About this Research Topic

Background

In agricultural science, particularly in the field of livestock health management, there is an increasing recognition of the limitations associated with the exclusive use of synthetic drugs, including antibiotics which pose the risk of promoting resistant microbial strains. This issue, paired with a global thrust towards sustainable farming practices, has steered focus towards the potential of ethnomedicinal practices. These traditional methods, which utilize centuries-old indigenous knowledge, incorporate natural plant extracts and herbs known for their therapeutic effects, aiming to manage health and disease in both humans and animals.

This Research Topic aims to critically evaluate and validate ethnomedicinal strategies for enhancing the health of various livestock and reducing pathogen colonization. By incorporating scientifically supported, traditional botanical remedies into contemporary livestock practices, this research seeks to address key questions regarding the efficacy, dosages, and safety of these natural products within modern agriculture. The hypothesis is that such integrative approaches will lessen dependency on antibiotics and decrease the prevalence of drug-resistant pathogens commonly observed in livestock operations. Additionally, it addresses critical issues like disease prevention and control, reduction of environmental and animal product residues, all without relying on antibiotics, thereby mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals, improving food safety, and enhancing public health.

This Research Topic integrates ethnomedicinal practices into livestock health management, supporting the One Health approach that links human, animal, and environmental health.

To delve deeper into these methods in a controlled farm environment, we invite contributions that may include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

- Identification and description of antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties of medicinal plants used in traditional care for various livestock.

- Analysis of botanical additives' impact on the gut microbiome and overall health of livestock.

- Comparative studies on health, productivity, and disease resistance of livestock managed with ethnomedicinal strategies versus those under conventional methods.

- Economic analysis of integrating ethnomedicinal practices into mainstream livestock farming.

- Consumer perception and market acceptance of livestock products derived from ethnomedicinally managed animals.

The research aims to create actionable strategies that merge ancient wisdom with modern scientific procedures to encourage the development of a more resilient and sustainable livestock health management system and to align with One Health by promoting practices that benefit all aspects of health in an interconnected manner, serving as a model for future health and ecological management policies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Pathogen control, Antimicrobial alternatives, Sustainable poultry farming, Gut health modulation, Herbal antimicrobials, phytotherapy, Ethnomedical interventions, Nutraceuticals, livestock health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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