Ethnoveterinary medicine in Africa: assessing the research endeavours from 2001-2024

Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) entails the traditional knowledge and practices used by local communities for the health and productivity of their animals [ 1 ]. A systematic literature search was conducted using three prominent multidisciplinary databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and Dimensions, as previously described [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. We identified 190 relevant documents, revealing an annual growth rate of 5.92% in publications, with peaks in 2012 and 2022. Citation trends indicate a decline post-2014, reflecting potential shifts in research priorities or ageing foundational works. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Veterinary Parasitology, and Tropical Animal Health and Production accounted for approximately 40% of the journal publication. Key contributions include Yineger (2007) as the most cited document, while Eloff, Masika, and McGaw emerged as leading authors ([ Table 1 ]). The thematic analysis highlighted a focus on traditional veterinary practices, pharmacological properties of plants, and cultural contexts in livestock health. We established the thematic evolution of