scholarly journals Ethnobotanical Study on Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge on Traditional Plant Medicine Use among People of Wonchi District in Southwest Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Author(s):  
Gadisa Melkamu Bulcha ◽  
Kebebush Zepre

Incomplete coverage of the modern medical system, shortage of pharmaceuticals, and unaffordable prices of modern drugs, make the majority of Ethiopians still depend on traditional plant medicine. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the current status of indigenous knowledge of traditional plant medicine used among communities of Won chi District. Method: A total of 198 informants (27 key and 171 general) were selected purposively based on the availability of key informants and vegetation richness of the District. semi-structured interview, observation, and guided field walk with informants were data collection methods. Ethnobotanical scoring and ranking methods like informant consensus, paired-wise comparison, and preference ranking were used to analyze the collected data. The findings were displayed using tables and figures. Result: A total of 93 medicinal plant species were identified. Out of these,50 species (53.76%)were noted to treat only human ailments, 3(2.23%) species were used to treat livestock ailments and the rest 40 (43.01%) were used to treat both. Nearly two-thirds of the study participants have good knowledge about traditional plant medicine use. most medicinal plants were reported by elders (94.62%) than younger age group, traditional medicinal plant healers almost know all (96.77%), regarding religion waqefata (60.21%) know than other religion. More medicinal plants were reported by males (86.02%)than females, while regarding educational status illiterate (61.29%)know and mention more Medicinal plants than literate. Therefore, all stakeholders should work together in changing the current situation in order to sustainably benefit from traditional plant medicine.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misbahu Aman ◽  
Zemede Asfaw ◽  
Gemedo Dalle

Abstract Background Systematic documentation and promotion of indigenous knowledge associated with medicinal plants are limited. The aim of this study was to undertake ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments and document indigenous knowledge of local communities on the preparation and administration of herbal remedies in the study area. Methods The study involved 153 informants from nine kebeles, comprising traditional healers, knowledgeable elders and local user communities. Various ethnobotanical techniques were used to collect and analyze data: semi- structured interview, guided field walk, group discussion, preference ranking, and fidelity level index. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results Local communities had rich and diverse indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants, types of ailments, methods of remedy preparations and routes of applications. There were differences in this indigenous knowledge across age and sex. A total of 83 medicinal plants were documented during this study. Fifty two (62.65%) plants were used for treating human ailments, 20 species (24.10%) for treating health problems of livestock and the remaining 11 (13.25%) for treating both human and livestock ailments. The highest informant consensus was documented for the plants Allium sativum , Asparagus africanus and Azadirachta indica. Leaves were the most commonly used parts of medicinal plants accounting for 51.81% of the total followed by roots (20.48%) and barks (2.41%). Oral administration of the herbal medicine was the dominant route 66.3%, followed by dermal (22.7%) which included washing, holding on, rubbing and brushing. Smoking (8.5%) was also important. It was documented that 27 species (32.5%) were used in fresh, 13 species (15.7%) dried and 43 species (51.8%) either in dry or fresh state. Conclusion Owing to their access, curing ability, manageable charges, existence of deep indigenous knowledge and other associated cultural values, medicinal plants continued to play a significant role in meeting healthcare needs of the community in the study area. Conservation and sustainable use of the diverse medicinal plants need to be promoted. Systemic documentation and protection of the rich knowledge of local communities and further research on selected potential species was recommended as a result of this study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boja Tilinti Bose ◽  
Yoseph Melka ◽  
Tesfaye Awas

Abstract Background: The world population use medicinal plants for treating diseases in forms of drug developments also traditional medicinal specially developing countries. The economic growth and cultural changes threaten the traditional lifestyle of local people. The aim of the study is to investigate medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were obtained using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion and market survey. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor, preference ranking and Direct matrix ranking using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20. Results: Ethnomedicinal use of 136 medicinal plant species belonging to 117 genera and 63 families wereidentified and documented. The highest number of medicinal plants was used in midland kebele(74 species). Out of total medicinal plants 66 (48.53%) species were reported to treat human aliments only. Most of the medicinal plants harvested were herbs (37.50%), followed by trees (36.76%) and the least was lianas (0.74%). A Pearson correlation test indicated a positive and significant difference between age of informants and number of medicinal plant species cited, and negative and significant difference between level of education and number of medicinal plant species cited. The result indicates that there was significant difference between male and female informants in their knowledge of medicinal plants, and there was significant different between number of medicinal plants reported by key informants and household respondents. Cordia africana ranked first as a multipurpose medicinal plant. Agricultural expansion (41.96%) stood first as a factor threatening medicinal plants. Conclusion: The highest numbers of MPs were used in Sire Morose kebele (midland), but collection was not restricted only to their locality the move other kebeles to harvest MPs. In the study area elders have better knowledge of medicinal plant than younger and as people educate their knowledge on medicinal plants decrease.This implies that in study area there is potential indigenous knowledge but we are going loss this traditional knowledge if did not develop means transferring this to next generation. To support local people effort on in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation needed


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jewar Safeno Jara ◽  
Zerihun Girma Girma ◽  
Melesse Maryo Selamo

Abstract Background Over exploitation of MPs to treat human ailments in highly populated regions caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion disappearing (MP) species diversity in the areas, MPs Hence, this study was aimed to document and analyze the plant-based ethnomedicinal knowledge of the people in order to preserve the existing indigenous knowledge. Methods Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interview, key informants interview, guided field observations, group discussions & market survey. Quantitative approaches were used to determine Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), pair wise comparison, preference ranking and Fidelity level (FL) values. Results A total of 96 medicinal plant species belonging to 89 genera and 66 botanical families were reported to treat human diseases in the Aseko District. Plant Families with the highest number of species were Lamiaceae and Solanaceae, followed by Fabaceae. About 44% of Medicinal Plants (MPs) preparations were reported to be obtained from leaves. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastrointestinal (0.76) & parasitic and febrile illnesses (0.74) indicating best agreement among informants’ knowledge on MPs used to treat aliments in these categories. The highest fidelity level values (100% FL) were recorded for Ocimum gratissimum L against febrile diseases, Rubus steudneri Schw against Asthma and Podocarpus falcatus against Intestinal Parasite) for each, showing conformity of knowledge on species of the best healing potential. Cordia africana was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose Medicinal Plants. The output of preference ranking exercise indicated that Urtica simensis Steudel was the most preferred species to treat gastritis. Conclusion The study revealed that Aseko district is rich in MP diversity and associated indigenous knowledge. However, anthropogenic factors (over exploitation) coupled with acculturation threaten the sustainability of MPs in the study area. Promoting a complementary in-situ and ex-situ conservation approach in the District is highly recommendable for MP sustainability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abenezer Wendimu ◽  
Wondimagegnehu Tekalign ◽  
Biniyam Asfaw

Abstract BackgroundPlants have been used as a traditional medicine for many years for the people of Wolaita, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to record these local knowledge of the peoples who inhabit the Diguna Fango district. MethodsA semi-structured interview was conducted with a total of 60 informants. ResultsTotally, 50 species belonging to 24 families were identified to treat 28 human and livestock ailments. Solanaceae (14.3%) was the most abundant family whereas; the rosaceae (1.00) had the highest family use value (FUV). Most of the plants (82%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases. Herbs (34%) were the dominant growth habits, followed by trees (33%). The leaves (30%) were identified as the most used plant part. The most common methods of remedy preparations were eating and chewing (18.2% each) followed by grinding (13.61%). Oral (73.3%) was the major route of administration, followed by dermal (21.7%). The cardiovascular system diseases category (1.00) had a higher informant consensus factor value followed by the fever disease category (0.90). Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile, Commelina benghalensis L., Triticum dicoccon (Schrank) Schübl and Pentas spp. (100%) had a higher fidelity level to treat swelling, chirt (skin diseases), weight gain, and bone fractures, respectively. Persea americana Mill. was ranked highest as the most preferable medicinal plant for various purposes by local people, followed by Acacia abyssinica Benth. The principal threatening factors reported were charcoal production (26%), agricultural expansion (15%), and firewood (14%). Out of the plants and their uses documented, 16% of the medicinal plants and 28.6% of the uses were novel. ConclusionsThe present study indicated the existence of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants to treat human and livestock ailments. Therefore, there should be mentoring for the local people in the study area to conserve their indigenous knowledge and resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mersha Ashagre Eshete ◽  
Ermias Lulekal Molla

Abstract Background Traditional medicine has remained the most affordable and easily accessible source of treatment in the primary healthcare system among communities unable to get modern medication. Ethiopian indigenous people have a long history of traditional plant utilization for treating ailments. The objectives of this study were to identify, document, and analyze the cultural significances of medicinal plants and their associated indigenous knowledge among Guji Semi-Pastoralist People, in Suro Barguda District, West Guji Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods Semi-structured interview, focus group discussions, participant observation, and walk-in-the-woods methods were used to gather medicinal plants data. The informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) values were calculated using quantitative approaches to check the level of informants' agreement on plant use and the healing potential of medicinal plant species, respectively. Indigenous knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for medicinal purposes among different informant groups was compared using t tests with R software. Results A total of 98 medicinal plant species belonging to 87 genera and 48 families were reported to be used for treating human ailments such as gastrointestinal diseases, breathing system diseases, dermatological diseases, and febrile diseases. Family Fabaceae was represented by 10 species followed by Lamiaceae (7 species). Four of the medicinal plants (Bothriocline schimperi Oliver & Hiern ex Bentham, Erythrina brucei Schweinf. emend. Gillett, Lippia adoensis Hochst. ex Walp. var. adoensis, and Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Hochst. ex Baker) were found endemic to Ethiopia and shrubs were more dominant (36 species). Ninety-one medicinal plant species were used for remedy preparation as soon as they were collected in their fresh form; 35.6% herbal medicine preparation was through crushing the plant parts and homogenizing them with cold and clean water; 159 (70.4%) traditional medicinal preparations were reported to be taken in their drinking form (orally). Conclusion The study indicated that the district is rich in different species of medicinal plants used to treat human ailments and indigenous knowledge about using these resources. Species with the recorded highest consensus for curative purposes are useful sources for further phytochemical and pharmacological validation for better utilization. Declining wild medicinal flora of the area calls for conservation priority.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Birhanu Adibaru Abebe ◽  
Samuel Chane Teferi

Indigenous people of a given community have their own local specific knowledge on plant use, management, and conservation. The objective of this study was to document medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in Hulet Eju Enese Woreda. The data were collected using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with local people. A total of 100 informants over the age of 20 years were selected to collect information on medicinal plant use. Descriptive statistics (percentage and frequency), Jaccard’s similarity index, independent sample t-test and analysis of variance, informant consensus factor, fidelity level, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking were computed. A total of 80 medicinal plant species belonging to 75 genera and 52 families were documented. In terms of species diversity, Solanaceae stood first with 5 species followed by Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae with 4 species each. Out of eighty medicinal plants, 53 species were used to treat only human ailments, 8 species were used to treat only livestock ailments, and the remaining 19 species were used for treating both human and livestock ailments. From the total medicinal plant species, shrub constitutes the largest number with 42.5% species. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, accounting for 28.9%. The major routes of administration were oral accounts, 81 (57%), followed by dermal, 45 (31.7%), nasal, 6 (4.2%), and others, 10 (7%). In the disease category with the highest informant consensus factor (0.83) value was sudden sickness. There was highest preference (49) for Phytolacca dodecandra to treat rabies. Cordia africana was shown to be the top multipurpose species. This study revealed that the study area was rich in medicinal plants. Agricultural expansion, charcoal making, and firewood collection were considered major threats to medicinal plants. Therefore, awareness creation to the youth and training to the healers play a pivotal role to prevent the loss of indigenous knowledge.


Author(s):  
R Possa ◽  
P Khotso

The indigenous knowledge of the Basotho makes it simple for this speech community to name their traditional medicinal plants in such a way that they are meaningful; this could also be viewed as an empowerment technique, especially in the economic sphere. Their medicinal plants names seem to be idiomatic and to express certain philosophies of the Basotho society. Creativity is observable in this kind of naming, and many names allude to the kind of remedy that is associated with the medicinal plant. It is therefore the interest of this paper to consider the names of medical plants among the Basotho whose names allude to the remedy they provide. The names of Sesotho medicinal plants and the reasoning of the Basotho in general behind the name and the use of each medicinal plant will be discussed in this article. This paper will further preserve and promote the use of Basotho traditional medicines for the future generation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Temesgen Assefa ◽  
Netsanet Nigussie ◽  
Destaw Mullualem ◽  
Gebiru Sinshaw ◽  
Yeshaneh Adimasu

In Ethiopia, medicinal plants had been used since ancient time and became an important source of health care. Though majority of the people in the study area depend on ethnomedicine to manage different ailments, the indigenous knowledge largely is not documented. As a result, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted with the objective of assessing the role of medicinal plants in traditional medicine. Data was collected by using semi-structured interview and group discussion. Twenty informants were purposefully selected based on indigenous knowledge and gender. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and expressed in tables and flow charts. A total of 25 medicinal plants (22 families) recorded to treat human and livestock ailments. Medicinal plant habit analysis indicates that shrubs occupy the highest proportion (36%), followed by trees and herbs (28% for each) and climbers (8%). The most commonly used plant parts in the study area were leaves and roots. Although medicinal plants play a great role in the society, their  sustainability is declining through time in the study area due to the increasing number of users, improper uses of the plants and poor conservation. Therefore, the conservation of these medicinal plants would be important.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Woldemariam ◽  
Sebsebe Demissew ◽  
Zemede Asfaw

Abstract BackgroundIndigenous or traditional herbal medicine has been widely regarded as a resource for strengthening the health care systems among communities of low income countries including Ethiopia. The Yem people in Ethiopia have deep-rooted and ancient traditional knowledge of managing human ailments and health conditions using medicinal plants (mps). On the other hand, mps and the associated indigenous knowledge are under erosion due to human-induced and natural factors. Therefore, documenting the plant biodiversity along with the associated indigenous knowledge is of urgent task for conservation. MethodsThis study was conducted in April, 2013, October, 2016 and July, 2016 with the objective of documenting traditional mps in different land uses that are used for treating human ailments. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 69 informants that were selected by stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Vegetation data were obtained from 30, 30x30 m quadrats. Ethnobotanical data were analysed using paired ranking, Informant consensus factor and Fidelity Level index. ResultsAbout 213 medicinal plant species that are used for treating 117 human ailments were recorded. ICF calculated depicted a highest ICF value of 0.82 for Gastrointestinal & Visceral organs ailments. Haplocarpha rueppellii, Carduus schimperi and Inula confortiflora each 100%, Maesa lanceolata 80% and Rumex abyssinicus 75%. Vegetation analysis showed three plant communities.ConclusionThe Yem people have rich traditional knowledge of utilising plants side by side with the mainstream biomedical system for maintaining human health care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
MAIZER SAID NAHDI ◽  
ARDYAN PRAMUDYA KURNIAWAN

Abstract. Nahdi MS, Kurniawan AP. 2019. The diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2279-2287. Medicinal plants have been widely used by local communities in Indonesia due to its effectiveness as medicine and its low cost. In addition, the scientific and technological development of medicinal plants has been developed rapidly. This research aims to conduct inventory of medicinal plants recorded in the ecosystem of the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta and to reveal the local knowledge on their uses and traditional healing method applied. We used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The data of local knowledge on medicinal plants and traditional medical practices when using them were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interview with local informants selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The results showed that the abundance of medicinal plant species at the study area was very high during the rainy season, while during the dry season, some of the plant species were found in the yard and open land. A total of 82 species from 40 families were identified as medicinal plants and used by the community through various processing and for various medical treatments. The information was inherited from previous generations through counseling and training. The most favorable way to use medicinal plants was by consuming the leaf directly. Among all identified medicinal plants, betel leaves (Piper betle L) had the highest importance value (43.6%), followed by turmeric (Curcuma longa L) (38.5%), and soursop (Annona muricata L) (33.3%). Kelor (Moringa pterygosperma, Gaertn) had the most significant usage value (0,6), followed by lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) and ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb) with the same value (0.3). The medicinal plants had also co-benefits including to encourage communication as well as to building relationship among community members.


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