Efficacy evaluation of topical herbal spray in subclinical Mastitis

Dear Jasmer Singh
It will be a futile exercise for me to try explain the activities as understood by Ayurveda in western science parameters because the epistemologies of both sciences are very different.
I do not say that one is better than the other both are important on it own wworldviews one is atomic and other is systemic. I am not an Ayurveda expert but an expert in Ayurveda can give more information based on his understanding
However, it will not be based on the western science parameters. Each and every ingredients would be responsible for the action
Therefore our view is that there is no one to one relation between the western science understanding and the Indian science understanding and we cannot assess the Ayurvedic formulation using the objective parameters only. However, there may be overlaps where we can work together. Classic example is the study done for arthritis.
If the formulations are safe and efficacious one need not worry about. I understand many of the drug we used earlier, the mode of action was not completely known. it may be true for many in the market.

Well, science does not work on the principle, 'believe or leave'. When you are discussing a disease (mastitis) defined as per modern science norms the treatment must also satisfy the modern criteria. We study allopathy for several years with no training on other alternative systems and quote those authoritatively. When you administer a drug whether it is absorbed in the body or destroyed in GI tract is basic which any 'pathy' has to satisfy. For herbal I am yet to be satisfied. Most of the clinical trials done on such products, I have read, are not placebo-control double-blind, neither the results are adjusted to confounding or other variables. I would like someone to give me a paper if herbal medication says used in fertility management crosses hostile rumen microbe environment.

Fully appreciate Dr. Nair's description of 'Breast Abscess' in Ayurveda', obviously for human. Can this knowledge be applied directly to ruminant animals without considering anatomical differences?

Ayurveda is a distinct science by itself which, if I am not wrong does not recognize the allopathy approach to disease causation, pathogenesis and way to treat. Herbal is merely using plant source crude extracts for treating certain ailments. It is true that Ayurveda does use herbs but the process of diagnosis and causal mechanisms are different. Let us not mix the two.

Herbal group forwards a reasoning that since even modern medicines have been derived from plant sources hence herbal extracts would also be considered useful. But the basic difference is a concentration of active ingredient. Would you use Vinca rosea plant material to treat cancer using same analogy?

I do believe that alternate drugs do have a role to play or might offer tremendous potential but for that, we need to prove these on scientific lines and not anecdotal non-placebo control non-blind trials.

In case of ruminants, I would insist on knowing if the drug is reaching the site of the disease or interfering in the disease process to bring about relief.

Most of the veterinary practitioners won't treat sub-clinical mastitis cases during lactation it only gives you an alert that there is a problem which can be prevented by adopting strategies of dry-cow therapy, pre-calving teat sealants and post-milking barrier type teat dipping.

Dr. Abdul Samad

We are possible to explain with a substantial evidence how the herbal preparations work but as i mentioned not completely on western parameters. But I sincerely believe that evidence must be generated whether by Ayurveda or what ever possible way the western parameters fit into the regime
I respect all knowledge system and therefore. I would prefer not to comment on what I do not know rather than telling this is not science
I am now working on the microbiome of the udder before and after treatment of the herbal formulation which can be an indication of cure
We have done a clinical study with parameters like pH, Electrical conductivity and SCC which shows the formulation works well for controlling mastitis.

From the literature referred by the veterinarians of Bangalore Milk Union they started testing the milk poured by each member of the Milk Co-op society with California Mastitis test in which they use equal quantity of milk and reagent. Whichever milk was found positive the animal or animals in his house are tested individually from each of the lactating teat. If the lactometer reading or fat test if they show below the mark then also individual animal is tested with California Mastitis Test. Animal found positive for the test is treated with encapsulated Tri Sodium Citrate at the rate of 30 mg per kg body weight once a day for 10 days. Usually, they give 20 grams of Ban Mast 50. On 11 or 12th day the CMT is repeated if positive another 10 days same dosage is repeated. Usually, 80 per cent of cases recover. Those which fail to recover are treated with antibiotics. Earlier the Clinical mastitis of emergency cases were 23 per cent, now it is between 4 to 6 per cent.

Few farmers do feed once or twice a week 500 grams of Germinated horse gram after grinding and boiling with salt or Jaggery with the idea of supplementing Vitamin E and selenium (legumes will have more selenium) The purpose of boiling the material is to destroy the urease enzyme which is proteolytic. Without boiling when fed it has shown a drop in the milk yield. Feeding 3 garlic bulbs of 2 inch size (triturated) is also practiced by few farmers once a week.

Dr.V.N.Viswantha Reddy
Former Professor Animal Reproduction
Veterinary College, Bangalore

I am glad to see that there are studies being conducted using Herbal options for Mastitis (& hopefully other issues as well). While I am not an expert in Ayurveda, I believe it could be a beneficial practice as well as Herbalism, Naturopathy in our animal care. Ayurveda & Herbalism treats the disease or issue, most western medicines just treat the symptoms, whether its in animals or in humans. If Herbs & Essential Oils didn't work, then why did we take the benefits of many herbs & plants & create synthetic copy's of them (Such as Aspirin which is derived from Willow Tree Bark?) Or Sarsaparilla root to make root beer? Herbs, Plants & Oils work, the problem is, that we've gotten so far away from our ancestry & home apothocary's that we know longer trust or believe that its possible.
Our dairy cows are now stuck in feedlot setting's to provide milk to our country's, taken off the fresh pastures that they once occupied. We feed them food that they may not actually eat normally or may not eat in the abundance that they do in a dairy situation (cotton seed meal, Blood meal, etc), they are in a less than desirable setting (muck up to the ankles or knees depending on the dairy), pump them full of a variety of chemicals for a variety of reasons, we strip their baby's off them immediately (in most dairy's). Its no wonder they get mastitis, hoof rot & other sicknesses. We treat them like they are disposable instead of valuable.
Herbs work on a molecular level. Ayurveda, Herbalist, Naturopath's treat the body, not the symptom.
Cows need calcium, vitamins, mineral's, good nutrition. Citrus's can help as they are antibacterial (such as Oranges, great smelling disinfectant), Herbs such as Peppermint help kill bacteria on the outside. Horsetail has a rich Silica content to help heal damaged tissues, helps strengthen. Calendula extract exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, would make a great teat dip. Goldenseal is another antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory herb. Licorice (which our black licorice candy use to be made from) is an inflammatory that works to reduce pain & swelling.
While Ayurveda (& others) might not be able to spelled out in the same way as Western Medicine info can be. I think if a person was truly interested in learning about it & how it could help, there's many sources of info available out there.
And one person mentioned something about how such herbal studies couldn't be believed or be true (not their words, just surmising the comment)since there's not double blinded, placebo & some other group to back it up. There's many such studies out there, I read on one recently, the problem is.....if scientists actually did more of those study's & other similar study's to learn the benefits or herbal & plant medicine's, then the large pharmaceutical company's out there would lose a great deal of money, because more & more people would be jumping off the drug manufacturing bandwagon & jumping back on the natural drug bandwagon that they've been steered away from for years.
There's proof that plant medicine & Essential oils work.....individually proven on humans & animals & double blind placebo proven studies But most don't want to believe it because its a different kind of science then what they understand or would believe & its a threat to the drug manufacturers.

Asked for book any useful good reading material treatment for mastitis will be very grateful, Sir. 

NDDB is running a Mastitis control popularization programme in which they tried trisodium citrate for controlling sub clinical mastitis and was able to succeed to certain level but they were not able to control the acute or chronic mastitis.
We have a joint programme with them now very successfully managing mastitis and other 14 conditions without intervention of any other chemical drugs. We have formulation for external application for mastitis (any type) and we give 2 lemons 3 times a day for 5 days with 92 % success. FMD 99%, diarrhea 100%, Udder pox 100%, Enteritis 100%, repeat breeding 60%
teat obstruction 99% and so on.
We have designed these formulations in such a way that the farmers can prepare these at home and treat the animals. we can use these formulations for preventing these conditions.
The formulation for mastitis is being made into a spray. Our intervention impact analysis shows 85% reduction of antibiotic residue in the milk in 10 units of milk collection center
We use then as Ayurveda products because we validate them using Ayurveda System. However, we also do study using western science protocol where ever it is possible.

Dear Dr. Sharen.
We have trained some vets and farmers on Herbal formulation in Chandigarh.
I can send the list if you want.
NDDB is also now want to have the second phase of training where some of the people from your place participate.
Nair

Dear, Sir.
Kindly suggest the preparation.

Thanks

300 grs of aloe Vera, 50 grs of turmeric 10 great calcium hydroxide, grind them well, divide it into 10 equal parts, take one part dilute it with 150ml of water.
Wash the udder, remove the milk completely apply the formulation all over the udder with a massage for 2 minutes
After one hour wash the udder take one part of the prepared medicine and dilute it with 150 my of water and apply it on the under repeat it for 10 times in a day.
This treatment has to continue for 5 days. Besides the application give two lemon in the morning, afternoon and evening by cutting it into 4 pieces touch it on salt and feed the animals within 3 days mastitis will be controlled.

We have been using this with constant successful result if you follow the SOP.
We are working on a product, which will reduce the number of applications. Until that time one has to follow the protocol if using this formulation.

Dr.Balakrishna Nair,

Probably after feeding lemon with an interval of an hour feeding 2 to 3 Garlic bulbs of 2 inch size (diameter) can further improve the results.
To prevent mastitis, few farmers use the practice of feeding garlic bulbs after triturating and feeding with grass or concentrates. Looking in to this Veterinarians do advice to feed Garlic bulbs in mastitis cases along with allopathic treatment.