Ayurveda Understanding of Mastitis in Diary Animals

The evidence from archeological sciences states that many countries were having various methods and practices for management of animal diseases. Veterinary science in India has a documented history of around 5000 years. There exists codified veterinary knowledge in the form of medical texts, manuscripts on various aspects of veterinary care such as health management of cattle, horses, birds, and elephants. The veterinary and animal husbandry practices were present and grown in the Vedic, Puranic and extending beyond Epic periods. This knowledge is available in the form of manuscripts called Veterinary Ayurveda, viz Mrugayurveda (Ayurveda for Animals), Pashupakshishastra (Ayurveda for birds), Hasthyayurveda (Ayurveda for elephants), Ashwayurveda (Ayurveda for horses) etc. Understanding the etiopathogenesis and management of animal diseases through Ayurveda is need of the day. Mastitis is the economically devastating diseases of dairy animals. The loss due to one such disease annually goes up to 7500 crores INR. The saints of Ayurveda have explained in detail about mastitis as Sthanavidhradi. The management and treatment modalities have clearly mentioned in the classics of Ayurveda. In this article, an effort has been taken to explain ethno and Ayurvedic understanding of the most economic devastating disease mastitis. It is also tried to establish the link between Ayurveda and Veterinary Ayurveda. This traditional system of India called Mrugayurveda (Ayurveda for Animals) or Veterinary Ayurveda is robust and time tested. It has been in practice since age old. This robust system of medicine can address the current challenges of mainstream medicine. Many herbs and formulation from Ethno knowledge and Ayurveda were in practice in ancient India. So it is important to validate and reintroduce these time tested formulations and herbs for animal health.