Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Dedo District, Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in DedoDistrict, Jimma Zone, SouthwestEthiopia. Fifty informants (30 male and 20 female) were selected from six kebeles. Out of these, 10 key informants (nine male and one female were purposely selected based on the recommendations of elders and local authorities. Other40 informants were selected randomly. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews andfield observations. Informant consensus factor (ICF), preference ranking, paired comparison and fidelity level were calculated. Sixty six plant species belonging to 33 families were collected, identified and recorded for the treatment of ailments. The most frequently used plant parts for human and livestock ailments were leaves. The most widely used method of preparation was pounding/powdering. The common route of administration recorded was oral (63.01%) followed by dermal (26%). The disease categories such as Mich (general body illness) and febrile illness, Eye disease and Devil disease, earache, headache and toothache, tonsillitis and nasal bleeding categories have higher ICF values. People of the study area have preference for Ruta chalepensis for the treatment of Mich/General body illness. Paired comparison of seven species of plants that were used for the same disease showed that Nigella sativa was the most preferred species by traditional healers for the treatment of stomach ache.The study showed that people of Dedo District have used medicinal plants to treat human and livestock ailments. Local people know which part of plant used to treat what type of diseases. Therefore, the documented plants should be further investigated for their efficacy and safety to be integrated into conventional medicine. Furthermore these plants