USE AND MANAGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF HIDABU ABOTE WOREDA, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

In Ethiopia traditional medicinal plants is use for ailments of human and domestic animals. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted in Hidabu Woreda, North Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia from April, 2023 to June, 2023. The purpose of this study to assess the use and management of traditional medicinal plants by indigenous people of Hidabu Abote Woreda. Three kebeles were selected in purposive ways. A total of 96 informants aged above 25 from three kebeles were selected to provide information on the use of medicinal plants. Among these, 6 male and 4 female key informants were selected through purposive sampling method based on recommendations obtained from elders while non-key informants (68 males and 18 females) were selected by random sampling methods. Interviews and group discussions were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative ethno botanical approach was used. A total of 82 medicinal plant species belonging to 71genera and 41 families were recorded. Most medicinal plants 62 were used for human health care ailments, 8 for livestock and 12 of them are for the treatment of both human and livestock ailments. The family Asteraceae was 9 followed by Lamiaceae 7 were the most species rich families. Herbs were dominant 41 flora followed by shrubs 22. Most of medicinal plants were collected from forest habitats 37 and road side 15. The most frequently used plant parts for remedial preparation were leaves 40 followed by seeds 18 and others. Among the preparations, crushing was the dominant 20 form followed by boiling 12. The remedial administration was mostly oral 61 followed by dermal 27. The highest (0.86) ICF was associated with febrile illness and stabbing pain followed by respiratory diseases (0.79) and the least closest to 0 is urino-genital problem (0.4). Fidelity level implies that Ocimum lamiifolium (96%) was the most preferred plant species to treat febrile illness followed by Allium sativum (95%) in treating common cold. Preference ranking shows that Ocimum lamiifolium to be the most preferred medicinal plant, followed by Otostegia integrifolia, Lepidium sativum, Justica schimperiana, Eucalyptus globulus and Croton macro in treating febrile illness. The result of direct matrix ranking showed that Olea europea stood 1st as the most multipurpose medicinal plant, followed by Eucalyptus globulus in the study area. Generally, in Hidabu Abote Woreda several plant species are used for medicinal purposes. The local people of the study area need to be encouraged and supported to conserve and manage medicinal plant species found in their area