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| Thai Wildlife > Elephant |
Traditional Herbal Remedies for Thai Elephants
4. Discussion of Results
4.6 Bloat/colic
As previously mentioned, many remedies have unknown modes of action because they evolved from the observation of elephant feeding habits in the wild. However, a few plants have been studied. Kaempferia galanga, for example, has been shown to relax the smooth muscles of the small intestine. This would treat cramp symptoms in colic. Acacia auriculaeformis and Mimosa pudica have anthelminthic activities which may improve colic brought on by gastrointestinal parasites. M. pudica, Murraya koenigii and Areca catechu have all been demonstrated to be antibacterial and may help gastroenteritis caused by bacterial infections.
Citrus aurantifolia is anti-inflammatory and may ease symptoms of enteritis. Although we could not find published research on carminative properties of Kaempferia galanga, Zingiber cassumanar and Tamarindus indica, these plants have been used extensively for this purpose in human herbal medicine. Relief of excessive gas would mitigate bloat and colic symptoms and explain the efficacy of these herbs.
Z. cassumanar and T. indica are also claimed to have laxative properties, which would again relieve some colic symptoms. Historically, Pang Lao (the fermented rice used to make Thai whiskey) was fed to elephants with colic and traditional veterinarians claimed that this was very effective. However, Pang Lao is too difficult to get today, therefore Thai whiskey has replaced this remedy. The whiskey is applied externally, rather than internally, and therefore has no scientific basis, other than it may feel cool as it evaporates. Rectal exams to relieve impaction are performed by some mahouts, similar to practices in western veterinary medicine.
4.7 Inappetance/not drinking
As mentioned, this complaint is universally treated with oral tamarind and salt. Both ingredients promote thirst and tamarind is believed to be a laxative. This simple remedy is thought to be highly effective by mahouts and its widespread use supports this claim. Future trials by the TSCWA on the efficacy of this treatment can easily be performed.
4.8 Diarrhea
Diarrhea is often treated by allowing the elephants to medicate themselves in the forest and by providing lots of water. The trees commonly fed to diarrheic elephants have not been studied to determine their antidiarrheal properties, therefore further research should be conducted. One folk remedy involves feeding a porcupine stomach and mulberry leaves in a coconut to elephants. The traditional veterinarian that employs this treatment claimed that the porcupine was used because it ate up to 32 different things in a day. By feeding the porcupine stomach, the elephant received 32 different ingredients. If there is any truth to this, the remedy would be highly variable depending on what the porcupine last ate and there are better, simpler alternative
treatments.
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