Application of Medicinal Plants in Poultry Nutrition

Abstract

Application of most antibiotic growth promoters as feed additives has been banned in a lot of countries due to cross-resistance against pathogens and residues in tissues. Therefore, scientists are searching for alternatives to antibiotics nowadays. Medicinal plant extracts are one of the alternatives that have anti-microbial and growth promoting effect on poultry. In this paper, the benefits of using of medicinal plants such as Garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.), Cumin (<em>Cuminum cyminum </em>L.), Black Cumin (<em>Nigella sativa </em>L.), Wild Mint (<em>Mentha longifolia</em> L.), Pumpkin (<em>Cucurbita pepo</em> L.), Thyme (<em>Thymus vulgaris </em>L<em>.</em>), Cinnamon (<strong><em>Cinnamomum zeylanicum</em></strong> Nees), Chestnut (<em>Castanea sativa</em> Mill.) wood, Clove [<em>Syzygium aromaticum </em>(L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry], Yucca Schidigera, Alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa </em>L.), Turmeric (<em>Curcuma longa</em> L.), Sumac (<em>Rhus coriaria </em>L.), Common mushroom [<em>Agaricus bisporus</em> (J.E.Lange) Emil J. Imbach], Grape (<em>Vitis vinifera </em>L.) seed, Goldthread (<em>Coptis chinensis</em> Franch.), Mulberry leaf (<em>Morus alba </em>L.), and Honeysuckle (<em>Lonicera</em> <em>japonica</em> Thunb. ex Murray) on poultry production are discussed.