Abstract:
Ethiopia is a home of many ethnic groups, cultures, and beliefs which in turn have contributed to
the high diversity of indigenous health care knowledge and practices. Oromo people have used
indigenous herbal medicine for a long period facing health problems of the societies. Societies
are using indigenous medicine by preparing from different plants found in their surroundings.
The aim of the present study was to investigate and analyze the indigenous herbal medicinal
knowledge, beliefs, and healing practices in the Jimma zone, Setema district. Secondary data
were reviewed for the conceptual framework. The primary data were gathered through
observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion and the Woreda’s Indigenous
Herbal medicinal Knowledge and healing practices were qualitatively analyzed. Fieldwork was
conducted between February and March 2020.The source of knowledge of these indigenous
medicines was originated from the grandparents and holy Quran. Most of the time the modern
health institutions (clinic, pharmacy, and hospitals) refer to indigenous healers for diseases like
hemorrhoid tumors and evil sprite. Societies have high respect for indigenous medicines. The
indigenous medicine administration is: drenching(drinking), chewing or eating, putting the
drugs on the head with other additives like butter, topical application of the drug on the part,
tying the drug on diseased part of the body, or some of the drugs are used as smoke or direct
smoking. The process of the treatment is first identifying the symptoms, like itching, high pain,
bleeding on the area (anal part), by using cotton the drug will be applied for three to four days.
Prepare indigenous medicine from plants’ stem, leaves, roots, and plant oil Used to treat
diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, to treat feet fungus, to treat eye, ear, uterine
disease, syphilis, hemorrhage, skin diseases, rabies, and other diseases. The dose given to the
patient was based on the age of the patient and given based on a small spoonful or large spoon.
Therefore, People use both indigenous medicine and Biomedicine to alleviate their health
problems. Indigenous medicines were highly supported in the study area due to religious,
economic social factors. There are varieties of indigenous knowledge and a variety of indigenous
medicinal plants in the study area. Due to lack of capacity (workplace or land, capital,
equipment or machine) and assistance given to them by local Government attention and
assistance provided to them was very weak. The responsiveness of the local administrators was
very weak in terms of legal issues for the certificate, and workplace.
