Survey of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in Tsegede Wereda Western Zone Tigray, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Plants have long been used as a primary source for traditional medicines intended to treat humans and cattle, both for preventative and therapeutic purposes.The objective of this study is to survey and identify traditional medicinal plants used in Tsegede Wereda. A total of 137 household heads were selected randomly and purposefully with different age groups. A questionnaire for 137 informants was used to gather data at times and locations that the informants chose. Discussions of the questionnaire were held in Tigrigna. Interviews and field study were conducted to gather information and identification of medicinal plant specimens and their conservation status with the participants and key informants respectively. The data were examined and summarized using descriptive statistical analysis using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program .The Diversity Index was utilized to analyze species diversity. The study finding revealed that the gender distribution in the survey on traditional medicinal plants in Tsegede Wereda shows a significant male predominance, with males constituting 68.6% of respondents and females 31.4%. The survey in Tsegede Wereda reveals a rich diversity of traditional medicinal plants, with the Fabaceae family being the most represented at 13.33%.The revealed that high Shannon and Simpson indices reflect a diverse and resilient ecosystem, while the evenness value indicates a balanced species distribution. These findings emphasize the need for ongoing conservation efforts to protect and sustainably manage the medicinal plant resources that are integral to the cultural and health practices of the local community. And also the preference ranking of medicinal plants for treating evil eye illnesses in Tsegede Wereda highlights the importance of Securidaca longipedunculata, and Allium sativum, as key components in traditional spiritual healing practices. We recommend further research studies on the medicinal properties and ecological roles of underrepresented families to fully understand and utilize the ethno botanical potential of the region.
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Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge, Informants Consensus Factor and Sustainable Use