Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Banja Woreda Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia has a rich history of utilizing traditional medicinal plants to address a broad spectrum of human and livestock ailments. The current research on medicinal plants was carried out to record indigenous and local plant-based medicinal knowledge of local communities, preservation techniques, and the dangers that jeopardize these medicinal plants in Banja- Woreda, Western Ethiopia, Amhara Regional State. A total of 137 respondents (ranging from 20 to 80 years old) were chosen to provide information on medicinal plant usage from 9 sampled kebeles. Out of these, 6 male key informants were purposefully selected based on suggestions obtained from elders members of the communities. Other participants (64 males and 67 females) were randomly chosen. Semi-structured interviews, field observations, and group discussions were utilized to gather data. The data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and the informant consensus factor. Additionally, fidelity level calculations were conducted to evaluate the significance of a specific medicinal plant for the intended purpose. A total of 57 distinct medicinal plant species were gathered and identified. 49 species (85.96%) were utilized for treating human ailments, 3 species (5.26%) for treating livestock ailments, and the remaining 5 species (8.77%) for both human and livestock ailments. Among all the medicinal plant species, the majority of them (33.33%) were, herbs and the least of them (7.02%) were climber species. The most commonly used parts of the plants were the leaves (35.53%) followed by roots (27.63%). The primary method of preparation was crushing (55.06%), followed by squeezing (13.48%) of different plant parts. Oral administration 42(57.53%) was the most popular route of administration, followed by dermal administration 29(39.72). Most of the medicinal plants (49.12%) were harvested from the wild, and the efforts of local people to conserve them were limited. To address the rapid loss of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge, we recommend urgent measures to be taken by concerned government institutions. A strategic approach should include systematic awareness creation through schools, local institutions, and community leaders. Awareness creation should be supported by concrete conservation and development activities, such as providing technical support for selecting, domesticating, propagating, and cultivating threatened medicinal plants.
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Keywords
Ailments, Fidelity Level, Indigenous Knowledge, Informant Consensus Factor, Traditional Medicinalplants