A Review: Alternative Methods of Controlling Internal Parasites in Ruminants

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Alternative Dewormers

Garlic is a common plant dewormer readily available in many parts of the world. Anoms (1953) reported that garlic can be effective against Ascaris, Enterobius and, of particular interest for ruminants, against lungworm in general. Garlic does not prevent the production of eggs but prevents the eggs of certain parasites from developing into larvae (Bastidas, 1969). Garlic has been well characterized as a powerful antimicrobial, cardiac treatment, and cholesterol lowering agent. In addition, garlic is used to repel and kill parasites in veterinary medicine (Wynn, http://www.altvetmed.com )

Wild ginger or snakeroot (Asarum canadense) is very similar to wild ginger which was used as an anthelmintic purge for cattle and horses.

The rhizomes and young shoots (fiddleheads) of the male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) have deworming properties that have long been recognised in Europe.

Carrot seeds (Daucus carota) either wild or cultivated, are dewormers, as are tea made with roots. A mixture of anise, cumin and juniper seeds is effective against Dictyocaulus lungworm in calves.

Tansy seeds (Tanacetum vulgare) are used against Nematodirus in sheep (Papchankov, 1968). The oil from the flower is also anthelmintic.

The oil extracted from this plant has long been used to control internal parasites both for humans and animals. Oil, whole plants or the leaves are used as an anthelmintic. Current research on treating Haemonchus contortum at Cornell University showed that oil of chenopodium does decrease fecal egg counts in sheep and goats. However, the decrease is not very large compared to the degree of control that can be achieved with other anthelmintic.

The fruits, leaves, and latex are used medicinally. The application of papaya latex has anthelmintic properties. Satrija et al. (1994) tested the efficacy of papaya latex (at doses of 2, 4, and 8 g/kg body weight against Ascaris suum in 16 pigs. The 4 and 8 g/kg body weight treatment significantly reduced the epg produced by adult worms by 80 and 100 % respectively. There are several plants that have been widely used for controlling internal parasites in ruminants but there is no hard data available on the efficacy of their uses. Most of this information is anecdotal and needs further verification if these plants/herbs are to be used effectively. However, some plants that have been widely used by farmers in many continents are mentioned briefly.

Blackberries, raspberries and young ash and elder shoots are other plant species with deworming properties that should be accessible in pastures. Cabaret (1986) reported that beech creosote is used against lungworm in ruminants. Some of the plants used successfully as anthelmintics and their mode of action and doses are presented in Table 3, and suggested candidates for further evaluation are presented in Table 4. Table 3 Some of the Plants used Successfully as Anthelmintics Plant Name Preparations Doses Treatment Ref/Source Comment Garlic Fresh leaves and bulbs mixed with molasses and bran - Ascaris, Enterobios and lungworms Bastidas (1969) - Powder mixed with animal feed - - McCormic, Quest Inrenational and Griffith Laboratories - Juice - - Grieve (1979) Agri-bio - Pills 2-3 pills daily for sheep - -- - Mother tincture 20 drops/ day/ 10kg of liveweight - - - Wormwood (Artemesia vulgaris) Dried and crushed flower Four teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder, two reaspoons of wormwood powder mixed with honey and flour Prostrongylus, Dictocaulus and Bunostomum De Bairacli Levy (1973) - Artemisia cina Santonin (dried buds of the plant treated with liquid lime and dried again) - - - - Mother tincture(Home-opathic cina) 2-3 drops per 10 kg of live wt morning and evening for three weeks All parasites except Echinococus - - Artemisia herba-alba - 10-30 g per goat Haemonchus contortus Idris et al. (1982) Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) - 20-30 g of the aerial parts of snake root mixed with wet bran - Duval (1994) Cattle and horse Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) Fresh herbage Liverfluke Duval (1994) Sheep White or black mustard seeds - 2 ounces per lamb Parasites Duval (1994) Cattle Mustard oil - 100-150 g per day for one week Parasites Duval (1994) Cattle Carrot seeds (Daucas carota) teas made with the roots (a mixture of anise, cumin and juniper seeds) - Dictyocaulus (lungworm) Duval (1994) Calves Tansy seeds (Tanacetum vulgare) fresh tansy leaves and flowers - Nematodirus Papchenkov (1968) Sheep and cattle Goosefoot (Chenopodium ambrosioides) oil of chenopodium, whole plants or the leaves grounded and mixed with water Goats- 0.2 ml/kg body weight, sheep - 0.1 ml/kg body weight Haemonchus contortus www:ansci.cornell. edu/plants/ medicinal/ epazote.html Sheep and goats Carica Papaya Papaya latex fed at a rate of 4 and 8 g/kg body weight Ascaris suum www.ansci.cornell. edu/plants/ medicinal/ papya.html Pig Azadirachta indica Oil from the seeds 30 minims to one drachm. anthelmintic www.neemaura.com/ Science/excerpt_ from_medicinal_ plants_of.html Goats Restore (herbal product) made from wormwood, garlic, gentain fenel, psyllium, centaury once weekly internal parasites farmsteadhealth.com Sheep and Goats Basic H (concentrated organic soap) - add 1/8 to 1/4 cup per 20 gallons of water internal parasites farmsteadhealth.com Sheep, Goats, Cattle De-worming compound made from Cascara Sagrada, Cayenne, Chamomile, Ginger root, Licorice root. Pinkroot, Quassia, Tansy and Thyme 1-3 Tablespoon for cattle; 1 Tablespoon for goats up to 150 Ibs, 2-3 Tablespoons for over 150 Ibs wt; 1 Teaspoon for sheep up to 150 Ibs and 1-2 Teaspoon for over 150 Ibs weight; 0.5 to 1 Teaspoon for lambs and 1 to 1.5 teaspoon for kids internal parasites farmsteadhealth.com Sheep, Goats, Cattle Cucurbita mexicana (Cucurbit- aceae Kuddu) The aqueous, etheral and alcoholic extracts of cucurbita mexicana seeds - Moniezia expansa, Fasciolosis buski, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis diminuta Shristava and Singh, (1967) - Table 4 Some Plants to be Evaluated as Anthelmintics Plant species Animal spp Parasites Reference Artemisia maritima Buffalo Toxocara vitulorum Akhtar (1984) Melia azedarach Goats Haemonchus and other gastrointestinal nematodes Akhter and Riffat (1984) Chrysanthemum spp. Cattle, Sheep and Goats Several nematode spp Mbaria et al. (1994) Mallotus philippensis Goats Intestinal cestodes Akhter and Ahmad (1992 Hedysarum coronarium Sheep Trichostrongylus spp Niezen et al. (1995) Carica papaya (latex) Pigs Ascariosis Satrija et al. (1994) Azadirachta indica Gastrointestinal nematodes Mostafa et al. (1996) Khaya anthotheca Calves Haemonchus sp., Trychostrongylus sp., Strongyloides papillosus., Bunostomum sp., Oesophagostomum sp and Cooperia sp Ndi et al. (1999) In the temperate regions of the world, leguminous plants have been reported to have anthelmintic properties, and at certain stages of growth, pasture grasses and forage crops appear to act as vermifuges (Anderson et a., 1987). More recently work in New Zealand suggests that forages containing condensed tannins provide sheep with the ability to withstand helminth infection (Niezen et al., 1995). 2.7. Other dewormers 2.7.1. Diatomaceous earth Diatomaceous earth is made from the remains of fossilised marine algae called diatoms. It has been claimed that regular use of diatomaceous earth at 2% of the ration can act as a dewormer. However, it does not effect lungworm and is not very appetising. 2.8. Surfactants Many American farmers use Shaklee's Basic H surfactant as a cattle dewormer with success. 2.9. Copper sulphate Copper sulphate has a strong deworming action against certain parasites, particularly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus axei which affect the abomasum. Factors affecting internal parasite control in ruminants Conclusion and References
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