Hosna Hojati - Department of Animal Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P. O. Box: ۹۱۷۷۵-۱۱۶۳, Mashhad, Iran
Ahmad Hassanabadi - Department of Animal Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P. O. Box: ۹۱۷۷۵-۱۱۶۳, Mashhad, Iran
Frahang Ahmadian - Agriculture Education Center of Mazandaran, Institute of Scientific Applied Higher Eduation of Jahad-e-Agriculture, P.O. Box ۴۸۱۷۵-۵۴۵, Sari, Iran

Application of most antibiotic growth promoters as feed additives has been banned in a lot of countries due to cross-resistance against pathogens and residues in tissues. Therefore, scientists are searching for alternatives to antibiotics nowadays. Medicinal plant extracts are one of the alternatives that have anti-microbial and growth promoting effect on poultry. In this paper, the benefits of using of medicinal plants such as Garlic (Allium sativum L.), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Wild Mint (Mentha longifolia L.), Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees), Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood, Clove [Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry], Yucca Schidigera, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.), Common mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (J.E.Lange) Emil J. Imbach], Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed, Goldthread (Coptis chinensis Franch.), Mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.), and Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb. ex Murray) on poultry production are discussed.

Feed additive, medicinal plant, Growth promotion, Poultry