Medicinal and Aromatic Plants against Paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is a complex pathogenic bacterium. Being a dairy-borne pathogen and resistant of pasteurization and other sterilization techniques, it is a major cause of the development of inflammatory bowel disorders like Johne’s disease (JD) in dairy animals and Crohn’s disease (CD) in humans, for which no potential therapy is currently available. A number of studies carried out globally reported a high bio-load of live MAP in raw liquid milk and milk products. This infection has also been found to be associated with a number of incurable disorders of an autoimmune nature. Due to its sub-clinical nature, it can be overlooked in a medical setting. In the absence of effective therapy or a vaccine, the management of CD has been accomplished by removal of the affected intestines in humans. However, usually, even after removal of two-thirds of the intestines, CD may re-occur. Hence, there exists a need to develop an alternative and efficient therapy for such a chronic infection. Indeed, both herbs and aromatics hold a significant ethnobotanical relevance against various diseases and disorders. However, the potential of herbs against MAP remains unexplored. This chapter details the incorporation of herbals for the management of the aforementioned bacillus and associated infections based on their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antitubercular activities, giving a ray of hope for the development of alternative therapies.