Abstract:
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in Sinan
District, East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia, was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022. Semi
structured interviews, field observations and preference ranking and paired comparison methods
were employed and information was collected from a sample of 357 respondents which are
312(87.4) males and 45(12.6) females. These include 10 key randomly selected informants. A
total of 82 plant species, representing 72 genera and 44 families were collected. The Fabaceae,
which contributed 8 (9.8%) species stood first followed by Asteraceae, Solanaceae and
Euphorbiaceae with 7, 6 and 5 species respectively. Most of the species 42(51.2%) were
collected from wild while 34(41.5%) were collected from homegardens. A total of 61 (74.4%)
species wereidentified for the treatment of human ailments while 5(6.1%)species were used to
treat livestock health problems, the rest 16(19.5%) species used to treat both human and
livestock diseases. Herbs were the most used plants, accounting for 40(48.8%) species, followed
by shrubs, trees and climbers. About 88(24.65%) of respondents said that root are used for
medicinal purpose more than other plant parts for preparation of human and livestock remedies.
90(25.21%) respondents replied that most of medicinal plants are administered orally. According
to respondents, the most widely used method of preparation was crushing 99(27.7%) of the
different plant parts followed by pounding (21.3%). The most commonly used application of
medicinal plant was drinking 79(22.13%) followed by rubbing6 (18.49%) and eating mixing with
food 44(12.32%). There was high preference for Plantogo lanceolata for treating wound while
paired comparison showed Zehneria scabra to be the most preferred species for treatment of
febrile illness by traditional healers. Cordia africana was shown to be the top multipurpose
species while agricultural expansion, firewood collection and charcoal making were considered
major threats to plants in general and medicinal plants in particular. Provisions for
participation of the local people, awareness raising and establishment of protected areas need
encouraging.
