Impact of parthenium weed on human and animal health.

Abstract

This chapter deals with various human and animal health impacts of pathenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus). Diseases caused by the weed include dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The detrimental health effects of parthenium weed are attributed to the sesquiterpene lactones and in particular parthenin in the plant which are toxic to farm animals and responsible for allergic diseases in humans. As parthenium weed continues to spread through Africa and Asia, information needs to be collected from those countries which have recently been invaded and those that are proximal to infestations. The collection of data and the monitoring of parthenium invasion may ultimately be used to manage both the spread and impact of the weed.