ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY LOCAL

PEOPLE IN OFLA WEREDA, SOUTHERN ZONE OF TIGRAY REGION,
ETHIOPIA

By

Nurya Abdurhman

June 2010
ADDIS ABABA
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
Table of contents.............................................................................................................II
Dedication.......................................................................................................................VI
List of tables..................................................................................................................VII
List of figures..............................................................................................................VIII
Appendices....................................................................................................................IX
Acronyms.......................................................................................................................X
Acknowledgements........................................................................................................XI
Abstract.........................................................................................................................XII
1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the Study..................................................................................1

1.2 . Statement of the Problem..............................................................................2

1.3 Objectives........................................................................................................3

1.3.1. General objective.....................................................................................3

1.3.2. Specific objectives...................................................................................3

2. LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................4
2.1. Traditional Medicine.......................................................................................4
2.2. Indigenous Knowledge....................................................................................4
2.3. Status of Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia.................6
2.4. Plants in Ethnoveternary Medicine.................................................................6
2.5. The Importance of Medicinal Plants for Development of Modern Drugs......7
2.6. Threats and Conservation of Traditional Medicinal Plants............................9

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS..........................................................................12

3.1. Characteristic Features of the Study Area.....................................................12

3.1.1. Location.................................................................................................12
 3.1.2. Topography...........................................................................................13

3.1.3. Climate................................................................................................. 13

3.1.4. Rainfall….............................................................................................14

3.1.5. Vegetation............................................................................................14

3.1.6. Population………………...................................................................14

3.1.7 Farming system………….....................................................................14

3.1.8 Health and sanitation.............................................................................15

3.2.Methods……........................................................................................................15

3.2.1. Site selection..........................................................................................15

3.2.2. Selection of informants.........................................................................15

3.3.Collection of Ethnobotanical Data..........................................................................16

3.3.1. Field observation...................................................................................16

3.3.2. Group discussion..................................................................................16.

3.3.3. Plant identification................................................................................16

3.4. Data Analysis....................................................................................................17

3.4.1. Preference ranking.................................................................................17

3.4.2. Paired comparison.................................................................................17

3.4.3. Informant consensus..............................................................................18

3.4.4. Informant consensus factor (ICF)..........................................................18

3.4.5. Ranking of threatened medicinal plants................................................18

3.4.6. Ranking of threats to medicinal plants..................................................19

III
 3.4.7. Direct matrix ranking for multiple uses of traditional medicinal plant
species...................................................................................................19

4. RESULTS AND DISSCUTION..........................................................................20

4.1 Types of Medicinal Plants……………………….............................................20

4.2. Sources of Medicinal Plants……….................................................................21

4.3. Habits of Medicinal Plants…………………………........................................22
4.4. Medicinal Plants and their main uses by the Local People……………...……22
4.5. Plant Parts Used for Medicine……………………….………………………..23
4.6. Conditions of Preparation of Herbal Remedies…….…………………………23
4.7. Preparation, Routes of Administration and Application of Medicinal
Plants….………………………………...…………………………….............24
4.7.1. Modes of administration…………………………………....…………….25
4.7.2. Modes of application of traditional medicines………………………...…26
4.8. Factors Threatening Medicinal Plants……………………...…………………27
4.9. Threatened Medicinal Plants………………………………………….………..28
4.10. Ranking of Most Important Medicinal Plants….………….........…………….29
4.11. Importance of Medicinal Plants………………………………………….…...29
4.12. Direct Matrix Ranking…………………..……………………………….……30
4.13. Popular Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Different Ailment……….…………31
4.14. Medicinal Plants Used to Treat One Ailment………………….……………..32
4.15. Marketed Medicinal Plants……………………………………………..…….32
4.16. Sources and Transferring of Indigenous Knowledge…….....……...…………33
4.16.1 Ages of Informants…………………………………………….....………….33
4.16.2. Educational Status of Informants……...……………….…………………...34
4.16.3. Sources of Traditional Knowledge Practice………………...……..………..34
4.16.4. Transferring Knowledge of Traditional Medicinal Plants…………….……35
4.16.5. Use of Medicinal Plants Associating with Beliefs………………....……….35
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................37
5.1. Conclusion.............................................................................................................37
5.2. Recommendations................................................................................................38

IV
6. REFERENCE...........................................................................................................39
7. APPENDIX…………………………………………………………...……………44

V
 DEDICATION

To my elder sister Fatuma Abdurahman & my divine Asfish

VI
 LIST OF TABLES
PAGES
Table 1 Types of medicinal plants …………………………………………...............20
Table 2 Ages of informant in the study area.................................................................23
Table 3 Preparation methods of herbal medicine………….….....................................25
Table 4 Method of administration of medicinal plants…….……................................26
Table 5 Mode of application of traditional medicines ……………….........................27
Table 6 Ranking of threats to medicinal plants.............................................................28
Table 7 Ranking of threatened plants…………………………………………………28
Table 8 Preference ranking of medicinal plants used for treating fibril illness……….29
Table 9 Paired comparisons of five medicinal plant species used to treat abdominal
pain.............................................................……………………………………….......30
Table10 Direct matrix ranking for multiple uses of medicinal plants……...…………30
Table 11 Category of disease for informant consensus factor………………..………31
Table 12 Number of plant species, number of ailment and total percentage of plant
species………………………………………………………………………………...32
Table 13 some medicinal plants which are found in market………………….………33
Table 14 Ages of informant in the study area…………………………………..…….34
Table 15 Educational status of informants……………………………………………34
Table 16 Sources of knowledge on the practice of traditional medicine………….….35
Table 17 Transferring of knowledge of traditional medicinal plants…………………35

VII
 LIST OF FIGURES
PAGES

Figure 1. Map of the Ofla Wereda................................................................................12

Figure 2. Climadiagram of Ofla Wereda from 1997- 2006...........................................13
Figure 3. Source of medicinal plants.............................................................................21
Figure 4. Habits of medicinal plants ............................................................................22
Figure 5. Condition of remedial preparation from plants…..........................................24

VIII
 APPENDICES
PAGES
Appendix 1 List of medicinal plants identified in the study area………………..…....44
Appendix 2 Medicinal plants used to both human ailments and livestock diseases in the
study area…………………….............………………………………………………..50
Appendix 3 Medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in the study area….……..66
Appendix 4 Medicinal plants used to treat livestock diseases in the study area..…......79
Appendix 5 List of Medicinal plants, where they are found and their status…….…...82
Appendix 6 Informant consensus of medicinal plants in the study area………………88
Appendix 7 List of family, genera and species of medicinal plants in the study
area.............................................................................................................92
Appendix 8 List of human ailments, number of informants cited and percentage…..93
Appendix 9 List of livestock, number of informants cited and percentage….…........95
Appendix 10 Lists of informants participated in this study area………………….....95
Appendix 11 Checklist of semi-structured interviews for collecting ethno botanical
data..............................................................................................................................98

IX
 LIST OF ACRONYMS

CBD: Convention on Biodiversity

CSA: Central Statistical Agency
HG: Home Garden
ICF: Informant Consensuses Factor
IK: Indigenous Knowledge
TM: Traditional medicinal

X
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisors Dr. Zemede Asfaw and Prof.
Ensermu Kelbessa for their consistent advice, follow up and guidance during the field
work, for the critical and constructive comments right from developing of the thesis
proposal, data collection and identification of voucher specimens to the final thesis write
up.

I would like to thank all the technicians in the National Herbarium (ETH), AAU for
providing technical support.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the informants of Ofla Wereda and other
community members of the study area for facilitating my work and supplying an
appropriate information that form the basis of the thesis work.

I would like to extend my highest appreciation to my mother Gagay, my brother Ismael

Abdurahman, my special sister Fatuma Abdurahman, my charming Asfish and my
friends Gebrehiwot Moges, Gebreab Hagos, Tesfay Godefey and Terefu for their moral
and material support which has helped me to complete my study.

Last but not the least; I would like to extend my appreciation to Gullele Sub-city for
sponsoring the full tuition fee during the study.

XI
ABSTRACT: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between
October 2009 and April 2010, in Ofla Wereda of Southern Tigray, Ethiopia. The study
employed common ethnobotanical methods including semi-structured interviews, field
observations, preference ranking, paired comparisons and informant consensus. A total
of 84 informants from 12 Kebeles (7 informants from each Kebele) were selected
randomly and 36 key informants with the help of local administrators, recommendations
from elders and members of the local community. In this study, 113 traditional
medicinal plants were collected and identified. These species represent 95 genera and
51 families. The family Asteraceae with 12 species (10.62%), Lamiaceae and
Solanaceae with 11 species (9.73%) each were commonly used medicinal plants in the
study area. From the total of 113 medicinal plants, 82 species (72.57%) were used to
treat human ailments for 55 health problems, 16 species (14.16%) were used to 14
livestock health problems and the remaining 15 species (13.27%) were used to treat
both humans and livestock diseases. Herbs are the most used plants, accounting for 52
species (46%), shrubs 34 species (30.1%) and trees 27 species (23.9%). Leaves, roots,
and fruits are the most used plant parts accounting for 68 species (45.3%), 31 species
(20.7%) and 18 species (12%) in that order. Fresh plant parts from 74 species (65.5%)
are frequently used in the study area than dried plant materials (27 species, 23.9%) and
both dry and fresh materials (12 species, 10.6%). From the collected traditional
medicinal plants informants reported that species used as crushed preparations were 39
(26.2%) followed by pounded which were 34 (22.8%) and those used as fumigants were
20 (13.4%). Most herbal preparations are administered externally compared to internal
applications accounting for 51.6% and 48.4% respectively.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Ofla, medicinal plants, traditional medicine

XII
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background
Ethnobotany is a broad term referring to the study of direct interrelations between
humans and plants (Martin, 1995; Balick and Cox, 1996). The indispensable dependency
of human beings up on plants for their livelihoods primarily started by domestication and
dates back to 10,000 years (Martin, 1995). Ethnobotanical investigation documents the
knowledge on cultural interaction of people with plants. It also tries to find out how local
people have traditionally used plants for various purposes and how they incorporated
plants into their cultural tradition and religion (Balick and Cox, 1996).

In many developing countries, people mostly rely on ethnomedicinal knowledge to treat

diseases, because western based health care system is inefficient due to poor staffing or
because western drugs are expensive. Ethnomedicine is a system of maintaining health
and curing diseases based on folk beliefs and traditional knowledge, skills, methods and
practices. Ethnomedicinal knowledge is disappearing because of rapid socio-economic,
environmental, and technological changes. Therefore, ethnomedicinal knowledge must be
documented and conserved through systematic studies before it is lost forever
(Mohammed et al., 2006).

The focus of ethnobotany is on how plants have been or are used, managed and perceived
in human societies and includes plants used for food, medicine, rituals, social life and
others. The relationship between plants and human cultures is not limited to the use of
plants for food, clothing and shelter but also includes their use for religious ceremonies,
ornamentation and health care (Khan et al., 2007, 2008).

The connection of people with plants in earlier times is evidenced as they created durable
representations of plants, drawing them in stone or molding them in clay. Such images
not only provide modern ethnobotanists with clues concerning plant origins but
functional as tangible indicators of the importance of these people attached to plants,
(Balick and Cox, 1996). From earliest times, humankind has used plants in attempting to

1
cure diseases and related physical sufferings. Primitive people in all ages have had some
knowledge of medicinal plants, derived as the result of trial and error (Hill, 1989).

Ethiopia is home to many languages, cultures and beliefs which have in turn contributed
to the high diversity of traditional knowledge and practices of the people which, among
others, includes the use of medicinal plants to cure such diversified diseases and possible
causative agents. Hence, in Ethiopia, plants have been used both in the prevention and
cure of various diseases of humans and their animals from time immemorial (Mirutse
Giday and Gobena Ameni, 2003). Dawit Abebe and Ahadu Ayhehu (1993) reported that,
80% of the Ethiopian population depends on tradition medicine for their health care.
More than 95% of traditional medicinal preparations are of plant origin (Dawit Abebe,
1986).

In Ethiopia like many of the developing countries, medicinal plants have not been well
studied, tested or documented. Similar to other region of Ethiopia, people living in Tigray
in general and in Ofla Wereda (District) in particular have traditional practices which
they accumulated for centuries and has been transferred from generations to treat both
human and livestock ailments (Mirutse Giday and Gobena Ameni, 2003).

Nonetheless, most of the information that is in the hands of traditional healers and local
people is either lost or passed to generation by word of mouth. Moreover, in the Wereda
studied limited research works had been conducted on some medicinal plants used for
curing animals with specific ailments (Mirutse Giday and Gobena Ameni, 2003).
Therefore, this study will fill the gaps in documenting important plants of ethnoveterinary
medicinal interest in depth and medicinal plants used for humans which have not yet been
documented so far in order to conserve them for future.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

There is a wide gap in our knowledge about ethnobotanical data and information from
various parts of Ethiopia although we have rich and diverse ethnolingustic groups
throughout the country. Complete collection, identification and documentation of

2
ethnobotanical works have not yet been made in the study area too. To a great extent,
information to be generated through ethnobotanical studies remains outside the site of the
scientific community and the remaining portion of the world until recently, except few
reports on some parts of the study area with regard to plant species of veterinary
importance.

Biodiversity loss due to natural and anthropogenic factors, distribution and undermining
of indigenous knowledge and traditional practices by the younger generation is becoming
evident due to limited integration of traditional practices with modern science in the
study area. Traditional home gardening in the conservation and management of medically
important plant species by indigenous people of the Wereda is not recognized through
such practices are varying from kebelle to kebelle. However, some important medicinal
plants have been planted like fence and observed as fragments in and around the farm
lands. What is more is that, most of the natural vegetation and forests of the study area
are almost totally lost by human impact and hence monoculture practices are becoming
common phenomena.

1.3. Objectives
1.3.1. General objective

The general objective of this study is to identify, compile and document medicinal plant
species used by the indigenous people for the treatments of human and livestock ailments
as well as their taxonomic groups emphasizing on future conservation practice.

1.3.2. Specific objectives

To identify and compile medicinal plants used for the treatment of health
problems for both humans and livestock.

To identify plant parts used to treat health problems, methods of preparation and
route of administration as practiced by the local people of the study area.

To assess the current status and threat to medicinal plants in the area.

To provide information for future research in drug development using medicinal
plants with ethnobotanical leads.

3
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Traditional Medicine

Since time immemorial human beings have found remedies within their habitat, and have
different therapeutic strategies depending up on the climatic, physiographic, floral and
faunal characteristics, as well as up on the peculiar cultural and socio-structural
typologies. In doing so people have used traditional medicine to cure and prevent various
disorders. Traditional medicine (TM) is defined as the sum total of the knowledge and
practices weather explicable or inexplicable, used in the diagnosis, prevention and
elimination of physical, mental and/or social imbalance(WHO, 1979). It has incorporated
plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, include techniques and
exercises, applied singularly or in combination (Adewumi, 1991). It depends exclusively
on past practical experience and observations handed down from generation to
generation, verbally or in writing. And also comprises therapeutic practices that have
been in existence often for hundreds of years before the development of modern scientific
medicine and are still in use today without documented evidence of adverse effect
(Elujoba et al., 2005).

2.2. Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous knowledge (IK) is defined as the local knowledge that is unique to a given
culture or society. It is the bases for the local level decision making in agriculture, health
care, food preparation, education, natural resources, management and a host of other
activities in rural communities (Warren, 1991). According to Balick and Cox (1996)
indigenous people are defined as “peoples who follow tradition, non-industrial life styles
in areas that they have occupied for generations”.
It is a result of many generations’, long years’ experience, careful observations and trial
and error experiments (Martin, 1995). Thus over centuries, indigenous people of different
localities have developed their own specific knowledge on plant resources use,
management and conservation (Cotton, 1996). IK develops and changes with time and
space. Hence, such knowledge includes time-tested practice that developed in the process

4
of interaction of human with their environment. One of the widely used indigenous
knowledge system in many countries is the knowledge and application of traditional
medicinal plants. Such knowledge known as ethno medicinal knowledge involves
traditional diagnosis, collection of raw materials, and preparation of the indigenous
knowledge on plant remedies in many countries include Ethiopia, pass from one
generation to the other generation verbally with great secrecy. Such secret and verbal
transfer makes the indigenous knowledge or ethno medicinal knowledge vulnerable to
distortion and in most cases some of the lore is lost at each point of transfer (Amare
Getahun,, 1976). Hence, the need for systematic documentation of such a useful
knowledge now a days through ethno botanical research.

Local knowledge of indigenous people includes information about the ecosystem in

general, but also about specific plants used as medicine, food, building material and the
like (Leonti et al., 2003). Researches show that the indigenous knowledge of medicinal
plants by human beings is decreasing in alarming rate. The main reasons that contribute
in the loss of IK are rapid land degradation such as accelerated destruction of forests,
peoples access to modern medicine and exposure to modern culture and acculturation
(adoption of modern culture) (Kong et al., 2003; Shrestha and Dhillion, 2003). The
complex knowledge, beliefs and practices generally known as IK develops and change
with time and space. Hence such knowledge includes time-tested practice that develops
in the process of interaction of humans with their environment (Alcorn, 1984). IK is a
body of knowledge built up by a group of people through generation of living in close
contact with nature and it is cumulative and dynamic. It builds up on the historic
experience of people and adapts to social, economic, environmental, spiritual and
political change. The quantity and quality of traditional knowledge differs among
community members according to their gender, age, social-standing, profession and
intellectual capabilities (Balick and Cox, 1996). Thus, systematic application of IK is
important for sustainable use of resources and sustainable development (Thomas, 1995).

5
 2.3. Status of Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia

IK of medicinal plants in Ethiopia is unevenly distributed among community members

(Zemede Asfaw, 2001). The distribution of knowledge and services are hierarchically
placed. Services are obtained from the family, the neighborhood, the village or beyond
(Hareya Fassil, 2005). In Ethiopia, the loss of IK is not to far from the developed
countries. The vast knowledge on traditional uses of plants is not fully documented and
most of the knowledge is conveyed from generation to generation by word of mouth.
This process together with the increasing acculturation, mobility and displacement of
communities due to different factors (Famine, water etc..), secretive nature of traditional
knowledge and skills and the negligence of the contemporary generation to acquire the
knowledge on traditional medicine (TM) due to expansion of modern education and to
some extent modern medicine, pots to question the future of the cultural heritage of the
country which was known and practiced for the centuries( Getachew Addis et al., 2001).

Ethiopia's traditional medicine, as else where in Africa, is faced with problems of

continuity sustainability primarily due to loss taxa, habitats of medicinal plants and other
category of plants (Ensermu Kelbessa et al., 1992). In the same work it has been pointed
out that there is a real genetic danger of genetic erosion, which in turn calls for the need
of collection, investigation and conservation of these resources and the indigenous
knowledge on them.

2.4. Plants in Ethnoveternary Medicine

In most developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, diseases remains one of

the principal causes of poor livestock performance leading to an ever increasing gap
between supply demand for livestock and products (Tafese Mesfin and Mekonen Lemma,
2001). Ethnoveternary medicine provides traditional medicines, which are locally
available and usually cheaper than standard treatments. Livestock holders can prepare use
home made remedies with minimum expense. So far many livestock holders in rural
areas where there are relatively few veterinaries and shortages of other facilities,
traditional medicinal plants are the only choice to treat many ailments. (McCorkle, 1995).

6
Ethnoveternary medicine can be useful whenever wherever stock raisers have no other
animal health care options, whether in rural or peri-urban areas. In spite of its paramount
importance as livestock health care system the various traditional veterinary practices
remained undocumented in Africa and Ethiopia (Dawit Abebe and Ahadu Ayenu, 1993).
Thus creation of awareness on ethnoveternary medicine emphasizing on useful plant used
for treatment of livestock has paramount importance to livestock management. In
addition, proper documentation and understanding of farmers’ knowledge, attitude and
practices about the occurrence, cause, treatment, prevention and control of various
ailments is important in designing and implementing successful livestock production
(Tafese Mesfin and Mekonen Lemma, 2001).

2.5. The importance of Medicinal Plants for Development of Modern Drugs

Medicinal plants are important element of indigenous medicinal systems world wide.
Ethno pharmacological surveys provide the rational for selection and scientific
investigation of medicinal plants, since some of these indigenous remedies have
successfully been used by significant number of people. Over extended periods of time
(Geerling, 2001) the importance of traditional knowledge system in drug discovery
process is exemplified by the isolation of artemisinin from the herb sweet worm wood
(Artemisia annua) this plant was used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for over
2000 years for the treatment of fever and malaria, and was rediscovered by Chinese
scientists in the 1970’s. Historically, botanicals have been our most fruitful arena in the
search for new medicine. Searching new drug from traditionally used medicinal plants
can therefore be the shortest path of success. However, a report has showed that, a
success rate in the search of new drugs from randomly synthesized chemicals is only one
in 10,000 (Chadwick, 1994). Historically, plants have provided a source of inspiration for
novel drug compounds, as plants derived medicine have made large contribution to
human health and well-being. Their role in the development of new drugs could be either
by serving as a natural blue print for the development of new drugs, or as phytomedicine
to be used for the treatment of diseases (Andrew et al.; 2000).

7
Rapid development and advances in science, technology, and the world economy have
drastically changed the world and environment. With remarkable improvement in human
health care on one hand and environmental deterioration on the other a growing demand
for natural products and phytomedicine has shifted research and development works in to
new drug discover. Many research institutions in this field have turned to TM, mainly the
use of plants as source of new drugs. TMs play a key role in the development and
advancement of modern studies by serving as a starting point for the development of
novelty in drug (Pramono, 2002). In addition, an increasing reliance on the use of
medicinal plants in the industrialized societies has been traced to the extraction and
development of several drugs and chemotherapeutics from these plants as well as from
traditionally used rural herbal remedies (UNESCO, 1998). Furthermore, chemical
structures derived from plants can be used as models for synthetic compounds (WHO,
2000). Most of plant derived drugs were originally discovered through the study of
traditional cures and folk knowledge of indigenous people (Balick and Cox, 1996).
Analysis of the number and sources of anticancer and anti-infective agents, reported from
1984 to 1995 indicates that over 60% of the approved drugs and pre-DNA (New Drug
Application) candidates (for the period 1989-1995), excluding biological aspects
developed in this disease are of natural origin. A recent review reported that at least 119
compounds derived from 90 species could be considered as important drugs currently in
use in one or more countries, with 77% of this being derived used in traditional medicine.
Further evidence of the importance of natural products is provided by the fact that closes
to half of the best selling. Pharmaceuticals in 1983 to 1987 were either natural products
or their derivatives (Douglas, 1987). This elaborates that traditional medical knowledge
of medicinal plants and their use by indigenous cultures are not only useful for
conservation of cultural traditional and biodiversity but also for community health care
and drug development in the present and future (Muthu et al., 2006).

In general, many investigations indicated the relevance of ethnobotanical information on

medicinal plants is often used to guide chemical screening of drug development.
Traditional herbs which have proven clinical efficacy and safety were the first chosen for
screening. Then plant materials collected and identified with reference to Ethnobotanical

8
information and photochemical analysis were screened in consultation with local users of
the herbal medicines are tested through photochemistry, pharmacy, animal experiments
and clinical trials. It is then possible to use them in the formulation of new medicines
according to government regulations concerning new medicinal developments (Sheng-Ji,
2001).

2.6. Threats and Conservation of Traditional Medicinal Plants

People use many wild species of plants for food, medicine, clothing and shelter, fuel,
fiber, income generation and the fulfilling of cultural and spiritual needs throughout the
world (Zemede Asfaw, 2001). Ethiopia’s traditional medicine as elsewhere in Africa is
faced with problems of continuity and sustainability (Ensermu Kelbessa et al., 1992). The
primary cause of this problem is loss of taxa of medicinal plants, loss of habitats of
medicinal plants and loss of indigenous knowledge. Some studies have shown that most
of the medicinal plants utilized by Ethiopian people are harvested from wild habitats
(Mirutse Giday, 1999; Zemede Asfaw, 1999). And hence, this aggravates the rate of loss
of taxa with related indigenous knowledge and loss widely occurring medicinal plant
species.

There are two sources of threats to medicinal plants, i.e. man made `and natural causes.
Rapid increase in population, the need for fuel, urbanization, timber production, over
harvesting, destructive harvesting, invasive species commercialization, honey collection
degradation, agriculture expansion and habitat distraction are human caused threats to
medicinal plants. Moreover, Mirutse Giday and Gobena Ameni (2003) have reported that
threats on medicinal plants in southern Tigray are deforestation, over grazing and
recurrent drought as well as overexploitation and destructive harvesting. Some causes of
threat of medicinal plants in Fentalle area in the order of importance as, over grazing,
expansion of agriculture, harvest for charcoal, firewood, drought, home use and trade
(Kebu Balemie et al., 2004). Furthermore, Debela Hunde et al. (2004) indicated that
leaves and roots provide most remedies in Boosat area and the common usage of these
parts of the plant (particularly roots) contribute a lot to the destruction of the natural
vegetation in the locality. The same authors also accounted the popularity of roots, barks,

9
rhizomes, stems and whole plants in Boosat area may also have negative consequence on
biodiversity and sustainability of the medicinal plant species. Similarly, studies carried
out in the Zay people and in different parts of Ethiopia by Mirutse Giday et al. (2003)
indicated that, as the plants that have been serving as a raw material for preparation of
different remedies get destroyed the traditional practice and culture associated with them
would also get diminished. Likewise, natural causes include recurrent drought, bushfire,
diseases and pest outbreaks (Ensermu Kelbessa et al., 1992). As elsewhere, in Ethiopia,
the problem is manifested in Ofla Wereda due to the above mentioned factors.

Conservation is defined as the sustainable use of biological resources. The concept of

sustainability is now seen as the guiding principle for economic and social development,
particularly with reference to biological resources. According to Zemede Asfaw (2001),
medicinal plants are considered to be at conservation risk due to over use and destructive
harvesting (Roots and bark collection). In a broad sense, conservation is achieved through
in-situ and ex-situ means. In-situ conservation is conservation of species in their natural
habitat. Some traditional plants have to be conserved in-situ due to difficulty for
domestication and management (Zemede Asfaw, 2001). Moreover, some plants fail to
produce the desired amount and quantity of the active principles under cultivation out of
their natural habitats. Medicinal plants can also be conserved by ensuring and
encouraging their growth in special places, as they have been traditionally (Zemede
Asfaw, 2001). This can be possible in places of worship (churches, Mosques, graveyards,
etc…). Sacred groves, farm margins, river banks, road sides, live fences of gardens and
fields. According to Zemede Asfaw (2001), medicinal plants can be conserved using
appropriate conservational method in gene banks and botanical gardens. As the earth’s
population continues to grow, more resources are demanded. Thus, it is understandable
that an increase in population is demanding more resources, but with careful management
of our natural resources, a sustainable balance can be achieved. According to
Cunningham (1993), sustainable management of traditional medicinal plant resources is
important, not only because of their value as a potential source of new drugs, but due to
reliance on traditional medicine for health.

10
The diversity of plants in Ethiopia is on the process of erosion due to anthropogenic
pressure like habitat destruction and deforestation by commercial timber production and
for agriculture which harbor useful medicinal plants over the past several decades (Abebe
Demisse, 2001). Conservation of medicinal plant resource is a critical ecological, cultural
and economic issue (Vanon, 2001). In order to achieve this, Ethiopia has polices and
strategies that support the development and utilization of plant resources in a sustainable
manner. The policies are reflected under various sectors including environmental
protection, development of the natural resources and diversification of the domestic and
export commodities.

The country also has developed policy and a guide line for intellectual property rights
protection of traditional medicine (Endashaw Bekele, 2007). The policies are inline with
the convention on biological diversity (CBD) which was adopted at the earth summit in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992, and entered in to force on December 1993 CBD
provides the legal framework for biodiversity conservation. Moreover, documenting the
indigenous knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is important for the conservation
and utilization of biological resources particularly traditional medicinal plants
(Sirvastava, 2000). These plants play an important role in the biodiversity of the region
and have great conservation value for global biodiversity. Meanwhile, the planning for
natural resources development should continue by establishing close dialogue and
communication with indigenous peoples using ethnobotanical approaches. This will also
ensure local peoples participation in future management, and avoid the adverse impact on
the local people and the environment that might be caused otherwise (Pei, 1991).
According to Cunningham (1993), there are some conservation measures that have been
undertaken around the world aimed at protecting threatened medicinal plant species from
further destruction including in-situ and ex-situ conservation.

11
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Characteristic Features of the Study Area

3.1.1. Location

Ofla Wereda (District) is located in northern part of Ethiopia, Tigray National Regional
State. It is one of the eight Weredas in southern Tigray Zone and with a total of 20
Kebels. Its relative location is 200 30’ N and 390 37’ E at 630 Km north of Addis Ababa.
The Wereda covers an area of 133,300 hectare and bounded by Endamohoni wereda in
north, Alamata wereda in south, Raya Azebo wereda in the east and Wag humra zone of
the Amhara National Regional State in the western direction (CSA, 2005) (Fig. 1).

Fig 1: Map of Ofla Wereda

12
 3.1.2. Topography
Ofla Wereda is found within the domain of northern highlands of Ethiopia bounded by
the Western escarpment of the rift valley in the east. Altitude of the Wereda rises from
1700 to 3288 meters and it decreases east wards from the west where the elevation
reaches its peak. The topography of the Wereda is 40% hill (Gedelama), 25% flat, 15%
mountain and valleys, and 20% in between. The land in the Wereda is 25,012 hectare for
cultivation, 22,275 hectare for grazing, 44,635 for forestry, 1,570 hectare covered by
water and 36,519 hectare with no use (unpublished data, Development of Ofla from
where to where, 1999).
[

3.1.3. Climate

Based on 1997- 2006 climate data, the average maximum temperature in the study area
observed in June (25.78 OC) and May (24.85 O
C) respectively. On the other hand,
average minimum temperature observed was during July (12.31 OC) and August (11.62
O
C). But throughout the year the maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 19. 86
0
C to 25.78 0C and 4.14 0C to 12.31 0C, respectively (Fig. 2).

Fig 2: Climadiagram of Ofla Wereda from 1997- 2006.

Data Source: National Metrological Service Agency

13
 3.1.4. Rainfall
[

According to the ten years rainfall summarized data, the study area has a high rainfall
distribution between July and August and a little bit between March and April. The mean
monthly rainfall of the study area is 83.8 mm (Fig 2). There are three agro-climatic zones
in the Wereda with greater domination of the high land or “Dega”. The Dega zone
comprises about 42% of the Wereda followed by “Woina dega” and “Kola” 29% each
(unpublished data, Development of Ofla from where to where, 1999).

3.1.5. Vegetation
According to Zerihun Woldu (1999), the natural vegetation of the study area belongs to
“Dry ever green montane forest.” The upper canopy species found are Croton
macrostachyus, Hagenia abyssinica, Juniperus procera, Myrica salicifolia, Nuxia
congesta, Prunus africana, Bersama abyssinica, Calpurina aurea Euclea racemosa,
Hyperecum revuoltum, Maytenus arbutifolia, Myrsine africana, Rhus glutinosa,
Otostegia integrifolia, Maeasa lanceolata, Vernonia amygdalina, Lippia adoensis, Olea
europaea subsp. cuspidata, Pterolobium stellatum, Justicia schimperiana, Withania
somnifera, Acacia etabica, Balanites aegyptiaca and Dodonaea angustifolia. Where as in
the lower canopy species such as, Dovyalis abyssinica, Rhamnus prinoides, Jasminum
abyssinicum,and Rosa abyssinica.

3.1.6. Population
Based on the population and housing census of 2008, population size of the Wereda is
149,262. From this figure, males and females account for 72, 570 and 76,755
respectively. The Wereda has been divided in to 20 peasant associations (locally known
as ‘Tabias’) and 72 sub peasant associations (also known as ‘Kushets’) for administrative
purpose (CSA, 2005).

3.1.7. Farming System

Crop production and livestock husbandry are the main economic activities of the study
area. Farmers in the study area follow mixed farming systems. Barely, bean, pea, maize
and sorghum are the major crops produced in the area. Whereas cattle, chicken, sheep,

14
goat, horse and donkey constitute the livestock population (From agricultural bureau of
Ofla Wereda). Of all the domestic animals raised in the Wereda, cattle population is high,
claimed to be 72,924 heads, chicken 97,248 and sheep 49,772 (central agricultural census
commission, 2003). Anthrax, fasciolpasis and trypanosomes are among the diseases
occurring in the area (unpublished data, Ofla Wereda Agricultural Office, 2007).

3.1.8. Health and sanitation

Health and sanitation coverage of Ofla Wereda are 78% and 64% respectively. There are
21 health posts and five functional health centers serving for the existing 149, 246 total
population of the Wereda in 2009 (unpublished information from the Ofla Wereda health
office, 2009). There are higher prevalence communicable and non-communicable
diseases in the wereda. Health problem in general are related to poor nutrition status, poor
water supply, poor environmental sanitation and poor hygienic practices.

3.2. Methods
3.2.1. Site selection
A reconnaissance survey of the study area was conducted from 15-30 September 2009.
Data collection trip was made from October 17 to 20 December 2009. A total of 12
Kebeles were selected for ethnobotanical data collection based on availability of
traditional healers identified with the assistance of local authorities, elders and
knowledgeable persons. These kebeles are Hayalo. Wenberet, Adigolo, Higumbrda,
Hashenge, Fala, Zata, Dara-bekeda, Dinka-ashena, Sesela, Adishimbirkit and selam
bikalsi.

3.2.2. Selection of Informants

Selection of informants was performed following Martin (1995) who indicated that when
recording indigenous knowledge held by knowledgably traditional healers or by certain
social groups the choice of key informant is crucial. Eighty four informants (36 females
and 48 males) were randomly selected by tossing of coin. The age of informants was
between 15 and 81. From each site of Kebelle, 7 individual informants were selected.
About 36 key informants (15 females and 21 males), 3 from each of the study sites were

15
preferentially selected with the help of local administers, elders and other community
members. The key informants include healers, elders and knowledgeable persons. The
age of the key informants was between 27 and 81.

3.3. Collection of Ethnobotanical Data

Ethnobotanical data were collected by the method semi-structured interview following

Martin (1995) and Cotton (1996), field observation and group discussion. Information
regarding the gathering, preparation, use, status, distribution, threats and conservation
aspects of medicinal plants and other related ethnobotanical information was also
collected by the researcher. Most of the interviews and discussions were conducted in the
local language of the Wereda (Tigrigna), which is a common language in the study area.
The necessary information about the plants such as habit, habitat, altitude, latitude and
longitude were recorded. Each collection was given collection number.

3.3.1. Field observation

Field observation was performed with the help of local guides and interviewed
informants in the study area. Full notes on facts and information about the respondents,
history of the traditional healers, history of the medicinal plants and other essential
information based on the questions were recorded on site.

3.3.2. Group discussion

A brief group discussion was made with the informants at each kebelle and site prior to
ethno botanical data collection.

3.3.3. Plant identification

Voucher specimens were collected for each plant species and identification of some
common and well known species were made in the field. The specimens were dried, deep
frozen and identified in the national Herbarium (ETH), Addis Ababa University. The

16
identification work was performed by using the published volumes of the Flora of
Ethiopia and Eritrea and by comparing with authentic specimens deposited in the national
Herbarium (ETH), Addis Ababa University and by getting assistance from taxonomic
personnel and taxonomists. Finally, the identified voucher specimens are deposited at the
national Herbarium (AAU).

3.4. Data Analysis

Ethnobotanical information collected from the semi-structured interviews and field

observation was computed by preference ranking, paired comparison and direct matrix
ranking according to Martin (1995), Alexiades (1996) and Cotton (1996). Informant
consensus, ranking and informant consensus factor were computed.

3.4.1. Preference ranking

Following Martin (1995), preference ranking was made for five medicinal plants used to
treat fibril illness that was found to be the most frequently encountered disease in the
study area and for which they have several alternative plants as readily. Ten preferentially
selected key informants were made to participate in this exercise. The informants were
given the plants and asked to arrange the five medicinal plants based on their personal
preference of efficacy. The medicinal plant that was believed to be the most effective was
given the highest value i.e. 5, and the one with the least effectiveness received the lowest
value i.e. 1. Based on the total score of each species the rank was determined, and this
helped to indicate the most effective medicinal plants used by the community to treat
fibril illness.

3.4.2. Paired Comparison

After identification of the five most important plants based on their high use values as
perceived by the informants, paired comparisons were employed as described by Martin
(1995). Paired comparisons on the five most effective plants in treating abdominal pain
mentioned by most of the informants were selected and conducted using random number
table and tossing coins. Ten informants were preferentially selected from the key

17
informants and allowed to show their response independently for pairs of traditional
medicinal plants noted for treating abdominal pain.

3.4.3. Informant consensus

During the survey, different informants indicated the same plants and same uses
especially for some widely used medicinal plants. The informant consensus is helpful to
see the similarity of information given by the informants to confirm the authenticity of
information by comparing it with other information given by other informants on the
same topic. Accordingly, diseases of humans, numbers of citation and percentages are
recorded. The same was done to livestock.

3.4.4. Informant consensus factor (ICF)

The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was calculated for each category to identify the
agreements of the informants on the reported cures for the group of ailments. The ICF was
calculated as follows: number of use citations in each category (nur) minus the number of
species used (nt), divided by the numbers of use citations in each category minus one
(Alexiades, 1996).
ICF= nur- nt
nur-1

3.4.5. Ranking of threatened medicinal plants

Using the method applied by Martin (1995) and Alexiades (1996), ranking of five
medicinal plants that were reported by the informants as threatened in the study area was
conducted with ten key informants (knowledgeable traditional healers). The preferentially
selected informants were given the names of five traditional medicinal plant species
considered threatened by the community and arrange the plants based on the degree of
threat /scarcity by giving 5 for the most threatened and 1 for the least threatened plant
species in the study area. Finally, the scores of each species are summed and ranked. This
information helps to determine the most threatened species in order to suggest
appropriate conservation measures.

18
 3.4.6. Ranking of threats to medicinal plants

Ranking of threats to medicinal plants that were reported by most of the informants in the
study area was conducted using 10 selected key informants as described by Martin (1995)
and Alexiades (1996). As mentioned by most of the informants seven threats were
selected and the informants were asked to give seven for the most threatening factor and
one for the least threatening factor in the study area. This information is used to
determine the highest threats to traditional medicinal plants in the study area and helps to
suggest the necessary appropriate conservation measures.

3.4.7. Direct matrix ranking for multiple uses of traditional medicinal plant
species

Direct matrix ranking was conducted following Cotton (1996) for 7 multipurpose
medicinal plants commonly reported by informants. Based on the relative benefits
obtained from each plant, 10 informants were preferentially selected and asked to give
value to each attribute. The list of attributes included medicinal, fire wood, building,
charcoal, furniture, edible fruits and fence. The scores were added in order to compare
use values of medicinal plants and help to identify the main causes of over harvesting of
the medicinal plants.

19
 4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Types of Medicinal Plants

A total of 113 plant species with their medicinal use were recorded (Appendix 1). The
species were represented 95 genera and 51 families (Appendix 7). In terms of species
composition, the family Asteraceae consists of 12 species (10.62%) followed by
Lamiaceae and Solanaceae with 11 species each (9.73%), Fabaceae 8 species (7.08%)
and Euphorbiaceae and Cucurbitaceae consists of 6 (5.30 %) and 5 (4.42 %) species
respectively (Table 1). The plants were found to treat 69 different health problems
affecting the health of both humans and livestock (55 in human and 14 in livestock)
(Appendices 8 and 9).

Similarly, 53 medicinal plants recorded in Adigrat wereda are also used as remedies in other
parts of Ethiopia (Taddesse Beyene, 2007). Fifty one plant species were also mentioned in
Mirutse Giday and Gobena Ameni, (2003). Also 7 species have been reported by Ragunathan
and Solomon Mequanente (2009). The existence and utilization of such a large number of
medicinal plants by people in the study area indicates that the majority of the people used
indigenous medicinal practices to take care of medication problems.

Table 1. Types of medicinal plants

Family Genera Species number Percentage (%)
Asteraceae 9 12 10.62
Lamiaceae 9 11 9.73
Solanaceae 6 11 9.73
Fabaceae 7 8 7.08
Euphorbiaceae 4 6 5.30
Cucurbitaceae 4 5 4.42
Other 45 families 56 60 52.40
Total 95 113 100

20
 4.2. Source of Medicinal Plants
Regarding the distribution of medicinal plants, out of the 113 plant species, 65 (57.5 %)
were obtained from wild followed by 29 (25.7%) and 19 (16.8%) from home garden
(cultivated and both cultivated and wild) (Fig.3). Thus, this indicated that majority of
medicinal plants have been obtained from wild vegetation. Since, except few herbs, trees
and some cultivated crops the local people relies on medicinal plants from wild habitats.
Mirutse Giday (1999) presented similar findings in his work on medicinal plants of the
Zay people. A comparable finding was also reported by Haile Yinger and Delensaw
Yewhalaw (2007) in Sekoru District, Jimma Zone of Oromia Regional State, South
Western Ethiopia, which showed that among the cited medicinal plant species of the
study area, the majority (85.71%) were collected from the wild.

The local people cultivate some popular medicinal plants in their home garden for the
purpose of medicine such as Ruta chalepensis, Verbena officinalis and Ocimum
lamiifolium. The work by Zemede Asfaw (1997) showed that 6% of the plants maintained
in home gardens in Ethiopia are primarily cultivated for their medicinal value. It was
found from the present study area that some traditional healers do not have interest to
grow in their home garden some plant species that are used to treat specific ailments
in order to keep the secret of their medicinal value. This means that most of the medicinal
plants found in the home gardens are those also known to have other uses particularly as
food.

Fig. 3. Source of medicinal plants

21
4.3. Habits of Medicinal Plants

Of the total 113 medicinal plants collected from the study area, 52 species (46 %) were
herbs followed by 34 species (30.1 %) shrubs and 27 species (23.9%) trees (Fig.4). The
might be owing to the easily occurrence of these species in the study area and high level
of abundance. In the same way high number of herbs and shrubs for medicinal purpose
were also previously reported by (Debela Hundie, 2004). Mirutse Giday et al. (2003)
noted that, more than half of the Zay plant remedies were obtained from herbs because; it
takes much time and effort to harvest medicinal trees. However, it is a fact in the country
that woody plants (forest and wood land species) are declining and most of the easily
available plants become the herbs.

Fig.4. Habits of medicinal plants

4.4. Medicinal Plants and their main uses by the local People
Out of the collected 113 medicinal plants of the study area, 82 species (72.57%) were
used against 55 human ailments (Appendix 3). Those used for the treatment of livestock
ailments are 16 species (14.16%) (Appendix 4), the remaining 15 species (13.27%) are
used to treat both human and livestock ailments.

22
 4.5. Plant Parts Used for Medicine
According to the interview result leaves are the most commonly used plant parts
accounting for 45.3% of the total, followed by roots (20.7%) and fruit (12%). Use of
other plant parts is as indicated in Table 2. In agreement with this study conducted in
different parts of Ethiopia indicated that leaves being used more than the other parts of
the plant (Mirutse Giday et al., 2003; Mirutse Giday and Gobena Ameni, 2003; Haile
Yinger and Delensaw Yewhalaw, 2007). This practice helps to reduce the rate of threat
on plant species or helps for sustainable harvesting of plants. Therefore, the existence of
the plant will be ensured (Mirutse Giday et al., 2003). According to Dawit Abebe and
Ahadu Ayehu (1993), medicinal plant harvest that involves root, rhizomes, bulbs, barks
and steams have serious effect on the survival of mother plant.

Table 2. Plant parts used for medicine preparations

Plant parts Total responses % of total
Leaf 68 45.30
Root 31 20.70
Fruit 18 12.00
Seed 7 4.70
Latex 6 4.00
Flower 4 2.70
Other parts 16 10.70
Total 150 100

4.6. Conditions of Preparation of Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are prepared using fresh material from 74 of the species (65.5%), while
27(23.9%) species is used in the case of dried plant material. There were 12(10.6%)
species in which the local people use either dried or fresh materials for the treatment of
ailments (Fig.5). Similarly, a study conducted by Teshale Sori et al. (2004) in Borena,

23
Oromia Reginal State, south Western Ethiopia. Showed that using fresh materials for
different health problems is more than dry or dry and fresh materials.

Fig.5.Condition of remedial preparation from plants

4.7. Preparation, Routes of Administration and Application of Medicinal Plants

Crushing 39 (26.25%), pounding 34 (22.8%) and fumigation 20 (13.4%) are the three
main methods of preparation of medicine. Other modes of preparation used one given in
Table 3. The local people employ several methods of preparation of traditional
medicines. The result of the current study showed that the most popular mode of
preparation was in the form of crushing 39 (26.2%) followed by pounding 34 (22.8%), 20
(13.4%) as fumigant, 14 (9.4%) in the form of juice and chewing and 5 (3.4%) by
concoction. In a similar study done by Haile Yinger and Delensaw Yewhalaw (2007), in
Oromia Reginal State, Southwestern Ethiopia the popular mode of preparation was
crushing (Juice). Others medicines are mixed with food, placed on the bent of bed, show
to patient and made to wear as necklace.

24
Table 3. Preparation methods of herbal medicine
Forms of preparation Total responses %
Crushing 39 26.20
Pounding 34 22.80
Fumigant(smoke and vapour) 20 13.40
Juice 14 9.40
Chewing 14 9.40
Decoction 5 3.40
Others 23 15.40
Total 149 100

The majority of the preparations are made from mixture of different plant species with
water and different additive substances like honey, sugar, butter, and salt and milk. These
additive substances have different functions i.e. to reduce poisons, improve flavor and as
antidotes during adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. Dawit Abebe (1986) has
also identified the additive substances in herbal remedy preparations with their possible
benefits. It was also reported that some medicinal plants are mixed with food and drinks
in such manner that, they change their flavor and simple to take. For instance, Hagenia
abssinica is added with a local drink (korffe) to improve its taste

4.7.1. Modes of administration

According to the informants indicated that drinking was the highest with 38 (24.50%)
reported case followed by 34 (21.90%) creaming, rubbing and smearing. Others are
administered through making the patients inhale the smoke and vapour of the plants in 20
(12.9%) cases and others are as shown in Table 4.

25
 Table 4. Method of administration of medicinal plants
Ways of application Total % of total
responses
Drinking 38 24.50
Cream, rub & smearing 34 21.90
Fumigating (smoke & 20 12.90
vapour)
Tie 13 8.40
Eating mixing with food 13 8.40
Smelling 10 6.50
Dropping 9 5.80
Chew & swallow the liquid 5 3.20
Soaking 2 1.30
Others 11 7.09
Total 155 100

4.7.2. Modes of application of traditional medicines

The greater proportion of application of medicinal plant preparation is external with
51.60% and internal application was slightly lower with 48.40% (Table 5). There are
various routes of administration routes of traditional medicinal plants in the study area by
the local community. The major routs of administration by the peoples under study are in
the study area oral, dermal, nasal, anal, oracular and local. The most popular rout of
administration is oral 56 (36.1%) followed by dermal 34 (21.9%) fumigation 20 (12.9%),
nasal 10 (6.5%) and the least is oracular and optical. Mirutse Giday et al. (2003)
investigated that, most of the remedies in Zay people are taken orally. Debela Hunde et
al. (2004) showed that, most of the remedies given by orally (52%) and the external
application accounting for 35% of the total medicinal preparations.

26
 Table. 5. Mode of application of traditional medicines
Route of application total Total Percentage
(%)
Internal Oral 56 36.1
Nasal 10 6.5
Local and 9 5.8
oracular
External Dermal 34 21.9
Fumigant 20 12.9
Tie on 13 8.4
Other 13 8.4
Total 155 100

With regard to the measurement of medicinal plants, there is no standardized measure of

the dose of herbal remedies in the study area. This indicates that there were variations in
the unit of measurement. Amare Getahun (1976) and Dawit Abebe (1986) indicated that
lack of precision and standardization as one of the drawbacks for the recognition of
traditional health care system. Mirutse Giday et al., (2003) also noted that, there is lack of
agreement among the informant on doses of certain remedies prescribed.

4.8. Factors Threatening Medicinal Plants

Informants ranked fire wood collection as the most serious threat to the medicinal plants
followed by agricultural expansion and drought (Table 6). Being a wildness of the cited
medicinal plants expose to various anthropogenic factors. From these factors the main
threats to medicinal in the study area, fire wood was ranked first by selected key
informants followed by agricultural expansion and drought respectively; the least one is
fodder. Similar study by Haile Yinger and Delensaw Yewhalaw (2007) in Sekoru District
shows that, there are different threats in medicinal plants in the study area such as
deforestation (40%), drought (17.5%), agricultural expansion (12.5%) and fire (12.5%).

27
Table 6. Ranking of threats to medicinal plants
Threats R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 Total Rank
Drought 5 4 7 5 6 5 5 7 4 6 54 3rd
Agricultural 6 7 5 4 5 6 7 5 7 7 59 2nd
expansion
Fire wood 7 6 6 6 7 7 6 6 5 5 61 1st
Charcoal 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 2 18 6th
Construction 3 5 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 32 5th
Urbanization 4 3 4 7 4 4 4 4 6 3 43 4th
Fodder 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 13 7th
Key: R= represented respondents

4.9. Threatened Medicinal Plants

The ranking of five medicinal plants based on the degree of threats was conducted
using 10 key informants. The results (Table 7) indicated that Olea europaea supsp.
cuspidata is the most threatened followed by Clerodendrum myricoides and Myrica
salicifolia and the least threatened one is Acokanthera schimperi.

Table 7. Ranking of threatened plants

Threatened Informants
plants 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Rank

Olea europaea 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 5 42 1st

. subsp.
Cuspidate
Myrica 5 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 30 3rd
salicifolia
Clerodendrum 3 4 4 3 5 5 2 4 5 4 39 2nd
myricoides
Juniperus 1 2 2 1 2 2 5 1 4 2 22 4th
procera
Acokanthera 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 5 1 1 16 5th
schimperi
[

28
 4.10. Ranking of Most Important Medicinal Plants
Preference ranking of five medicinal plants that were reported as effective to threat fibril
illness which is the most common disease in the study area, was conducted after selecting
10 key informants. Cynoglossum lanceolatum scored 44 ranked first indicating that it is
the most effective in treating fibril illness followed by Zehneria scabra and the least
effective was Withania somnifera (Table 8).

Table 8. Preference ranking of medicinal plants used for treating fibril illness
List of R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 Total Rank
medicinal
plants
Zehneria scabra 4 4 5 4 4 3 4 3 5 2 38 2nd
Eucalyptus 3 2 3 3 5 5 3 2 4 3 33 3rd
globules
Withania 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 14 5th
somnifera
Ocimum 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 4 20 4th
lamiifolium
Cynoglossum 5 5 4 5 3 4 5 5 3 5 44 1st
lanceolatum
*Key: Where R represented respondents

4.11. Importance of Medicinal Plants in the Study Area

A paired comparison made to determine the most preferred medicinal plants among the
five species that were used to treat abdominal pain in the study area, the responses of ten
key informants, showed that Verbena offinalis ranked first followed by Conyza
pyrrinopappa (Table 9). Therefore, this result indicated that Verbena offinalis is the most
favoured while Solanum incanum is the least favoured over the other plant species cited
in treating abdominal pain.

29
 Table 9. Paired comparison of five medicinal plant species used to treat abdominal pain
Plant species R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 TOTAL RANK
Solanum 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 13 5th
incanum
Verbena 5 4 5 5 4 5 5 5 4 5 47 1st
offinalis
Conyza 4 2 4 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 38 2nd
pyrrinopappa
Rumex 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 23 4th
nepalesnsis
Otostegia 1 5 3 3 5 3 3 2 1 3 29 3rd
fruticosa
*Key: Where R represented respondents

4.12. Direct Matrix Ranking

Direct matrix ranking was performed to asses the relative importance and to
check the major impacts on each of the plant. The result of the direct matrix ranking
showed that Olea europaea subsp. Cuspidata stood first in being the most multipurpose
medicinal plant followed by Cordia africana and Dodonaea angustifolia was the least
(Table 10).

Table 10. Direct matrix ranking for multiple uses of medicinal plants
Use Acacia Acacia Cordia africana Dodonaea Juniperus procera Carissa spinarum Olea europaea
abyssinica etbaica angustifolia subsp. cuspidata
Medicinal 4 3 1 6 2 7 5
Charcoal 4 6 2 2 1 1 7
Fire wood 5 6 2 4 3 2 7
Construction 1 1 5 2 7 1 6
Furniture 0 0 7 1 5 0 6
Edible fruit 0 0 6 0 0 7 0
Fence 7 6 1 4 2 5 3
Total 21 22 24 19 20 23 34
th th nd th th rd
Rank 5 4 2 7 6 3 1st

30
 4.12.Popular Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Different Ailment

Analysis of informants’ consensus was used to investigate the degree of agreement on

each medicinal plant reported by informants and the popularity of some medicinal plants
to treat different health problems (Appendix 6). Accordingly,Verbena officinalis is the
most popular, cited by 70 informants out of the total 84 informants (83.38%) for its
medicinal value to treat fibril illness, tonsillitis and abdominal pain followed by Zehneria
scabra mentioned by 69 informants (82.14%) to treat fibril illness, Verbascum
sinaiticum mentioned by 65 informants (77.38%) to treat fire burn, bleeding during
delivery, hemorrhoids and evil eye and Allium sativum to treat cough, troma, ringworm
and fibril illness, Hagenia abyssinica mentioned by 57 informantes(67.86%) to treat
tapeworm. This shows that the mentioned medicinal plants are well known within the
community for their effectiveness regarding specific and different health problems.
Medicinal plants that are considered to be effective in treating a certain disease have
higher ICF values. As can be seen from Table 11 some of the categories of ailments that
are common in the study area are: evil eye (90.74%), wound (88.89%), tonsillitis
(87.88%) and Michi (84. 75%). This may point out high incidence of these types of
diseases in the study area, possibly due to the poor socio-economic, sanitary conditions
and may be due to the spiritual perception of the people. The type of disease with lower
ICF values such as: Arthritis and Abdominal pain, 74.193% and78.79% are among those
occurred rarely.

Table 11. Category of disease for informant consensus factor

Category of diseases No of No. of informants ICF %ICF
species cited
Mich 10 60 0.847458 84.74576
Abdominal pain 8 34 0.787879 78.78788
Arthritis 9 32 0.741935 74.19355
Wound 6 46 0.888889 88.88889
Tonsillitis 5 34 0.878788 87.87879
Evil eye 6 55 0.907407 90.74074

31
4.14. Medicinal Plants Used to treat one Ailment
Of the 113 medicinal plants that were cited by informants, 65(57.53%) were used to treat
a specific ailment (Table 12). Accordingly, Acacia etbaica was cited by the informants
for its medicinal value to treat dislocated bone, Acokanthera schimperi was used to treat
arthritis/rheumatism, Argemone mexicana was used to treat bleeding.
Table12. Number of plant species, number of ailment and total percentage of plant
species
Ailment Plants %
One 65 57.53
Two 35 30.97
Three 10 8.85
More than three 3 2.65
Total 113 100

4.15. Marketed medicinal plants

The medicinal plant material found being marketed in the open markets for medicinal
purpose was Hagenia abyssinica. In addition to this, some medicinal plants are sold
in the market for other purposes and most of them are sold as food (Table 13).
Medicinal plants in the market are not a common cultural activity in local markets of the
study area. But medicinal plant like Hagenia abyssinica (dry flower) is sold in the market
for its medicinal purpose. Some fresh collection of Artemisia absinthim and Ruta
chalepensis are also marketed in a local community for their aromatic and spice value
respectively.

32
 Table 13. Some medicinal plants which are found in market
Medicinal plants Uses
Allium sativum Spice
Argemone mexicana Smoothing (Mitad)
Artemisia absinthim Aromatic
Capsicum annuum Food
Catha edulis Stimulant
Cicer arietinum Food
Citrus limon Food
Citrus Medica Food
Coffea arabica Stimulant
Cucurbita pepo Food
Cyperus longus Aromatic
Hagenia abyssinica Medicinal
Hordeum vulgare Food
Lagenaria siceraria House material
Linum usitatissimum Food and smoothing
Lycopersicon esculentum Food
Menthapulegium Aromatic
Pennisetum thunbergii House material
Rhamnus prinoides Beverage
Ricinus communis Smoothing
Rumex abyssinicus Beverage
Ruta chalepensis Spice
Trigonella foenum- Spice
graecum
Vicia faba Food

4.16. Sources and Transferring of Indigenous knowledge

4.16.1. Ages of Informants

The distribution of informants with respect to age class shows that, the majority of
knowledgeable elders are in the age class of 41 to 50 (Table14).

33
 Table 14. Ages of informant in the study area
Informant’s age No. of informants Percentage (%)
15- 20 3 3.60
21-30 16 19.05
31-40 21 25.00
41-50 23 27.40
51-60 14 16.70
61-70 4 4.80
71-80 2 2.40
81-90 1 1.20
Total 84 100

4.16.2. Educational Status of Informants

According to the data documented from the study area, most of the informants that used
medicinal plants as remedies for different health problems. The result shows that
45(53.57%) were illiterate. Therefore, this indicates that modern education limits the
acceptance of traditional medicinal plants (Table 15).

Table 15. Educational status of informants

Educational status Grade Percent (%)
Illiterate 45 53.57
Writing and reading 17 20.24
8-12 10 11.90
<8 7 8.33
>12 5 5.95
Total 84 100

4.16.3. Sources of traditional knowledge practice

The highest number of traditional medicinal plant knowledge gain from to be 40
(47.66%) father/mother followed by 10 (11.90%) each for wife/husband and the
neighborhood (Table 16).

34
 Table 16. Sources of knowledge on the practice of traditional medicine
Source of knowledge for Number Percent
traditional healer
Father/ Mother 40 47.66
Wife/Husband 10 11.90
Neighborhood 10 11.90
Friends 6 7.14
Sister/Brother 5 5.95
Uncle/Aunt 4 4.75
Other 4 4.75
Total 84 100

4.16.4. Transferring Knowledge of Traditional Medicinal Plants

According to the data from the study area, the highest number for the ways of transferring
knowledge on traditional medicinal plants is to eldest son who received 25 (29.6%) votes
followed by the all children of the family 20 (23.80%) and 15 (17.86%) for eldest
daughter (Table 17).

Table 17. Transferring of knowledge of traditional medicinal plants

To whom Number Percent
transferred
Eldest son 25 29.76
All children 20 23.80
Eldest daughter 15 17.86
Wife 8 9.52
All members of the 7 8.33
family
Husband 4 4.76
Brother/Sister 2 2.38
Not to all 2 2.38
To all freely 1 1.19
Total 84 100

4.16.5. Use of Medicinal Plants Associating with Belief

The indigenous knowledge of people of the study area has shown variation in some
aspects to use medicinal plants to treat human and animal heath problems due to the
following factors. These are variation on the basis of the geographical location, climatic

35
conditions, perception to gender difference and, their distance to the nearest town and
religious beliefs.

Some members of the local community in using traditional medicinal plants for different
remedies are reflected its magical activities rather than reflecting the ethnobotanical
knowledge there in. In other members of the local community, utilization and willingness
to share ethnobotanical knowledge is affected by the assumption that as if they
considered themselves as civilized and rely on modern medicine.

Unlike the other groups of the local people of the community, there is a great
involvement of females in using medicinal plants and some for cosmetics purpose,
availability of more knowledgeable people and there is also a good relationship between
the knowledgeable individuals and other members of the local community. Consequently,
a lot of ailments are treated by members of the community using various medicinal
plants and spiritual application. For instance, ‘shakie or Kalcha’ can treat evil eye and
evil spirit during “Tufta” ceremony by spiting of Catha edulis on the face of victim
individual and during this time females contributed a lot to make the treatment more
effective by praying and blessing of the victim with speaking out “Erpho mereba -
mereba” (which means please our God lissten to us), prior to a treatment given by the
‘shakie or Kalcha’. Besides, Local communities under this group use different medicinal
plants for one ailment. For example, leech infection is treated with Capsicum annuum
and Nicotiana tabacum differently by the people of the local community in the study
area. This is because of Nicotiana tabacum is not used by the most Islamic followers due
to the presumption of the plant as ‘Haram’ to mean which is forbidden to use it.
Therefore, instead they use Capsicum annum.

36
 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusion

The study recorded 113 species of medicinal plants of which 82 species (72.5%) were
noted to treat human ailments. While, 16 species (14.16%) are used to treat livestock
ailments and 15 species (13.27%) are used to treat both livestock and human ailments.

Majority of the reported medicinal plant species were from the wild habitat 65 (57.5%).
This shows wild habitats are subjected to the loss of a number of plant species due to
different anthropogenic factors such as fire wood, agricultural expansion, drought and
others. Most of the knowledge on herbal remedies in this study area concentrated on
elders, who were between 41-50 years. This shows that there is a problem in the transfer
of knowledge from the elders to the young generation. The problem is may be faced due
to the introduction of modern education, religious factors, spiritual and cultural related
problems. However, these factors played a significant role in conservation of medicinal
plants in the study area. Herbal remedies are prepared as using fresh materials 74 (65.5%)
species than dried plant materials 27(23.9%). Therefore, the consequence of this result
may expose the area to reduce many plant species. Leaves 45.3% are harvested for
medicinal purpose than other plant parts in the study area, which is important to ensure
the existence of medicinal plants. Herbs are highly utilized 46% for medicinal purpose
than trees and shrubs. This might be help in ensured the survival of trees and shrubs.
Most of medicinal plants are administered orally (36.1%). Specially. Drinking takes the
largest part (24.5%). With regard to the dosage of traditional medicinal plants, there is no
standardized measurement. This will have negative consequence on the health of the society.

37
 5.2. Recommendations

Based on the result of the study, the following recommendations are forwarded.

Raising awareness of the local society to protect medicinal plants as well

as the indigenous knowledge of the community.

The local people need to be trained, encouraged and supported on how to
conserve and manage the medicinal plant species and whole plant
resources found in their area.

Raising awareness of the young generation to avoid negative impacts on
the Medicinal plants and associated knowledge in the area, hence,
documentation of the medicinal plants of the area needs to continue.

Attention should be given to standardization of measurement and
hygiene of the medicines made from plants by training both the healers
and other members of the local community.

Training must be given to the members of the local community by the
Wereda agricultural experts so that they can engage home gardening
practices and intensity it.

38
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 7. APPENDECS

Appendix 1. List of Medicinal Plants Identified

No Scientific name Family Name Local Name Growth Collection SOURCE

form no.
1. Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth. Fabaceae Chiea Tree NAB-29 W &HG

2. Acacia etbaica Schweinf. Fabaceae Sraw Tree NAB-30 W

3. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Mochalo Herb NAB-34 W
4. Acokanthera schimperi (A.DC) Schweinf. Apocynaceae Morez Shrub NAB-54 W
5. Agave americana L. Agavaceae Gorengoria Herb NAB-66 W& HG
6. Allium sativum L. Alliaceae Tsaeda Herb NAB-88 HG
Shingurtie
7. Aloe megalacantha Baker Aloaceae Ire Herb NAB-85 W
8. Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae Eshok Buru Herb NAB-82 W
9. Artemisia absinthium L. Asteraceae Atran Herb NAB-78 HG

10. Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Wild. Asteraceae Chenabaria Herb NAB-76 HG

11. Asparagus africanus Lam. Asparagaceae Kastaniesto Herb NAB-33 W
12. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Balanitaceae Bedano Tree NAB-89 W&HG
13. Becium grandiflorum (Lam.) Pic.Serm. Lamiaceae Tebeb Shrub NAB-71 W
14. Berberis holstii Engl. Berberidaceae Muchu euf Herb NAB-28 W
15. Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae Tselim Herb NAB-57 W
chiguaguit

44
16. Calpurnia aurea (Ait.) Benth. Fabaceae Hatsawitse Tree NAB-81 W

17. Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell Celastraceae Andel Shrub NAB-65 W

18. Capsicum annuum L. Solanaceae Karya Herb NAB-90 HG
19. Carissa spinarum L. Apocynaceae Agam Shrub NAB-32 W
20. Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. Celastraceae Chat Tree NAB-91 HG
21. Chenopodium murale L. Chenopodiaceae Hamedmado Herb NAB-79 W
22. Cicer arietinum L. Fabaceae Shimbra Herb NAB-92 HG
23. Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. Rutaceae Lemon Tree NAB-93 HG
24. Citrus medica L. Rutaceae Tringo Tree NAB-94 HG
25. Clematis simensis Fresen. Ranuculaceae Hazo Herb NAB-04 W
26. Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke Lamiaceae Shewha Shrub NAB-86 W
27. Clutia abyssinica Jaub. & Spach Euphorbiaceae Hirtimtimo Herb NAB-75 W
28. Coffea arabica L. Rubiaceae Bunna Tree NAB-95 HG
29. Cordia africana Lam. Boraginaceae Awhie Tree NAB-31 HG
30. Croton macrostachyus Del. Euphorbiaceae Tembok Tree NAB-14 W
31. Momordica foetida Schumach. Cucurbitaceae Yamora missa Herb NAB-96 W
32. Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. Cucurbitaceae Ramborambo Herb NAB-38 W
33. Cucurbita pepo L. Cucurbitaceae Duba Herb NAB-97 HG
34. Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. Boraginaceae Namich Herb NAB-50 W & HG
35. Cyperus longus L. Cyperaceae Kuni-azebo Herb NAB-98 W
36. Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae Mestenagir Herb NAB-36 W
37. Dodonaea angustifolia L.f. Sapindaceae Tahses Tree NAB-61 W & HG
38. Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn Asteraceae Dander Herb NAB-69 W

45
39. Eucalyptus globulus Labill Myrtaceae Tsaeda- Tree NAB-08 HG
biharzaf
40. Euclea racemosa Murr. Ebenaceae Keileo Shrub NAB-03 W
41. Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel Euphorbiaceae Kulkuala Tree NAB-84 W & HG
42. Euphorbia petitiana A. Rich. Euphorbiaceae Tsabadimu Herb NAB-41 W
43. Euporbia cactus Boiss. Euphorbiaceae Kalkalda Shrub NAB-72 W
44. Ficus palmata Forssk. Moraceae Beles Tree NAB-13 W
45. Foeniculum vulgare Miller Apiaceae Ensilal/Arekie Herb NAB-46 HG
46. Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel. Rosaceae Habie Tree NAB-51 W
47. Hordeum vulgare L. Poaceae Eklie( Sigem) Herb NAB-99 HG
48. Hypericum revolutum Vahl Hypericaceae Abedye Shrub NAB-47 W
49. Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. Cupresaceae Tsihdie-adie Tree NAB-87 W & HG
50. Justicia schimperiana (Hochst.ex Nees) T. Anders. Acanthaceae Shemieja Shrub NAB-24 HG
51. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Cucurbitaceae Hamham Herb NAB-45 HG
52. Laggera tomentosa (Sch. Bip. ex A. Rich.) Asteraceae Kansokanso Shrub NAB-100 W
53. Leucas abyssinica (Benth.) Briq. Lamiaceae Chimida Shrub NAB-56 W
54. Linum usitatissimum L. Linaceae Entatie Herb NAB-26 HG
55. Lippia adoensis Hochst. ex Walp. Verbenaceae Kusha Shrub NAB-40 W
56. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Solanaceae Tematiem Herb NAB-101 HG
57. Maesa lanceolata Forssk. Myrsinaceae Saweria Tree NAB-80 W & HG
58. Malva verticillata L. Malvaceae Lit Herb NAB-59 W
59. Maytenus arbutifolia (A.Rich) Wilezek Celastraceae Hatsihats Shrub NAB-68 W
60. Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Niem Tree NAB-48 HG

46
61. Mentha pulegium L. Lamiaceae Sentie-Semhal Herb NAB-37 W & HG
62. Meriandra dianthera (Roth, ex. Roem. & Schult.) Lamiaceae Mesaguh Shrub NAB-44 W
Briq.
63. Myrica salicifolia A. Rich. Myricaceae Shehinet Shrub NAB-39 W
64. Myrsine uspidat L. Myrsinaceae Kachamo Shrub NAB-16 W
65. Nicotiana glauca R.Grah Solanaceae Yeareb Kitel Herb NAB-49 W
66. Nicotiana tabacum L. Solanaceae Timbaho Herb NAB-73 W
67. Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. Ex Benth. Lamiaceae Demakasea Herb NAB-102 HG
68. Olea uspida L. subsp. uspidate Oleaceae Awlie Tree NAB-103 W & HG
69. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller Cactaceae Kolkuala- Tree NAB-104 HG
Bahirie
70. Sideroxylon oxyacanthum Ball. Sapotaceae Kakiba Tree NAB-21 W & HG
71. Otostegia fruticosa (Forssk.) Schweinf. ex Penzig Lamiaceae Chamo/Geram Shrub NAB-52 W & HG
tinjut
72. Otostegia integrifolia Benth. Lamiaceae Tsiendog Shrub NAB-12 W
73. Pennisetum thunbergii Kunth Poaceae Sindedo Herb NAB-18 W
74. Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit. Phytolacaceae Shebtie Shrub NAB-77 W & HG
(endod)
75. Plectranthus orantus Codd Lamiaceae Hindifdif Herb NAB-62 W
76. Plectranthus punctatus L’Herit Lamiaceae Karewo-awalid Herb NAB-63 W
77. Polygala abyssinica Fres. Polygalaceae Etse-libona Herb NAB-20 W
78. Pterolobium stellatum (Forssk.) Brenan Fabaceae Kentefitafe Shrub NAB-70 W & HG
79. Punica granatum L. Lythraceae Roma Tree NAB-105 HG

47
80. Ranunculus oligocarpus Hochst. ex A. Rich. Kotseli- Herb NAB-58 W
Ranunculaceae madokorem
81. Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit Rhamnaceae Gesho Tree NAB-83 HG
82. Rhus glutinosa A. Rich. Anacardiaceae Tetaelo Tree NAB-53 W
83. Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Gulee Herb NAB-35 W & HG
84. Rosa abyssinica Lindley Rosaceae Kega Shrub NAB-74 W
85. Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. Polygonaceae Mokmako Herb NAB-19 W
86. Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Polygonaceae Diglle Herb NAB-05 W
87. Rumex nervosus Vahl Polygonaceae Hahot Shrub NAB-06 W
88. Ruta chalepensis L. Rutaceae Chena-adam Shrub NAB-106 HG
89. Senecio hadiensis Forssk. Asteraceae Sihum-atalie Herb NAB-17 W & HG
90. Senecio myriocephalus Sch. Bip.ex A. Rich. Asteraceae Tsada Kotsilei Shrub NAB-01 W
91. Senna baccarinii (Chiov.) Lock Fabaceae Hambohambo Tree NAB-64 W
92. Sida schimperiana Hochst. ex A.Rich. Malvaceae Chifrig Shrub NAB-15 W
93. Solanum adoense Hochst. ex A. Rich. Solanaceae Zerich embuay Shrub NAB-43 W
94. Solanum benderianum Schimper ex Dammer Solanaceae Berbere Tree NAB-42 HG
Sheitan
95. Solanum incanum L. Solanaceae Niesheton- Shrub NAB-11 W
engule
96. Solanum marginatum L.f. Solanaceae Abiy-engule Shrub NAB-07 W
97. Solanum americanum Miller Solanaceae Amalo Herb NAB-107 W
98. Thymus schimperi Ronniger Lamiaceae Teshene Herb NAB-67 W
99. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Fabaceae Abaeke Herb NAB-02 HG

48
100. Urtica simensis steudel Urticaceae Amea Herb NAB-108 W
101. Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. Scrophulariaceae Trinake Herb NAB-09 W
102. Verbena officinalis L. Verbenaceae Atuch Herb NAB-10 W & HG
103. Vernonia schimperi DC. Asteraceae Nakurimba Herb NAB-109 W
104. Conyza pyrrhopappa Sch. Bip.ex A. Rich Asteraceae Selihim Shrub NAB-110 W

105. Vernonia amygdalina Del. Asteraceae Grawa Tree NAB-111 HG

106. Vicia faba L. Fabaceae Ater Herb NAB-112 HG
107. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Solanaceae Giezawa/Geine Shrub NAB-23 HG
haris
108. Xanthium spinosum L. Asteraceae Milhas aniestei Herb NAB-22 W
109. Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Chobba(Chigu Herb NAB-55 W
aguit)
110. Ximenia americana L. Olacaceae Muleo Shrub NAB-60 W
111. Zehneria scabra (Linn.f.) Sond Cucurbitaceae Haregressa Herb NAB-25 W & HG
112. Ziziphus spina-christi (L.)Desf. Rhamnaceae Kunkura Shrub NAB-27 W & HG
113. Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen Logani Tekuware Tree NAB+ W
aceae

Note : Species written as bold are endemic and rare species

49
 Appendix 2.Medicinal plants used to both human ailments and livestock diseases (HB=habit, H=herb, T=tree, Sh=shrub,PUS=partes
used,Sb=stem bark,L=leaves, R=root, RB=root bark, CP=condition of preparation, F=fresh, D=dry,F/D=fresh or dried)

Scientific name Family Local HB PUS CP Application Method of preparation Administration

Name Name Route
Acacia abyssinica Fabaceae Chiea T SB F/D Ring worm  Placed it on the fire, External
creamed the infected part
L F External wound by the liquid which is
infection created during burning
(Livestock)  Crushed and place on the External
wound
Acacia etbaica Fabaceae Sraw T SB F Dislocated bone  Tie the dislocated bone External
(Livestock) by its bark
Achyranthes aspera Amarantha Mochalo H R F  Eye  Chewing and spit the
infection(livesto liquid to the infected  Local
ceae
L F ck) eye
L F  Crushed and placing on
the shaved  External
head of child
 Tonsillitis  Crushed, packed by a
piece of cloth and insert  Vaginal
to the womb
 Bleeding during
delivery
Acokanthera Apocynace Morez Sh Fruit D Arthritis/ Pounded, mix with water and External
rheumatism creamed the hands
schimperi ae
Agave ameri Agavaceae Gorengoria H L F Malaria(livestock)  Crushed and add a drop • Nasal
through nose and ear • Oracular
cana
Allium Sativum Alliaceae Tsaeda H Bulb F  Cough  Taking as a food  Oral
 Fibril illness  Mixed with Ruta

50
 Shingurtie  Troma chalapiansi,,c rashed
 Ringworm and cremed the whole  External
body
 Crushed and placed on
the wound  External
 Splited the bulb in to
two and rubbed the
infected site
 External
Aloe megalacantha Aloeaceae Ire H L F  Scabies(livestoc  Crushed, squeezed and  External
k) creamed the infected  Oral
 Fascioloiasis(liv skin  External
estock)  Crushed, add 1-liter
 dislocated bone water and drunk
(livestock)  Tie on the injured part
Argemone mexicana Papaverace Eshok Buru H Latex F Bleeding Cutting a leaf and cream the External
latex to the wound
ae
Artemisia absinthim Asteraceae Atran H Leaf F  Abdominal pain Mixed with Negelia sativa,
 Evil eye water,boiled and drunk for
 Rinder pest consgative7-days every Oral
morning before meal Externald
Showing and sleeping on it

Artemisia afra Asteraceae Chenabaria H Leaf F  Evil eye  Mixed with Ruta  Nasal
chalapiansi and Allium
sativum, crushed and
sniffed
 Mixed with Ruta
 Fiberil illness chalepiansis,crushed
andcreamed the whole  External
body
Asparagus africanus Asparagace Kastaniesto H whole F/D  Evil eye  Placed the whole plant  External

51
 ae pant  Troma beneath the bed
L F  Rabbis  Mixed with Mentha
R and L F polegium, crushe and  External
placed on the wound
 crushed, filtering and
mix with milk and drunk

 Oral
Balanites aegyptica Balanitacea Bedano T Fruit F  Amoeba Immersed into water for 1- Oral
 Abdominal pain day and drunk the juice
e
Becium grandiflorum Lamiaceae Tebeb Sh Flower F  Eye infection  Rubbed the infected eye  Local
L D  Scabies by the leaf(livestock)
 Squeezed the flower and
add drop of it to the  Local
infected eye(human)
 Mixed with Dodonea
angustifolia and Rumex  External
nerevosus,rosted,
pounded and mixed with
butter, creamed the
infected part

Berberis holstii Berberidace Muchu euf H R F  Inflammation of  Chewing and spit drop  Local
the of it to the eye
ae
eye(livestock)  Mixed with Rumix  External
 Arthritis/rheumat nurvesus and fumigating
ism the smoke
Bidens pilosa Asteraceae Tselim H L F Wound Crushed and tie on the External
wound (the finger)
chiguaguit
Calpurnia aurea Fabaceae Hatsawitse T L F  Scabies  Crushed, homogenized  External

52
 L F  Lice in water and washed  Nasal
fruit D  Insect  Placing on fire and
fumigating the smoke
Maytenus Celastracea Andel Sh RB D Evil eye  Placed on fire and  External
(Buda) fumigating the smoke  Nasal
senegalensis e
 Pounded and take
through nasal cavity
Capsicum annuum Solanaceae Karya H Fruit D Leeches Pounded, homogenized in Oral
water an drunk
Carissa spinarum Apocynace Agam Sh R D  'Ganel'  Placed on fire and  External
RB D  Evil eye fumigating the smoke  Nasal
ae
 Mixed with Allium
sativum, pounded and
take through nose
Catha edulis Celastracea Chat T L F  Evil eye Chewing and spit on the face External
 'Ganel' and head of patient
e
Chenopodium murale Chenopodia Hamedmad H L F  Troma  Crushed and placed on  External
the wound
ceae o
L F  Dandruff  Crushed and creamed the
shaved head  External
 Crushed and mixed with
L F  'Tirff milas' honey, placed on the
infected site  Oral
Cicer arietinum Fabaceae Shimbra H Seed D  Malaria  Immersed in water, Oral
 Gastric filter after one day, mix
with Allium sativum,
and take as a meal
 Chewing and swallowed
it Oral
Citrus limon Rutaceae Lemien T Fruit F  Rinder pest  Showing and eating  Oral
Fruit F  Paralyses  Squeezed mix with
Calpurina aurea,

53
 Lepidium sativum,
Plumbago zeylarica then  External
immerse in Lagenaria
siceraria ,for 7 days then
wash early in the
morning for 3-7 days by
Rumx nervesus
Citrus medica Rutaceae Tringo T Fruit F  Ganel (evil sprit)  Giving for every body to  External
 Rinder pest identify devil and avoid
him
 Showing and eating  Oral
Clematis simensis Ranuculace Hazo H L F Cutaneous Mixed with Sida schimpri , External
leshimeniasis crushed and placed on the
ae
infected site
Clerodendrum Verbenacea Shewha Sh Fruit D  Arthritis/  Placed on fire and  External
rheumatism fumigating the smoke
myricoides e
 Evil eye  Pounded and mix with
Allium sativum, take  Nasal
through nose
Clutia abyssinica Euphorbiac Hirtimtimo H Fruit D Phobia Mixed with dry root bark of Oral
Withani somnifera ,Hordeum
eae
vulgari, pounded and mix
with " Tela" then drunk
Coffea arabica Rubiaceae Bunna T Fruit D  Fire burn  Roasted, pounded and  External
Fruit D mix with sugar, placed
on the burned part
 Roasted, pounded and
mix with honey,
 Diarrhea swallowed  Oral

Cordia africana Boragenace Awhie T L F  Tonsillitis  Crushed, filter and drunk  Oral
 Tiniascaplis  Crushed the leaf which
ae
is infected by fungus

54
 then creamed the  External
infected part
Croton macrostachyus Euphorbiac Tembok T L F Ringworm Crushed and rubbed the External
infected part
Del. eae
Momordica foetida Cucurbitace Yamora H R D Rectal prolapse Pounded and mix with " Oral
Fruit F shiro and injera", take it
ae missa
Cucumis ficifolius Cucurbitace Ramboramb H Root D  Rabbis  Pounded,mixed with Oral
Fruit F  Hangnil milk and drunk
ae o
 Insert the fruit to the
finger External

Cucurbita Pepo Cucurbitace Duba H Seed D  Tape worm  Roasted, chewing and Oral
Fruit F  Urine retention swallowed
ae
 Boiled and take it as a Oral
food
Cynoglossum Boragenace Namich H L F Febrile  Squeezed and drunk the Oral
illness(Michi) juice
lanceolatum ae
 Squeezed and add a drop Oracular
through ear

Cyperus longus . Cyperaceae Kuni-azebo H Bulb D Scabies Roasted ad pounded, mix

with butter and creamed the External
infected part
Datura Stramonium Solanaceae Mestenagir H L F  Dandruff  Crushed and creamed on  External
 Abortion the shaved head
 Crushed, filter it and
drunk ½ a cup of tea  Oral
Dodonea angustifolia Sapindacea Tahses T L D  Scabies Roasted, pounded and mixed External
D  Herpes zoster with butter,and creamed the
e L
infected part

55
Silybum marianum Asteraceae Dander H R D  Febrile illness  Placed on fire and External
D  Evil eye fumigating by its smoke
R
D  Epidemic  Placed on fire and
R D  abdominal pain fumigated the home External
 Pounded and mix with
R
coffee and drunk Oral
Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae Tsaeda- T L F  Febrile illness Boiled with water and Nasal
L F  Cough fumigated by its vapour
biharzaf
Euclea racemosa Ebenaceae Keileo Sh RB D  Evil eye  Mixed with Carisa External
RB D  Urine retention spinarum,pounded and
L D  Scabies take through nose
 Chewing, swallowed the
liquid only Oral
 Pounded mixed with
butter and creamed the
infected sight External
Euphorbia abyssinica Euphorbiac Kulkuala T Latex F Swelling(livestock) Smeared the infected site by External
the latex
ea
Euphorbia petitiana Eupherbeia Tsabadimu H Latex F Ringworm Smeared the infected part by External
latex until treated
ceae
Euporbia cactus Euphorbiac Kalkalda Sh Latex F  Swelling(livesto  Smeared the infected site  External
D ck) by its milky latex  Oral
eae
Latex  Malaria  Dry the milky latex,
pounded and mixed with
Eragrostis tef, bake a
bread and take 1/20th of
it
Ficus palmata Moraceae Beles T Latex F Hemorrhoids Smeared the infectehgd site External
by the milky latex until

56
 treated
Foeniculum vulgare Apeaceae Ensilal/Are H L F  Asthma  Boiled with water and  Oral
Bulb F  Urine retention drunk  Oral
kie
 Crushed and eat as a
food
Hagenia abyssinica Rosaceae Habie T Flower D Tape worm Pounded , mix with "korefe" Oral
and drunk
Hordeum Vulgare Poaceae Eklie( H Seeed D Bloat Pounded the malt of it and Oral
dissolved in water and drunk
Sigem)
Hypericum revolutum Hypericace Abedye Sh L F Febrile illness Boiled with water and External
(Michi) fumigate by its smoke for 3-
ae
consecuative days
Juniperus procera Cuprusacea Tsihdie- T L F Abdominal pain Crushed and mix with water Oral
then filter and drunk
e adie
Justicia schimperiana Acanthacea Shemieja Sh L F Jaundice Crushed and filter the juice Oral
part and drank ¼ of a liter
e
depending on age
Lagenaria siceraria Cucurbitace Hamham H L F Ear problem Crushed, squeezed and Oracular
added one drop through ear
ae

Laggera tomentosa Asteraceae Kansokanso H L F Febrile illness Boiled with water and External
(Michi) fumigate by its smoke
Leucas abyssinica Lamiaceae Chimida Sh L F Cough(livestock} Crushed, mixed with Allium Nasal
sativum , filter and add
through nasal cavity
Linum usitatissimum Linaceae Entatie H Seed D  Constipation Boiled with water and drunk Oral
Seed D  Difficulty to Roasted it over the head of
spoken the pationt
External

57
Lippia adoensis Verbenacea Kusha H R D Arthritis/rheumatism Fumigating by its smoke by External
placing on a fire for 3-days
e
Lycopersicon Solanaceae Tematiem H Fruit F Fire burn Rubbing the burned part by External
its fleshy part
esculentum
Maesa lanceolata Myrsinacea Saweria T R F  Arthritis/rheumat  Mixed with the root of External
Fruit D ism Rumex nervesus and
e
 Tapeworm fumigated its smoke by
placing on a fire
 Pounded, mixed with
"korefe" and drunk Oralg
Malva verticillata Malvaceae Lit H R F Swelling Crushed and placed on the External
infected site
Maytenus arbutifolia Celastracea Hatsihats Sh L F Wound Crushed and placed on the External
wound for 7-consecuative
e
days
Melia azedarach Meliaceae Niem T L F Tonsillitis Crushed, Filter and drunk Oral

Mentha polegium Lamiaceae Sentie- H R F Tooth ache Chew and swallowed the Oral
fluid
Semhal
Meriandra dianthera Lamiaceae Mesaguh H L D Diarrhea Pounded, mixed with water Oral
and salt then drunk
Myrica salicifolia Myricaexae Shehinet Sh R F Arthritis/rheumatism Placed on fire and fumigated External
by its smoke
Myrsine africana Myrsinacea Kachamo Sh Fruit D Tapeworm Pounded, mixed with water Oral
and take with porege
e
Nicotiana glauca Solanaceae Yeareb H L F Impotence Chewing a very small pieces Oral
of leaf and swallewed
Kitel
Nicotiana tabacum Solanaceae Timbaho H L F Leech (Livestock) Crushed and add through Nasal

58
 nasal cavity
Nuxia congesta Loganiacea Tekuare T R F  Acne Placed on fire and fumigated External
e  Fat accumulatión by its smoke, creamed the
head by better is mandatory
Ocimum lamiifolium Lemiaceae Demakasea H F  Headache Crushed, squeezed, add to Oral
L  Febrile illness coffee and drunk
L
Olea europaea Oleaceae Awlie T S D  Arthritis/rheumat  Mixed with Rumex  External
L D ism nervosus, Myrica
L D  Womb infection salicifolia and
 Lazyness Clerodendrum
myricoides, placed on
fire and fumigated by its
smoke. At this time
placing butter on a head
is mandatory and it is
only for femeal.
 Mixed with Allium
sativum and honey, eat
3-tea spoon for 7/21  Oral
days.
Opuntia ficus-indica Cactaceae Kolkuala- T Fleshy F Dandruff Crushed, mixed with egg and External
part creamed the head
Bahirie
Sideroxylon Sapotace Kakiba Sh L F  Eye infection  Chewing and spit a drop  Local
oxyacanthum  Diarrhea of it on the infected eye
ae L F (livestock)  Crushed, mix with water  Oral
and drunk
Otostegia fruticosa Lamiaceae Chamo/Ger Sh L F Abdominal pain Crushed, squeezed and drunk Oral
amtinjut
Otostegia integrifolia Lamiaceae Tsiendog Sh Whole D  Fleas  Placing on fire and  External
part  Abdominal pain fumigated the smoke in

59
 L F the house
 Making a plant as  Oral
component of local
alcohol when distilling
it, then dunk.
Pennisetum thunbergii Poaceae Sindedo H Flower D Herpes zoster Roasted, pounded, mixed External
with butter and creamed the
infected site
Phytolacca Phytolacace Shebtie Sh L/Fruit F  Bloat  Crushed, squeezed Oral
R D  Rabbis mixed wit water and
dodecandra ae (endod)
drunk
 Pounded, mix with milk Oral
and drunk
Plectranthus Orantus Lamiaceae Hindifdif H Whole F Paralysis Pounded and rubbed below External
part abdominal part and exposing
to sun
Plectranthus Lamiaceae Karewo- H Whole F Arthritis/rheumatism Crushed and rubbed below External
part the abdominal part
Punctatus awalid
Polygala abyssinica Polygalacea Etse-libona H Whole F  Snake poison Chewing and swallowed Oral
part  Snake prevention
e
Whole F
part
Pterolobium Stellatum Fabaceae Kentefitafe Sh L F Swelling Crushed and placed on the External
infected site
Punica granatum Lythraceae Roma T Seed D Not being just active Pounded and mix with Oral
pounded leaf of Olea europa
and mix with honey, eat for
7-days a bout 3-tea spoon
early in the morning
Ranunculus Kotseli- H L F Swelling Crushed and buried in the External
infected site
Oligocarpus Ranuculace madokorem

60
 ae
Rhamnus prinoides Rhamnacea Gesho T L F Tonsilet Chewing and spit to the Oral
mouse of a chilled
e
Rhus glutinosa Anacardiac Tetaelo T L F Depression Crushed with Justica Oral
shimperi and mixed with
eae
honey and eat 3-tea spoon
early in the morning for 7-
cosecuative days
Ricinus communis Euphorbiac Gulee H L F Horn worm Crushed squeezed and External
placed on the broken horn
ea
Rosa abyssinica Rosaceae Kega Sh F Dr Tapeworm Pounded, mixed with Oral
"correfe" drunk(local
alcoholic drink)
Rumex abyssinicus Polygonace Mokmako H R Dr Abdominal problem  pounded, boil with Oral
water and sugar and
ae
drunk
Rumex nepalensis Polygonace Diglle H R F Abdominal pain,  Crushed, filter and drunk  Oral
Tonsilate,  insert the root in to the
ae
Abortion, womb which is already
to facilitate delivery suitable to insert it  Internally
Rumex nervosus Polygonace Hahot Sh F Dr Vomiting  pounded, mix with  Oral
honey and eat before
ae
Arthritis/rheumatism food
 placed on fire and  External
fumigating the smoke
Ruta Chalepensis . Rutaceae Chena- Sh L&Fruit Abdominal pain  Crushed and filter ,add  Oral
L F cough with coffee and drunk
adam
 Crushed and mix with
Allum sativum, paced
with piece of cloth and  Nasal
taken via nasal cavity

61
Senecio Asteraceae Tsada Sh L F Dislocated Tie the dislocated bone by its External
bone(livestock) fresh leaf
myriocephalus Kotsilei
Senecio hadiensis Asteraceae Sihum- H R F Eye infection  Chewing the root and
(livestock) spit in to eye Local
atalie
Senna baccarinii Fabaceae Hamboham T L F Snake bite  Crushed, rubbing the External
bitted part
bo
Sida schimperiana Malvaceae Chifrig Sh L F Wound  Crus,hed and placed it External
on the wound
Solanum adoense Solanaceae Zerich Sh R syphilis  Mixed with Sida Oral
Fruit Dr rabies schimperiana, pounded,
embuay
mix with honey and eat
for seven days before
food
 Pounded mix with milk
and drunk Oral

Solanum benderianum Solanaceae Berbere T L F Hypertension  Boiled with water and Oral
drunk
Sheitan

Solanum incanum Solanaceae Niesheton- Sh R F Abdominal pain  Chewing and swallowed Oral
R Dr Rabies the liquid
engule
 Pounded and mix with
milk, then drunk
Solanum marginatum Solanaceae Abiy- Sh Fruit F cough (livestock)  Avoiding the seed from Nasal
the fruit, add the milk
engule
on it and give through
nasal cavity

62
. Solanaceae Amalo H L F Wound  Crushed and tie on the External
finger
Thymus schimperi Lamiaceae Teshene H L Dr/F Hypertension  Boiled with water and Oral
sugar, drunk
Trigonella foenum- Fabaceae Abaeke H Seed Dr Abdominal pain  Pounded, mix with
water, filter the watery  Oral
graecum
Dislocated bone part after one day, mixed
the precipitate with juice
of citres lemon and  External
drunk
 Pounded, immersed in
water and tie on the
injured part to soften the
skin
Urtica simensis Urticaceae Amea H R F Bleeding  Crushed, packed with a Nasal
piece of cloth and filter
though nasal cavity
Verbascum sinaiticum Scrophulari Trinake H Root D Bleeding  Take a piece of root External
Root F evil eye from seven place and
aceae
Root F Hemorrhoids divided them in to a
bark fire burn small pieces, insert it
Leaf D on----and tie on their hip
like a belt
 Mixed with root of
Carisa spinirurum, Nasal
Claro dendrum
miercoides,pounded and
take through nasal
cavity
 Crushed, packed in a
piece of cloth and insert
through rectum Anal
 Roasted, pounded and

63
 placed on the wound

External
Verbena officinali Verben Atuch H R F Tonsilate  Chewing and swallowed
R F abdominal pain the liquid
aceae
R F fever illness  Crushed, filter add a
drop though ear and add Oral
in coffee and drunk

Vernonia schimperi Astera Nakurimba H L F “Kurimba”  Crushed, mix with honey Oral
and swallowed
ceae
Conyza pyrrhopappa Asteraceae Selihim Sh L F Abdominal pain  Crushed , squeezed and Oral
drunk
Vernonia amygdalina Asteraceae Grawa T L F Tonsilate  Crushed squeezed and Oral
dunk
Vicia faba Fabaceae Ater H Seed Buginge  Chewing seven or three
Seed Dr seeds of it and placed on
the wound
 Immersed in water for External
mumps one day, filter and
inserted it in fine tendril
then wear as necklace

Withania somnifera Solanaceae Giezawa/Ge Sh L F Fibril illness  Crushed, mix with

Allium sativium and External
ine haris
rubbed the whole body
 Boil with water, Jesticia
shmprie and fumigating
by its vapor

Xanthium Spinosum Asteraceae Milhas H L F Wound (livestock)  Crushed with Vernonia External

64
 aniestei amygdalina and placed
on the infected side
Xanthium Strumarium Asteraceae Chobba(Chi H L F Tinia scapilies  Rubbed the infected site External
for 3/7 consecutive days
guaguit)
Ximenia americana Olacaceae Muleo Sh R D Evil eye Placed on fire and fumigated External
bye its smoke

Zehneria scabra Cucurbitace Haregressa H L F Fiberil illness Boiled with Eucalyptus External
globules, Justicia
ae
schimperina and water and
fumigated by its smoke
Ziziphus spina-christi Rhaminace Kunkura Sh L D Acne Pounded, mix with External
honey/butter and creamed
ae
the face

65
Appendix 3. Medicinal plants used to treat human ailments

Scientific name Family Local HB PUS CP Application Method of Administrati

Name Name preparation on
Route
Acokanthera Apocyna Morez Sh Fruit D Arthritis/ Pounded, mix with External
rheumatism water and creamed the
schimperi ceae
hands
Argemone Papavera Eshok H Latex F Bleeding Cutting a leaf and External
cream the latex to the
Mexicana ceae Buru
wound
Artemisia Asterace Atran H Leaf F  Abdominal Mixed with Negelia
pain sativa, water,boiled and
absinthim ae
 Evil eye drunk for consgative7- Oral
 Rinder pest days every morning Externald
before meal
Showing and sleeping
on it

Artemisia afra Asterace Chenabar H Leaf F  Evil eye  Mixed with Ruta  Nasal
chalapiansi and
ae ia
Allium sativum,
crushed and sniffed
 Mixed with Ruta
 Fiberil chalepiansis,crushe
illness d andcreamed the  External
whole body
Balanites Balanitac Bedano T Fruit F  Amoeba Immersed into water for Oral
 Abdominal 1-day and drunk the
aegyptica eae
pain juice
Bidens pilosa Asterace Tselim H L F Wound Crushed and tie on the External
wound (the finger)

66
 ae chiguagui
t
Maytenus Celastrac Andel Sh RB D Evil eye  Placed on fire and  External
(Buda) fumigating the  Nasal
senegalensis eae
smoke
 Pounded and take
through nasal cavity
Carissa spinarum Apocyna Agam Sh R D  'Ganel'  Placed on fire and  Eternal
RB D  Evil eye fumigating the  Nasal
ceae
smoke
 Mixed with Allium
sativum, pounded
and take through
nose
Catha edulis Celastrac Chat T L F  Evil eye Chewing and spit on the External
 'Ganel' face and head of
eae
patient
Chenopodium Chenopo Hamedm H L F  Troma  Crushed and placed  External
on the wound
murale diaceae ado
L F  Dandruff  Crushed and
creamed the shaved  External
head
L F  'Tirff milas'  Crushed and mixed
with honey, placed  Oral
on the infected site
Cicer arietinum Fabaceae Shimbra H Fruit/s D  Malaria  Immersed in water, Oral
eed  Gastric filter after one day,
mix with Allium
sativum, and take as
a meal
 Chewing and Oral
swallowed it

67
Citrus limon Rutaceae Lemien T Fruit F  Rinder pest  Showing and eating  Oral
Fruit F (Enewushen)  Squeezed mix with
 Paralyses Calpurina aurea,
Lepidium sativum,
Plumbago zeylarica  External
then immerse in
Lagenaria siceraria
,for 7 days then
wash early in the
morning for 3-7
days by Rumx
nervesus
Citrus medica Rutaceae Tringo T Fruit F  Ganel (evil  Giving for every  External
sprit) body to identify
 Rinder pest devil and avoid him
 Showing and eating  Oral
Clematis simensis Ranucula Hazo H L F Cutaneous Mixed with Sida External
leshimeniasis schimpri , crushed and
ceae
placed on the infected
site
Clerodendrum Verbenac Shewha Sh Fruit D  Arthritis/  Placed on fire and  External
rheumatism fumigating the
myricoides eae
 Evil eye smoke
 Pounded and mix  Nasal
with Allium
sativum, take
through nose
Clutia abyssinica Euphorbi Hirtimtim H Fruit D Phobia Mixed with dry root Oral
bark of Witinia,
aceae o
Hordeum vulgari,
pounded and mix with
" Tela" then drunk
Coffea arabica Rubiacea Bunna T Fruit D  Fire burn  Roasted, pounded  External

68
 e Fruit D and mix with sugar,
placed on the
burned part
 Roasted, pounded
 Diarrhea and mix with  Oral
honey, swallowed
Cordia africana Boragena Awhie T L F  Tonsillitis  Crushed, filter and  Oral
 Tiniascaplis drunk
ceae
 Crushed the leaf
which is infected by  External
fungus then
creamed the
infected part
Croton Euphorbi Tembok T L F Ringworm Crushed and rubbed the External
infected part
macrostachyus aceae
Momordica Cucurbit Yamora H R D Rectal prolapse Pounded and mix with " Oral
Fruit F shiro and injera", take
foetida aceae missa
it
Cucurbita Pepo Cucurbit Duba H Seed D  Tape worm  Roasted, chewing Oral
Fruit F  Urine and swallowed
aceae
retention  Boiled and take it Oral
as a food
Cynoglossum Boragena Namich H L F Febrile  Squeezed and drunk Oral
illness(Michi) the juice
lanceolatum ceae
 Squeezed and add a Oracular
drop through ear

Cyperus longus Cyperace Kuni- H Bulb D Scabies Roasted ad pounded,

mix with butter and External
ae azebo
creamed the infected
part
Datura Solanace Mestenag H L F  Dandruff  Crushed and  External

69
Stramonium ae ir  Abortion creamed on the
shaved head
 Crushed, filter it  Oral
and drunk ½ a cup
of tea
Dodonea Sapindac Tahses T L D  Scabies Roasted, pounded and External
D  Herpes mixed with butter,and
angustifolia eae L
zoster creamed the infected
part

Eucalyptus Myrtacea Tsaeda- T L F  Febrile Boiled with water and Nasal

L F illness fumigated by its vapour
globulus e biharzaf
 Cough
Euclea racemosa Ebenacea Keileo Sh RB D  Evil eye  Mixed with Carisa External
RB D  Urine spinarum,pounded
e
L D retention and take through
 Scabies nose
 Chewing, Oral
swallowed the
liquid only
 Pounded mixed External
with butter and
creamed the
infected sight
Euphorbia Eupherbe Tsabadim H Latex F Ringworm Smeared the infected External
part by latex until
petitiana iaceae u
treated
Euporbia cactus Euphorbi Kalkalda Sh Latex F  Swelling(live  Smeared the  External
D stock) infected site by its  Oral
aceae
Latex  Malaria milky latex
 Dry the milky latex,
pounded and mixed

70
 with Eragrostis tef,
bake a bread and
take 1/20th of it
Ficus palmata Moracea Beles T Latex F Hemorrhoids Smeared the infectehgd External
site by the milky latex
e
until treated
Foeniculum Apeaceae Ensilal/A H L F  Asthma  Boiled with water  Oral
Bulb F  Urine and drunk  Oral
vulgare rekie
retention  Crushed and eat
as a food
Hagenia Rosaceae Habie T Flower D Tape worm Pounded , mix with Oral
"korefe" and drunk
abyssinica
Hypericum Hyperica Abedye Sh L F Febrile illness Boiled with water and External
(Michi) fumigate by its smoke
revolutum ceae
for 3-consecuative days
Juniperus Procera Cuprusac Tsihdie- T L F Abdominal pain Crushed and mix with External
water then filter and
Hochst eae adie
drunk
Justicia Acanthac Shemieja Sh L F Jaundice Crushed and filter the Oral
juice part and drank ¼
schimperiana eae
of a liter depending on
age
Lagenaria Cucurbit Hamham H L F Ear problem Crushed, squeezed and Oracular
added one drop through
siceraria aceae
ear

Laggera Asterace Kansokan H L F Febrile illness Boiled with water and External
(Michi) fumigate by its smoke
tomentosa ae so
Lippia adoensis Verbenac Kusha H R D Arthritis/rheumat Fumigating by its External
ism smoke by placing on a

71
 eae fire for 3-days
Lycopersicon Solanace Tematie H Fruit F Fire burn Rubbing the burned part External
by its fleshy part
esculentum ae m
Maesa lanceolata Myrsinac Saweria T R F  Arthritis/rheu  Mixed with the root External
Fruit D matism of Rumex nervesus
eae
 Tapeworm and fumigated its
smoke by placing
on a fire
 Pounded, mixed Oral
with "korefe" and
drunk
Malva verticillata Malvacea Lit H R F Swelling Crushed and placed on External
the infected site
e
Maytenus Celastrac Hatsihats Sh L F Wound Crushed and placed on External
the wound for 7-
senegalensis eae
consecuative days

Melia azedarach Meliacea Niem T L F Tonsillitis Crushed, Filter and Oral

drunk
e
Mentha polegium Lamiacea Sentie- H R F Tooth ache Chew and swallowed Oral
the fluid
e Semhal
Myrica salicifolia Myricaex Shehinet Sh R F Arthritis/rheumat Placed on fire and External
ism fumigated by its smoke
ae
Myrsine africana Myrsinac Kachamo Sh Fruit D Tapeworm Pounded, mixed with Oral
water and take with
eae
porege
Nicotiana glauca Solanace Yeareb H L F Impotence Chewing a very small Oral

72
 ae Kitel pieces of leaf and
swallewed
Nuxia congesta Loganiac Tekuare T R F  Acne Placed on fire and External
eae  Fat fumigated by its smoke
accumulatión
Ocimum Lemiacea Demakas H F  Headache Crushed, squeezed, add Oral
L  Febrile to coffee and drunk
lamiifolium e ea
L illness
Olea europaea Oleaceae Awlie T L D  Arthritis/rheu  Mixed with Rumex  External
L D matism nervosus, Myrica
Sub sp cuspidata
L D  Womb salicifolia and
infection Clerodendrum
 Lazyness myricoides, placed
on fire and
fumigated by its
smoke. At this time
placing butter on a
head is mandatory
and it is only for
femeal.
 Mixed with Allium  Oral
sativum and honey,
eat 3-tea spoon for
7/21 days.
Opuntia ficus- Cactacea Kolkuala- T Fleshy F Dandruff Crushed, mixed with External
part egg and creamed the
indica e Bahirie
head
Otostegia Lamiacea Chamo/G Sh L F Abdominal pain Crushed, squeezed and Oral
drunk
fruticosa e eramtinju
t
Pennisetum Poaceae Sindedo H Flower D Herpes zoster Roasted, pounded, External
mixed with butter and

73
thunbergii creamed the infected
site
Plectranthus Lamiacea Hindifdif H Whole F Paralysis Pounded and rubbed External
part below abdominal part
Orantus e
and exposing to sun
Plectranthus Lamiacea Karewo- H Whole F Arthritis/rheumat Crushed and rubbed External
part ism below the abdominal
Punctatus e awalid
part
Polygala Polygala Etse- H Whole F  Snake poison Chewing and Oral
part  Snake swallowed
abyssinica ceae libona
Whole F prevention
part
Punica granatum Lythrace Roma T Seed D Not being just Pounded and mix with Oral
active pounded leaf of Olea
ae
europa and mix with
honey, eat for 7-days a
bout 3-tea spoon early
in the morning
Ranunculus Kotseli- H L F Swelling Crushed and buried in External
the infected site
Oligocarpus Ranucula madokore
ceae m
Rhamnus Rhamnac Gesho T L F Tonsilet Chewing and spit to the Oral
mouse a chilled
prinoides eae
Rhus glutinosa Anacardi Tetaelo T L F Depression Crushed with Justica Oral
shimperi and mixed
aceae
with honey and eat 3-
tea spoon early in the
morning for 7-
cosecuative days
Rosa abyssinica Rosaceae Kega Sh F Dr Tapeworm Pounded, mixed with Oral
"correfie" drunk

74
Rumex abyssinicus Polygona Mokmak H R Dr Abdominal  pounded, boil with Oral
problem water and sugar and
ceae o
drunk
Rumex nervosus Polygona Hahot Sh F Dr Vomiting  pounded, mix with  Oral
honey and eat
ceae
Arthritis/rheumat before food
ism  placed on fire and  External
fumigating the
smoke
Ruta Chalepensis Rutaceae Chena- Sh L&Fru Abdominal pain  Crushed and filter  Oral
it F cough ,add with coffee
adam
L and drunk
 Crushed and mix
with Allum sativum,  Nasal
paced with piece of
cloth and taken via
nasal cavity

Senna baccarinii Fabaceae Hamboha T L F Snake bite  Crushed, rubbing External

the bitted part
mbo
Sida schimperiana Malvacea Chifrig Sh L F Wound  Crus,hed and External
placed it on the
e
wound
Solanum Solanace Berbere T L F Hypertension  Boiled with water Oral
and drunk
benderianum ae Sheitan

Solanum Solanace Amalo H L F Wound  Crushed and tie on External

the finger
americanum ae
Thymus schimperi Lamiacea Teshene H L Dr/ Hypertension  Boiled with water Oral

75
 e F and sugar, drunk

Trigonella Fabaceae Abaeke H Seed Dr Abdominal pain  Pounded, mix with

water, filter the  Oral
foenum-graecum
Dislocated bone watery part after
one day, mixed the
precipitate with  External
juice of citres
lemon and drunk
 Pounded, immersed
in water and tie on
the injured part to
soften the skin
Urtica simensis Urticacea Amea H R F Bleeding  Crushed, packed Nasal
with a piece of
e
cloth and filter
though nasal cavity
Verbascum Scrophul Trinake H Root D Bleeding  Take a piece of External
Root F evil eye root from seven
sinaiticum ariaceae
Root F Hemorrhoids place and divided
bark fire burn them in to a small
Leaf D pieces, insert it on--
--and tie on their
hip like a belt
 Mixed with root Nasal
of Carisa
spinirurum, Claro
dendrum
miercoides,pounde
d and take through
nasal cavity
 Crushed, packed in Anal
a piece of cloth

76
 and insert through
rectum
 Roasted, pounded External
and placed on the
wound
Verbena Verben Atuch H R F Tonsilate  Chewing and
R F abdominal pain swallowed the
officinalis aceae
R F fever illness liquid
 Crushed, filter add Oral
a drop though ear
and add in coffee
and drunk
Vernoni schimpri Astera Nakurim H L F “Kurimba”  Crushed, mix with Oral
honey and
ceae ba
swallowed
Conyza Asterace Selihim Sh L F Abdominal pain  Crushed , squeezed Oral
and drunk
pyrrhopapa ae
Vernonia Asterace Grawa T L F Tonsilate  Crushed squeezed Oral
and dunk
amygdalina ae
Vicia faba. Fabaceae Ater H Seed Buginge  Chewing seven or
Seed Dr three seeds of it and
placed on the
wound External
mumps  Immersed in water
for one day, filter
and inserted it in
fine tendril then
wear as necklace
Withania Solanace Giezawa/ Sh L F Fibril illness  Crushed, mix with
Allium sativium and External
somnifera ae Geine
rubbed the whole

77
 haris body
 Boil with water,
Jesticia shmprie
and fumigating by
its vapor

Xanthium Asterace Chobba( H L F Tinia scapilies  Rubbed the infected External

site for 3/7
Strumarium ae Chiguagu
consecutive days
it)
Ximenia Olacacea Muleo Sh R D Evil eye Placed on fire and External
fumigated bye its
americana e
smoke
Zehneria scabra Cucurbit Haregress H L F Fiberil illness Boiled with Eucalyptus External
globules, Justicia
aceae a
schimperina and water
and fumigated by its
smoke
Ziziphus spina- Rhamina Kunkura Sh L D Acne Pounded, mix with External
honey/butter and
christi ceae
creamed the face

78
 Appendix 4. Medicinal plants used to treat livestock diseases

Scientific Family Local HB PUS CP Application Method of preparation Administratio

name Name Name n
Route
Acacia Fabaceae Sraw T SB F Dislocated bone  Tie the dislocated External
etbaica (Livestock) bone by its bark
Agave ameri Agavaceae Gorengori H L F Malaria(livestock)  Crushed and add a • Nasal
drop through nose • Oracu
cana a
and ear lar

Aloe Aloeaceae Ire H L F  Scabies(livest  Crushed, squeezed  External

ock) and creamed the  Oral
megalacanth
 Fascioloiasis(l infected skin  External
a ivestock)  Crushed, add 1-liter
 dislocated water and drunk
bone  Tie on the injured
(livestock) part
Capsicum Solanaceae Karya H Fruit D Leeches Pounded, homogenized in Oral
water an drunk
annuum
Euphorbia Euphorbiacea Kulkuala T Latex F Swelling(livestock Smeared the infected site External
) by the latex
ampliphylla
Leucas Lamiaceae Chimida Sh L F Cough Crushed, mixed with Nasal
Allium sativum , filter and
abyssinica
add through nasal cavity
Meriandra Lamiaceae Mesaguh H L D Diarrhea Pounded, mixed with Oral
water and salt then drunk
dianthera
Nicotiana Solanaceae Timbaho H L F Leech (Livestock) Crushed and add through Nasal
nasal cavity

79
tabacum
Sidroxylon Sapotaceae Kakiba Sh L F  Eye infection  Chewing and spit a  Local
 Diarrhea drop of it on the
oxyacanthum
L F (livestock) infected eye  Oral
 Crushed, mix with
water and drunk
Phytolacca Phytolacaceae Shebtie Sh L/Fruit F  Bloat  Crushed, squeezed Oral
R D  Rabbis mixed wit water and
dodecandra (endod)
drunk
 Pounded, mix with Oral
milk and drunk
Pterolobium Fabaceae Kentefitaf Sh L F Swelling Crushed and placed on the External
infected site
Stellatum e
Ricinus Euphorbiacea Gulee H L F Horn worm Crushed squeezed and External
placed on the broken horn
communis
Senecio Asteraceae Tsada Sh L F Dislocated Tie the dislocated bone by External
bone(livestock) its fresh leaf
myriocephalu Kotsilei
s
Senecio Asteraceae Sihum- H R F Eye infection  Chewing the root and
(livestock) spit in to eye Local
hadiensis atalie
Solanum Solanaceae Abiy- Sh Fruit F cough (livestock)  Avoiding the seed Nasal
from the fruit, add
marginatum engule
the milk on it and
give through nasal
cavity
Xanthium Asteraceae Milhas H L F Wound (livestock)  Crushed with External
Vernonia amygdalina
Spinosum aniestei
and placed on the
infected side

80
 Appendix 5. List of Medicinal Plants, where they are found and their status

No Scientific name Family Name Local Name Growth form Habitat Status
1 Acacia abyssinica Fabaceae Chiea Tree Home garden Common
2 Acacia etbaica Fabaceae Sraw Tree Around home Common
3 Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Mochalo Herb Around home Common
4 Acokanthera schimperi Apocynaceae Morez Shrub Forest Rare
5 Agave americana Agavaceae Gorengoria Herb Near farm land Common
6 Allium sativum Alliaceae Tsaeda Shingurtie Herb Home garden Common
7 Aloe megalacantha Aloaceae Ire Herb Near farm land Common
8 Argemone Mexicana Papaveraceae Eshok Buru Herb Fallow land Common
9 Artemisia absinthim Asteraceae Atran Herb Home garden Rare
10 Artemisia afra Asteraceae Chenabaria Herb Home garden Common
11 Asparagus africanus Asparagaceae Kastaniesto Herb Forest Moderate
12 Balanites aegyptiaca Balanitaceae Bedano Tree Road side Rare
13 Becium grandiflorum Lamiaceae Tebeb Shrub Near farm land Common
14 Berberis holstii Berberidaceae Muchu euf Herb Around home Rare
15 Bidens pilosa Asteraceae Tselim chiguaguit Herb Near farmland Common
16 Calpurnia aurea Fabaceae Hatsawitse Tree Forest Rare

81
17 Maytenus senegalensis Celastraceae Andel+ Shrub Forest Rare
18 Capsicum annuum Solanaceae Karya Herb Home garden Common
19 Carissa spinarum Apocynaceae Agam Shrub Near farm land Moderate
20 Catha edulis Celastraceae Chat Tree Home garden Moderate
21 Chenopodium murale Chenopodiacea Hamedmado Herb Around home Common
e
22 Cicer arietinum Fabaceae Shimbra Herb Home garden Moderate
23 Citrus limon Rutaceae Lemien+ Tree Home garden Rare
24 Citrus Medica Rutaceae Tringo Tree Home garden Rare
25 Clematis simensis Ranuculaceae Hazo Herb Near farm land Rare
26 Clerodendrum Lamiaceae Shewha Shrub forest Rare
myricoides
27 Clutia abyssinica Euphorbiaceae Hirtimtimo Herb Near farm land Common
28 Coffea arabica Rubiaceae Bunna Tree Home garden Rare
29 Cordia africana Boraginaceae Awhie Tree Road side Rare
30 Croton macrostachyus Euphorbiaceae Tembok Tree Near farm land moderate
31 Momordica foetida Cucurbitaceae Yamora missa Herb Around house Rare
32 Cucumis ficifolius Cucurbitaceae Ramborambo Herb Near farm land Rare
33 Cucurbita pepo Cucurbitaceae Duba Herb Home garden Common
34 Cynoglossum Boraginaceae Namich Herb Home garden Common

82
 lanceolatum
35 Cyperus longus Cyperaceae Kuni-azebo Herb Grass land Common
36 Datura stramonium Solanaceae Mestenagir Herb Fallow land Common
37 Dodonaea angustifolia Sapindaceae Tahses Tree Forest Common
38 Silybum marianum Asteraceae Kebericho+ Herb Grass land moderate
39 Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae Tsaeda-biharzaf Tree Home garden common
40 Euclea racemosa Ebenaceae Keileo Shrub Forest Moderate
41 Euphorbia abbysinica Euphorbiaceae Kulkuala Tree Near farm land Common
42 Euphorbia petitiana Euphorbiaceae Tsabadimu Herb Fallow land common
43 Euporbia cactus Euphorbiaceae Kalkalda Shrub Near farm land Rare

44 Ficus palmata Moraceae Beles Tree Near farm land Moderate

45 Foeniculum vulgare Apiaceae Ensilal/Arekie Herb Home garden Moderate
46 Hagenia abyssinica Rosaceae Habie Tree Forest Rare
47 Hordeum vulgare Poaceae Eklie( Sigem) Herb Farm land Common
48 Hypericum revolutum Hypericaceae Abedye Shrub Near farm land Rare
49 Juniperus procera Cupresaceae Tsihdie-adie Tree Forest Common
50 Justicia schimperiana Acanthaceae Shemieja Shrub Around house Common
51 Lagenaria siceraria Cucurbitaceae Hamham Herb Around house Moderate
52 Laggera tomentosa Asteraceae Kansokanso Shrub Near farm land Common

83
53 Leucas abyssinica Lamiaceae Chimida Shrub Forest Rare
54 Linum usitatissimum Linaceae Entatie Herb Fallow land Moderate
55 Lippia adoensis Verbenaceae Kusha Shrub Near farm land Moderate
56 Lycopersicon esculentum Solanaceae Tematiem Herb Home garden Common
57 Maesa lanceolata Myrsinaceae Saweria Tree Home garden Moderate
58 Malva verticillata Malvaceae Lit Herb Around home Common
59 Maytenus arbutifolia Celastraceae Hatsihats Shrub Near farm land Moderate
60 Melia azedarach Meliaceae Niem Tree Road side Rare
61 Mentha polegium Lamiaceae Sentie-Semhal Herb Close to river Common
62 Meriandra dianthera Lamiaceae Mesaguh Shrub Near farm land Common
63 Myrica salicifolia Myricaceae Shehinet Shrub Forest Rare
64 Myrsine africana Myrsinaceae Kachamo Shrub Forest Moderate
65 Nicotiana glauca Solanaceae Yeareb Kitel Herb Rode side Rare
66 Nicotiana tabacum Solanaceae Timbaho Herb Rode side Rare
67 Ocimum lamiifolium Lamiaceae Demakasea Herb Home garden Moderate
68 Olea europaea subsp. Oleaceae Awlie Tree Forest Rare
cuspidata
69 Opuntia ficus-indica Cactaceae Kolkuala-Bahirie Tree Near farm land Common
70 Sideroxylon Sapotaceae Kakiba Tree Around home Rare
oxyacanthum

84
71 Otostegia fruticosa Lamiaceae Chamo/Geramtinj Shrub Around home Rare
ut
72 Otostegia integrifolia Lamiaceae Tsiendog Shrub Road side Moderate
73 Pennisetum thunbergii Poaceae Sindedo Herb Grass land Common
74 Phytolacca dodecandra Phytolacaceae Shebtie (endod) Shrub Around home Common
75 Plectranthus orantus Lamiaceae Hindifdif Herb Road side moderate
76 Plectranthus punctatus Lamiaceae Karewo-awalid Herb Road side Rare
77 Polygala abyssinica Polygalaceae Etse-libona Herb Forest Rare
78 Pterolobium stellatum Fabaceae Kentefitafe Shrub Around home Common
79 Punica granatum Lythraceae Roma Tree Home garden Rare
80 Ranunculus oligocarpus Ranunculaceae Kotseli- Herb Home garden Moderate
madokorem
81 Rhamnus prinoides Rhamnaceae Gesho Tree Home garden Common
82 Rhus glutinosa Anacardiaceae Tetaelo Tree Forest Moderate
83 Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Gulee Herb Road side Common
84 Rosa abyssinica Rosaceae Kega Shrub Near farm land Moderate
85 Rumex abyssinicus J Polygonaceae Mokmako Herb Around home Rare
86 Rumex nepalensis Polygonaceae Diglle Herb Around home Common
87 Rumex nervosus Polygonaceae Hahot Shrub Road side Common
88 Ruta chalepensis Rutaceae Chena-adam Shrub Home garden Common

85
89 Senecio hadiensis Asteraceae Sihum-atalie Herb Around home Rare
90 Senecio myriocephalus Asteraceae Tsada Kotsilei Shrub Close to river Rare
stream
91 Senna baccarinii Fabaceae Hambohambo Tree forest Moderate
92 Sida schimperiana Malvaceae Chifrig Shrub Near farm land Moderate
93 Solanum adoense Solanaceae Zerich embuay Shrub Road side Rare
94 Solanum benderianum Solanaceae Berbere Sheitan Tree Road side Rare
95 Solanum incanum Solanaceae Niesheton-engule Shrub Near farm land Moderate
96 Solanum marginatum Solanaceae Abiy-engule Shrub Road side Common
97 Solanum americanum Solanaceae Amalo Herb Near farm land Rare
98 Thymus schimperi Lamiaceae Teshene Herb Near farm land Moderate
99 Trigonella foenum- Fabaceae Abaeke Herb Farmland Moderate
graecum
100 Urtica simensis Urticaceae Amea Herb Road side Common
101 Verbascum sinaiticum Scrophulariacea Trinake Herb Near farm land Common
e
102 Verbena officinalis Verbenaceae Atuch Herb home garden Moderate
103 Vernonia schimperi Asteraceae Nakurimba Herb Forest Rare
104 Conyza pyrrhopappa Asteraceae Selihim Shrub Road side Rare

86
105 Vernonia amygdalina Asteraceae Grawa Tree Home garden Common
106 Vicia faba Fabaceae Ater Herb Farmland Common
107 Withania somnifera Solanaceae Giezawa/Geine Shrub Home garden Moderate
haris
108 Xanthium spinosum Asteraceae Milhas aniestei Herb Near farm land Common
109 Xanthium strumarium Asteraceae Chobba(Chiguag Herb Road side Moderate
uit)
110 Ximenia americana Olacaceae Muleo Shrub Forest Rare
111 Zehneria scabra Cucurbitaceae Haregressa Herb Around home Common
112 Ziziphus spina-christi Rhamnaceae Kunkura Shrub Around home Rare
113 Nuxia congesta Logani Tekuware Tree Forest Rare
aceae

87
APPENDIX 6. Informant Consensus of Medicinal Plants

No Medicinal plant Number of % of total informants

informants

1. Acacia abyssinica 10 11.90%

2. Acacia etbaica 8 9.52%
3. Achyranthes aspera 45 53.57%
4. Acokanthera schimperi 1 1.19%
5. Agave americana 3 3.57%
6. Allium sativum 61 72.62%
7. Aloe megalacantha 6 7.14%
8. Argemone Mexicana 13 15.48%
9. Artemisia absinthim. 25 29.76%
10. Artemisia afra 43 51.19%

11. Asparagus africanus 10 11.90%

12. Balanites aegyptiaca 6 7.14%
13. Becium grandiflorum 20 23.81%
14. Berberis holstii 10 11.90%
15. Bidens biternata 1 1.19%
16. Calpurnia aurea 19 22.62%
17. Maytenus senegalensis 6 7.14%
18. Capsicum annuum 28 33.33%
19. Carissa spinarum 29 34.52%
20. Catha edulis 21 25.00%
21. Chenopodium murale 25 29.76%
22. Cicer arietinum 5 5.95%
23. Citrus limon 18 21.43%
24. Citrus Medica 12 14.29%
25. Clematis simensis 1 1.19%
26. Clerodendrum myricoides 20 23.81%

88
27. Clutia abyssinica 2 2.38%

28. Coffea arabica 6 7.14%

29. Cordia africana 4 4.76%
30. Croton macrostachyus 2 2.38%
31. Momordica foetida Schumach 1 1.19%
32. Cucumis ficifolius 25 29.76%
33. Cucurbita pepo 5 5.95%
34. Cynoglossum lanceolatum 49 58.33%
35. Cyperus longus 8 9.52%
36. Datura stramonium. 12 14.29%
37. Dodonaea angustifolia 8 9.52%
38. Silybum marianum 29 34.52%
39. Eucalyptus globulus 50 59.52%
40. Euclea racemosa 18 21.43%
41. Euphorbia abbysinica 21 25.00%
42. Euphorbia petitiana 1 1.19%
43. Euporbia cactus 10 11.90%
44. Ficus palmata 15 17.86%
45. Foeniculum vulgare 12 14.29%
46. Hagenia abyssinica 57 67.86%
47. Hordeum vulgare 50 59.52%
48. Hypericum revolutum 2 2.38%
49. Juniperus procera 5 5.95%
50. Justicia schimperiana 1 1.19%
51. Lagenaria siceraria 5 5.95%
52. Laggera tomentosa 1 1.19%
53. Leucas abyssinica 1 1.19%
54. Linum usitatissimum 11 13.10%
55. Lippia adoensis 18 21.43%

89
56. Lycopersicon esculentum 1 1.19%

57. Maesa lanceolata 7 8.33%

58. Malva verticillata 3 3.57%
59. Maytenus arbutifolia 7 8.33%

60. Melia azedarach 1 1.19%

61. Mentha polegium 4 4.76%
62. Meriandra dianthera 26 30.95%
63. Myrica salicifolia 20 23.81%
64. Myrsine africana 5 5.95%
65. Nicotiana glauca 1 1.19%
66. Nicotiana tabacum 54 64.29%
67. Ocimum lamiifolium 23 27.38%
68. Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata 43 51.19%
69. Opuntia ficus-indica 1 1.19%
70. Sideroxylon oxyacanthum 2 2.38%
71. Otostegia fruticosa 20 23.81%
72. Otostegia integrifolia 15 17.86%
73. Pennisetum thunbergii 8 9.52%
74. Phytolacca dodecandra 45 53.57%
75. Plectranthus orantus 1 1.19%
76. Plectranthus punctatus 3 3.57%
77. Polygala abyssinica 1 1.19%
78. Pterolobium stellatum 8 9.52%
79. Punica granatum 1 100.00%
80. Ranunculus oligocarpus 1 1.19%
81. Rhamnus prinoides 13 15.48%
82. Rhus glutinosa 2 2.38%
83. Ricinus communis 12 14.29%
84. Rosa abyssinica Lindley 5 5.95%

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85. Rumex abyssinicus 10 11.90%

86. Rumex nepalensis 7 8.33%

87. Rumex nervosus 43 51.19%
88. Ruta chalepensis 53 63.10%
89. Senecio hadiensis 13 15.48%
90. Senecio myriocephalus 46 54.76%
91. Senna baccarinii 1 1.19%
92. Sida schimperiana 2 2.38%
93. Solanum adoense 2 2.38%
94. Solanum benderianum 1 1.19%
95. Solanum incanum 51 60.71%
96. Solanum marginatum 5 5.95%
97. Solanum americanum 5 5.95%
98. Thymus schimperi 7 8.33%
99. Trigonella foenum-graecum 9 10.71%
100. Urtica simensis 1 1.19%
101. Verbascum sinaiticum 65 77.38%
102. Verbena officinalis 70 83.33%
103. Vernonia schimperi 1 1.19%
104. Conyza pyrrhopappa 17 20.24%

105. Vernonia amygdalina 12 14.29%

106. Vicia faba 20 23.81%
107. Withania somnifera 20 23.81%
108. Xanthium spinosum 12 14.29%
109. Xanthium strumarium 1 1.19%
110. Ximenia americana 1 1.19%
111. Zehneria scabra 69 82.14%
112. Ziziphus spina-christi 5 5.95%
113. Nuxia congesta 12 14.29%

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Appendix 7. List of Family, Genera and Speciesof Medicinal Plants

Family Name No. of Genera No. of Species % of No. of Species

Acanthaceae 1 1 0.88
Agavaceae 1 1 0.88
Alliaceae 1 1 0.88
Aloeaceae 1 1 0.88
Amaranthaceae 1 1 0.88
Anacardiaceae 1 1 0.88
Apeaceae 1 1 0.88
Apocynaceae 2 2 1.77
Asparagaceae 1 1 0.88
Asteraceae 9 12 10.62
Balanitaceae 1 1 0.88
Berberidaceae 1 1 0.88
Boragenaceae 2 2 1.77
Cactaceae 1 1 0.88
Celastraceae 2 3 1.77
Chenopodiaceae 1 1 0.88
Cucurbitaceae 4 5 4.24
Cuprusaceae 1 1 0.88
Cyperaceae 1 1 0.88
Ebenaceae 1 1 0.88
Euphorbiaceae 4 6 5.30
Fabaceae 8 7 7.08
Hypericaceae 1 1 0.88
Lamiaceae 9 11 8.85
Linaceae 1 1 0.88
Loganiaceae 1 1 0.88
Lythraceae 1 1 0.88
Malvaceae 2 2 1.77
Meliaceae 1 1 0.88
Moraceae 1 1 0.88
Myricaceae 1 1 0.88
Myrsinaceae 2 2 1.77
Myrtaceae 1 1 0.88
Olacaceae 1 1 0.88
Oleaceae 1 1 0.88
Papaveraceae 1 1 0.88
Phytolacaceae 1 1 0.88
Poaceae 2 2 1.77
Polygalaceae 1 1 0.88
Polygonaceae 1 3 2.65

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 Ranuculaceae 2 2 1.77
Rhaminaceae 2 2 1.77
Rosaceae 2 2 1.77

Rubiaceae 1 1 0.88
Rutaceae 2 3 2.65

Sapotaceae 1 1 0,88
Sapindaceae 1 1 0.88
Scrophulariaceae 1 1 0.88
Solanaceae 6 11 9.73
Urticaceae 1 1 0.88
Verbenaceae 2 2 2.65

Appendix 8. List of human ailments, number of informants cited and percentage

Ailments Local name of the No. Percentage

ailment (%)
Ringworm Tifsase 10 2.88
Wound kuseli 46 9.6
Dislocated bone Kutsaie 2 0.57
Eye disease Himame eye 2 0.57
Tonsillitis Hanat (Khimo) 34 7.09
Bleeding during Dem-heresi 10 2.88
delivery
Arthritis kurtemaete 32 6.7
Malaria Assowe 4 1.15
Cough Se-al 8 2.30
Troma Mintae 20 5.76
Feberileillnes Mich 60 12.52
Scabies Sheore 35 7.3
Bleeding nesir 2 0.57
Abdominal pain kurtsete 34 7.09
Evil eye ede-sebe 55 11.5
Evil sprit Ganale or seitane 8 2.30
Rabbis Himame-ebude kelbe 10 2.88
amoeba Amoeba 2 0.57
Drosophila Teinina 2 0.57
Dandruff Forefore 3 0.86

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Toung infection Tirf-milhas 1 0.28
Gastric Cheguara/kihar 1 0.28
Rinder pest Enewushen 5 1.44
Paralyzed Gusay 1 0.28
Cutaneous Gizuwa 1 0.28
leshimaniasis
Phobia Tsilecha 1 0.28
Fire burn Ktsal-hawi 3 0.86
Diarrhea Tsihtsah/tekimate 3 0.86
Tinea-capitis Barelle 3 0.86
Rectal prolapse Yiefinteta megelbete 1 0.28
Hangnil Tsifre-metmet 2 0.57
Tapeworm Habi 57 12.1
Urine retention Tsegem Shinte 1 0.28
Abortion Mechingafe 2 0.57
Herpes zoster Hawi-semaie 9 1.9
Swelling Hibet 2 0.57
Hemorrhoids Kintarot 3 0.86
Asthma asmi 1 0.28
Jaundice Ef-shiwa 1 0.28
Ear-infection Himam ezenie 1 0.28
Constipation Dirket 1 0.28
Dificulty to speak Duda 1 0.28
Toothache Himame senie 1 0.28
Impotence Snfete wosibe 1 0.28
Acne Shifta 1 0.28
Fat accumulation Mrguade 1 0.28
Headache Himame resie 4 1.15
Laziness Senfena 1 0.28
Fleas Kunchi 5 1.44
Snake bite Teben menidafe 1 0.28
Snake prevention Mekhilakal teben 1 0.28
Depression Debrtie 1 0.28
Vomiting Temilase 1 0.28
Sphilis Ketgne 1 0.28
Hypertension Dembezhat 1 0.28
Mumps Jero degefe 3 0.86
Total 479 100

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 Appendix 9. List of livestock, number of informants cited and percentage

Ailments Local name of the ailment No. Percentage (%)

Cough Sial 1 1.85

Scabies Shehor 4 7.40

Fasiolasis Hule-huelta 8 14.81
Lice Kumale 4 7.4
Leech Alehkite 10 18.51
Diarrhea Tsetshe 3 5.55
Epidemic Worereshigne 2 3.70
Swelling Hibet 2 3.70
Bloating Menfah 2 3.70
Constipation Dirket 1 1.85
Horn worm Hashea kerni 5 9.25
Back leg Aba gurba 3 5.55
Dislocated bone Ginay 3 5.55
Eye infection Himam eyene 6 11.11
Total 54 100

Appendix 10 : Lists of Informants Participated ( R = reading :W= Writing ,

M= Married S= single )

No Full Name Sex Age Marital Educational Locality

Status Status
1 Gebrehiwot Moges M 27 M Diploma Fala
2 Hailu Alemu M 47 M 9 Fala
3 Abebe Worku M 45 M 4 Fala
4 Abrehet Alemu F 37 M No Fala
5 Azeb Tefera F 25 M Diploma Fala
6 Zewuditu Berhe F 30 M 10+3 Fala
7 Aregash Tasew F 41 M No Fala
8 Birhanu Kemal M 65 M 9 Zata
9 Adanu Kelkay F 60 M No Zata
10 Tsehayu Kasaye M 46 M 7 Zata
11 Mamiet Ahmed F 35 M R&W Zata
12 Abrha Tebeje M 30 S R&W Zata
13 Bidgilign Ayenew M 29 S R&W Zata
14 Mussa Aburrhiman M 81 M No Zata

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15 Muselu Hadishe F 53 M No Darabekeda
16 Hadish Ayenew M 61 M No Darabekeda
17 KEfalew Asefa M 30 S R&W Darabekeda
18 Alemash Hagoes M 29 S 7 Darabekeda
19 Hagos Kahsay M 41 M No Darabekeda
20 Alemeayehu Berhe M 59 M No Darabekeda
21 Kalayu Mesele M 27 S 10 Darabekeda
22 Sembetu Tsegay F 33 M No Dinkashena
23 Tafetu Alemu F 40 M No Dinkashena
24 Agezew Tsegay M 50 M R&W Dinkashena
25 Desalen Tafete M 25 M 9 Dinkashena
26 Beyene Gedilu M 52 M No Dinkashena
27 Syum Gebremariam M 33 M No Dinkashena
28 Maleefye Tafere F 40 M No Dinkashena
29 Amare Hailu M 77 M No Sesela
30 Gebeyaw Abadie M 38 M R&W Sesela
31 Meytu Beilu F 35 M No Sesela
32 Yeshareg Kassu F 20 S 9 Sesela
33 Tasew Tiwmay M 40 M No Sesela
34 Berihun Hagos M 34 S 7 Sesela
35 Yeshareg Kahsay F 47 M No Hayalo
36 Lemlem Werese F 45 M No Hayalo
37 Tsehaynesh Reda F 33 M No Hayalo
38 Wudnesh Beyene F 42 M No Hayalo
39 Adugna Molla M 32 S 9 Hayalo
40 Arekie Molla M 65 M R&W Hayalo
41 Kalayu Teumay M 45 M R&W Hayalo
42 Kiros Terefe M 29 S R&W Hayalo
43 Mihretu Beyene M 50 M R&W Wonberet
44 Abrha Getahun M 52 M No Wonberet
45 Lielt Gebrehiwot F 33 S No Wonberet
46 Diay Birhanu F 40 M No Wonberet
47 Hiray Shumey F 35 M No Wonberet
48 Sindayo Desta F 50 S R&W Wonberet
49 Mekonnen Alemayehu M 25 M 9 Wonberet
50 Fantaye Terefe M 50 M R&W Adigolo
51 Shumey Mengesha M 60 M No Adigolo
52 Zewdey Haftu F 15 S 5 Adigolo
53 Hadas Reda F 40 M No Adigolo

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54 Zeyneba Hagoes F 55 M R&W Adigolo
55 Hadish Dubale M 50 M No Adigolo
56 Fantaye Tedla M 52 M No Adigolo
57 Zenebu Hieda F 65 M No Gumbirda
58 Abdelkrim Nure M 35 S R&R Gumbirda
59 Hayelom Esmail M 38 M 5 Gumbirda
60 Asesu Gussa F 40 M No Gumbirda
61 Kalayu Tsegay M 30 S No Gumbirda
62 Mushira Ibrahim F 50 M No Gumbirda
63 Kedija Yimer F 60 M No Gumbirda
64 Abadit Kurifay F 45 M No Hashengie
65 Shikuru Bashay M 52 M No Hashengie
66 Zinabu Mengistu M 43 M R&W Hashengie
67 Barentu Nigus M 56 M No Hashengie
68 Ekuar Tesfaye M 50 M No Hashengie
69 Aregash Birhanu F 47 M No Hashengie
70 Embeytu Birhanu F 28 M Diploma Hashengie
71 Ekuar Ayenew F 58 F No Hashengie
72 Kassech Tuemay F 42 F No Adishinbereket
73 Tesfaye Kahisay M 78 M No Adishinbereket
74 Kassech Tuemay F 45 M No Adishinbereket
Alemea
75 Etsay Abadie M 20 S 10 Adishinbereket
76 Deribew Tsegay M 30 S 7 Adishinbereket
77 Hadera Berhe M 55 M No Adishinbereket
78 Abrha Beyene M 60 M No Selambikalsie
79 Majete Kasaye F 33 M No Selambikalsie
80 Taeze Shekole M 50 M R&W Selambikalsie
81 Nigus Getahun M 27 M Diploma Selambikalsie
82 Tsehaytu Kahsay F 34 M 8 Selambikalsie
83 Sindayo Girmay F 28 M 10+2 Selambikalsie
84 Mengistu Gebremariam M 47 M R&W Selambikalsie

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Appendix-11 . Checklist of semi-structured interviews for collecting ethno botanical data.
I. General Information
1. Date ------------------ Residence Area ---------------------- Kebelle code -------------
2. Name of Respondent -----------------------------------------
Sex --------------- Age ----------- Serial No ---------------
Marital Status ------------------------------------- Occupation ( main Jo) -----------------
Religion -------------------------------
For how long have you lived in the area? ( Mark an x )
Since birth _______________ for the last 20 years _______
For the last 10 years __________ for less than 10 years ___________
Educational background (what is the grade you attended)? _________________
List the traditional way of classifying forest (Vegetation) and landscapes in your area.
What are the most common diseases of humans in your area?
What are veterinary important diseases the area?
List the signs and symptoms of a given disease in your area?
How do people prevent and control a give disease in the area?

II. Ethonbotanical Data

3. Mention plant types used to treat a give disease in the area (give local names)
3.1. Plant used to treat human diseases
a._____________________________
b.______________________________
c.______________________________
3.2 Plants used to treat animal disease
a. ___________________________________
b.____________________________________
c.___________________________________
3.3 plants used to treat both human and animal diseases
a. ___________________________

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 b. ____________________________
c._____________________________
4. Where do plants grow? (from where they can be obtained?) (Mark an “X” on one
of the give alternatives)
In the wild _____________________
In home gardens ________________
Both in the wild and home gardens _____________
5. What are the most common habitats of a given medicinal plant?
6. Which part of the medicinal plant is used? (Marx an “X” on the given alternatives)
Flower (Fr) ________ Latex (Lt) __________
Fruit (Ft) _________ Whole plant (Wp)___________
Seed (sd) _________ Leaf (L)________________
Sap(Sp) __________ Root (R)______________
Bark(B)___________ Stem (St)_______________
7. What is the method of preparation of the medicinal plant? ( Mark”X” from the
alternatives).
Fresh(F) ______________ Dried(D)_______________ Crushed(C)____________
Powdered (P) ___________ Used alone (Ua) __________ Exudation(Ex)_________
Concoction (Cn) ________ Mixed with others or water( Mw) _________________
8. Dosage: Does it vary among age groups , sex? If yes state for effect?
9. Is there any side effect of the medicine? If yes, is there remedy for side effect?
10. What are side modes of application of the medicinal plants for the victim human or
animal ( Dermally or non-dermally)
11. Is there any condition that forbids taking the medicine such as pregnancy or others?
12. How is/are the medicinal plant(s) Preserved(if any) ?
13. Which members of the community use the medicinal plants frequently and why?
14. Is the medicinal plant marketable?
15. Is the medicinal plant easily accessible? If not, why?
16. What do the trend of their accessibility look as compared to the past ten years?
Why ?
17. How is the knowledge of medicinal plant used transferred from elders to young

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 generation?
18. Is there any interference between modernization and traditional medicinal plant use in
the area?
19. Are there community members who frequently depend more on traditional medicinal
plants as compared to modern medicine? why ?
20. Are the any taboos associated with medicinal plant use utilization of medicinal
plants? ( Time of collection, method of collection, sex , age, storage etc.) What do the
taboos imply? ( If any)
21. What are the major problems associated with medicinal plants in the area?
22. Is there traditional conservation methods used to conserve medicinal plants in the
area? If yes list out them and explain how are the medicinal plants conserved in the
area?
23. How is the effort made by the government and other organizations other than the
local people to conserve the medicinal plants in the area are explained?
24. Is there any information on the edibility and any other use of medicinal plant under?
question practiced in the area?
25. How abundant is the medicinal plant, its trends when compared to the past years (is it
increasing?) ; how far are you travel to get the medicinal plants in the past and know?
26. Are there economic groups who mostly or occasionally use these medicinal plants?
Why?

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