ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ADAMI TULU JIDO KOMBOLCHA DISTRICT, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia has rich flora with different plant species having medical importance in health care system based on local indigenous knowledge. In this study, plants of traditional medicinal use and their associated indigenous knowledge in Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha were investigated. A total of 100 informants (age≥25) were selected to collect information on medicinal plant use from three sampled kebeles. Of these, 20 key informants were selected purposively and 80 informants were selected randomly. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussions with local traditional medicine practitioners. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. More over Jaccard’s similarity index, informant consensus factor, fidelity level, preference ranking and direct matrix ranking were computed following standard procedures. Ethnomedicinal use of 89 plant species distributed in 81 genera and 47 families was documented. Highest number of species (6) was under family Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae. Habit wise, 38.2% were herbs followed by shrubs (32.5%) tree species (22.8%) and climbers (3.3%). Plants were used mostly in fresh for remedy preparation. The most widely used method of preparation were pounding (44.1%),crushing (26.4%) and cooking/boiling (19.5%), were the major remedy preparation methods reported. Route of administration mainly oral followed by dermal. Malaria and headache, intestinal parasite, diarrhea, amoebiasis, and stomach ache and common cold and cough had the highest ICF value > 90. Indigenous people of the study area have their own ways of managing health problems of human and livestock as they are endowed with specific culture, tradition and ethical norms. Biochemical profiles of plant species used for diseases categories of high ICF should be investigated for screening of the active principles.