Medicinal Plants Used by Nuer People of Jikawo District, Gambella Regional State west Ethiopia

Abstract

The major role of medicinal plants in health care is demonstrated in developing countries.The purpose of the study is to assess plants species of medicinal value to the community in Jikawo district and the associated knowledge on use, conservation, preparation and other aspects of indigenous knowledge of the people. From 344 informants, 22 were selected purposely whereas the rest were selected randomly. The data were collected by contacting traditional healers knowledgeable elders and local communities through semi structured interview observation and group discussion. Preference ranking paired comparison fidelity level direct matrix ranking and informant consensus factor along with descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. A total of 81 medicinal plant species distributed in 68 genera and 41 families were collected. Family fabaceae was ranked 1st with 10 species followed by Euphorbiaceae and poaceae with 5 species each. These medicinal plants were used to treat 42 human and 18 livestock health problems. Of these 60 species were used to treat human ailments only 7 species were used to treat both human and livestock ailments and 14 species were used to treat livestock ailments only. Trees (31 species) were the most growth forms followed by herbs (28 species). Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts (41.53%) followed by roots (20%). Traditional medicines were mostly prepared from fresh plant materials (60.98%) and single plant species (88%) with commonly in crushed preparation (32.35%). The majority of traditional medicines were administered through oral route of administration (53.22%). Most of the medicinal plants were gathered from the wild (60 species, 74.07%). Traditional system of management by in situ and ex-situ methods has contributed to conservation of these medicinal plants however overgrazing agricultural land expansion over-exploitation due to other uses were the major threats to the medicinal plants of the study area. Thus, necessary conservation measures of the medicinal plants and associated knowledge should be taken before the loos of medicinal plants.