Ethiopia is one of African nation in the world with rich source of traditional medicinal plants (800 species) and the knowledge is transferred orally from generation to generation
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Date
2013-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia is one of African nation in the world with rich source of traditional medicinal plants
(800 species) and the knowledge is transferred orally from generation to generation.
An ethnobotanical information based on semi structured questionnaire among 210 (68 males
and 142 females) grade 11 students of Menelik ІІ Preparatory School in Addis Ababa were
carried out to assess their knowledge or understanding of traditional medicinal plants .
A total of nineteen (19) plants were identified by students mostly that belongs to family of
Lamiaceae contain three, Asteraceae and Rutaceae which consists of two species each and
the rest consists of one species only. The respondants mention their vernacular names in
Amharic language and the ailment they treat (cure) such as influenza with damakassie, gunfan
with nechshinkurt and stomach ache with tenaadam. The oral route of administration is the
most common application of medicinal plants with 38%, out of the plant part used for
treatment the most commonly used by patients is leaf 28%. The medicinal plants are given in
the form of crushed, decoction, infusion, steam and smoke bath. However the most common is
crushed part of the plant with 32%, herbs are the most common used part of the plants with
47.4% and Ocmium lamifolium is preferable plant to treat mitch with 78%.
This study demonstrates that there is some importance of traditional medicine in the treatment
of human diseases and plays a basic role in healthcare systems community. However students
have limitations in their knowledge and the use of traditional plants, so there have to be much
efforts to introduce and familiarize the young generation with traditional medicinal plants by
integrating into the school curricula.
Key word: Traditional medicinal plants, Students, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Traditional Medicinal Plants, Students, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia