Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments in Dessie Zuria District, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

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Dagmawit Addis
Tamene Belude
Shelema Guzo

Abstract

Plant remedies are still vital therapeutics to treat various human and livestock diseases in Ethiopia though most knowledge is transmitted orally. The study was done to identify and document the indigenous knowledge how to use plant species for human and livestock diseases treatment. It was conducted in Dessie Zuria District in 2019.The study site was selected purposefully based on the recommendation of elders and local authorities because of widespread use of medicinal plants. Ethnobotanical data was collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussion. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics whereas qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. A total of 100 plant species distributed in 48 families and 88 genera were collected and identified to treat 52 different human and livestock ailments.  The Asteraceae family, containing 13 species (13 %) was dominant family. Rumex nervosus stood first based on preference and efficacy while Cupressus lusitanica ranked first in its multi-purpose use and Ocimum lamiifolium got highest informant consensus value. Herb constituted the highest proportion of medicinal plants represented by 47 species (47%) followed by shrubs 31 species (31%) and most collection was from wild (56%). Leaf is the most plant parts used (64.6%) and preferred route of application was oral (55.3%). The common method of preparation was crushing (45.4%). Using medicinal plant as firewood (40.9%) was threatening the availability of plants. Therefore, local people should be trained, encouraged and supported on how to conserve and manage medicinal plants.

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How to Cite
Dagmawit Addis, Tamene Belude, & Shelema Guzo. (2022). Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments in Dessie Zuria District, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Education and Sciences, 17(1), 14-36. Retrieved from https://journals.ju.edu.et/index.php/ejes/article/view/3974
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