Anticoccidial Herbs for Controlling Coccidiosis in Goats: A Review

Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. is a major parasitic disease that adversely affects goat health and productivity, particularly in young animals, resulting in diarrhoea, poor growth, reduced feed efficiency and economic losses. Anticoccidial drugs remain the primary choice for control measures, but increasing concerns regarding drug resistance and chemical residues have encouraged the exploration of herbal alternatives. Out of the 12 species of Eimeria, E. arloingi, E. crandalis, E. parva, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. intricata, E. christenseni, E. ahsata, E. hirci and E. parbhaniensis predominantly affect goats. Anticoccidial resistance to toltrazuril, amprolium and sulfonamide drugs used to treat Eimeria in goats has been reported. Consequently, increasing attention has been directed toward plant-derived bioactive compounds as alternative or complementary approaches for coccidiosis management. Several herbal plants, including Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Carica papaya, Coleus aromaticus, Citrus paradisi, Moringa oleifera, Sericea lespedeza, Tamarindus indica, Tinospora rumphii, Vernonia amygdalina and Zingiber officinale, effectively reduce Eimeria oocyst shedding, improve body growth, antioxidant status, immunity and overall health in goats.