Use of Traditional Medicinal Plants by People of ‘Boosat’ Sub District, Central Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Indigenous knowledge develops by indigenous people in the processes of their interaction with their environment and the science Ethinomedicine developed gradually having its origin in the indigenous medicinal practices. The main purpose of the study was to make survey of plants that have ethnomedicinal value and investigate the uses and management practices employed by local people of ‘Boosat’, Welinchiti area. Methods: Five study sites were systematically established to include areas inhabited by settled farmers and transhumance pastoralists. Eighty informants were randomly selected. Ethnobotanical information of medicinal plants was obtained from informants by semi-structured interview, observations, group discussions, and guided field walks. RESULTS: Fifty-two medicinal plant species were documented, which are used to treat 43 human diseases. The category of medicinal plant species includes shrubs (46%), herbs (25%), trees (19%), climbers (8%) and hemi parasites (2%). Roots (38%) and leaves (23%) are the most frequently used plant parts. The method of preparation is by crushing, pounding and mixing with cold water to serve as a drink and chewing to swallow the juice, which accounted for (17%) each. Conclusions: People of ‘Boosat’ are knowledgeable about the plants, their distribution, medicinal use and management. Indigenous practices somehow contributed to the sustained use, management and conservation of medicinal plants. Knowledge of medicinal plants is wider among elderly women and men while the young are comparatively less knowledgeable. The results of this study indicated significant contribution in efforts directed towards conservation of the remaining medicinal plant resources, provided that the necessary mechanisms are put in place before it is too late.

Ethiop. J Health Sci. Vol.16, No. 2 July 2006