Ethno-medicinal study of plants used for treatment of human and livestock ailments by traditional healers in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundPlants have traditionally been used for treatment of human and livestock ailments in Ethiopia by different ethnic and social groups. However, this valuable source of knowledge is not adequately documented, which impedes their widespread use, evaluation and validation. Here, we recorded indigenous knowledge and standard practices for human and livestock disease control, of three ethnic groups (Aari, Maale and Bena-Tsemay) in South Omo Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire to document knowledge of 50 traditional healers (40 male and 10 female) in medicinal plant use for treatment of human and livestock ailments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and summarize the ethno-botanical data.ResultsNinety-one plants, with claimed medicinal properties against a total of 34 human and livestock ailments, were reported and botanically identified as belonging to 57 genera and 33 plant families. Most of the plant species reported belonged to one of seven major families: Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, Menispermiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Plumbaginaceae and Geraniaceae. Woody plants (shrubs 21% and trees 29%) were the major growth form used, whilst roots (40%) and leaves (35%) were the major plant parts used in the study areas. Healers mostly practice oral administration of plant preparations (65%). Multiple medicinal plants were cited against particular ailments, and mixing of two or more different medicinal plants (14.3%) against a single ailment was also commonly reported.ConclusionThis study showed that traditional medicine, mainly involving the use of medicinal plants, is playing a significant role in meeting the primary healthcare needs of the three ethnic groups. Acceptance of traditional medicine and limited access to modern healthcare facilities could be considered as the main factors for the continuation of the practice. Documented knowledge of the traditional healers can be used to support the country’s human and livestock health care system and improve lives and livelihoods. Information generated will be used in future studies to validate bioactivity of selected medicinal plants used by traditional healers, so to increase their acceptability in health care systems both nationally and internationally.

Study on Ethno Veterinary Practices in Amaro Special District Southern Ethiopia

“…In Gilgel Ghibe area, South Western Ethiopia, [49] Echinops hoehnelii Schweinf, in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia, [50] and Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. in Ankober, Amhara Region, [43] in and around Alamata, Southern Tigray, [45] in Gemad district, Northern Ethiopia, [51] in Kafficho people, south western Ethiopia, [52] in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia, [53] and Achyranthes aspera L. in Ankober, The study observed that out of the 24 herbalists interviewed, the majority were from 46-69 years of age. Further analysis showed that 71% were over 46 years old, and 29% between 35 and 45 years old ( Figure 6).…”

Assessment of Traditional Medicinal Plants used to treat human and livestock ailments and their threatening factors in Gulomekeda District, Northern Ethiopia

“…Communities of Ethiopia used traditional medicine widely to treat both human and livestock diseases. This is likely due to the availability of these low-cost locally sourced plant-based medicines [6,7] . Moreover, due to poor access to health services, especially in the rural areas, the majority of the Ethiopia people rely mainly on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs [8] .…”

Assessment of the anthelmintic activity of medicinal plant extracts and purified condensed tannins against free-living and parasitic stages of Oesophagostomum dentatum

“…The use of natural plant extracts as de-wormers for humans and livestock has long been practiced, however scientific validation of these practices and identification of active compounds has been lacking [6][7][8]. Anthelmintic effects of plants are normally ascribed to secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids or polyphenols such as proanthocyanidins [9], also known as condensed tannins (CT).…”