ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS OF TOLE WOREDA, SOUTH WEST SHOA ZONE OF OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

In Ethiopia, about 70% of human and 90% of livestock population depend on traditional medicine, which mostly are from plant origin. The purpose of this study was to collect, identify and document traditional medicinal plants that are related with indigenous knowledge of the study area. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 100 respondents in three study sites through semi-structured interviews, group discussion, and guided field walks with key informants for field observations. Key informants were selected by purposive sampling from the study kebeles based on the information gathered from the local people while other ordinary respondents were randomly selected. Informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level were calculated to assess the agreement of informants on the medicinal value of plants. Furthermore preference ranking and direct matrix were computed. In this study, 68 species belonging to 64 genera and 39 families were documented. Of these plants 51(75%) were mentioned for use in the treatment of human ailment, 14(20.5%) for livestock and 3(4.41%) of them for use in the treatment of both human and livestock ailments. Family Poaceae was represented by the highest number (5) of species. Herbs were the dominant life form and accounted for 31(46%) of the plant species. Leaves were the most cited plant parts for remedy preparation. Diseases categories such as Urino-genital problems (Urine retention, Placental retention and gonorrhea) (0.94); Evil spirit, Fibril illness, headache (0.87); had higher ICF values, suggesting high occurrence of these diseases in the study area and agreement of people on their remedies. Preference ranking show that Allium sativum was the most preferred plant in treating common cold. Direct matrix ranking showed Acacia sieberiana was the most utilized species by the community. Providing awareness for traditional healer, encouraging their knowledge on traditional medicinal plants and creating awareness on sustainable use of declining plant resources help in the sustainable use of these plant resources.