Use and Management of Traditional Medicinal Plants by Communities Living in Tselemti Wereda, North-West Zone, Tigray Regional State
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Date
2019-09-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Traditional medicine refers to any ancient and culturally based health care practice differing from scientific medicine. In Ethiopia, communities’ knowledge about traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) is transferred secretly. The present study was conducted in Tselemti Wereda, North-West Tigray Regional State. The major objective of the study was to document communities’ knowledge on the use and management of TMPs for treating various human and livestock diseases. The field study was carried out from December 1, 2018 to February 30, 2019 in the four purposively selected Kebeles of Tselemti Wereda. A total of 64 informants were selected (of which 20 key informants and 44 general informants were selected by purposive and snowball sampling techniques, respectively). Relevant data were collected using semi-structured interviews, group discussions, as well as guided field observations. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, informant consensus, preference ranking and pair-wise comparison. A total of 53 TMPs belonging to 52 genera and 36 families were documented. The family containing the highest number of medicinal plant species was Solanaceae (9.43%). Of the total studied TMPs, 36 species (67.93%), 6 species (11.32%) and 11 species (20.75%) are used to treat human, livestock and both human and livestock ailments, respectively. Tree species constituted the dominant growth forms (39.62 %), followed by herbs (35.85%) and shrubs (18.87%) of the medicinal plants studied. The most frequently used plant parts for human and/or livestock health care included leaves (31.64%), followed by roots (27.85%), and other plant parts. Crushing (31.64%), boiling (11.40%), and tying (10.13%), were the dominant preparation techniques. Oral applications were the most common ways (41.77%), followed by dermal (37.98%), and nasal application (15.19%). Medicinal plants with highest preference ranking to treat anthrax was Plumbago zeylanica L.. Major threats to plants in general and medicinal plants in particular were agricultural expansion, urbanization, deforestation, fire wood, and climate change. We recommend that technical support for intensive management and conservation activities (including selection, domestication, propagation and cultivation) of traditional medicinal plants are urgently required for backstopping the healthcare system of the studied communities.
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Ailments, Conservation, Propagation, Traditional Healers, Traditional Medicine, Traditional Treatment