Medicinal and other traditional uses and threats to sustainability of Stephania abyssinica (Dillon & A. Rich.) Walp. in East Wollega and West Shewa, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Stephania abyssinica (Dillon & A. Rich.) Walp., was studied in terms of its medicinal and other traditional utilization and threat to its sustainability. Although various studies have been carried out on its medicinal usages, its aspects on other traditional values were not described. Hence, the purpose of this study was documentation of belief, cultural, social and economic values, as well as medicinal uses both for human and livestock and factors threatening sustainability of the species. Mix of ethno-botany and ethnographic research design related to traditional domains were employed for gathering qualitative data between September 2018 and January 2020. The data were gathered from 47 interviewees, two focus group interviews and 13 appropriate literature sources. These were systematically built up together typically as medicinal for human and livestock ailments and other traditional uses and the threats to sustainability of the species. Accordingly; 78.57% human ailments, 21.43% livestock ailments and 19 other traditional uses associated with S. abyssinica var. abyssinica were identified. Threats with various estimates of the degrees of pressure were also described. Finally, suggestive remedial conservation measures were established as recommendations.