Ethnobotanical study of nedicinal plants in Ankober woreda, central Ethiopia

Abstract

Medicinal plants’ diversity and associated indigenous knowledge in the Ankober district, central Ethiopia was studied from November, 2011 to May, 2012 using Ethnobotanical study approach. A total of 165 randomly selected informants aged 18 to 90 years were randomly selected from nine peasant  associations (PAs) or kebeles. Of these, 34 were purposively selected as key informants. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, field observations and Focused Group Discussion (FGD). A total of 109 medicinal plant (MP) species from 56 families were described from the natural vegetation (60.55%) and home gardens (24%). Eighty three (76.15%) medicinal plant species were used only to cure human diseases. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the two families containing the most cited species. MPs with high informants’ consensus (HIC) were: Maesa lanceolata, Foniculum vulgare, Croton macrostachyus, Calotropis procera and Grewia ferruginea. Scabies, ring-worm and leishmaniasis were the top common diseases treated using the traditional use of medicinal plants. Knowledge of indigenous MP use significantly correlated increase with age. The existing common threats were identified by participatory approach. Awareness creation, motivating traditional healers to wisely use medicinal plants and availing their knowledge through proper negotiations are recommended.

Key words: Amhara Region, Ethiopia, Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine, Medicinal Plants