Medicinal Animals as Therapeutic Alternative in a Semi-Arid Region of Northeastern Brazil

Background: A number of animal species are offered by herbalists in markets throughout Brazil. Nevertheless, there is a general lack of information about this type of trade in the country. In this review, we report on the trade of medicinal animal species in a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. Methods: We gathered information from scientific articles on animal species used for medicinal purposes in that semi-arid region. Results and Conclusion: The trade of medicinal animals comprises 59 species and the zootherapeutic products extracted from them, recommended for the treatment of 66 illnesses. Results demonstrate the existence of a multi-state trade network of medicinal animals. Some of the traded animals are listed in the Brazilian list of threatened species. This demonstrates the urgent need to consider zootherapy in the context of biodiversity conservation in Brazil. Our results reveal the importance of zootherapy as a therapeutic alternative and demonstrate the need of further studies on the subject.