Neither Cornell University or Jennifer Ketzis endorse or recommend the use of these plants. The idea of using medicinal plants to treat livestock is not new. Also, in many developing countries, medicinal plants are still being used on a regular basis. There is a renewed interest, especially in developed countries, in using plants to treat livestock, pets, and humans. Many people believe that plants are less toxic and safer than manufactured drugs.
Many people believe that plants are more natural than manufactured drugs.
Medicinal plants can be made at home and are less expensive than manufactured drugs. In developing countries, medicinal plants often are more accessible than manufactured drugs. Of the hundreds of plants used in ethnopharmacology, very few have been researched for their efficacy and toxicity. In the U.S., medicinal plants for humans are registered with the Food and Drug Administration . Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, medicinal plants for livestock must meet the same stringent requirements as other animal drugs if they are to be registered and approved for use in food producing animals.