Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary

Botanical and herbal supplements contain diverse compounds that support health and prevent disease by influencing biological pathways. In ruminant nutrition, such supplements are rarely used as most integrations focus on production improvements using synthetic additives. This review explores the pot...

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Main Authors: Piera Iommelli, Anna Antonella Spina, Alessandro Vastolo, Lorenzo Infascelli, Daria Lotito, Nadia Musco, Raffaella Tudisco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/657
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author Piera Iommelli
Anna Antonella Spina
Alessandro Vastolo
Lorenzo Infascelli
Daria Lotito
Nadia Musco
Raffaella Tudisco
author_facet Piera Iommelli
Anna Antonella Spina
Alessandro Vastolo
Lorenzo Infascelli
Daria Lotito
Nadia Musco
Raffaella Tudisco
author_sort Piera Iommelli
collection DOAJ
description Botanical and herbal supplements contain diverse compounds that support health and prevent disease by influencing biological pathways. In ruminant nutrition, such supplements are rarely used as most integrations focus on production improvements using synthetic additives. This review explores the potential of Mediterranean herbs, namely, garlic, oregano, and rosemary, in dairy ruminant diets, emphasizing their effects on milk production, antioxidant activity, weaning management, in vitro studies, and economic impacts. Using medicinal plants reduces reliance on synthetic additives, lowers costs, enhances animal health, and boosts productivity. These plants align with sustainable farming practices, enable premium market access, and support local resources to improve performance and reduce livestock’s environmental footprint.
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spelling doaj-art-2cbe227f02cb44aaa76403be1b3c191f2025-08-20T02:52:48ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115565710.3390/ani15050657Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and RosemaryPiera Iommelli0Anna Antonella Spina1Alessandro Vastolo2Lorenzo Infascelli3Daria Lotito4Nadia Musco5Raffaella Tudisco6Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Economics and Law, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, ItalyBotanical and herbal supplements contain diverse compounds that support health and prevent disease by influencing biological pathways. In ruminant nutrition, such supplements are rarely used as most integrations focus on production improvements using synthetic additives. This review explores the potential of Mediterranean herbs, namely, garlic, oregano, and rosemary, in dairy ruminant diets, emphasizing their effects on milk production, antioxidant activity, weaning management, in vitro studies, and economic impacts. Using medicinal plants reduces reliance on synthetic additives, lowers costs, enhances animal health, and boosts productivity. These plants align with sustainable farming practices, enable premium market access, and support local resources to improve performance and reduce livestock’s environmental footprint.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/657medicinal plantsruminant nutritionMediterranean areamilk productioneconomic analysis
spellingShingle Piera Iommelli
Anna Antonella Spina
Alessandro Vastolo
Lorenzo Infascelli
Daria Lotito
Nadia Musco
Raffaella Tudisco
Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
Animals
medicinal plants
ruminant nutrition
Mediterranean area
milk production
economic analysis
title Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
title_full Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
title_fullStr Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
title_full_unstemmed Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
title_short Functional and Economic Role of Some Mediterranean Medicinal Plants in Dairy Ruminants’ Feeding: A Review of the Effects of Garlic, Oregano, and Rosemary
title_sort functional and economic role of some mediterranean medicinal plants in dairy ruminants feeding a review of the effects of garlic oregano and rosemary
topic medicinal plants
ruminant nutrition
Mediterranean area
milk production
economic analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/657
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