Abstract:
An Ethnobotanical investigation on traditional use of medicinal plants and associated indigenous
knowledge to treat human and livestock ailments was conducted on the people of Duna District, Hadya
Zone, South Nation Nationality People’s Regional Stat (SNNPs), in the Southern Ethiopia. A total of
110 (85 males and 25 females) above the age of 20 were sampled from 11 kebeles and used for the
study. Data was collected using semi structured interviews, field observations and focus group
discussions. Informant consensus, preference ranking, paired comparison, direct matrix ranking and
informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated. A total of 116 medicinal plant species; of which 50
species from wild, 38 species from homegarden and 28 species were common for both habitats were
identified and recorded. Of these 63 species were used for the treatment of human ailments, 43 species
for both human and livestock ailments and 10 species were used to treat livestock ailments. Herbs were
the most widely used plants, which were accounting for (45.68%) followed by shrubs (24.13%), trees
(21.55%), climbers (6.89%) and epiphyte (1.72%). The most frequently used plant part was the leaves
accounted for (40.5%) followed by fruit (11.2%). The most widely used method of preparation was
crushing (34.48%). The most common route of medicine administration was oral (56.03%). The most
commonly used application of medicinal plant was drinking (37.93%). There was high preference for
Ocimum lamiifolium in treating fibrillness while paired comparison showed Echinops kerebicho Mesfin
the most preferred species in treating acute sickness. Eucalyptus globulus was shown the most
multipurpose use species while agricultural expansion was considered as major threat to plants in
general and medicinal plants in particular. Awareness creation on valuing indigenous knowledge and
plant resources should be encouraged.
