Indigenous veterinary practices using medicinal plants in the Kara-Koy Gorge, Kyrgyzstan

ETHNOVETERINARY MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KARA-KOY GORGE

Abstract

Within the western Tian Shan of southern Kyrgyzstan, the Kara-Koy Gorge is distinguished by a highly diverse flora, with numerous plant species possessing notable relevance to traditional veterinary practice. However, ethnoveterinary studies of medicinal plants and lichens in this area have not yet been conducted. This study documents the ethnoveterinary use of plants and lichens, along with associated traditional knowledge, in the Kara-Koy Gorge. Ethnoveterinary information was collected through semi-structured interviews (n=58) conducted between 2021 and 2022. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using the Informant Consensus Factor and Use Value. The study documented 843 homemade single-species herbal/lichen remedies derived from 97 plant species across 31 families, 8 lichen species across 6 families. The most represented families were Asteraceae and Rosaceae, with commonly used species including Artemisia absinthium, Elaeagnus rhamnoides, Trifolium pratense, and Aconitum soongaricum. Lichens were used exclusively for treating skin wounds in horses. The majority of remedies utilized aerial parts and whole plants, typically prepared as decoctions and applied fresh. A total of 1,274 use reports for treating 39 animal diseases were recorded, with horses and cattle being the primary focus. Oral and topical applications were the most common methods of administration. Key medicinal species included Artemisia absinthium, Elaeagnus rhamnoides and Allium sativum. The medicinal plants of the Kara-Koy Gorge are essential to traditional veterinary practices and hold significant scientific potential. Documenting this knowledge supports the preservation and rational management of therapeutic plant species and lichens, while also facilitating their validation for veterinary applications and highlighting their ecological, cultural, and practical value.