Ndahambelela Eiki

Livestock farming is a critical component of rural livelihoods in the Omusati and Kunene regions of Namibia. Farmers in these areas widely rely on ethnoveterinary medicines—traditional plant-based remedies—to manage and treat livestock diseases due to limited access to conventional veterinary services and high costs of pharmaceuticals. Previous studies have shown that farmers possess extensive indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications. However, there is limited scientific validation regarding the safety, efficacy, and chemical composition of these plants. Some plant species may contain bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential, while others may pose toxicity risks to animals if improperly used. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting phytochemical screening and toxicity assessments of selected medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary practices