Indian Jol:rnal ofdninzal Sciences 75 (12): 1481-1491. December 2005 An overview of prospects of ethno-veterinary medicine in India LAL KRISHNA', D SWARUP2 and R C PATRA3 Indian Veterinaly Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh 243 122 India Accepted: 2 December 2005 ABSTRACT From the Vedic period till the end of 19th century, much of theveterinary practice in India was based on the experiences gathered through generations and improved through informal experimentation. This traditiollel system of medicine nlso referred to as ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) is commonly defined as a system of folk beliefs, skills, tzchniqr~es and practice relating to the healthcare of animals that is transmitted orally from generation to generation. Muwever, a paradigm shill occurred in veterinary medicine with the introduction of modern system ofveterinary during British period. Invention of antiseptics. sulfonsmide and antibiotics brought revolutionary changes in veterinary medical practices and treatment of rnajorily of diseases was started with tlie nzwly invented synthetic drug molecule. Thus. the existing traditional knowledge was pushed to back seat till the advent of the concept of sustainable agriculture and livestock industry in the Indian agricultural scenario in late 1980s.Ethno-veterinary medicine, especiallythe traditional herbal remedies are now considered as a potential candidate for developing eco-friendly, safe and cost-effective drugs for animal uses. Hoivever, then: is a need to address several challe~lges to promote the ethno-veterinary medicine as an effective, farmers' friendly and econoinically viable alternative method of aninla1 treatment in the changing socio-economicand agro-geoclimatic conditions. There is a need to popularize natural drugs, and for cultivation of medicinal plants to ensure phytochemical consiste~~cy and quality. Enforcelllent ofdrug quality control and GMP, scientificvalidationofveterinary ITKs and improved availability of quality herbs at conlpetitive price are some of the immediate problen~s that need to be addressed to enhance the prospects of ethno-veterinary medicine. Key words: Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicine, Ethno-veterinary medicine, Unani Ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) is commonly defined as a system of folk beliefs, skills, techniques and practice relating to the healthcare ofanimals that is transmitted orally from generation ta generation (Mathias-Mundy and McCorkle 1989). In the broader perspective, ethnomedicine is an age old practice that has evolved from collective wisdom acctunulated over generations by mankind, and it deals with beliefs and those practices, relating to the disease, which are the products of indigenous cultural development and not derived from the concepts of modern medicine (Huges 1968). Some noteworthy systems of traditional medicine include Indian Ayurveda and Siddha, ChineseTraditional Medicine, Unani System of Health and Medicine, and African Traditional medicine. In the Indian context, EVM is a part of the traditional knowledge system that comprises two distinct forms (i) the formal codified system of knowledge of disease and healing for both human'and animals, whose principles and practices were formulated and codified in the form ofAyurveda, Sidhha and Unani-Tibb, and (ii) informal Present address: 'Assistant Director-General (Animal Health), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Bhawan, New DeUli t 10 001. 'Head. Department of Medicine, 3SeniorScientist. systems which evolved over thousands of years through innovation and experiences of communities and passed from generation to generation mainly through oral preaching (Ramdas and Gotge 2004). Yet, there are many similarities between these two forms and both the traditional knowledge may be classified as 'ethno-veterinary medicine'. Evolution of veterinary practice ond ethno-veterincrry knowledge Veterinary practice is an age-old profession and perhaps dated backto the period ofNeoljthic Agricultural Revolution, which changed life style o f ancient nomads and paved the way for the beginning of civilization. According to Schwabe (1984) domestication of animals and cultivation of crops released the people from the arduous labor of simply collecting food. There were sufficient grain production with the help of ox power and the hunting became much easier with the help of companion dogs and amazing strength and speed of horse. These factors permitted the early temple city people to arise and develop civilizing arts, science and stele crafts. The interdependence ofman and animals created man animal cultures. The Biblical Jews were the sheep culture people. The cow culture and bull-cow-worshipping was