Efficacy of<i>Chenopodium ambrosioides</i>as an Antihelmintic for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Lambs

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the potential efficacy of Chenopodium ambrosioides as a vermifuge in lambs, testing both the essential oil and dried plant tissue. Oral administration of the oil produced no toxic effects of importance, although the active ingredient, ascaridole, was observed in the blood. A significant reduction in the number of Trichostrongyle eggs per gram of feces was observed in treated lambs as compared with control lambs, but treated lambs did continue to shed eggs in feces. Feed intake of lambs fed dried plants was significantly less than that of control lambs apparently due to an aversion to the odor of the plants and the unusual nature of the plant material as presented.