ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MEYU MULUKE DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia has rich flora with different plant species having use in health care system based on local indigenous knowledge. However, documented ethnobotanical information was lacking from Meyu Muluke Woreda. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify and document ethnobotanical information of medicinal plants in Meyu muluke Woreda, East Hararghe Zone and Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 90 informants aged 30 and above were selected to collect ethnobotanical data. Out of these, 20 key informants were purposively selected based on recommendations from local elders whereas, others were selected randomly. Data were collected using semi structured interview, group discussion, guided field walk and field observation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency; preference ranking, informant consensus factor and fidelity level. The results of the study showed that 56 plant species belonging to 52 genera and 36 families were commonly used to treat various human (50%) and livestock ailment (25%). The most diverse families in terms of species composition were Fabaceae and Solanaceae represented by 5 medicinal plants species followed by Euphorbiaceae each represented by 4 species. Out of the reported medicinal plants, 50% were obtained from wild; whereas 35.71% of them were from home garden and others were from forest. The most frequently used plant part was leaf 32 (44.4%) followed by roots 14 (19.4%). The most common route of administrations was oral administration constituting 57(78.08%) and dermal 10 (13.69%), respectively. Disease categories with relatively higher ICF values were Diarrhea and gastrointestinal related problems (0.86); kidney related problems (0.78). Among the 8 plant species, the most effective medicinal plants used to treat abdominal pain was Ruta chalepensis followed by Aloe trichosantha. The study area has a considerable number of traditional medicinal plants, so that conservation measures should be taken to protect these plants in their habitats.