Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used by the Community of Woliso District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This ethnobotanical study explores the traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plants by communities in the Woliso District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Despite the area's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, documentation of local medicinal plants remains scarce. This research seeks to address this gap by identifying and cataloging plant species, their applications, and preparation methods utilized by community members.
Data collection involved 62 randomly selected general informants (31 males and 31 females) and 38 traditional healers (33 males and 5 females) through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and direct observations. Various analytical methods were employed, including Jaccard's similarity index, informant consensus factor, fidelity level, and statistical tests like ANOVA and t-tests.The findings revealed 96 medicinal plant species from 42 families and 85 genera, used for treating 67 ailments in humans and livestock. Specifically, 82 species (85.42%) were for human health, 6 species (6.3%) for livestock, and 8 species (8.33%) served both purposes. Herbs were the most common growth form; while the Asteraceae family had the highest species count. Leaves were the most utilized plant part, with squeezing being the predominant preparation method. Oral administration was the most frequent route, accounting for 59.56% of uses. Factors such as gender, age, and education influenced knowledge of medicinal plants. Major threats to these plants included agricultural expansion and firewood collection, with no conservation initiatives currently in place. Raising awareness about the importance of conserving medicinal plants is essential to protect traditional knowledge and biodiversity in the area.
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Traditional Healers, Descriptive Statistics, Ethno Botany, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Medicinal Plants