medicinal plants in the treatment of bovine mastitis: promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics

Mastitis, a widespread and costly disease in dairy cattle, negatively impacts animal welfare and milk production. it is primarily caused by bacterial infections, categorized into contagious and environmental pathogens which provoke inflammation in the mammary gland leading to reduced milk yield and quality. while antibiotics have been the traditional treatment for over 50 years, the rising threat of antibiotic resistance and the presence of antimicrobial residues in milk and the environment pose potential risks to human health that have prompted the exploration of alternative therapies. phytotherapy, using medicinal plants, has gained attention for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. this review highlights several medicinal plants including ocimum sanctum, tinospora cordifolia, origanum vulgare, aloe vera, curcuma longa, morinda citrifolia, withania somnifera, fumaria indica, and murraya koenigii for their potential in treating bovine mastitis. these plants have shown significant reductions in bacterial loads, somatic cell counts and udder inflammation offering a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. the use of medicinal plants may help mitigate the risks of antimicrobial resistance and support more sustainable farming practices. further research is required to optimize their veterinary applications.