ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN WADLA WOREDA, NORTH WOLLO ZONE, AMHARA 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 in Wadla Woreda. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify and document ethnobotanical information of medicinal plants in Wadla Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 100 informants aged 20 and above were selected to collect ethnobotanical data. Out of these, 21 key informants were purposively selected based on recommendations from local elders. 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, fidelity level and Jaccard’s similarity index. The results of the study showed that 55 plant species belonging to 54 genera and 40 families were commonly used to treat various human and livestock ailments. Among the families identified, Euphorbaceae and Solanaceae were represented by highest number (10%) of medicinal plants each, followed by the Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae each with 7.5% species. Out of the reported medicinal plants, 48.21% were obtained from forest; where as 37.5% of them were from homegarden and others were from farmland and road side. The most frequently used plant part was leaf (60.70%) followed by roots (12.5%). The most common route of administrations were oral administration constituting (42.250%) and dermal (28.8%), respectively. Disease categories with relatively higher ICF values were sensorial related problems (0.92); maternal and fertility problems (0.80). Among the four plant species, the most effective medicinal plants used to treat cough were Foeniculum vulgare followed by Schinus molle. The study area has a considerable number of traditional medicinal plants that are found from wild in the forest so that conservation measures should be taken to protect these plants in their habitats.