Browsing by Author "Megersa Moa"

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    Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Wayu Tuka Wereda, East Wollega Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Megersa Moa; Kelbessa Ensermu (Professor); Asfaw Zemede (PhD)
    An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people of Wayu Tuka Wereda was carried out from September 2009 to June 2010. The study focused on the investigation of the traditional uses of various plants, of the study area. The data were gathered from indigenous people, local healers and knowledgeable elders of the study area. A total of 63 informants (41 male and 22 female) aged between 19-102 years were randomly selected from nine Kebeles. Relevant information were collected by using semi-structured interview, market survey, field observation and discussion. Preference ranking, paired comparison, and direct matrix ranking were used for data analysis. Based on visual classification, 6 communities were identified; natural and the other 3 from homegardens. Out of the 202, 126 were studied for their medicinal uses. Medicinal plant species are distributed in 108 genera and 56 families. Fabaceae consisted of 15 species while Solanaceae, were recorded 8 species. A large number of medicinal plants was collected from natural habitat 86(68%), whereas 33(26%) from homegardens and 7(5.5%) occur both in the homegardens and natural habitat. About 78(62%) of medicinal plants were reported for treatment of human, while 23 (18.2%) were for livestock ailments. In addition, 25(20%) were reported for treatment of both human and livestock ailments. In the study area, leaves (43%) and roots (18.5%) were the two frequently utilized plant parts for preparation of remedies. Crushing which accounted for 29% was a widely used method of preparation of traditional medicine in the study area. This is followed by powdering (28%) whereas; large numbers of the medicinal plants were cited to be used in fresh form, few were used dry. The most common mode of administration was found to be oral (64%). Analysis of preference ranking showed, Acmella caulirhiza was the most preferred medicinal plant by people of the study area to treat tonsillitis. Paired comparison showed that Cucumis ficifolius was found to be the most preferred plant to treat blackleg. Some medicinal plants are popular than others in treating various diseases. For instance, Allium sativum and Ocimum urticifolium were found to be the most popular since each medicinal plant was reported 55 times (8 %.). Concerning informant consensus factor, the highest ICF values were linked to problems associated with Malaria and Headache (0.85) followed by Fibril illness, Swelling and Evil eye (0.79). The lowest ICF value was linked with Rabies (0.25). Deforestation (agricultural expansion, construction and wood material for fire) urbanization and over collection were reported to be the major threats to medicinal plants. In addition, the apparent disinterest of the young generation in traditional medicine has become a profound problem for the continuity of the knowledge of medicinal plants. The effort of local people in conserving medicinal plants is minimal since much of medicinal plants have been gathered from the wild. To tackle the depletion of knowledge from ever loss, awareness of young generation on the usage of traditional medicine is recommended. Key words: Conservation, Deforestation, Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants Traditional medicine, Wayu Tuka Wereda