, obstinate skin
Sleumer diseases
Indigofera tinctoria Linn. Seed Skin diseases Iris foetidissima Linn. Dadmari Oil Ringworm Jasminum angustifolium Vahl Ban-mallika Root Ringworm Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex DC. Leaves Ringworm Jatropha glandulifera Roxb. Lal-bhranda Oil Ringworm Leea microphylla Roxb. Samboodraka Root Ringworm Leonotis nepetaefolia R. Br. Flower Ringworm
Leucas aspera Spreng. Chota-kalkusha Leaves Scabies, insecticides Leucas zeylanica R. Br. Chota-kalkusha Leaves Scabies
Mallotus philippinensis Muell.-Arg. Kamala Fruit Ringworm
Mangifera sylvatica Roxb. Amb Oil Insecticide, parasiticide Melaleuca leucadendron Linn. Kayaputi Oil Externally parasitical Melanorrhoea usitata Wall. Resin Ectoparasiticidal
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Botanical name of Plant Local name Part used Ailment Melia azedarachLinn. Bakayan Flower Lice
Meriandra bengalensis Benth. Kafur-ka-pat Leaves Skin disease Mesua ferreaLinn. Naga-kesara Flower Scabies Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Kanwal Whole plant Erysepelus Nerium indicum Mill. Kaner Root Ringworm Neuracanthus sphaerostachyus Dalz. Whole plant Ringworm Picrasma quassioides Bennett Bharangi Wood Insecticide Pistia stratiotes var. cuneata Engl. Jal-kumbhi Leaves, root Ringworm Plumbago zeylanica Linn. Chitraka Root Scabies Portulaca quadrifida Linn. Nunisak Leaves Skin disease Quercus infectoria Olivier Majuphal Bark Eczema Remusatia vivipara Schott Root Itch
Rhinacanthus nasuta Kurz Palak-juli Root Ringworm and eczema Ruta graveolens Linn. Satap Leaves Paracitidal
Santalum album Linn. Safed chandan Wood/oil Pruritus and inflammation Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke Kuth Root Insecticidal
Semecarpusanacardium Linn. f. Bhela Oil Antiseptic Sesamum indicum Linn. Til Oil/seeds Skin disease Solanum nigrum Linn. Makoi Fruits Skin disease Terminalia catappa Linn. Jangli-badam Seed Scabies Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Merrill Pila-kaner Oil Skin disease Thymus serpyllum Linn. Ipar Leaves Itch
Ventilago madraspatana Gaertn. Pitti Root Itch and skin eruptions Vernonia anthelmintica Willd. Bakali Seeds Pediculi
Wagatea spicata Dalz. Wagoti Bark Skin disease Zingiber officinale Rosc. Sonth Rhizome Skin disease Zingiberzerumbet Rosc. ex Sm. Mahabari-bach Rhizome Skin disease
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Conclusion
This compilation will prove to be useful to promote further studies on safe and cost effective herbal formulations for various types of skin diseases of animals. Cultivation of some of these plants may be taken up near the villages. Traditional practices adopted by herbal healers in the villages should be revalidated with proper pharmacological and clinical studies.
References
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Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Source, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Ltd. Daryaganj, New Delhi, 1994.
Pongamia pinnata pods
Pongamia pinnata seeds
Plumbago zeylanica
Anamirta cocculus
