Parasitol Res. 2008 Sep;103(4):889-98. http://www.springerlink.com/content/74548g783v860450/
Medicinal plant treatments for fleas and ear problems of cats and dogs in British
Columbia, Canada.
Lans C, Turner N, Khan T.
DVM, P.O. Box 72045, Sasamat, Vancouver, BC V6R4P2, Canada.
____@____.com
Research conducted in 2003/2004 documented and validated (in a non-experimental
way) ethnoveterinary medicines used by small-scale, organic livestock farmers in
British Columbia (BC), Canada. Interviews were conducted with 60 participants who
were organic farmers or holistic medicinal/veterinary practitioners. A workshop
was held with selected participants to discuss the plant-based treatments. This
paper reports on the medicinal plants used for fleas in cats and dogs. Fleas and
flies are treated with Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae), Citrus x limon (L.),
Juniperus communis L. var. depressa Pursh. (Cupressaceae), Lavandula officinalis
L. (Labiatae), Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.
Don (Cupressaceae). All of the plants used have insecticidal activity. Ear
problems are treated with Achillea millefolium L., Calendula officinalis L., and
Helichrysum angustifolium (Roth.) G. Don. (Asteraceae), Allium sativum L.
(Alliaceae), Berberis aquifolium Pursh./Mahonia aquifolium (Berberidaceae),
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), Lobelia inflata L. (Campanulaceae), Matricaria
recutita L., Melaleuca alternifolia L. (Myrtaceae), Origanum vulgare L.
(Labiatae), Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. &
L. M. Perry (Myrtaceae), Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae), and Verbascum thapsus L.
(Scrophulariaceae).