The influential medicinal plants in the livestock and poultry industry in the Iranian market: A review

Medicinal plants are highly popular due to their many useful uses in the health of animals, poultry, and humans. Today, the addition of feed additives and feed supplements including prebiotics, plant extracts, and probiotics in the diet of farm animals is increasing because of their useful applications, including increasing yield and production, as well as maintaining the health of livestock and poultry. The purpose of using growth-promoting antibiotic substitutes in livestock and poultry feed is to change the microbial flora in the host's digestive system to improve animal health and growth. These compounds, while increasing the digestibility of nutrients, reduce the growth of pathogens through competitive elimination mechanisms and stimulation of immune-related organs. Plant extracts with high amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds have stronger antioxidant activity. Based on this, the approach of the World Health Organization to the discussion of ethnopharmacology, the identification, and investigation of the medicinal effects of those plants, has been increased in the field of traditional medicine to produce low-risk drugs and natural antioxidants.