Remnant forests found in areas that have long been converted to agricultural landscapes are refuges of wild useful plants; and societies inhabiting them are custodians of rich indigenous botanical knowledge. This study was undertaken to document the medicinal plants used by the people living in and around Tara-gedam and Amba remnant forests, northwestern Ethiopia, together with the associated ethnomedicinal knowledge.
Methods
Data were collected from 105 informants through semi-structured interviews, guided field walk, market survey; and analyzed using standard ethnobotanical analytical tools including ranking and comparison.
Results
A total of 163 medicinal plant species in 145 genera and 67 families were recorded among which Zehneria scabra drew the highest community consensus. Seventy-one percent of the medicinal plants were those used for treating human ailments only, 21% for both human and livestock and 8% for livestock only. Asteraceae, with 14 species, had the highest number of medicinal plant species. The medicinal plants mainly (79.1%) belong to the shrub and herb categories and most of them were sourced from the wild habitats. Leaves and fresh plant materials were more frequently used for medicine preparation than other parts. Protected government and church forests as well as tree propagation in nurseries followed by planting them and local practices constitute the major forest conservation efforts that indirectly protect the medicinal plants in the area. Elders and healers knew more about the medicinal plants, their distribution, the local ethnomedicinal practices and knowledge transfer patterns. Though important for the local healthcare system and with potentials for modern drug discovery, both the plants and the knowledge pool are under threat.
Conclusion
The diversity of medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge of Tara-gedam and its environs are of a considerable value to the local community and beyond. There is, therefore, a need for conservation of the vegetation and the medicinal plants along with preservation of the wealth of the indigenous knowledge.
Hinweise
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
All authors had significant intellectual contribution towards the design of the study, data collection and analysis and write-up of the manuscript. GC conducted the fieldwork, identified the plants, analyzed the data, wrote the draft manuscript and actively followed it up through revisions up to submission and after. ZA took part in plant identification, reviewed and edited the draft manuscript, provided comments and suggestions and checked its final version. EK checked and confirmed the identification of the plants, provided comments and suggestions on the draft manuscript and checked its final version. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission.
Introduction
The relationship between plants and people is studied in ethnobotany, a field focusing on the study of the indigenous knowledge on how plants are perceived, used and managed [1, 2]. Indigenous knowledge refers to the knowledge, rules, standards, skills and mental sets generated by and kept in custody of local people in a particular area [3]. It is the result of many generations and long years of experiences, careful observations and trial and error experiments [4]; and this study focuses on the medicinal plants and the associated ethnomedicinal knowledge in the environs of Tara-gedam forest. The cultural and spiritual identity of indigenous peoples is often linked to intact primary forests with their rich biodiversity [5]. Hence, plant resources possess and preserve cultural heritages, biological information and indigenous knowledge on plant identity and utility [6]. The ethnobotanical literature [7] underlines that both saving plant species and documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge associated with them are fundamental urgent concerns. There are around 6,000 species of vascular plants in Ethiopia, out of which more than 14% are said to have been used as traditional plant medicines (TPMs) [8], while more than 1,000 species have been documented at the National Herbarium (ETH) database. Despite their treasured contributions, in particular in Ethiopia, thus far TPMs have been offered very little attention in modern research and development, while less effort has so far been made to upgrade the traditional herbal medical practices [9]. For the most part, the potential of practitioners of traditional herbal medicine to serve as partners in the process of drug discovery and in providing healthcare services is not equitably acknowledged [10]. Hence, documenting traditional medicinal plants and the related traditional medical knowledge is important in order to facilitate the discovery of new sources of drugs and promote sustainable use of natural resources in Ethiopia [11]. Tara-gedam forest, selected for the study, is among the national priority forest areas in Ethiopia [12] and Amba forest is found adjacent to it. Both these remnant forests are known as species rich forests in Amhara Region, and the nearby local communities are in constant interaction with the plant resources [13, 14], particularly so for those living in the forest fringes. Research revealed that urbanization in Ethiopia had tremendous impacts on the useful plants and the practice of traditional medicine [15]. Since Tara-gedam and Amba forests are found adjacent to the growing Addis Zemen Town, the impacts have already been alluded to by some researchers [14]. The local people, as in other parts of Ethiopia depend on traditional medicine, which mostly relies on medicinal plants, to fulfill their healthcare needs as pointed out by Zegeye [14]. Despite this fact, there are no studies on ethnomedicinal plants and the associated knowledge in the environs of Tara-gedam and Amba forests. Hence, this study was framed with the aim of documenting the medicinal plants and the associated ethnomedicinal knowledge of people living in the environs of Tara-gedam and Amba forests.
Material and methods
The study area and the demographic background
The study was conducted in the general environment of Tara-gedam and Amba forests, located in Libo Kemkem District (Wereda) in the South Gondar Zone of the Amhara Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia located at around 12°04.351′-12°10.926′N and 37°44.266′- 37°50.057′E. Tara-gedam forest ranges from 2062–2496 m a.s.l. and Amba from 2011–2541 m a.s.l. with the highest peak at Mt. Deboch. The climate data obtained from the National Meteorological Service Agency of Ethiopia shows that the mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures of the study area are 32.8°C and 8°C, respectively. The District receives a uni-modal rainfall of approximately 1300 mm per year and about 95.1% of the area is under moist weina dega (mid-highland) while the rest is under the wet Dega (highland) [16]. Medium and cold highland climatic features characterize the study area. The vegetation of the area belongs to the dry evergreen montane forest type consisting of forests, bushlands, shrublands and enrichment plantation interspersed with stands of natural vegetation [14]. Archival information [16] shows that forested land is about 4,429.5 hectares. Libo Kemkem District, in particular Tara-gedam, has several recreational sites. Mt. Kualla, along with diverse geographical features of the forest, Tara-gedam Monastery and many caves and forested churches are very useful for archaeological studies and for the tourism industry [17]. The 2007 census report of the Central Statistical Agency [18] of Ethiopia shows that Libo Kemkem District has an estimated population of 209,451 (106,564 males and 102,887 females). The inhabitants are mostly members of the Amhara ethnic community who speak the Amharic language with economies that are predominately based on rain-fed subsistence cultivation of crops mixed with livestock production [16]. There are 58 health services in the District [19]. Malaria, intestinal helminthiasis, and pneumonia were the top three human diseases and the major livestock ailments were pasteurllosis, anthrax, internal and external parasites, black leg, sheep pox, trypanosomiasis, respiratory tract infection, rabies and coccidiosis [20].
Anzeige
Site selection methods and procedures
Before starting the ethnobotanical study, contacts were made with various offices (District administration, tourism and culture, agriculture and rural development, traditional healers’ association and health affairs) to seek permission to carry out the study by informing them about the aims and significance of the study. Letters authorizing the study were obtained from the relevant offices which were then presented to the concerned kebele (lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) offices, forest scouts and informants in the study area. In this way, full legal procedures were followed and the informed consent of interested participants was obtained. Twelve rural villages, namely: Agamoch, Kidanemhret, Tibabosgie, Washa Indiras, Aguat Mafsesha, Mantogera, Abay, Kualla Yihuans, Yifag Akababi, Lomiye, Abuarra, Asiba Mariam and the town Addis Zemen were selected around the two forests. These villages are within the seven kebeles (Figure 1) selected for the study. Relative distance, community-forest interactions and altitudinal differences were the basic site selection criteria. Relative distance and community forest interaction were taken as criteria after collecting information from forest scouts, kebele administrative offices and inhabitants of the area during the reconnaissance survey in order to compare the indigenous knowledge of the communities found nearest to the forest with those found relatively far away (reached after traveling for more than five kilometers). This was undertaken from November-June 2010.
Figure 1
Map of Ethiopia showing the regions,location of the study area and sampled kebeles.
×
Informant selection and approaches
One hundred five informants (85 males and 20 females) aged 19 to 84 were interviewed in this research. Among these, 45 (42 males and three females) were key informants and the rest 60 were general informants. Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed to select traditional herbalists and general informants respectively. The traditional association leaders, members of the tourism and culture office, elderly people and religious leaders helped to identify the key informants. In addition, the identified traditional practitioners and members who had earlier been treated by the healers also helped to identify other traditional experts. The general informants were randomly picked (from the list of inhabitants) during field and house visits (5–7 in each study site) by checking their names from the list of residents obtained from kebele offices. All interviews were administered after obtaining voluntary consent of each informant and assuring them that the data will be used only for academic purposes.
Ways of data collection and type of data collected
Ethnobotanical data were collected during three months from November to January 2010 by living in close contact with the community in the study area, following standard methods [2, 4, 21]. Accordingly, semi-structured interview, guided field walk, direct observation, market survey and focus group discussions with key informants and other knowledgeable community members were applied and their knowledge on medicinal plants gathered.
Interviews were held based on checklist of questions prepared before hand in English language and simultaneously translated into Amharic. Interviews focused to informant’s demographic features including sex, age, marital status, occupation, religion, educational background, and duration of time an informant lived in the study area, and indigenous ecological knowledge (traditional ways of classifying vegetation, plants, landscapes and the soils in the area). The major part of the interviews were focused on the local names of medicinal plants used, their habits and habitats, plant part/s used, remedy preparation methods, materials used during preparation, condition of preparation, storage method, additives/ingredients used during preparation and administration, dosages administered, and route of administration. Likewise, side effect of the medicine (if any), use of antidotes for adverse effects, any taboos associated with medicinal plants, the season, month, dates and time of collection and preparation of plant medicines, and market value were also included. Further, the distribution (status) of medicinal plants, the interaction of healers with the District administration, threats and major problems, conservation methods, source of knowledge and ways of transfer and number of years of service as traditional healer were also the major interview points targeted, following the methods used by previous investigators [2, 4, 22].
Anzeige
The semi-structured interviews held with informants usually started at their sitting places and further broadened into field walk with interviewed informants in order to see the plants mentioned in their habitats and voucher collections following Martin [4]. This activity further helped to record growth habits of medicinal plants. Focus group discussions were done with traditional medicinal plant association members, other herbalists, monks and general informants to obtain additional information and to check the reliability. Informants were contacted two to three times and responses of an informant in harmony with each other were taken as relevant and used for data analysis. At times, the preparation methods of the medicinal plants were said to be secret and were not included during discussion. Most field observations were conducted with a single informant in order to keep the knowledge top-secret as this was what the healers in particular preferred. Some of the traditional healers were genuine herbalists, well-known by the local community and owned traditional home pharmacies derived from plant remedies. They were asked to demonstrate their work at their homes and in the field, which was recorded in order to check the consistency in knowledge and practice on the preparation of remedies and their effectiveness. The patients encountered at healers’ homes were also asked about the traditional plant medicines they have used and their effectiveness when applied by healers.
Plant collection and identification
Voucher specimens were collected for each plant species during guided field walk with the informants. At times, the field activities included taking notes on plants and the associated indigenous knowledge with preliminary identification of the plants to family and sometimes to species levels. Photographic records were also taken in the field to capture the field sites, plants and other useful memories. The specimens were dried, deep-frozen, and determinations were made at the National Herbarium (ETH), Addis Ababa University, using taxonomic keys and descriptions given in the relevant volumes of the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea [23‐31] and by visual comparison with authenticated herbarium specimens. Finally, the accuracy of identifications was confirmed by a senior plant taxonomist and the voucher specimens with labels were deposited at the ETH.
Data analysis
The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet (2007) and SPSS version 20 software. The former was used to calculate sum, percentages, tabulate and draw graphs whereas the latter was used to generate results of descriptive statistics, and perform t-tests as well as draw graphs and charts. Ethnobotanical ranking and scoring methods such as preference and direct matrix rankings as well as pair-wise comparisons and informant consensuses were employed to distinguish priority species and to check consistency.
Preference/priority ranking activities were employed on six most preferred and widely used medicinal plant species for the treatment of wound and the most threatened medicinal plants. Direct matrix ranking was employed for the six most widely utilized multi-purpose plant species and for the five factors considered most threatening to medicinal plants. Pair-wise comparison was made on six of the most preferred and commonly used medicinal plants against stomachache. To do this, the number of possible pairs was determined by applying the formula n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of medicinal plant species being compared. For all the above ethnobotanical ranking and scoring techniques, the same seven key informants who had long time practical experience in traditional plant medicine preparation, administration and collection were engaged. The strength of knowledge of the key informants was evident to the first author who witnessed the clarity of explanations and accuracy of actions. The overall procedures for these activities were conducted following standard ethnobotany texts [2, 4, 22]. Informant consensus factor (ICF) for different ailment categories was calculated to test agreements of the informants on medicinal plant knowledge of each category by using the formula ICF = Nur-Nu/Nur-1 where, nur is the number of uses reported in each category and Nu is the number of species reported in each category [32].
Ethical consideration
All data collections were done with special care on the base of the cultural view of the local communities in the study area. Informants were also informed that the objectives of the research were not for commercial purposes but for academic reasons. Since, ethnomedicinal indigenous knowledge is only obtained from traditional specialists within the community so any value that will obtain as a result of the research will benefit the community. According to ethnobiology code of ethics indigenous knowledge should be protected and a part of the value generated should be transferred back to the authors of the knowledge. Finally, informants were accepted the idea and came to reach an agreement.
Results
Demographic features of the informants
Of the total informants, 46 were in the age group of 51–85; 51 were illiterate and the greater proportion (88) belonged to the married category. Almost all informants (101) belonged to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Parallel to the population structure, there were more males than females who were willing to be included among informants as indicated by the demographic profile in Table 1.
Table 1
Demographic profile of the informants
Sex
Age group
(in yrs)
Educational status
Marital status
Religious type
19-34
35-50
51-85
Illiterate
Religious education
Modern education
Single
Married
Orthodox
Muslim
Male
22
25
38
38
17
30
9
76
83
3
Female
5
7
8
13
0
7
8
12
19
1
Total
27
32
46
51
17
37
17
88
101
4
Most informants (70) were farmers, 11 of them were house wives, seven were students and other groups were represented by fewer numbers. Of the total informants, 99 lived in the study area since birth and the rest have lived there from six to 20 years.
Indigenous ecological knowledge of people in the study area
The inhabitants of the study area are owners of rich ethnobotanical and ethnoecological knowledge as demonstrated by their wide array of knowledge on environmental matters. They classified the land forms; vegetation and soil based on knowledge surviving from ancestral practices (Table 2), now evident through their elaborate emic categorization systems.
Table 2
Emic categorization of landscape, soil and vegetation in the area
Landscape(ethno-topographic)types
Soil
(ethnopedologic and scientific)
types
Vegetation
(ethnofloristic)
types
Amharic
English
Amharic
English
Scientific
Amharic
English
WOTAGEBA
Up and down
KEYATIE
Red soil
Luvisols
KUTQUATO
Shrub
TERRARAMA
Mountainous
WALKA
Black soil
Vertisols
GITOSH
Grass land
MEDAMA/MESK
Plain
SERBOLA
Black & white
Anthrosols
CHAKA
Forest
SHELEQUAMA
Valley
CHINCHA
Brown
Leptosols
DENE
Plantation
KOREBTA/GOBA
Outcrop land
BORENK
White
Cambisols
CHEBECHEB
Wetland (edaphic grassland)
DAGET
Hilly
SINKURKUR
Stony place
Anzeige
Medicinal plant diversity and distribution
The study documented 163 species of medicinal plants belonging to 145 genera and 67 families. Three of the families had ten or more species each and the details are given in Table 3 and Table 4. The medicinal plant use reports showed that six species were cited by more than 20 informants each (Table 5). Twelve species were cited for the treatment of six and more ailments each (Table 6). Achyranthes aspera came out on the lists of both most effective and most cited medicinal plants and the details are tabulated (Table 4 and Table 5).
Table 3
Plant families, number of medicinal plant species and proportions
List of plant species used to treat human and livestock ailments: scientific names, family, vernacular name, growth forms (Gf), Ailments treated, Ailment type(At), parts used (Pu), condition of preparation (Cp), route of administration (Ra), method of preparation, habitat (Ha), distribution(Dn), collection number (Co.No.) in the environ of Tara-gedam and Amba forests
Scientific Names
Family
Vernacular name (Amharic)
Gf
Ailments treated
At
Pu
CP
Ra
Methods of preparation
Ha
Dn
Co.No.
Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth.*
Fabaceae
Girar
T
Scorpion poison
Hu
B
F
De
Tie with inside part
F
Spr
GC097
Acanthus polystachius Del.
Acanthaceae
Nech kusheshile
S
Rabies
Li
R
F
O
Pound and give with water
Fal
Spr
GC031
Acanthus sennii Chiov.*
Acanthaceae
Key kusheshilie
S
Evil eye
Hu
R
FD
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
F
Wy
GC056
Arthritis/rheumatism
Hu
R
F
De & O
Crush & tie or drink with honey
Bo
Tape worm
Hu
R
F
O
Pound, immerse in water then drink the juice
Achyranthes aspera L.
Amaranthaceae
Telenj
H
Eye problem
Hu
L
F
Op
Pound, immerse to water, squeeze and insert with cotton
Wy
GC025
Wound
Hu
L
FD
De
Crush, powder and tie
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Excessive menstruation
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, insert in water then drink juice
Tonsillitis
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Bleeding
Li
R
F
De
Crush and tie
Bone fracture
B
R
FD
De
Tie the concoction
Bleeding
Hu
R
FD
De
Tie the concoction
Tape worm
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, insert in water then drink
Acmella caulirhiza Del.
Asteraceae
Kutchamelk
H
Swelling
Hu
L
FD
De
Crush and powder then tie with honey/better
Hg
Pa
GC134
Acokanthera schimperi (A.DC.) Schweinf.
Apocynaceae
Merz/Mirez
S
Spider poison
Hu
L
D
De
Crush and powder then cream with butter
Bo
Rr
GC047
Hepatitis
Hu
Ap
D
Na, O & De
Crush, dry then fumigate
Adiantum capillus-veneris L.
Adiantaceae
Joroasfit
H
Anthrax
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, insert in water then drink the juice
F
Spr
GC027
Ear wound
Hu
St
FD
De
Insert into new jewelry hole
Allium sativum L.
Alliaceae
Nech shinkurt
H
Evil eye
Hu
Bu
F
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
Hg
Spr
GC011
Malaria
Hu
Bu
F
O
Crush and drink with honey or smash in water then drink
Influenza virus
Hu
Bu
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Febrile illness
Hu
Bu
F
O
Crush then fumigate or drink the concoction
Pneumonia
Hu
Bu
F
O
Chop and eat with honey
Aloe macrocarpa Tod.
Aloaceae
Eret
H
Impotency
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and powder, then cream with butter
Fwl
Rr
GC034
Wound
B
Lx
F
De
Creamed
Alternanthera pungens Kunth
Amaranthaceae
Midir akef
H
Babies diseases
Hu
L
F
De
Rub, squeeze then cream
Bo
Rr
GC146
Alysicarpus quartinianus A.Rich.
Fabaceae
-----------
H
Ascaris
Hu
R
F
O
Crush then drink with milk
Fwl
Rr
GC142
Argemone mexicana L.
Papaveraceae
Yahya eshoh
H
Rabies
Li
R
F
O
Crush then give with water
Rs
Wy
GC058
Artemisia afra Jack. ex Willd.
Asteraceae
Chikugn
H
Evil eye
Hu
Ap
FD
Na, O & De
Sniff unprocessed and powder then fumigate and drink concoction
Hg
Rr
GC168
Asparagus africanus Lam.
Asparagaceae
Yesiet kest
S
Impotency, gonnoria,& syphilis
Hu
R
DF
O
Crush, infusion with honey then drink the juice
Fal
Spr
GC151
Itchiness
Hu
R
DF
De
Crush, powder then cream with butter
Excessive menstruation
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
Astragalus atropilosus (Hochst.) Bunge
Fabaceae
-----------
H
Itchiness
Hu
Ap
D
De
Dry, burn then cream ash with butter
Fal
Spr
GC152
Bersama abyssinica Fresen.
Melianthaceae
Azamir
S
Ascaris
Hu
L
FD
O
Crush and powder, boil with tea then drink juice
Aw
Spr
GC107
Bidens macroptera (Sch Bip.) ex Chiov. Mesfin
Asteraceae
Adey Abeba
H
Brain cancer
Hu
Fl
D
Na
Powdered
Fal
Wy
GC143
Brassica carinata A. Br.
Brassicaceae
Gomen
H
Stomachache & Anthrax
B
Sd
D
O
Grind and drink with water
Hg
Wy
GC176
Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Brain.
Euphorbiaceae
Yenebr tifir
T
Expel placenta
Li
B
F
O
Crush then give with water
Rs
Rare
GC089
Brucea antidysenterica Swiss Chard.
Simaroubaceae
Waynos/yedaga abalo
H
Wound & Scabies
Hu
L
D
De
Crush, mixed with butter then cream
Fal
Spr
GC086
Skin rash
Li
L
D
De
Crush, mix with butter then cream
Buddleja polystachya Fresen.
Loganiaceae
Anfar
S
Tonsillitis
Hu
Sh
F
De
Tie and cream concoction
F
Spr
GC062
Intestinal parasite
Hu
L
D
O
Crush and powder, immerse in tej then drink the juice
Excessive menstruation
Hu
L
F
Va
Make soft by rubbing, and insert with new cloth until bleeding stops
Wound
Hu
Sh
F
De
Crush and tie
Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait.f.
Asclepiadaceae
Tobia
S
Hemorrhoid
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream concoction
Rs
Spr
GC035
Expel spine in wound
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream on point
Calpurnia aurea (Ait.) Benth.
Fabaceae
Zikita
S
External parasites
Li
L
F
De
Crush, then wash with water
Bo
Spr
GC020
Diarrhea & Bilharziasis
Hu
Sd
D
O
Grind and eat after pounding with honey
Bloody diarrhea
B
R
F
O
Crush then drink with water
Erthroblastosis
Hu
Sd
D
De & O
Grind and drink with honey or tie powder/concoction on neck
Expel foreign things from eye
Hu
L
F
Et
Crush mixture, squeeze then insert with cotton wool
Prolonged embryo in uterus
Hu
R
DF
De
Tie concoction on spinal column
Capparis tomentosa Lam.*
Capparidaceae
Gimero
S
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
F
Wy
GC023
Epidemic
Hu
R
D
De
Burn the concoction and fumigate
Capsicum annuum L.
Solanaceae
Karia/keto
H
Malaria
Hu
Fr
F
O
Crush and drink with honey or smash in water then drink
Hg
Wy
GC026
Carica papaya L.
Caricaceae
Papya
T
Malaria
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and drink with milk
Hg
Spr
GC098
Cough
Hu
R
F
O
Crush and boil with tea then drink juice
Carissa spinarum L. *
Apocynaceae
Agam
S
Evil eye
Hu
R
FDD
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
F
Wy
GC021
Epidemic
Hu
R
D
Na, O & De
Burn the mixture and fumigate
Brain tension/stress
Hu
R
D
Na
Crush then fumigate
Cayratia gracilis (Guill.&Perr.) Suesseng
Vitaceae
Aserkush
Cl
Hemorrhoid
Hu
R
F
De
Cream concoction
Fwl
Spr
GC052
Celosia trigyna L.
Amaranthaceae
Lemlemcho
H
Tape worm
Hu
Sd
D
O
Grind and drink with water
Hg
Spr
GC132
Chenopodium murale L.
Chenopodiaceae
Amedmado
H
Wound
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush then cream with butter
Hg
Rr
GC136
Ear problem
Hu
L
F
De
Concoction inserted to ear tube
Cicer arietinum L.
Fabaceae
Shinbira
H
Malaria
Hu
Sd
D
O
Germinate then eat with bulb of Allium sativum
Bo
Wy
GC115
Cirsium englerianum O. Hoffm.
Asteraceae
Yahyakusheshilie
H
Beating with stick
Li
St
F
O
Crush, immerse in water then drink juice
F
Spr
GC050
Scabies
Hu
Sh
F
De
Crush, roast then cream
Influenza virus
Hu
Fr
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Citrus aurantifolia Burn. f.
Rutaceae
Lomy
S
Wound
Hu
Fr
F
De
Cream concoction
Hg
Spr
GC169
Citrus aurantium L.
Rutaceae
komtatie
S
Hypertension
Hu
Fl
F
O
Drink the juice
Hg
Rr
GC138
Clausena anisata (Willd.) Benth.
Rutaceae
Limich
S
Evil eye
Hu
R
D
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
F
Spr
GC178
Clematis simensis Fresen.
Ranunculaceae
Azo areg
Cl
Hemorrhoid
Hu
L
F
De
Crush then tied
F
Spr
GC043
Wound
B
L
F
De
Crush then tied
Cancer
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and powder then cream
Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke
Lamiaceae
Misroch
S
Evil eye & evil sprit
Hu
L,R &Sd
FD
De & O
Crush, powder then tie on the neck or take with tooth
F
Spr
GC016
Clutia lanceolata Forssk.
Euphorbiaceae
Fiyelefej
S
Diarrhea
Hu
R
F
De
Crush then tie on neck region
Fwl
Wy
GC135
Bone fracture
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and tie
Beating with stick
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
Expel ear mites
Hu
Fr
F
Et
Grind, insert into ear tube until it expels mites
Coffea arabica L.
Rubiaceae
Bunna
S
Common cold
Hu
L
F
O
Boil, decant then drink the juice
Hg
Spr
GC161
Diarrhea
Hu
Fr
F
O
Grind and eat with honey
Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex A Rich.
Commelinaceae
Yewuha enkur
H
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Ris
Spr
GC116
Taenia scaplis
Hu
L
D
De
Crush and powder then cream with butter
Convolvulus arvensis L.
Convolvulaceae
Este filastot
H
Impotency
Hu
R
DF
O
Crush and powder then drink with GIN (areki)
Fwl
Rr
GC175
Anthrax
Hu
R
F
O
Peel, chew then swallow juice
Convolvulus sagittatus Thunb.
Convolvulaceae
--------------
H
Anthrax
Hu
R
F
O
Peel, chew then swallow juice
Ah
Rr
GC127
Cordia africana Lam.*
Boraginaceae
Wanza
T
Eye problem
Li
L
DF
Op
Burn, then insert ash with butter
Bo
Wy
GC133
Fire burn
B
L
DF
De
Burn, then cream the ash
Anthrax
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
Expel ear mites
Hu
L
F
Et
Rub, squeeze, insert then cover cotton
Crepis rueppellii Scli-Bip.
Asteraceae
-----------
H
Anthrax
Li
R
F
O
Crush and give with water
Fwl
Rr
GC070
Crotalaria karagwensis Taub.
Fabaceae
Yeayt ater
H
Itchiness
Hu
L
FD
De
Crush and powder then cream with butter
Ah
Rr
GC051
Croton macrostachyus Del.
Euphorbiaceae
Misana
T
Intestinal & abdominal problems
Hu
L
F
O
Boil, grind then eat with butter, shirro or teff injera
Aw
Wy
GC130
Stomachache
Hu
Sh
F
O
Drink concoction
Bloating
Li
Sh
F
O
Crush and give with water
Ring worm
Hu
Sp
F
De
Cream affected part
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
De & O
Sniff and drink the concoction
Snake poison
Hu
R
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Tape worm
Hu
B
F
O
Crush, pound, then drink juice
Tape worm
Hu
L
F
O
Boil, grind, make it WOTE (souse) with butter then eat with ENJERA
Paralyzed leg
Hu
R
DF
De
Crush with Carissa spinarum root mix with water and immerse affected part
Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich.
Cucurbitaceae
Yemidir enbuay
H
Bloody diarrhea
B
R
F
O
Crush and mix with milk
Bo
Rr
GC139
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
Stomachache & Anthrax
Hu
R
F
O
Peel, chew then swallow juice or crush and drink with water
Evil eye
Hu
R &Fr
FD
De & O
Crush and tie on neck
Wound
Hu
Fr
F
De
Insert the affect part into the fruit
Expel ear-mites
Hu
Sh
F
Et
Crush, squeeze then insert
Cucurbita pepo L.
Cucurbitaceae
Duba
Cl
Expel placenta
B
Fr
F
O
Chop then boil with water
Hg
Spr
GC166
Heart & gastritis problems
B
Fr
F
O
Chop then boil with water
Sterile females
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow juice to be fertile
F
Wy
GC082
Cupressus lusitanica Mill.
Cuppressaceae
Yeferenge tid
T
Tooth ach
Hu
L
F
O
Boil with salt then take with teeth
Cyathula prostrata (L.) Brume
Amaranthaceae
Aregist
H
Anthrax
Li
L
F
O
Rub, squeeze then give with water
Hg
Pa
GC145
Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers.*
Poaceae
Serdo
H
Snake poison
Hu
Ag
F
O
Chew and absorb the juice
Bo
Wy
GC173
Tape worm
Hu
L& St
F
O
Drink the concoction
Cynoglossum coeruleum (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) DC
Boraginaceae
Chegogit
H
Febrile illness
Hu
L
F
De & O
Rub, squeeze then cream and drink the juice
Bo
Wy
GC114
Expel foreign things from eye
Hu
L
F
Op
Crush mixture, squeeze then insert with cotton wool
Spider poison
Hu
L
F
De
Crush, pound then cream with butter
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush then cream
Eye problem
Hu
L
F
Op
Rub, squeeze then insert one-two droplets
Expel ear-mites
Hu
L
F
Et
Rub, insert and squeeze
Cyperus dichroostathyus A.Rich.
Cyperaceae
Giramta
H
Trachoma
Hu
Fl
FD
Op
Burn and cream the ash with butter
F
Wy
GC113
Datura stramonium L.
Solanaceae
Astenagir
H
Scabies and ear wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush then cream
Bo
Wy
GC124
Expel foreign things from eye
Hu
L
F
Op
Crush mixture, squeeze then insert with cotton wool
Dichondra repens J.R.&G.Forst.
Convolvulaceae
Afer kocher
H
Febrile illness
Hu
L
F
De
Rub, squeeze then cream except heart
Fwl
Rr
GC180
Diplolophium africanum Turcz.
Apiaceae
Zegerawta
H
Headache
Hu
L
F
Na
Sniff the unprocessed leaf
F
Rr
GC041
Rabies
Li
R
F
O
Pound and give with water
Dipsacus pinnatifidus Steud. ex A. Rich.
Dipsacaceae
Ferezeng/kelem
H
Rabies
Hu
L
F
Na
Pound and give with water
F
Spr
GC102
Discopodium penninervium Hochst.
Solanaceae
Almit
S
Beating with stick
Hu
Sh
F
Na & Et
Crush and give with water
Fal
Rr
GC071
Dodonaea angustifolia L.f.
Sapindaceae
Kitkita
S
Scabies
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and cream with butter
F
Wy
GC036
Bone fracture
Li
L& St
F
De
Tie twig parts together
Tape worm
Hu
R & L
F
O
Pound, immerse in water and drink the diluted mixture
Tape worm
Hu
L& St
F
O
Drink the concoction
Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb.*
Flacourtiaceae
Koshim
S
Hemorrhoid
Hu
Fr
F
De
Immerse in water in flat material and sit on
Bo
Rr
GC042
Dregea rubicunda Schum.
Asclepiadaceae
Kuandira
Cl
Rabies
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and drink with milk
F
Rr
GC044
Wound
Hu
L& B
D
De
Crush, powder then tie
Dyschoriste radicans Nees
Acanthaceae
----------------
H
Stomachache
Hu
Ap
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Fwl
Rr
GC093
Embelia schimperi Vatke*
Myrsinaceae
Enkoko
S
Tape worm
Hu
Fr
FD
O
Eat fresh or crush and drink with 'tela difdif’
Ris
Rr
GC119
Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter
Poaceae
Tef
H
Dandruff
Hu
Sd
D
De
Grind, prepare dough then cream on bare head
Hg
Wy
GC040
Bloating
Li
Sw
D
O
Give the straw
Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC.
Fabaceae
Kuara
T
Febrile illness
Li
B
D
De & O
Crush then fumigate or drink the concoction
Ah
Rr
GC159
Eucalyptus globulus Labill.
Myrtaceae
Nech bahirzaf
T
Febrile illness & Common cold
Hu
L
F
Na, O & De
Boil and fumigate with the fume
Fal
Rr
GC167
Euclea racemosa Hiern
Ebenaceae
Dedeho
S
Scorpion poison
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and tie
F
Spr
GC018
Gonorrhea
Hu
R
FD
O
Boil, crush then eat with honey or butter
Eye problem
Li
R
F
Op
Peel and cream with butter for one night then use butter for paint
Toothache
Hu
Rb
F
O
Take with teeth
Prolonged embryo
Hu
R
DF
De
Tie the concoction on spinal column
Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel.
Euphorbiaceae
Kulkual
T
Jaundice
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, immerse in water then drink or bake with bread then eat
Bo
Wy
GC164
Stomach and intestinal problems
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, mix with DORO WOTTE then eat with ENJERA
Rabies
Li
Lx
F
O
Mix with milk
Malaria
Hu
Lx
F
O
Eat bake with Eragrostis tef dough
Hemorrhoid
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream the concoction
Skin diseases
Hu
Fl
D
De
Crush, powder, then cream with honey
Euphorbia tirucalli L.
Euphorbiaceae
Kinchib
S
Wound
B
Lx
F
De
Paint the affected part
Ah
Wy
GC131
Hemorrhoid
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream the concoction
Wound
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream the concoction
Ferula communis L. *
Apiaceae
Dog
H
Increase sexual needs
Li
R
F
O
Pound, then give with INGERA and butter
F
Wy
GC072
Evil sprit
Hu
R
DF
De
Crush and fumigate
Blood flow
Hu
R
F
De & O
Crush, immerse in water then give for newly delivered mother
Lung cancer (TV)
Hu
R
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Erthroblastosis
Hu
R
DF
De
Grind and drink with honey or tie powder (concoction) on neck
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink concoction with honey
Ficus carica L.
Moraceae
Beles
S
Wound
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream the affected part
Fwl
Rr
GC104
Ficus sur Forssk.*
Moraceae
Sholla
T
Toothache
Hu
B
F D
O
Take by teeth
Ris
Spr
GC090
Ficus vasta Forssk.*
Moraceae
Warka
T
Wound
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream the concoction
Fal
Rr
GC162
Foeniculum vulgare Miller
Apiaceae
Ensilal
H
Cough
Hu
Ag
F
O
Boil with tea then drink
Bo
Rr
GC137
Asma
L& St
F
O
Crush, immerse with milk then drink
Urinary retention
Hu
L& St
F
O
Cook in water then drink the juice
Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. & Thonn.*
Rubiaceae
Gambillo
T
Erthroblastosis
Hu
R
DF
De
Grind and drink with honey or tie powder/concoction on neck
Bo
Rr
GC087
Gossypium barbadense L.
Malvaceae
Tit
S
Snake bite
Hu
R
DF
De & O
Tie on neck or chew, absorb the juice
Hg
Rr
GC096
Tonsillitis
Hu
Fr
D
O
Grind then drink the liquid
Grewia ferruginea Hochst. ex A. Rich.*
Tiliaceae
Lenquata
S
Expel placenta
Li
B
F
O
Peel the inside part, chop, emulsify with water then give
F
Wy
GC123
Dandruff
Hu
B
F
De
Wash with inside part
Guizotia schimperi Sch. Bip.ex Walp.
Asteraceae
Mech
H
Stomachache
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Fwl
Wy
GC073
Wound
Li
Ag
F
De
Rub the part affected by ticks
Helinus mystacinus (Ait.) E. Mey. ex Steud.
Rhamnaceae
Esat abrid
Cl
Fire burn
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
F
Spr
GC039
Heteromorpha arborescens (Spreng.) Cham. &Schldl.
Apiaceae
Yegib mirkuz
S
Snake bite
Hu
R
F
De & O
Chew, absorb and swallow or tie fresh on neck
Fal
Rr
GC015
Hibiscus macranthus Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Malvaceae
Nacha
S
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Chew and cream with cotton
F
Spr
GC064
Huernia macrocarpa (A.Rich) Sprenger
Asclepiadaceae
Yemidir kulkual
H
General medicine
Li
Ag
F
O
Chop and give or chop and give after baking with black barley
Fwl
Rr
GC100
Hypericum quartinianum A.Rich
Hypericaceae
Amujia
S
Urinary problem
Hu
R
D
O
Crush, powder then eat with honey
F
Spr
GC046
Stomachache
Hu
L
F
O
Chew and absorb the liquid
Indigofera arrecta Hochst. Ex A. Rich.
Fabaceae
---------
H
Snake bite
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and absorb the juice
Fal
Rr
GC033
Indigofera prieureana Guill &Perr.
Fabaceae
-----------
H
Anthrax & Stomach ach
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow juice or crush and give with water
Fal
Spr
GC125
Jasminum abyssinicum Hochest. ex DC.
Oleaceae
Tenbelel
S
Toothache
Hu
R
F
O
Take with teeth
F
Wy
GC012
Snake bite
Hu
Sh
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Jasminum grandiflorum L.
Oleaceae
Terhareg
Cl
Evil eye
Hu
R
FD
De & O
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
F
Spr
GC085
Juniperus procera Hochst ex. Engl.
Cuppressaceae
Tid
T
Urine retention
Hu
Fr
FD
O
Boil with TEJ then drink
F
Spr
GC185
Scrotum swelling
Hu
Gm
F
De & O
Cream
Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. ex Nees) T.Anders.
Acanthaceae
Smiza
S
Wound
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush and powder then cream
Ah
Wy
GC154
External parasite
Li
L
F
De
Wash with fresh part
Anthrax
Hu
Sh
F
O
Crush, mix with water then drink the juice
Diarrhea
B
L
F
O
Smash, mix with water then drink the juice
Common cold & Hasma
Hu
L
F
Na
Sniff unprocessed or after rubbing
Jaundice
Hu
L
F
De &Na
Boil and fumigate
Tape worm
Hu
L& St
F
O
Drink the concoction
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
Rabies
Li
R
F
O
Pound and give with water
Stomachache
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and then drink juice
Kalanchoe laciniata L.
Crassulaceae
Endahula
H
General medicine
Li
R
F
De
Peel, tie with tiny rope then insert through skin on neck region
Fwl
Wy
GC084
Swelling
Li
Ag
F
De
Heat and immediately touch part while hot
Febrile illness
Li
R
F
O
Crush and give with water
Tape worm
Hu
Ap
F
O
Boil with Cicer arietinum cotyledons and eat cotyledons or crush and mix with butter and drink
Lactuca intermis Forssk.
Asteraceae
Dememerarit
H
Broken bone
B
R
DF
De
Tie on the problematic part
Fal
Wy
GC118
Amoeba
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Wound
B
Lx
F
De
Cream after removing the ticks
Laggera tomentosa (Sch.Bip. ex A. Rich.) Oliv. & Hiern
Asteraceae
Keskeso/Shetie
H
Swelling
Hu
L
DF
De
Rub and tie or dry, crush , mix with honey and lemon juice then tie
Fwl
Wy
GC038
Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & Wood
Asteraceae
Keskesso/ alshasume
H
Gastric & Stomachache
Hu
L
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Fal
Wy
GC075
Tape worm
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Stop blood flow after birth
Hu
R
F
De
Crush, immerse in water then spray on newly delivered mother
Fire burn
Hu
L
F
De
Rub, squeeze then cream with cotton
Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson
Lamiaceae
Ferezeng
S
Snake bite
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and tie
F
Rr
GC105
Leucas martinicensis (Jaq) R.Br.
Lamiaceae
--------------
H
Prevent diseases relapse
Hu
Ag
DF
De
Fumigate the fume
F
Rr
GC053
Linum usitatissimum L.
Linaceae
Telba
H
Wound
Hu
R
D
De
Crush, mix with honey then cream
Fal
Spr
GC184
Maesa laceolata Forssk.
Myrsinaceae
Kilabo
S
Womb
Hu
Fr
D
Va
Roast, grind, mix with butter then cream
F
Spr
GC068
Malva verticillata L.
Malvaceae
Elit
H
Scabies
Hu
Ag
DF
De
Crush, powder and tie
Ah
Rr
GC103
Melia azedarach L.
Meliaceae
Nim
T
Dandruff
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and cream
Hg
Spr
GC160
Anti-insecticide
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush and powder, then spray with water
Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Bak.
Fabaceae
Birbira
T
Leeches
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
F
Rr
GC067
Rabies
Li
St
DF
De
Heat stick then touch their body with hot part
Mimusops kummel A.DC.*
Sapotaceae
Eshe
T
Hasma
Hu
Fr
F
O
Eat raw fruit
Ris
Rr
GC101
Momordica foetida Schumach.
Cucurbitaceae
Yekurahareg/Kuramechat
H
Diarrhea & gonorrhea
Hu
L
F
O
Pound, squeeze then drink
F
Spr
GC165
Tonsillitis
Hu
L
F
O
Pound, squeeze then drink
Sun stroke
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
Evil sprit
Hu
L& R
F
De
Boil and fumigate
Myrica salicifolia Hochst. ex A. Rich.
Myricaceae
Shinet
T
Common cold & bleeding
Hu
B
FD
Na
Crush, powder then sniff
Ris
Rr
GC106
Eye problem
Li
B
FD
Op
Crush, powder then insert
Nicandra physaloides (L.) Gaertn.
Solanaceae
Kassa
H
Fire burn
Hu
L
F
De
Crush, mix with butter then cream
Fal
Spr
GC065
Nicotiana tabacum L.
Solanaceae
Tinbaho
S
Wound
Hu
L
D
De
Crush and powder then cream
Hg
Rr
GC080
Nuxia congesta R.Br. ex Fresen.
Loganiaceae
Atquar
S
Tonsillitis
Hu
Sh
F
De & O
Rub, squeeze then drink and put on head
F
Spr
GC088
Ocimum urticifolium Koth
Lamiaceae
Dama kesie
S
Febrile illness
Hu
L
F
O
Boil with tea and drink
Hg
Spr
GC129
Common cold
Hu
L
F
O
Boil with tea and drink
Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif.
Oleaceae
Woira
T
Tonsillitis
Hu
L
F
O
Chew and absorb the juice
Ft
Wy
GC079
Evil eye
Hu
St
F
De
Beating with fresh stick
Eye diseases
Hu
L
F
Op
Pound, squeeze then drop with cotton
Deafness
Hu
L
F
Et
Drop concoction with food oil
Ormocarpum pubescens (Hochst.) Cuf.ex.Gillett
Fabaceae
Murna
S
Wound
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush, powder then tie
F
Rr
GC014
Orobanche ramosa L.
Orobanchaceae
------
H
Sunstroke
Li
Ap
D
De
Fumigate
Fwl
Rr
GC181
Otostegia integrifolia Benth.
Lamiaceae
Tunjut
S
Epidemic & common cold
Hu
Ag
D
De
Fumigate the house
F
Spr
GC141
Coccolida
Li
Ag
D
De
Fumigate
Stomachache
Hu
Sh
F
O
Rub, squeeze then drink liquid
Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Defl.
Rubiaceae
Ras faris
S
Tite problem
Li
L
F
De
Crush, powder then cream
F
Rr
GC066
Periploca linearifolia Quant. Dill. & Rich.
Asclepiadaceae
Moider
Cl
Hemorrhoid
Hu
St
F
De
Heat with fire then immediately apply
F
Spr
GC150
Hemorrhoid
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and tie
Persea americana Mill.
Lauraceae
Avocado
S
Kidney infection
Hu
L
F
O
Boil and drink juice
Hg
Rr
GC183
Phyllanthus rotundifolius Willd.
Euphorbiaceae
-----------
H
Ring worm
Hu
Lx
F
De
Cream
Fal
Rr
GC019
Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit.
Phytolaccaceae
Endod
S
Leeches
Li
L
F
Na
Crush and insert with water
Bo
Spr
GC024
Jaundice
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and drink with water
External parasite
Li
L
F
De
Wash with unprocessed leaf
Rabies
Li
R
F
O
Crush and give with milk
Elephantiasis
Hu
L
F
De
Crush, decant, and insert juice
Malaria
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, squeeze then drink
Anthrax
Hu
Sh
F
O
Crush, mix with water then drink
Coccinia
Li
R
F
O
Crush, immerse in water then give
Plantago lanceolata L.
Plantaginaceae
Wonberet/ Gorteb
H
Wound & bleeding
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush, powder then cream
Fal
Wy
GC117
Plectranthus tenuiflorus (vatke) Agnew
Lamiaceae
Mutansa
S
Weaken babies & evil sprit
Hu
Ap
DF
O
Crush, powder then give with water
Hg
Rr
GC148
Plumbago zeylanica L.
plumbaginaceae
Amera
H
Wound
Hu
R
DF
De
Cream concoction
Fwl
Rr
GC128
Stomachache &Scorpion poison
Hu
L& R
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Premna schimperi Engl.
Lamiaceae
Chocho
S
Eye problem
Li
L
F
Op
Chew and spit
F
Spr
GC126
Wound
Hu
B & L
D
De
Crush, powder then cream with butter or honey
Toothache
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and take with teeth
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Rosaceae
Kok
S
Diarrhea
Li
L
F
O
Crush, immerse in water then give
Hg
Rr
GC049
Tape worm
Hu
L& St
F
O
Drink the concoction
Punica granatum L.
Punicaceae
Roman
S
Cancer & skin diseases
Hu
Fr
F
O
Crush and eat
Hg
Pa
GC022
Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit
Rhamnaceae
Gesho
S
Tonsillitis
Hu
Sh
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Hg
Spr
GC094
Herpes
Hu
L
F
De
Grind and cream
Ricinus communis L.
Euphorbiaceae
Chakima/ Gulo
S
Calf diarrhea
Li
Fr
F
O
Pound cream the teat of cow then allow to suck
Hg
Rr
GC170
Rosa abyssinica Lindley*
Rosaceae
Kega
S
Tension/dizziness
Hu
Fr
F
O
Eat the raw fruit
F
Spr
GC037
Rubia cordifolia L.
Rubiaceae
Mencherer
Cl
Cough
Hu
R& L
F
O
Drink the concoction with tea or coffee
F
Rr
GC110
Rumex abyssinicus Jacq.*
Polygonaceae
Mekmoko
H
Hypertension
Hu
R
DF
O
Pound, powder then drink with milk
Fal
Spr
GC076
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
Polygonaceae
Tult
H
Tonsillitis & diarrhea
Hu
R
DF
De
Crush, mix with water then drink juice or tie on neck without processing
Fwl
Spr
GC029
Stomachache
Hu
R
DF
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Anthrax
Li
R
F
O
Crush and give with water
Rumex nervosus Vahl*
Polygonaceae
Enbuacho
S
Wart
Hu
L
F
De
Rub, squeeze then cream
Fal
Wy
GC177
Bleeding wound
Hu
L
F
De
Pound then tie
Ruta chalepensis L.
Rutaceae
Tenadam
H
Evil eye
Hu
L
DF
De & O
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
Hg
Rr
GC186
Febrile illness
Hu
L
F
O
Crush then fumigate whole body or drink the concoction
Sansevieria erythraeae Mattei
Dracaenaceae
Chiret
S
Ear wound
Hu
St
F
Et
Heat, pound, squeeze then insert while cool
Hg
Rr
GC111
Schefflera abyssinica (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms.
Araliaceae
Getem
T
Snake poison
Hu
B
F
O
Crush and drink the infusion
F
Rr
GC171
Schinus molle L.
Anacardiaceae
Kundoberbere
T
Cough
Hu
Fr
DF
O
Pound, cook in DORRO WOTE then eat with TEF ENGERA
Hg
Spr
GC155
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Pound and tie
Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) Irwin &Bameby
Fabaceae
Serka Abeba
S
Bloating
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
Fwl
Wy
GC122
Sida ovata Forssk.
Malvaceae
Yahya-nacha
H
Fire burn
Hu
R
F
De
Pound and cream the liquid with cotton
Fal
Spr
GC032
Sida rhombifolia L.
Malvaceae
Gorgegit
S
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink concoction with honey
Bo
Spr
GC120
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Sida tenuicarpa Vollesen
Malvaceae
Chifrig
S
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Fwl
Spr
GC153
Evil spirit & evil eye
Hu
R
DF
De & O
Used as tooth brush or tie on neck
Solanecio gigas Vatke
Asteraceae
Yashikoko gomen
S
Bloating
Li
L
F
O
Pound and give with water
Hg
Pa
GC061
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate with concoction
Solanum anguivi Lam.
Solanaceae
Zerch enboy
S
Wound
Hu
L
DF
De
Crush, pound and tie
F
Spr
GC174
Wart
Hu
Fr
F
De
Cream with juice
Beating with stick
Li
R
F
O
Crush and give the infusion
Solanum incanum L.
Solanaceae
Yekolla enboy
S
Stomachache
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, chew then absorb juice
Fwl
Spr
GC059
Ring worm
Hu
Fr
F
De
Heat fruit then cream with juice
Wart
Hu
Fr
F
De
Cream with juice
Arthritis/rheumatism
Hu
L
F
De
Pound and tie
Leeches
Li
Fr
F
Na
Insert juice
Diabetic
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow juice
Febrile illness
Li
R
F
O
Pound and give with water
Wound
Hu
Fr
F
De
Cream with juice
Scorpion poison
Hu
Fr
F
O
Drink juice with water
Solanum marginatum L.f.
Solanaceae
Yedega enboy
S
Cough
Li
Fr
F
Na
Give juice with goat milk
F
Rr
GC095
Solanum nigrum L.*
Solanaceae
Awut
H
Spider poison
Hu
L
F
De
Crush, squeeze then cream
Fwl
Rr
GC140
Hemorrhoid
Hu
Ap
DF
De
Pound and tie
Diarrhea
Hu
L
F
O
Crush, chew then swallow juice
Steganotaenia araliacea Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Apiaceae
Endoka/Yefiyel chew
T
Hemorrhoid
Hu
St
DF
De
Peel, heat then apply in the hot condition
F
Spr
GC083
Stephania abyssinica (Dillon & A. Rich.) Walp.
Menispermaceae
Chewchawit
H
Anthrax
B
R
F
O
Crush and give with water
Fal
Spr
GC121
Anthrax & Stomachache
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Rabies
B
R
F
O
Crushed and given with milk and water
Tonsillitis
Hu
Sh
F
O
Crush and drink with water or cream on neck region
Stereospermum kunthianum Cham.
Bignonaceae
Zana
T
Eye problem
Li
B
DF
O
Cream the concoction with butter and apply to cattle
F
Spr
GC017
Scorpion & Snake poison
Hu
B
F
De
Pound and tie or chew and swallow the juice
Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth.
Scrophularaceae
Gelmit
H
Bloating
Li
Ap
DF
O
Crush, powder and give with water
Fal
Spr
GC144
Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC.*
Myrtaceae
Dokima
T
Diarrhea
Hu
B
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Ris
Spr
GC045
Thalictrum rhynchocarpum Dill. & A. Rich.
Ranunculaceae
Sire-bizu
H
Scrotum swelling
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and drink with TELLA
F
Rr
GC078
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink concoction with honey
Tragia brevipes Pax.
Euphorbiaceae
Abelbalit
H
Swelling
Hu
R
F
De
Pound and tie
F
Rr
GC013
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink concoction with honey
Urera hypselodendron (Hochst.) ex A. Rich.
Urticaceae
Lankusso
Cl
Anthrax
Li
Sh
F
O
Crush and give with water
F
Spr
GC 060
Urtica simensis Steudel
Urticaceae
Sama
H
Gastric
Hu
L
F
O
Roast, grind and drink juice
F
Rr
GC 179
Wound
Hu
L
F
De
Grind and cream with butter
Verbasicum sinaiticum Benth.
Scrophularaceae
Kutitina
S
Stomachache
Hu
R
F
O
Pound and drink with honey or water or butter
F
Spr
GC074
Diarrhea
Hu
R
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Evil sprit
Hu
L
F
De
Boil and fumigate with the fume
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na, O & De
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
Verbena officinalis L.
Verbenaceae
Atuch
H
Bleeding
Hu
R
F
De
Crush and tie
Fal
Wy
GC069
Evil spirit & intestinal poison
Hu
Ag
DF
O
Crush and drink with water
Evil eye
Hu
R
DF
Na & O
Sniff, drink and fumigate concoction
Tonsillitis
Hu
Ap
F
O
Crush and drink with water
Impotency
Hu
R
D
O
Drink concoction with honey
Deafness
Hu
L
F
Et
Pound and ingest juice with water
Stomachache & Anthrax
Hu
R
F
O
Chew and swallow the juice
Vernonia adoensis Sch.Bip ex Walp.
Asteraceae
Eras abera/ Este musaye
S
Likfit (skin rash)
Hu
R
F
De
Crush. powder then cream with butter
Hg
Spr
GC147
Amoeba, Gardiasis, Gastric & Snake poison
Hu
R
F
O
Crush, powder then drink with water or Chew and swallow juice
Vernonia amygdalina Del.
Asteraceae
Girawa
S
Bloating
Li
L
F
O
Crush and give with water
Hg
Rr
GC055
Dandruff
Hu
L
F
De
Pound and cream
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink the concoction with tella
Vernonia myriantha Hook.f.
Asteraceae
Kotkoto
S
Impotency
Hu
R
DF
O
Drink the concoction with tella
Fwl
Wy
GC057
Vicia faba L.
Fabaceae
Bakela
H
Anemia
Hu
Sd
D
O
Roast and drink infusion
Hg
Spr
GC109
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal in DC.
Solanaceae
Giziewa
S
Evil eye & evil sprit
Hu
L & R
DF
O
Crush and drink with water or fumigate with the fume
Hg
Rr
GC048
Tape worm & Babies disease
Hu
L
DF
De
Fumigate in a closed fashion
Cough
Hu
L
F
O
Crush and boil with milk then drink
Impotency
Hu
R
F
O
Drink concoction with honey
Xanthium strumarium L.
Asteraceae
Gid zemede
H
Dandruff
Hu
L
F
De
Rub, squeeze then cream
Fwl
Spr
GC112
Ximenia americana L.*
Olacaceae
Enkoy
S
Wound
Hu
B
DF
De
Crush, grind and cream
F
Rr
GC054
Zea mays L.
Poaceae
Mashilla
H
Dandruff
Hu
Sw
F
De
Burn and cream ashes with butter
Hg
Wy
GC030
Zehneria scabra (Linn. f.) Sond.
Cucurbitaceae
Hareg resa
Cl
Swelling
Hu
L
F
De
Crush and tie
Ah
Rr
GC149
Wound
Li
Ag
F
De
Rub and cream
Febrile illness
Hu
Ag
F
De
Boil and take the fume in enclosed fashion
Diarrhea
Hu
L
F
O
Crush, chew then swallow juice
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. *
Rhamnaceae
Gava
T
Dandruff
Hu
L
F
De
Pound and cream
Hg
Pa
GC163
Key: Parts Used: B (stem bark), Rb (root bark), R (root), L (leaf), Ap (all part), St (stem), Bu (bulb), Lx (latex), Fl (flower), Sd (Seed), Sh (shoot), Fr (fruit), Sp (Sap), Sw (Straw), Gm ( gum), Ag (above ground); Growth forms (Gf):-S (shrub), T (tree), Cl (climber), H (herb), P (parasite); Ailment type (At): Hu (human) LI (livestock); CP (condition of preparation): F (fresh), D (dry), DF/FD (dry and fresh); Route of administration (Ra): De (Dermal), O (Oral), Na (nasal), Op (Optical), Va (Vaginal), Et (Ear tube); Habitat (Ha): Wild (F (Fores), Fal (Farm land), Fwl (Fallow land), Rs (Road side), Ris (river side), Ah (around home)), Aw (All wild type of habitats i.e Forest, Farm land, Fallow land, Road side, river side and around home), Bo (all wild type habitats and homegarden), Hg (Homegarden), Distribution(Dn): Spr (Sparse), Wy (Widely), Rr (Rare), Pa (Particular area); Co. No.(Collection number) *Wild food plant species.
Table 5
The six most acclaimed medicinal plants based on informant citation
Scientific name
Ailments claimed to treat
No. of citations
Percentage
Rank
Zehneria scabra
Diarrhea, wound, febrile illness and swelling
60
57.14
1st
Stephania abyssinica
Human and livestock anthrax, tonsillitis, rabies and stomachache
55
52.40
2nd
Otostegia integrifolia
Stomachache, hen’s coccolida, epidemic diseases and common cold
40
38.10
3rd
Verbascum sinaiticum
Stomachache, diarrhea, evil eye & evil sprit
32
30.47
4th
Capparis tomentosa
Evil eye, and epidemic diseases
27
25.71
5th
Achyranthes aspera
Tape worm, wounds, excessive menstrual flow, tonsillitis, bleeding, bone fracture, and eye problems
25
23.80
6th
Among the reported medicinal plants of the area, some were also reported as wild edible plants (Table 4). Informants, during data collection, said that some of the species for example, the edible parts (fruits) of Rosa abyssinica are used to alleviate weakness or tension when eaten by children in the field. This is done without knowing the medicinal effects of the plants and those who eat it feel happy and accomplish their tasks effectively. Herbs accounted for 67 (41.1%) species followed by shrubs (62, 38.0%), trees (24, 14.7%) and climbers (10, 6.1%). The medicinal plants occur in the wild, homegardens and in both premises. The forests, farmlands, margins, living plants on fences, roadsides, around homes, fallow lands and riversides are the habitats where the medicinal plants are found (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Distribution of medicinal plant species in different habitats.
×
Health disorders treated and ICF
The analyses on application of plants showed that 115 (70.6%) species in 103 genera and 54 families were listed as medicines for human ailments, 34 (20.9%) species in 32 genera and 22 families for both human and livestock ailments and 14 (8.6%) species in 14 genera and 11 families were reported as medicine for livestock ailments only. These medicinal plants were claimed to be of use in the treatment of about 60 types of human ailments only, 10 types of both human and livestock health disorders and nine types of livestock ailments only. For the most common ailment (wound), 42 medicinal plant species were reported (Table 7). The ailments were classified into 13 categories and ICF values were computed and livestock ailments had the highest ICF value of 0.84 and other disease categories had lower values (Table 8).
Table 6
Single medicinal plant species prescribed for treatment of higher number of ailments
Plant species name
No. of ailment treated
Plant species name
No. of ailment treated
Justicia schimperiana
11
Achyranthes aspera, Cucumis ficifolius and Euphorbia abyssinica
7 each
Croton macrostachyus, Verbena officinalis and Solanum incanum
The most common disease with their respective number of medicinal plant species
S.no
Ailments
No of species for each ailment
S.no
Ailments
No of species for each ailment
1
Wound
42
6
Impotence
11
2
Stomachache
25
7
Tonsillitis, rabies, hemorrhoid, fibril illness, and snake bite
10
3
Intestinal parasites
23
8
Dandruff
8
4
Anthrax
16
9
Livestock bloating and malaria Common cold and cough
6
5
Diarrhea
13
Importance of the medicinal plants
Some medicinal plants were rated as important and used frequently by many, appearing in many formulations. Preferences for six common medicinal plant species said to be used for the treatment of the common ailment (wound) showed Cordia africana in the first rank order followed by Sida rhombifolia (Table 9). The pair-wise comparison of medicinal plants used for the treatment of stomachache showed that Stephania abyssinica was the most reported and ranked first, while Otostegia integrifolia was the least ranked plant species (Table 10). Matrix ranking of six popular multipurpose medicinal plants showed that Cordia africana was the most useful multipurpose medicinal plant that was ranked 1st while Croton macrostachyus was the least ranked one (Table 11).
Table 8
ICF value for each disease category
Disease categories
Nu
Nur
Fic
Livestock diseases (external parasites, beating with stick and sun stroke)
16
94
0.84
Febrile illness, headache, anemia, brain tension and malaria
19
80
0.78
Rabies
11
46
0.76
Gastrointestinal disorders
52
205
0.75
Dermal diseases (wound and skin diseases)
72
221
0.68
Bone fracture and Arthritis
7
18
0.65
Reproductive and sexual organs
22
61
0.65
Bleeding and hypertension
7
14
0.54
Respiratory diseases (asthmatic reactions, cough, common cold, leech and tonsillitis)
24
48
0.51
Sense organs like eye and ear problems
21
42
0.51
Spider, snake, and scorpion poisons and bites
18
32
0.45
General disease (tension, epidemic, baby diseases and undefined diseases)
Simple preference ranking of six medicinal plants used against wound in the study area
Medicinal plant species
Respondents
(R1-
R7)
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
R
6
R
7
Total
Rank
Brucea antidysenterica
5
5
1
4
6
5
3
29
3rd
Cordia africana
6
6
5
5
5
6
6
39
1st
Dodonaea angustifolia
3
2
6
1
4
3
1
20
4th
Ficus carica
2
1
3
3
1
2
2
14
6th
Plantago lanceolata
1
3
2
2
2
1
4
15
5th
Sida rhombifolia
4
4
4
6
3
4
5
30
2nd
Table 10
Paired comparison on five medicinal plants used to treat stomachache in the study area
Medicinal plants used
Respondents
(R1-
R7)
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
R
6
R
7
Total
Rank
Cucumis ficifolius
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
11
4th
Indigofera prieureana
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
17
2nd
Otostegia integrifolia
0
1
0
2
1
1
3
8
5th
Stephania abyssinica
4
4
4
4
1
3
2
22
1st
Verbascum sinaiticum
3
1
2
0
3
1
2
12
3rd
Anzeige
Plant parts used and modes of remedy preparations
Out of the total plant parts used for remedy preparation, leaves were the highest (109, 31.2%), followed by roots (108, 30.9%) and lower values for other parts (Table 12). Information about the preparation of each plant has been included in Table 4. The results also showed that the majorities of remedies (89%) were prepared from single plant species and few (11%) were prepared from combinations of more than two medicinal plant species. Simple modes of preparation of medicine including crushing (90.5% informants), chewing, pounding, chopping and juice extraction were used (Table 13).
Table 11
Matrix ranks of six multipurpose medicinal plants in the study area
Plant species name
Medicine
Cash income
Fuelwood
Food
Forage/
fodder
Construction/
building
Shade
Total
Rank
Carissa spinarum
5
4
5
4
4
2
1
25
2nd
Cordia africana
4
5
3
5
5
2
3
27
1st
Croton macrostachyus
4
1
2
0
1
2
5
15
6th
Ficus sur
2
3
2
5
4
2
5
23
4th
Mimusops kummel
2
4
1
5
2
2
5
21
5th
Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata
3
5
5
0
4
5
2
24
3rd
Table 12
Frequency of plant parts used for the preparation of remedies
Plant parts used
No. of preparations
Percentage
No. of species
Plant parts used
No. of preparations each
Percentage
No. of species
Leaf
109
31.2
56
Stem
6
1.7
4
Root
108
30.9
45
Bulb
5
1.4
1
Fruit
25
7.2
13
Flower
4
1.1
3
Bark
15
4.3
11
Sap
1
0.3
1
Shoot
15
4.3
5
Gum
1
0.3
1
Latex
13
3.7
6
All parts
10
2.9
7
Seed
7
2.0
5
Two and three parts
15
4.3
13
Condition of preparation and storage of plant medicines
The results of the analyses showed that 70.94% of the plant medicines were prepared from fresh plant parts, 9.69% from dried and 19.37% from both fresh and dried parts. Healers explained that some of the stored remedies were kept for about one year, from September to September of the next year and discarded on the Ethiopian New Year and replaced with new preparations. When a particular medicinal plant could not be accessed easily, the previously stored remedy would be buried in the ground for one day (from the eve of the end of the first day of the New Year), after which time it is declared safe to be used. It was explained that remedies were stored secretly in a very secure place (mostly outside the living house at the top of the wall to keep them far from children) and no one is allowed to touch them without permission.
Route of remedy administration and dosage determination
It was found that the local people employ about 10 ways of medicine administration routes with varying frequencies. Of the total, 157 (44.9%) prescriptions were mainly those said to be applied through oral route (Table 14). The dosage varied between age and patient’s capacity as judged by healers. Traditional ways of dosage determination included measurements, namely, atq (referring to the size of the finger stripe/line, mostly of the small finger), tfir (referring to the size of a fingernail), finjal (referring to the volume of the coffee cup), birchiko (referring to the volume of a glass, mostly of tea glass). And tassa (referring to the volume of a tin can), mankia (referring to the size of a teaspoon) and faga (referring to a container made from a small fruit of the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) as well as number (leaves, fruits, seeds), size and droplets of plant parts. Smaller sizes (atq and tfir) were used to determine dosages of the most toxic plants including Euphorbia abyssinica, Stephania abyssinica and Calpurnia aurea, and the two measurements plus finjal, birchiko and mankia are meant for oral administration of medicine for the treatment of internal human ailments. finjal, birchiko, tassa and faga were used for less toxic plants that were diluted with liquid additives including tea, milk, coffee and water. Remedies were mixed mostly with water, honey, tea, milk, coffee, and dosages prescribed as half, one, two, and so on of materials used per day based on the nature of plants and patient’s age and general condition (body, health). tassa and faga were prescribed for use to treat livestock ailments while faga for preparation and dosage determination for external application of remedies in the cases of both humans and livestock treatment. The concepts of dosage and measurement do exist in the traditional herbal medical system of the community as it emerges from the practices albeit the low precision. Even though the experienced medicinal plant practitioners showed serious concerns in determining the dosages very carefully; the measuring devices they used do not allow delivery of precise amounts. The members of the association of healers and some other local community members reported the effectiveness of traditional medicine, but they expressed discomfort when it comes to the amount given particularly in the case of internal human medicines. They actually recommended that technical assistance and psychological support through training must be given to minimize the fear and effect of incompatible dosage of remedies on patients. The measurements used to determine the dosages are not standardized except categorization by age, physical appearance and health conditions. The absence of adverse effects of traditional herbal medicines after administration was most frequently mentioned by the traditional healers. Coffee and milk were mentioned for use as antidotes when formulations were made from Euphorbia abyssinica, for malaria, and Calpurnia aurea for diarrhea and anesthesia. Likewise, local beer (tella) is used as antidote when Asparagus africanus is used to treat impotence. The traditional healers indicated that they use the antidotes for dilution in cases of adverse effects.
Table 13
Mode of preparation of medicinal plants
Types of preparation
Frequency of preparation
Percentages
Crushing
118
35.01
Grinding, concoction and creaming
50
14.80
Boiling, heating, burning and fumigation
49
14.50
Chewing, spitting and absorbing fluid/juice
32
9.50
Rubbing and squeezing
24
7.10
Using unprocessed plant part
23
6.80
Pounding and making infusion
23
6.80
Chopping and breaking
18
5.30
Marketed medicinal plants in the study area
Survey of two towns in the proximity of the study sites (Addis Zemen and Yifag) did not show any medicinal plant mentioned during the interviews presented on the market. The respondents explained that most healers prepared and sold traditional medicinal plants in the home rather than in the open market. Healers usually had big signposts in front of their homes listing the health problems they treat. Some medicinal plants were marketed mainly for other use values (spices and food) but once bought they could be used as medicine at home as part of the common family home treatment. These include Allium sativum, Ruta chalepensis, Brassica carinata and Cicer arietinum usually traded for use as edible spices. On the other hand, Carica papaya, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus aurantium, Coffea arabica, Cucurbita pepo, Linum usitatissimum, Mimusops kummel, Persea americana, Prunus persica, Punica granatum, Zea mays, Eragrostis tef, Capsicum annuum and Vicia faba were bought from the market for use as food items.
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Taboos connected with handling and use of medicinal plants
Some of the taboos reported by experienced medicinal plant experts concern times of collection, ways of collection, preparation materials, administration and storage. Most of the medicinal plants were said to be collected on Wednesdays and Fridays in the early morning hours without contact and without talking to any other person and this is related to healers’ beliefs that doing it otherwise would reduce the efficacy of the herbal medicine. In the preparation of a single remedy, plant parts are mostly taken from individuals of the same species growing in three or seven different places. One healer said that this increases its remedial effectiveness. This could be a way of balancing the amount of phytochemical and pharmacological constituents based on habitat variation. Collection materials are kara (kind of knife), ankasie/tore (metallic spear), weyra ejeta mekoferia (digger with handle made of Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata wood) and most of the time stationary stones are the preferred preparation places. It was mentioned that sexual intercourse is forbidden for healers and patients alike during any medicinal plant collection, preparation and application.
Variation of indigenous plant knowledge in the study area
Significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, r = -0.450, α = 0.05, p = 0.046) was observed between male and female informants on the number of medicinal plant species they knew. The test, however, did not indicate significant correlation between healers and general informants (Spearman correlation test, r = -0.002, α = 0.05, p = 0.991) regarding the number of medicinal plant species they reported. The comparison of knowledge and experience of age groups (35–50 and 51–84) showed significant differences (P < 0.05) while there was no significant difference between age groups 19–34 and 35–50 considering plant names and the respective medicinal uses (t = 0.05, two tailed and df = 52). Progressively increasing results were obtained with increasing age of informants (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Variation of medicinal plants knowledge among the age groups of informants(Mpnri=Medicinal plant names reported by individuals,Mpumi=Medicinal plant uses mentioned by individuals).
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Local community members in Washa Indiras, Kidanemhret and Kualla Yihuans gave 162, 95 and 91 medicinal plant names with 128, 95 and 86 medicinal uses respectively. Informants from Washa Indiras village reported the highest plant names (162) and uses (128), while those in Yifag Akababi and Asiba turned in the least numbers (58, 56) and uses (52, 50) respectively. However, not all communities living nearby the forests gave higher reports compared to distant villages. For example, Tibabosgie is the nearest village to the forest, but the report from informants showed relatively lower names (48) and uses (50) than the other villages found relatively far from the forest, namely Abuarra (92 names and 80 uses), Lomye (73 names and 80 uses) and Agamoch (69 names and 66 uses). On the other hand, Mantogera village is located nearest to the forest, but the results showed 61 names and 61 uses, which is less than other nearby villages in the same (woina dega) agroclimatic zone. Furthermore, in Aguat Mafsesha located at higher altitude of all villages found in dega agroclimatic zone, showed that informants could only recall a few species and uses (40 names and 43 uses). Generally, however, informants in villages near the forest knew more plants (38.5%) and uses (38.9%) than those located in towns (30.3%, 30.0%) and far away from forests (30.8%, 31.5%).
Indigenous medicinal plant knowledge development and sharing
Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in most cases is passed along the family line from parents and other intimates, especially gifted family members (which they described as eju yemisemrlet, meaning one whose hands are skillful and effectual). Some of the traditional knowledge is generated through the community by listening and practicing while some copied secretly and systematically by following and observing the knowledgeable individuals at times of medicinal plant collection and preparation. Others develop and transfer their medicinal plant knowledge to generations by following up healers after seeking treatment of their family members. In very few cases, individuals developed their medicinal plant knowledge upon careful observation of domestic carnivores, especially the cat, which immediately consumes medicinal plant parts upon preying on poisonous snakes, scorpions and spiders. One healer reported his discovery in this way of Vernonia adoensis for the treatment of snake poison. Medicinal plant experts have developed some traditional medicinal plant knowledge from observations of animal feeding to know the plants that are never consumed, which hints at plants not for internal use to ensure safety of the vital organs but rather used for the treatment of dermal ailments such as wounds because of their possible toxic nature. Furthermore, experienced medicinal plant experts create new medicinal knowledge by relating the plant odour with previously known medicinal plants. Some healers were seen recording ethnomedicinal knowledge in small notebooks during fieldwork, which may testify their curiosity and keenness to develop and transfer indigenous knowledge to the next generation.
Threats to and conservation of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge
The study found that medicinal plants are faced with threats in their habitats. Informants claimed that long before the past ten to twenty years Tara-gedam and the surrounding areas were full of natural vegetation around the farmlands, riversides and grazing lands in addition to the wealth of plant species in number and diversity in the forests. They further asserted that in those days almost all the medicinal plants were easily accessible within short distances of the living place. Today, it is not an easy task to get medicinal plants out of Tara-gedam and Amba forests due to habitat modification. Most informants perceived that agricultural expansion was the main threat to medicinal plants, firewood collection the next and others follow (Table 15). Similarly, preference ranking of five most threatened medicinal plant species indicated that Withania somnifera and Huernia macrocarpa are the two most threatened medicinal plants (Table 16). Through further discussion and interview with informants, 63 plant species that were said to have become sparse in distribution were recorded along with five species restricted in occurrence and in most cases found in the homegardens in recent years (Figure 4).
Table 14
Mode of administration of the plant remedies
Mode of administration
Number of medicinal plant parts used in each case
Percent of total
Oral
157
44.9
Dermal
132
37.7
Dermal, nasal and oral
14
4.0
Dermal and oral
15
4.3
Optical
10
2.9
Nasal
9
2.6
Ear
8
2.3
Vaginal
2
0.6
Dermal and nasal; nasal and ear; nasal and oral
1
0.9
Table 15
Priority ranking results of seven respondents on six factors perceived as threats to medicinal plants
Threatening factor
Respondents
(R1-
R7)
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
R
6
R
7
Total
Rank
Agricultural expansion
6
6
6
5
5
6
4
38
1st
Overgrazing
3
4
5
6
6
5
3
32
3rd
Drought
2
2
2
1
3
4
4
18
5th
Fuelwood collection
6
4
6
2
6
4
5
33
2nd
Construction and building material
1
3
5
1
1
2
3
15
6th
Urbanization/Modernization
4
6
5
2
3
4
5
29
4th
Table 16
Results of preference ranking of five most threatened medicinal plants
Treating medicinal plant species
Respondents
(R1-
R7)
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
R
6
R
7
Total
Rank
Cucumis ficifolius
4
1
4
1
2
2
3
17
3rd
Ficus carica
3
2
1
2
3
2
3
16
4th
Huernia macrocarpa
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
25
2nd
Solanum marginatum
1
2
2
3
1
3
2
14
5th
Withania somnifera
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
33
1st
Figure 4
Current condition of medicinal plant species based on informant preferences.
×
Conservation efforts specifically targeted to medicinal plants do not exist in the District. However, some of the medicinal plants are raised in the governmental nurseries for other purposes and conserved in the protected governmental and Orthodox Tewahedo church forests. The well known Tara-gedam and Amba natural forests and other relatively smaller patches of vegetation and plantations found in each kebele are nowadays being protected by the local people living around the forest fringes in collaboration with the government. Some of the medicinal plants occurring in the Orthodox Tewahedo church forests were Adiantum capillus-veneris, Clerodendrum myricoides, Juniperus procera, Millettia ferruginea, Schefflera abyssinica, Urera hypselodendron and Ziziphus spina-christi. The informants elaborated that some of the medicinal plants collected from the homegardens namely, Persea americana, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus aurantium, Coffea arabica, Cordia africana, Ficus sur, Schinus molle and Punica granatum were those raised from seedlings taken from the nursery. It was also observed that the local farmers make use of their indigenous knowledge in protecting important plant species on their farmlands, homegardens, or as live fence. Few traditional healers cultivate very rare species in their homegardens. Healers mentioned the difficulty of cultivating species that cannot be propagated outside their natural habitats and that they have to travel long distances for several hours to get the needed medicinal plants. Alternatively, healers may choose to get (on appointed date) such plants upon cash payment for people who are living in the vicinity of the medicinal plants. Medicinal plants that are known to have additional uses (ornamentals, fuel, forage, spice, food and soil conservation) in the area were planted most frequently in homegardens and farmlands. Allium sativum, Foeniculum vulgare, Lepidium sativum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ruta chalepensis, Schinus molle and few others were commonly planted.
Furthermore, the District administration has started considering the indigenous knowledge of the people as testified by the priority given to establish traditional health practitioners association along with the provision of some technical training and discussion on biodiversity conservation concepts. A good justification for the above scenario is the observation during our field study in the area the mutual exchange of knowledge and remedies at the time of monthly meetings. The first author had a chance to participate in two of their meetings and was kindly given permission to record the information.
Discussion
Despite the efforts made, only few women could take part in the study partly because of the tradition and being the usual case when the interviewers are men as in our case. Women are generally not expected to appear in public or discuss with stranger men both by society and family (husbands deny permission in most cases) or other socio-cultural reasons, which our female informants refrained from describing openly. There were very few women practitioners in the community. More informants are expected to yield more knowledge of plants procured from the wild as was reported by other researchers [33‐35]. The rich ethnoecological knowledge was revealed in their elaboration and categorization of the ecological units. They recognized six landscape, five soil and five vegetation types, reflecting their deep understanding of the differences and similarities in these key environmental components. This emanates from the ethnobotanical/ethnoecological knowledge that was shaped over generations and which they use for describing, managing and utilizing the land, the soil and vegetation. Their knowledge also stretches to the individual plants which they grouped into use categories, morphological classes and adaptive forms. Soils which were identified based on colour and texture are applied to determine and select those suitable for the type of crop varieties to be grown on a specific land. This knowledge shares similarities with the modern classification system [36] and the system used in another part of Ethiopia [37]. Such broad-based indigenous knowledge systems are indicative of prolonged experience, relationship and interaction of people with the biotic and abiotic components of the environment as rightly described for other areas in Ethiopia [38‐40].
The top three families (Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae) reported in this study are among those represented with higher number of taxa in the Ethiopian flora [39‐44] and also found to have higher number of medicinal plants by other researchers working in other parts of Ethiopia [45‐47]. This might be related to possession of more species that are widely distributed in almost all ecological areas and habitats since the Fabaceae and Asteraceae are respectively the first and third largest families of angiosperms in the Ethiopian flora [48]. These two families have many uses for the community as reported by other researchers [44‐46, 49]. The diversity of genera and families (29 with 2–14 species in many genera) is a good indication for the study area being an important reservoir of medicinal plants and ethnomedicinal knowledge. Dependence on a great diversity of plant species for treatment of ailments is a good indicator of profound knowledge on medicinal plants. The six most cited medicinal plants that have relatively higher percentages of informants’ consensus could be considered for further analyses. The fact that Achyranthes aspera came both in the most cited and most effective medicinal plants for treating different diseases may indicate that in the long term this species could be locally threatened due to overharvesting. At the time of field data collection, the species was found widely distributed in both the wild lands as well as in and around homegardens.
Eight to fifty-five medicinal plant species recorded in this study have also been documented as medicinal in other parts of Ethiopia as our review of 20 sources [34, 39‐44, 46, 49‐60] showed. This analysis confirms that those medicinal plants are important in the healthcare systems of different cultures in Ethiopia. On the other hand, 31 of the medicinal plant species reported in our study have not been mention in any of the ethnobotanical literature sources reviewed [34, 39‐44, 46, 49‐60] suggesting that while the knowledge is shared in some respects it also has some uniqueness to the study communities.
The finding that shrubs and herbs were the most abundant medicinal plants indicated that people rely more on such plants, which may relate to the fact that they are relatively common compared to other growth forms. Other researchers [41, 47, 53, 59, 61] also found that shrubs and herbs are the most frequent medicinal plant species. Most of the wild medicinal plants were accessed from Tara-gedam and Amba forests. Healers and some knowledgeable members of the local community were seen cultivating some medicinal plants in their homegardens for easy access and use of fresh parts at times of remedy preparation. The distribution of medicinal plants in the wild, homegardens and in both premises [39‐41, 62, 58] as well as finding of more species in the wild environments were reported by other researchers [33, 43, 47, 62] in Ethiopia and other countries [63, 64].
Use of diverse plant species in the treatment of ailments implied that the people of the study area to date prevent and cure human and livestock ailments with plant materials collected from the surrounding areas. Less number of livestock diseases and medicinal plants were reported compared to those of humans, which could probably be due to the fact that the people give more attention to human ailments compared to livestock diseases. Generally, the local people affirmed that they first try to find medicines for human ailments and then search for remedies for livestock ailments as reported in other areas [38]. The healers also mentioned that they refer to the pharmacopeias (ancient herbals written on parchment) to learn about medicinal plants and treatments for human diseases. Traditional pharmacopeias have also helped to transfer the knowledge to more people. Treatment of human ailments like womb problem, sterility of females, prolonging the life of embryos in the uterus, expelling foreign particles from the eyes and ears, and livestock ailments like increasing sexual needs and beating with stick are new plant uses not encountered in any of the previous publications reviewed.
Higher ICF values as in external parasites, beating with stick and sun stroke in the case of livestock, and febrile illness, headache, anemia, brain tension and malaria in human being are indicative of the presence of similar ethnomedicinal plant knowledge and their continued usage in similar ways among community members [32, 64] as also reported from other parts of Ethiopia [39‐41].
Cordia africana, the most multipurpose species as in other areas [62], would be imagined to be most threatened in the future. The clue to this is its rare occurrence with sparse distribution around farmlands and some homegardens. This scarcity was due to over harvesting not only for medicinal purpose, but also for other uses, notably for timber production. All of the medicinal plant species and the top ranking ones in particular need urgent conservation actions and adoption of a suitable system of sustainable use.
The preferences of leaves and roots to other plant parts could be attributed to ease of preparation, the presence of medicinally active secondary metabolites and accessibility at the required time in the same manner as described for western [34], southern [45‐47, 53, 59‐61], northern [41, 58], central [62] and eastern [65] Ethiopia and other countries [63, 64]. The use of leaves for medicinal purposes is less likely to be destructive especially relative to the use of roots. The latter is likely to have negative influence on the survival of the plant. Cultural practices and beliefs requiring digging up of three or seven plants to prepare just a single remedy have been recorded. In some cases three or five or seven pieces each had to be removed from the same or different individual plants and applied to cure the disease, which would likely be unfavorable to conservation. Preparations made from all parts, three and two plant parts for remedy formulations (few in our case) may endanger the species unless mechanisms for sustainable utilization are put in place. Single plant preparations are easier to extract the curative chemical compounds as reported by others [33]. However, mixtures are expected to be more effective due to the additive effects of the combination of plants by increasing the compounds that could act on different pathogens.
Higher frequencies of crushed forms could be related to the ease of preparation at any place, using stones at most, which could be done by most local community members. Informants asserted that medicinal plant parts crushed and soaked in water lead to effective and immediate response to health problems. Crushing came out as the most frequent preparation method in other works [38]. A prescription that required crushed roots of Asparagus africanus concocted with honey and stored for seven days in a bottle was used for the treatment of impotency. Healers explained that such a preparation helps to extract the active chemicals and this is analogous to the methods used in modern phytochemical and pharmacological extractions using different solvents in the laboratory. This hints at a fair understanding of the local people about the science behind the traditional practices of herbal remedy preparation and treatment. About 71% of the medicinal plant remedies were prepared from fresh plant material highlighting that live medicinal plants have to be found near homes for instant use. Most herbalists advised that fresh material are more effective for treatment than dried forms further elaborating that drying could easily distort the efficacy of the medicine, and that stored plant medicine is culturally less liked and was also reported by other researchers [41, 53, 59] in Ethiopia. In modern herbal medicine, some secondary metabolites having active healing potentials are known to be quickly transformed to permanent compounds losing their healing power soon upon cutting [5, 8]. The use of dried plants and stored remedies were reported by very few healers, who said that they use dried plant material when availability of fresh material is seasonal. Dependency on fresh material is likely to throw the species to serious threats as had been warned by other sources [39].
Informants affirmed that after the New Year holiday, preparations from the past year could not have the potential to cure ailments if not buried on the eve of the holiday upto the next day to respect the cultural and religious beliefs. The newly prepared remedies are believed to have active constituents such as (volatile oils and other phytochemical and pharmaceutical ingredients) and these could be lost progressively due to factors including temperature, oxidation and reduction. This tradition of collecting most of the medicinal plant materials once in a year has the merit of minimizing overharvesting. Various sources from central [33], western [34], southern [46, 58‐60], eastern [62] and northern [41] Ethiopia proclaim that oral route is most frequent. Some sources [33, 34, 58] that recorded measurements for remedies in a similar manner to ours noted the lack of precision and standardization as a drawback of the traditional herbal healthcare system. Additives are included in the medicines to minimize discomfort, improve the taste and reduce adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea, and enhance the efficacy and healing potential as explained by the informants. Mixing and using some medicinal plants with common foods and drinks is an easy way for effective treatment, particularly for children and facilitation of ingesting bitter tasting formulations as described in other sources [33, 34, 58].
The recorded taboos and other ritual-like actions related to the collection, preparation and administration of traditional medicine are beliefs carried over generations in the study area in a similar manner to the research results reported from Bale [52] in southeast Ethiopia. The interpretations correspond to healers’ perceptions of medicine and disease treatment whose scientific verification awaits further studies.
Elderly members of the society (aged 51–85 years) had expectedly more knowledge on medicinal plants and their uses due to their long-lasting direct and regular contact with the forests and other plant resources. In contrast, the younger generation is more exposed to modern education and hence not interested in learning and practicing the ethnomedicinal wisdoms, which may affect the continuity of indigenous knowledge. Medicinal plant knowledge difference among age groups was also reported in other studies [2, 45, 59, 66] but one study from southern Ethiopia [47] deviated from this.
People living far away from forests (Asiba and Yifag Akababi) knew relatively fewer species than those residing near the forests (Washa Indiras, Kualla Yihuans and Kidanemhret) showing that contact with the plant resources helps to preserve and continue using the knowledge. Tibabosgie village being close to the forest reported less knowledge due to being more dependent on a few highly knowledgeable healers for their healthcare delivery. Mantogera village is close to Addis Zemen Town and the people have better access to modern medical system than traditional medicine. On the high land area of Aguat Mafsesha, the people live concentrated within a specific compatible area and intensive cultivation is the norm. Here, biodiversity is considerably reduced and the possibility of finding medicinal plants has been minimized.
The study confirmed that variation exists in species preferences among sites, partly due to the wide array of ecological niches within short distances. This is in turn expected to bring about differences in indigenous knowledge among informants of different sites. Similar trends have been reported in a study conducted in eastern central Ethiopia [38]. Though results indicated relative variations between town and rural villages, indigenous medicinal plant knowledge difference was hardly noticeable indicating that even town dwellers living close to forests keep considerable ethnobotanical knowledge as reported in other studies [67, 68].
It is no wonder that agriculture is the main culprit for the loss of medicinal plant habitats, vegetation and species because the communities in the study area depend more on mixed agriculture as their main economic activity with limited landholding and high human population [34, 59, 63, 69]. Low living standards and lack of alternatives are major factors responsible for the decline of forest resources [14]. Cultivating the useful plants in homegardens is crucial, but conservation in the natural wild setting (in-situ) must also be considered since plants in their natural ecological area can grow at the limits of their potentials and provide the expected results including efficacy as medicine. Sustainable medicinal plant management and conservation are imperative for rural people’s healthcare and community well-being. The importance and conservation purposes of church forests have previously been reported [70]. Likewise, the governmental plant nursery in Addis Zemen Town is used as a germplasm source for the forest as well as the surrounding areas. The nursery is engaged in raising seedlings of selected species that are distributed for reforestation and afforestation programmes, which needs further enhancement and scaling up.
Conclusion
The present study showed that Tara-gedam and Amba forests harbour a high diversity of medicinally useful plants and the people living in the area have a long history of plant use, and that of medicinal plants is exceptionally notable and culturally rooted in the area. Despite the gradual socio-cultural transformation, the inhabitants have retained remarkable knowledge of the plants and their uses. Difficulties in knowledge transfer and the resulting generation gap in knowledge are threatening the continuity of the medicinal plants and the indigenous knowledge on them. On the other hand, the study provided evidence that medicinal plants will continue to play an important role in the healthcare system in the study area, given support through conservation and education. Knowledge and herbal medical practices for the treatment of various ailments among both rural and urban people are major parts of their livelihoods and culture. The traditional knowledge of the use and conservation of these plants is still being transferred from generation to generation, but appeared to be aging. The problem of transfer of knowledge from the elders to the young generation probably arose following the introduction of modern education, religious, spiritual and culture-related factors. Therefore, it is not only essential to conserve such a wealth of information hidden among the local people but also to apply modern science and technology to meet the ever increasing requirements of humankind. Furthermore, conservation of these biological resources is very important because their sustainable use can generate higher levels of employment and income.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge with thanks the Department of Biology (Addis Ababa University) for the financial support used to carry out the research and the technical staff of the National Herbarium (ETH) for availing plant identification facilities. The people of Libo Kemkem District, who positively responded to the research idea and shared their valuable knowledge and time with generosity and warm hospitality as well as the District offices for Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, Administration and Information Affairs and Traditional Medicinal Plants Association for their kind provision of data, general information and writing supportive letters during data collection. The authors also acknowledge with thanks professors Sebsebe Demissew and Sileshi Nemomissa for their valuable comments on the earlier version of the research output. The first author would also like to thank his family members for their multidimensional support during field data collection in particular.
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
All authors had significant intellectual contribution towards the design of the study, data collection and analysis and write-up of the manuscript. GC conducted the fieldwork, identified the plants, analyzed the data, wrote the draft manuscript and actively followed it up through revisions up to submission and after. ZA took part in plant identification, reviewed and edited the draft manuscript, provided comments and suggestions and checked its final version. EK checked and confirmed the identification of the plants, provided comments and suggestions on the draft manuscript and checked its final version. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission.
