Ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants used by local communities of Sofi District in Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The present ethno-botanical study was conducted in Sofi District of Harari Regional State Eastern Ethiopia, with the objectives of documenting the indigenous plant-based medical knowledge of the people. Ethno-botanical data were collected using semi structured interviews, field observations, focus group discussions and market survey with the help of the local people and traditional medicine practitioners. A total of 182 informants were selected to collect information on medicinal plant use from 3 sampled kebeles. Of these, 15 key informants were selected purposively based on recommendation by local elders and authorities. The rest general informants were selected randomly. Informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), preference ranking were calculated to assess the agreement of informants on the medicinal value of plants. A total of 65 medicinal plant species from 44 families were documented to treat 48 human and livestock ailments. Out of these, 38 species (59%) were used to treat human ailments, 10 species (15%) were used against livestock ailments and the remaining 17 species (26%) were used to treat both human and livestock ailments. From the total medicinal plant species, 28 (43%) were herbs, followed by 18 (28%) shrub species, 13(20%) tree and 6(9%) climber species. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (56%) followed by roots (13%), fruit (8%), bulb (6%), stem (5%), whole parts (4%), bark (4%), seed (3%) and root and stem (1%). The most widely used method of preparation was crushing (24%) followed by powdering (20.3%), pounding (11.4 %) squeezing and chewing (10.1%). The common routes of administration recorded were oral (51.9%) followed by dermal (30.4%), nasal (6.3%), oral/nasal (5.1%), anal (3.8%) and ocular (2.5%). Disease categories discussed here under- Swelling and haemorrhoid, Sensorial system related and Rabies have highest informant consensus factors 0.84 and they have been treated only by traditional herbals with single plant species. Whereas, problems of the genitourinary system (0.8), skeletal muscle and connective tissues pain (0.54), Respiratory system and throat infection (0.5) and Nervous system (0.5) related diseases were found relatively higher Informant Consensus Factor signifying high incidence of these diseases in the study area and agreement of people on their remedies. Agricultural expansion, firewood collection, and use of plants for construction were reported as major threats to plants of the study area. In order to protect biodiversity erosion and loss of indigenous knowledge, local communities have to be trained and actively involved in conservation and management of plant resources and their indigenous knowledge.