a review on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of retained placenta in dairy cows

Retained placenta (rp) is one of the most common reproductive disorders in dairy cows, characterized by the failure to expel the placenta within 12 to 24 hours after calving. this disorder is often associated with complications such as metritis, delayed return to estrus, reduced fertility, and decreased milk production, posing a considerable economic burden on the dairy industry. its prevalence ranges from 5% to 15% across different herds and may exceed 25% in cases involving twinning, dystocia, or premature delivery. while conventional treatments such as oxytocin administration, antibiotics, and manual removal are commonly used, they may present limitations such as uterine damage or antimicrobial resistance. as a result, herbal medicine has attracted attention as a complementary and low-risk approach. traditional formulations such as sheng hua tang, gys herbal powder, alcohol-based herbal tinctures, post-calving tonics, and indigenous medicinal plants have demonstrated promising results in reducing the incidence of rp and improving reproductive indices. these treatments are generally administered orally or via injection shortly after parturition, and exert their effects by stimulating uterine contractions, enhancing local blood flow, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. clinical findings indicate that rational and evidence-based use of herbal remedies can offer an effective strategy in rp management.