Herbal recipe to treat foot-and-mouth disease in Madurai

NGO moots special camps to popularise the concoction

So far, 100 health camps had been organised in 50 villages in various districts. File photo: M. Govarthan

As several districts are reeling under the attack of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting cattle and sheep, Madurai-based Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Voluntary Action (SEVA), a livestock protection and conservation campaigner, is popularising herbal treatment.

It has appealed to the Department of Animal Husbandry and the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to hold herbal camps to prevent mortality and morbidity among the FMD-affected cattle and sheep, by administering herbal concoction, ‘mathan thailam,’ claimed to be effective in treating wounds, for three days. “Our herbal treatment increases milk yield and improves animals’ health. We are ready to demonstrate its preparation to the farmers,” P. Vivekanandan, founder of SEVA, Virattipathu near here, told The Hindu on Tuesday.

‘Mathan thailam’ contains coconut oil, umathai leaf extract (Datura metel) and copper sulphate. “To make the concoction, we have to boil the oil and Datura leaf extract in a vessel. Then we have to add copper sulphate and stir it well,” Mr.Vivekanandan noted.

Last month, a herbal camp was conducted at Nochikattuvalasu village near Erode after 30 heads of cattle died of the FMD.

“Our herbal recipe was given to 500 cattle and sheep. Local farmers said the wounds were getting healed,” he added.

So far, 100 health camps had been organised in 50 villages in various districts, he noted.

K. Kathirvel, president of the Milk Producers Cooperative Society at Nochikattuvalasu, said, “About 100 FMD-affected cattle recovered in five days after being administered the herbal medicine.” Another herbal solution containing turmeric, aloe vera, palm jaggery, common salt, garlic and coconut extract was also used. “A dose of 50 ml has to be administered orally to the affected cattle and 30 ml to the sheep and calves,” Mr.Vivekanandan said.

P. Rajasekaran, Additional Director of Animal Husbandry, Chennai, said several veterinarians had been advocating Indian medicines to treat the FMD-affected animals, and a campaign was going on in Thanjavur area.

More information can be had from SEVA on phone number: 0452-2380082, or through e-mail: vivekseva@gmail.com.