Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments in Basona Werana District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted on medicinal plants used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments in Basona Werana District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field walk observation, preference, and direct matrix ranking with randomly and purposefully selected informants. A total of 80 respondents (46 men and 14 women) and 20 (16 men and 4 women) traditional healers participated in this study. A total of 76 plant species distributed in 75 genera and 45 families were collected and identified. Of the 76 medicinal plants collected from the study area, 85.5% were used to treat human ailments. The Lamiaceae came out as a leading family with 8 (10.5%) species followed by Asteraceae and 7 (9%) medicinal plant species each, while Solanaceae followed with 6 (7.8%) species. The majority of medicinal plants were collected from wild habitat and accounted for 56 plant species (73.6%). The result of growth form analysis showed that herbs constituted the highest proportion of medicinal plants represented by 33 species (43.4%), followed by shrubs with 30 species (39.4%) and trees with 10 species (13.1%). The medicinal plants were administered through oral, which accounts for 54 species (48.1%), followed by dermal with 38 species (33.9%) and nasal with 9 species (8%), respectively. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of traditional herbal medicines in the study area. Crushing was the widely used preparation method (33.9%) followed by pounding (16%). Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. was the most preferred plant used to treat stomachache. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of this type of plant are recommended to get the most out of the plant.

Ethnobotany of traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dawuro Zone of Southwestern Ethiopia

“…Informants reported that most TMPs are used in decoction to dissolve the chemicals of the material and that they extract its constituents using water and local alcohol ( Harak’iya ). This study agrees with the study in Tigray, northern Ethiopia [ 49 ], which reported the use of locally made drinking alcohol for extraction. They use honey to shun the uncomfortable taste of the preparation.…”

“…In the study area, Cordia africana is used differently for wound healing, onchocerciasis, and hemorrhage/hemorrhoids from other computed areas and similarly to Sheka [ 64 ] and North Wollo [ 66 ] in using it for skin diseases like impetigo and jaundice. But, still, it is used for malaria, diarrhea, and dental problem in Amaro [ 44 ], for stomachache in Sidama [ 41 ], for Mich ’ acute febrile illness and abdominal illness in Adwa [ 68 ], and for involuntary urination in bed and fire burn in North Shewa [ 49 ].…”

“…In the study area, Cyathula cylindrica is used uniquely for snakebite, anthrax, blackleg, and eye disease, but it is reported to Sheka [ 64 ] using it for skin disorder. Cymbopogon citratus is used for blood pressure, colic pain, and rheumatism but for stomachache in North Shewa [ 49 ]. In the study area, Cynodon dactylon is used peculiarly for wound healing, shingles (herpes zoster), tonsillitis, snakebite (K'arasha), and stomachache but for eye diseases in North Shewa [ 49 ].…”

“…Cymbopogon citratus is used for blood pressure, colic pain, and rheumatism but for stomachache in North Shewa [ 49 ]. In the study area, Cynodon dactylon is used peculiarly for wound healing, shingles (herpes zoster), tonsillitis, snakebite (K'arasha), and stomachache but for eye diseases in North Shewa [ 49 ]. Cynoglossum amplifolium is used for stomachache, dysentery, diarrhea of children but for Mich in Amaro [ 44 ] and for cutaneous sclerosis, hypersensitivity, and sun burn in Sheka [ 64 ].…”

“…Schefflera abyssinica is used exceptionally for stomachache, colic pain, and liver problems but in other area it is differently used for animal fattening, endoparasites, gonorrhea and toothache [ 64 ] and for snake bite [ 67 ]. Solanum americanum is used for internal parasites, fever, gastritis, rheumatism, common cold, earache, constipation and colic pain but differently used in other areas for malaria and toothache [ 41 ] and snake bite [ 41 , 49 ].…”