An Ethnobotanical Study on the Use and Conservation Status of Medicinal Plants in Tello District, Kafa Zone, Southwest Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Plants have been used as a source of medicine in Ethiopia to treat different ailments of human and livestock. This study was conducted in Tello District, Kaffa Zone, Southwest people region, Ethiopia, with the objective assessing medicinal plant species, with the associated indigenous knowledge in the use and conservation practices of medicinal plant. Eighty nine (89) informants (65 males and 24 females) between the age of 20 and 80 were selected from three sampled kebeles . Of these 20 key informants (14 male and 6 female) were purposively selected and 69 general informant (51 male and 18 female) were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. A total of 61 plant species (32 species from the wild vegetation, 20 species from homegardens and 9 from both habitats) distributed in 59 genera and 36 families were collected and identified from the study area. From these, 41 species were recorded for the treatment of human health problems, 10 species for livestock and 10 species for the treatment of both human and livestock diseases. Data on habitat, habits, part used, method of preparation, route of administration, dosage, diseases treated, additives, threats and conservation of medicinal plant were collected using semi-structured interview, field observation, group discussion and market survey. The data were analyzed and summarized by descriptive statistical analysis by using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The data were also analyzed by preference ranking, paired comparison, direct matrix ranking and informant consensus factor (ICF). Regarding to habit of medicinal plant herbs were found to be the most dominant plant life forms 23 (37.7%). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, which accounted for 23 (37.7%). The most widely used method of preparation was squeezing 16 (26.22%). Oral use was the commonest administration route 54 (70.12%). The most commonly used application of medicinal plant was drinking 33 (42.85%). Agricultural expansion, firewood collection, construction, timber, forage and charcoal were reported as the major threats to plants of the study area. In order to protect medicinal plants destruction and loss of indigenous knowledge, local communities could be involved in conservation and management of plant resources and their indigenous knowledge.