Parasite Control Strategies: Phytotherapy

Currently, parasitic diseases pose a major threat to animals and humans around the globe. Inadequate drug marketing and development has caused a burden on the health and economy of underdeveloped countries. Factors like development of drug resistance with inefficiency issues, increased toxicity and cost values emphasize the importance of developing cost-effective, safe and easy-to-use compounds with novel modes of action. Plant-based products are being used for the treatment of parasitic infections. The use of phytotherapy or herbalism for the control of parasitic diseases has recently gained attention. Thousands of herbal compounds are unexplored that may have potential roles against various endo- and ectoparasitic infections. This chapter highlights the herbal treatment used against endo- and ectoparasites of animals, their possible mode of action and efficacy in parasitic infections.