Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Asagirt District, Northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The people in Ethiopia have developed their own specific knowledge to use, manage and conserve plant resources, giving traditional medicine its diverse nature. Documenting and investigating the traditional and cultural use of remedial plants is vital to extract bioactive chemicals and preserve plant species. This research was conducted with the aim of documenting ethnobotanical and associated knowledge on medicinal plants in Asagirt District, northeastern Ethiopia. Methodology The study was conducted from September 27, 2018, to April 9, 2019. A total of 367 informants (244 males and 123 females) were involved in the interviews. General informants (n = 349) were randomly selected, whereas key informants (n = 18) were selected purposively. Data were collected by using semistructured interviews, group discussions and guided field walks. We performed direct matrix ranking and preference ranking, and calculated the fidelity level and informant consensus factor (ICF). Descriptive statistics, including analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent sample t-test were used to analyse the data. Results Overall, 103 medicinal plant species belonging to 96 genera under 45 plant families were recorded to be used by Asagirt people to alleviate different health problems. The species used to heal human diseases only were (64%, 66 species) followed by both livestock and human ailments (31%, 32 species) and livestock diseases only (5%, 5 species). Asteraceae and Fabaceae were best-represented (10.7%, 11 species each). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (28%, 29 species), followed by seeds (16%, 17 species). The most important method of herbal remedy preparation was crushing (20.4%, 21 species). The common route of administration was oral (46.6%, 48 species), followed by dermal (22.3%, 23 species). Febrile illness, fever, headache, amoebiasis, typhoid and diarrhoea ailment categories had the highest ICF value (0.99). Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex Benth. scored the maximum fidelity level value (98%). Conclusion Asagirt District is comparatively rich in medicinal plants and their associated knowledge. However, firewood collection, construction, the expansion of agricultural activities and timber production are the major challenges to medicinal plants. Hence, joint management with the people in Asagirt District in overall medicinal plant conservation would save medicinal plant resources.

Medicinal plants used in the traditional management of dog bites by herbalists in Eastern, Western, and Central Uganda

“…Using leaves has less effect on the plant's future survival and the rate of plant tissue regeneration is higher, while using roots, stems and bulbs may mean the destruction of a particular plant species. These findings are in congruence with preceding ethnobotanical studies in Uganda (Nalumansi et al 2014;Tugume et al 2016;) and other parts of the world (Tahir et al 2023) where leaves were reported as the most plant parts used. However, Kefalew et al, (2015) reported that roots are commonly used.…”

“…Using a semi-structured interview guide, ethnobotanical data were collected from June 2021 to December 2022, following the International Society of Ethnobiology (2006) guidelines. Demographic information was recorded excluding the name of the herbalist for confidentiality and then field walks were conducted as per the procedure described by Martin (1995) and Tahir et al (2023). Information such as; the appearance of the plants, the local name of the plants, plant part used, mode of preparation, period/frequency of administration, and conservation measures were recorded.…”

“…Other traditional uses in Uganda include; the management of skin disorders, inducing abortion, (Nakalembe et al 2019), and cleansing clothes (Beressa et al 2020). In other parts of the world, P. dodecandra is used traditionally in treating malaria, sore throat, rabies, tuberculosis, asthma in DRC, epilepsy in Tanzania (Beressa et al 2020), gonorrhea, and helminthiasis in Ethiopia (Tahir, et al 2023). For N. tabacum, other than being reported for the first time to be used to manage dog bites in the current study, the plant is also used traditionally to repel snakes and treat snake bites in Uganda (Omara et al 2020).…”

“…The commonly used plant part(s) were leaves, followed by roots, stem/stem bark, aerial parts, and bulbs (Figure 3A). The probable reason for the extensive use of leaves is that leaves are abundant, effortlessly obtained and they could contain more effective and active phytochemical components (Tahir et al 2023). Leaves are also easy to prepare (Tahir et al 2021) by crushing since they do not undergo secondary thickening during growth compared to roots and stems.…”

Ethnobotanical knowledge and practices of pastoralist communities on plants used as repellents and/or insecticides against insect vectors in the Korahaye zone of the Somali Regional State, eastern Ethiopia

“…papaya is a fruit tree that is known for its medicinal uses. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of internal parasites and malaria [51,[92][93][94], gastritis [44], jaundice [47], and skin infection [94]. In addition, fresh leaf extract was used to kill insects in local communities in the Korahaye Zone.…”