Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2018 (2018), Article ID 2973513, 23 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2973513

Research Article

Use and Conservation of Medicinal Plants by Indigenous People of Gozamin Wereda, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical Approach

Nigussie Amsalu,¹ Yilkal Bezie,² Mulugeta Fentahun,¹ Addisu Alemayehu,³ and Gashaw Amsalu¹

¹Department of Biology, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
²Department of Biotechnology, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
³Department of Chemistry, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia

Correspondence should be addressed to Yilkal Bezie; yilkalb@gmail.com

Received 16 September 2017; Accepted 22 January 2018; Published 19 March 2018

Academic Editor: Karin Kraft

Copyright © 2018 Nigussie Amsalu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants (MPs) used by the local community has been carried out from January 5, 2014, to February 15, 2015, in Gozamin Wereda of East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to identify and document the use and conservation of MPs, along with indigenous knowledge of Gozamin community. Data were collected using semistructured interview, field observation, and focus group discussions. The collected data were assessed quantitatively using fidelity level, Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity, paired comparisons, direct matrix, and preference rankings. In total 93 MPs distributed under 51 families and 87 genera were identified and for each taxon a local name (Amharic) was documented. Asteraceae with 9 (9.68%) species and Solanaceae with 7 (7.53%) species were families represented by more species in the study area. Out of these MPs collected, 80 plant species were used for the treatment of human ailments, 24 species were used against livestock diseases, and 11 common plant species were listed in both cases. The most frequently used plant parts were the leaves followed by the roots. The major threats to MPs in the study area were agricultural expansion, overgrazing, fire wood collection, mining, and cutting down trees for construction and furniture. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation measures.

1. Introduction

Findings indicated that Ethiopia is one of the top 25 biodiversity-rich countries in the world and hosts two of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, namely, the Eastern Afromontane and the Horn of Africa hotspots [1]. It is also among the countries in the Horn of Africa regarded as major center of diversity and endemism for several plant species [2]. The diverse topography gave rise to a wide range of altitude and other environmental factors that resulted in diversity of life [2–6]. Thus, the country is a land not only of highly varied landscapes and hence flora and fauna, but also of multiplicity of ethnic groups with complex cultural diversity [4].

Ethiopia has diverse medicinal flora distributed in different vegetation types. About 1,000 medicinal plants (MPs) have been identified and documented [7]. The country is also ethnobotanically rich as there are diverse ethnic groups with diverse cultures. The knowledge and skills used in medication have been held by certain families and have passed down orally from parent to children, often a much loved one [4]. For most parts of the centuries, medicinal use knowledge and practices remained oral without documentation. Documentation of those plants used as traditional medicines is needed so that the knowledge can be preserved and utilized sustainably.

The use of traditional medicine is still widespread in Ethiopia, as well as its acceptability, availability, and popularity no doubt since about 90% of the populations use it for healthcare needs [8]. However, according to Giday and Ameni [9], loss of knowledge has been aggravated by the expansion of modern education, which has made the younger generation underestimates its traditional value. Similar to elsewhere in the country, people living in Gozamin Wereda (district) have traditional practices which have passed from generation to generation in order to treat both humans and livestock ailments. The human tendency to categorize and organize knowledge and experience is universal and that emic classification system throughout the world shows certain structural similarities [10].

In spite of the vast role of ethnobotanical contributions of MPs in the primary healthcare, limited works have so far been done in the country so as to document and enhance associated indigenous knowledge (IK) [4, 11–16]. This study has therefore been initiated to study and document plants used in the traditional medical practices of the people of Gozamin Wereda together with ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal knowledge and practices.

Like all other parts of the country majority of the people of the study Wereda used herbal medicines for a long time to treat human and livestock ailments. Still now the dependence on this medicine is continuing because of its acceptability, accessibility, and affordability. The present study aimed at identification and documentation of MPs and associated knowledge of using, managing, and conserving MPs by the community of Gozamin Wereda which also becomes useful in the introduction of alternative resource management like in situ conservation systems that involve local people which is an urgent task for the study area where its natural vegetation is lost rapidly.

The study also aspires to identify and record the use of medicinal plant species for purposes other than their medicine. Besides, scanty attempts have been made to identify factors associated with their collection, threats, utilization, and use of the plants for the communities. Thus, the research fills this gap by documenting the wealth of indigenous knowledge and understanding the corresponding drivers of this knowledge related to management and conservation of medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in study area.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of the Study Area

2.1.1. Location, Demography, and Boundary

Gozamin Wereda is one of the 18 Weredas in East Gojjam Zone and 151 Weredas in Amhara National Regional State [17]. The relative location of the Wereda is 300 km away from the capital city of the country, Addis Ababa, and 260 km from Bahir Dar, the regional capital city. This Wereda is found almost mid-way from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. The Wereda is bounded by Senan Wereda in the North, Baso Liben Wereda and Oromia National Regional State in the South, Aneded and Debay Tilatgen Wereda to the East, and Machakle and Debre Elias Wereda in the West [17].

The total population of the Wereda has an estimated size of 173,300 of which 87,178 are males and 86,122 are females: the highest population (80,294) is in the age range of 0–14 whereas the lowest one is above the age of 60 which accounted for 7,837 in number [17]. 2094 (1.34%) of the population are urban dwellers which is less than the zonal average of 11.2%. Moreover with an estimated area of 1,218.07 square kilometers, it has an estimated population density of 128.3 people per square kilometer which is also less than the zonal average of 179.96, East Gojjam Zone Office of Finance and Economic Development [17]. The ethnicity of the Wereda population is Amhara and Amharic is every body’s language.

2.2. Geomorphology and Vegetation Type

The topography of the Wereda is characterized by the three major agroclimatic zones within altitude range of 500–3500 meters above sea level: temperate (Dega) (35.55%), subtropical (Woina Dega) (41.41%), and tropical (Kolla) (15.72%). The Wereda relief in percentage is given as plateau 45%, mountain 48%, and valley 7%. With respect to soil type, the majority of the Wereda soil belongs to vertisol and lithosol [17].

The vegetation type of Gozamin could be Dry Evergreen Afromontane Forest. According to Friis et al. [18], Dry Evergreen Afromontane Forest (DAF) and grassland complex occurs in areas between 1800 and 3000 meters of altitude with rainfall < 1700 mm. Different authors also indicated the subtypes of DAF, namely, undifferentiated Afromontane Forest; dry single-dominant Afromontane Forest of the Ethiopian highlands; Afromontane woodland, wood grassland and grassland, and transition between Afromontane vegetation and Acacia-Commiphora Bushland on the Eastern Escarpments. The natural vegetation of the study area is dominated by remnant trees like Juniperus procera, Hagenia abyssinica, Podocarpus falcatus, Acacia abyssinica, Cordia africana, Ficus sycomorus, Erythrina brucei, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus globulus, and others. Plantations of these trees are observed on farm lands and home-gardens in Wereda [17].

There is also an Afroalpine belt as long as the Wereda includes a particular subdistrict (Kebele) known as Gedellamma which is in the Choke mountain system. It is clearly indicated that mountains are virtually devoid of vegetation and the only few woody plant species observed are moorland types sparsely covered with Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum), lady’s mantle (Alchemilla humania), Guassa grass (Festuca spp.), and other grasses. The woody plant cover includes Erica arborea and Giant St. John’s wort (Hypericum revolutum) [19].

The rainfall pattern is unimodal, stretching from May to September. The highest monthly rainfalls were record in July, 284.67 mm, and August, 298.03 mm, and the lowest ones were observed in January (14.52 mm) and February (10.6 mm). The mean annual rain fall distribution is 1342 mm. The mean annual maximum and minimum temperature records of the study site were 26°C and 8.6°C, respectively. Rainy months are blackened and dry months are dotted as indicated in Figure 2.

2.3. Health

The most important animal diseases in Gozamin Wereda include bacterial infections (black leg, pasteurellosis, anthrax, mastitis, fowl typhoid, and avian salmonellosis), endoparasites (fascioliasis, paramphistomiasis, and strongyloidiasis), ectoparasites (ticks, mites, lice, and insect flies), viral infections (rabies, African horse sickness, and foot and mouth diseases), and protozoal infections (trypanosomiasis, babesiasis, and coccidiosis) [17]. On the other hand, it was also reported that the most common human diseases include tuberculosis, malaria, diarrhea, trachoma, helminths, skin diseases, typhoid, eye diseases, and upper respiratory tract.

2.4. Reconnaissance Survey

Reconnaissance survey was conducted from September 23 to 30, 2013, in the study Wereda in order to obtain an impression about medicinal plants, topography, distribution of plants, and identification of sampling sites. During the survey 12 representative Kebeles (subdistricts) were selected. Local administrators were chosen as key resource persons in providing information in their respective Kebeles. During the survey, general information about the Wereda was also obtained.

2.5. Site Selection

Purposively twelve Kebeles were selected out of 26 Kebeles of the Wereda for ethnobotanical data collection based on the availability of traditional medicinal practitioners present, identified with the assistance of the Kebele administration leaders, elders, religious leaders, and others who have information about traditional healers. Those Kebeles which have almost the same agroclimatic conditions as other neighboring Kebeles were not included in the study and this is also additional factor for site selection. The study Kebeles were Libanos, Chimbord Yezangera, Cher Tekel, Denba, Asab Abo, Enerata, Lekilekita, Wenka, Chimit, Yegagina, Yebokila Zurya, and Yetijan-Shebelmma (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Map of Ethiopia showing location of the study area.

Figure 2: Climadiagrams of the study area from 2005 to 2014 at Debre Markos Station (data source: National Meteorological Agency).

2.6. Selection of Informants

A total of 100 informants (88 males and 12 females) were selected from the representative Kebeles. Representative common informants and knowledgeable traditional medicine practitioners (key informants) of Gozamin Wereda were selected using random and purposive sampling approaches, respectively, following Martin [20].

Out of 100 informants, 80 general informants were sampled during random visits in the study Kebeles by asking every individual in the house or working fields or wherever they were. On the other hand, the remaining 20 key informants out of the total were selected purposively and systematically. In other words, this was based on comments and recommendations from the religious leaders, elders, Kebele administrators, students, and personal observation of the researchers from the community group. The selection of key informants was also based on the quality of explanations that particular informants gave during the interview. Local healers automatically qualified as key informants being traditional experts who are custodians of IK on the use of traditional MPs. Thus, key informants were identified, later interviewed, and followed for further details.

2.7. Data Sources

Ethnobotanical data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources were interview, focus group discussion, and observation in the field of the study area, where as the secondary data sources were various and relevant literature review related to the present study. A piece of other information was also collected from the Wereda of different offices.

2.8. Ethnobotanical Data Collection Techniques

The study has been carried out by interviewing the knowledgeable informants in different villages under various sites from January 5, 2014, to February 15, 2015, in Gozamin Wereda, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical techniques were employed to collect data on knowledge and management of traditional MPs used by the local people in the study area. The methods used for ethnobotanical data collection were semistructured interviews following Martin [20] and Cotton [10], informant consensus, field observation, and group discussion as described below.

2.8.1. Semistructured Interviews

A list of questions was prepared that was covered in discussion with the informants in a particular order. The interview was guided to cover the key topics on the checklist while leaving room to pursue any relevant subject brought up by the interviewee. All of the interviews were held in Amharic, the language of the local people by the researcher. The place and the time for discussion were set based on the interest of the informants. The status of all the MPs was recorded as abundant, less abundant, rare, or very rare as per healer perception during the semistructured interviews.

2.8.2. Field Observation

Field observations were carried out with local people, guidance, interviewed informants, and students. Habitat, habit, abundance, and distribution of plants were recorded in the given area.

2.8.3. Focus Group Discussion

Short, brief, and precise group discussions were made with informants regarding the MPs in the study sites. Information on local names of the plants, their medicinal uses, methods of preparation, mode of administration, disease conditions, IK on MPs, and threats to plants, conservation and management of plants, and related data were recorded.

2.9. Voucher Specimen Collection

Plants used for herbal remedies were collected by a team comprising a botanist, biotechnologist, microbiologist, chemist, and parasitologist from Debre Markos University (DMU). The voucher specimens were collected at the spot during guided field walk, numbered, pressed, dried, and deep frozen for identification. Determination of specimens was carried out both in the field and in the herbarium. Then after that, nomenclature was determined using Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea, other available taxonomic literatures, and visual comparison with authenticated herbarium specimens. Finally, the voucher specimens were kept at Debre Markos University Mini-Herbarium to aid confirmation of plant identity.

The information gathered included vernacular name of plant, species, ailments they cure, part used, route of administration, method of preparation, dose, and duration levels of herbal administration. Therefore, this is the starting point of documenting the flora of Gojjam in general and Gozamin Wereda of East Gojjam Zone in particular.

2.10. Ethnobotanical Data Analysis

2.10.1. Preference Ranking

Preference ranking was included in predesigned semistructured interview items. It was conducted following Martin [20] for six MPs in treating diseases. The key informants were selected to identify the best preferred MPs for the treatment of ailments based on their personal preference or perceived degree of importance in the community. They were informed to assign the highest value (5) for the most preferred plant species and the lowest value (1) for the least preferred ones. Finally, the values were summed up and the ranks given to each plant.

2.10.2. Direct Matrix Ranking

Direct matrix ranking was conducted following Cotton [10], on six multipurpose MPs. Each key informant assigned items by considering several attributes one at a time, using numerical scale in which the highest number is equal to the most preferred item whereas the lowest one is equal to the least preferred one. Then the informants rated their preferences. Direct matrix ranking can also be done as a group exercise in which participants reach consensus on the ranking of each item or vote according to their individual assessments [20].

2.10.3. Paired Comparison

After having identified five most important MPs based on their medicinal values as perceived by the informants, the paired comparisons were employed following Martin [20]. Paired comparisons on the five most effective plants in treating health problems were conducted using random number table and flipping coins.

2.10.4. Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity

This can be used to determine the similarity in species composition of the study area with other study areas done by other researchers. Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity (JCS) was used so as to assess plant species composition similarity, among seven different Weredas. It was computed between the present study area and other areas, which were studied by other authors in different parts of the country. JCS was calculated following Kent and Coker [21].

2.10.5. Fidelity Level (FL)

Because many plant species may be used in the same use category, we needed to determine the most preferred species used for the treatment of a particular ailment, and we did so by calculating fidelity levels (FL) [22]: , where is the number of use-reports cited for a given species for a particular ailment, is the total number of use-reports cited for any given species. High FL values (near 100%) are obtained for plants for which almost all use-reports refer to the same method of use (i.e., the plants were considered the most preferred species for a particular ailment category), whereas low FL are obtained for plants that are reused for many different purposes.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Summary of Informants

A total of 100 herbalists from the study sites were interviewed and as a result ninety-three (93) plant species belonging to 51 plant families and 87 genera were identified for the management of both human and livestock ailments (Figure 3). The present study has shown that the people at various age groups in Gozamin Wereda have a very good knowledge base on herbal remedy for primary healthcare. Traditional healers (both males and females) still rely largely on naturally growing species in their locality.

Figure 3: Age range of informant.

3.2. Age and Sex of Informants

The informants were local residents aged between 18–73 years (Figure 3). Most of traditional healers range within the age group of 30–49 years, 46 (46%). They are within this range because it is at this stage whereby they have completed necessary rites of passage, notably initiation school. These are followed by those who are around 18–29 years of age, 30 (30%), who also constitute a reasonable number; thus in most cases these are newly inaugurated traditional healers. The remaining 24 (24%) of informants were between the ages of 50 and 73 (Figure 3). Although the age groups 50–73 constitute lower percentage (24), these groups are highly trusted by the community due to experience they have acquired and the number of traditional healers they have trained. Thus, at this age their decisions are credible based on their maturity level. Medicinal plant knowledge difference among age groups was also reported in Cotton [10].

Regarding sex, 88 (88%) of the total informants were males whereas the remaining 12 (12%) were reported as females (Table 1). In the case of knowledge difference between the two sexes, females tend to mention little number of MPs as compared to males. At this point, because of cultural influence, it is understandable that females were not allowed to go out of home; they look after babies and work at home. Similar results were reported in Megersa et al. [23], Kefalew et al. [24], and Chekole et al. [25] mentioning few numbers of plants by females in our study area.

Table 1: Sociodemography of the informants.

Informants
Categories
Number
%

Sex
Male
88
88.00

Female
12
12.00

Total
100
100

Marital status

    Married
Male
56
56.00

Female
10
10.00

Total
66
66.00

    Unmarried
Male
28
28.00

Female
2
02.00

Total
30
30.00

    Divorced
Male
3
03.00

Female
1
01.00

Total
4
04.00

    Grand total

100
100

Educational level

    Modern education

64
64.00

    Church education

17
17.00

    Uneducated/illiterate

19
19.00

    Total

100
100

3.3. Educational Level and Marital Status of the Informants

The educational status of the informants showed that most of them were literate, that is, having modern education (diploma holders, students, and those able to read and write) accounting for 64 (64%) followed by the uneducated ones but traditionally knowledgeable informants accounted for 19 (19%) and the least number of respondents was reported as church education attendants, 17 (17%) (Table 1). On the other hand, the marital status of the informants indicated that most of them were married people accounting for 66 (66%) followed by the unmarried ones, 30 (30%), and others were divorced, reported as 4 (4%) (Table 1). The interviewed informants were included from married, unmarried, and divorced people and people of different educational level. This enabled the researchers to come across the ethnobotanical information of the community from different groups. Similar results were also reported by Yineger et al. [26].

3.4. Traditional Knowledge Transfer

The most important way of transfer of IK on types of use of MPs, mode of preparations, way of administration, traditional idea of illnesses, and methods of diagnosis and treatment among indigenous herbal practitioners of Gozamin community was by word of mouth to a family member. The finding further indicated that the present knowledge transfer system followed the inheritance based transfer system where most traditional healers pass their knowledge to the elder/eldest/son/daughter. The selection of the elect was based upon his/her good conduct and ability to keep the secret with regard to the ethnobotanical plant use knowledge. The knowledge transfer system is bounded by traditional rules and can only happen through cultural ceremony. Most of the healers confirmed that, during transfer of the knowledge, they also received obligation. Similarly it was also reported that, at family level, it is restricted to the elders (men and women), followed by elder son or daughter or their trustworthy person when the mother or the father is getting old or near to die [14, 27, 28].

3.5. Medicinal Plants in Gozamin Wereda

3.5.1. Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments

In the current study, ninety-three medicinal plant species distributed across 51 families and 87 genera were collected and documented from the study site (Tables 2 and 3). Of the total collected MPs, 80 plant species were used for the treatment of human ailments and 24 species were used against livestock diseases. Eleven (11) common plants species were listed in both which were used to treat both livestock and human ailments (Tables 2 and 3). The finding shows large numbers of MPs were used to treat human diseases compared with livestock ailments. This indicated that local people of the study area give much more priority of traditional medicine for their treatment as compared to their livestock ailments. As a result, they could acquire lower knowledge of MPs to treat livestock ailments than knowledge of MPs treating human ailments. Similar ethnobotanical findings were reported by Megersa et al. [23], Giday et al. [29], Getaneh [30], and Gebeyehu et al. [31].

Table 2: List of medicinal plants used for treating human ailments in the study area with scientific name, family, local name, habit (Ha), shrub (S), tree (T), herb (H), climber (Cl), seed (Se), fruit (Fr), flower (Fl), shoot (Sh), collection number (Coll. No.) source, condition of preparation (fresh/F and dry/D), parts used (PU), root (R), leaf (L), latex (La), stem (St), bulb (Bu), bark (Ba), and rhizome (Rh).

Scientific name, family
Local name
(Amharic)
Ha
Disease treated
PU
Preparations, conditions of plants used, and mode of applications
Route
Voucher number

Achyranthes aspera Lam.
Telenj
H
Hemorrhoids
R
Fresh roots pounded and applied on the infected part.
Anal
NA10

Acmella caulirhiza Del. (Asteraceae)
Yemidir berbere
H
Tonsillitis
Toothache
Fl
Fluid extract from the leaf is drunk (one spoon).
Flower is chewed for few minutes and spit out.
Oral
NA2

Allium sativum L. (Alliaceae)
Shinkurt
H
Cough
Bu
Its bulb and fruit of Capsicum annum areboiled with butter and drunk continuously.
Oral
NA7

Aloe macrocarpa Tod. (Alliaceae)
Ret
H
Stomachache
La
The latex of the species is squeezed and taken once.
Oral
NA20

Arisaema schimperianum Schott. (Araceae)
Amoch
H
Birth difficulty
R
Fingertip size fresh root is squished and mixed with alcohol (local arki), and then one cup is drunk.
Oral
NA80

Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Wilk (Asteraceae)
Chiqugn
H
Evil eye
Malaria
L
Fresh leaf and Allium sativum bulb squeezed and wrapped together in a piece of cloth and sniffed through nose.
Fresh leaf crushed and pounded with water and then filtered and drunk in one tea cup.
Nasal
Oral
NA75

Asparagus africanus Lam. (Asparagaceae)
Yeset qest
S
Impotency
R
The root powder along with Premna schimperi is given with one cup of local alcohol (tella).
Oral
NA9

Brassica carinata A. Br.
Gomen
H
Skin rash
Se
The powder is mixed with water and applied on the skin.
Dermal
NA60

Brassica nigra (L.) Koch (Brassicaceae)
Sinafich
H
Abdominal pain
Se
Powder of dried seeds with seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with water and one cup is drunk.
Oral
NA45

Brucea antidysenterica Swiss Chard. (Simaroubaceae)
Avalo
T
Bloody diarrhea
Wound
Leishmaniasis
R/L
Fr
Se
Dry root is crushed and dissolved in water or the leaf is squeezed and 1/2 of coffee cup is drunk.
Dried fruit finely crushed and applied on wounds.
Dried seed crushed, added with wheat flour, and then applied on wounds.
Oral
Dermal
Dermal
NA1

Buddleja polystachya Fresen. (Loganiaceae)
Anfar
S
Wound
L
Dried leaf finely crushed and mixed with Lepidium sativum and applied on wounds.
Dermal
NA22

Calpurnia aurea (Ait.)
Benth. (Fabaceae)
Ligita
S
Hepatitis
Wound
L

The leaves are boiled with a cup of water and then drunk for 6–10 days.
Fresh leaves pounded and applied on the wounds.
Dermal/oral
Oral
NA90

Capparis tomentosa Lam.
Gumero
S
Evil sprit
R
Dry root crushed and boiled with water and then fumigated or inhaled.
Nasal/oral
NA6

Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae)
Qaria
H
Dysentery, vomiting
Fr
Its fruits with Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, and Nigella sativum are immersed in water for 2-3 days and drunk continuously.
Oral
NA28

Carduus schimperi Sch. Bip. ex A. Rich. (Asteraceae)
Kosheshila
H
Fibril illness
R
The root is pounded, squeezed, and drunk.
Oral
NA30

Carica papaya L. (Cucurbitaceae)
Papya
Cl
Gastritis
Malaria
Diarrhea
Se
L
Se
The seed can be eaten together with the fleshy part.
Freshly crushed, boiled, and drunk.
Ingest a few seeds with “Injera” for three days.
Oral
NA17

Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae)
Agam
S
Evil eye
R
Dried root bark powder is added on fire and allowed to be inhaled.
Nasal/oral
NA51

Clutia abyssinica Jaub. and Spach (Euphorbiaceae)
Fiyele-fej
S
Dysentery
St
Crush fresh stem making it powder and then drink.
Oral
NA59

Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae)
Bunna
S
Wound
Se
Seeds roasted, powdered, and put on the infected skin.
Dermal
NA3

Cordia africana Lam. (Boraginaceae)
Wanza
T
Vomiting
Fl
Flowers crushed or smashed and swallowed.
Oral
NA4

Croton macrostachyus Del. (Euphorbiaceae)
Bisana
T
Stomachache
Ringworm
Malaria
L
La
L
Squeezing the fresh leaf and drinking the droplet.
Sap applied topically on the skin.
Boil fresh leaf in water, filter, and drink with milk or tea.
Oral
Dermal
Oral
NA12

Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich (Cucurbitaceae)
Yemidir Embuy
Cl
Cough
R
Fresh roots are washed, smashed, and mixed with water overnight. Then, mix the suspensions with honey and milk and drink one glass.
Oral
NA46

Cynoglossum coeruleum (Hochst. A. Rich.) DC
Shimgug
H
Stomachache
Sun-strike
R
L
The root is washed and cleaned, and then the liquid is chewed and taken.
Leaf is squeezed and applied on the entire body.
Oral
Dermal
NA56

Dodonaea angustifolia L. f. (Sapindaceae)
Kitkita
S
Sore/eczema
L
Dry leaves along the leaves of Citrus lemon arepowdered and mixed with butter and then applied on the affected part.
Dermal
NA63

Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae)
Astenagir
H
Dandruff
L
Fresh leaves pounded and smashed with hand and then applied on the head like ointment.
Dermal
NA61

Dracaena steudneri Engl
Merqo
T
Emergency (“dingetegna”)
R
The root is crushed and mixed with water; one cup is given to drink.
Oral
NA67

Echinops kebericho 
Mesfin
Qebercho
H
Scabies
R
The root is powdered and applied on the affected area at bedtime.
Dermal
NA69

Embelia schimperi Vatke
Enqoqo
S
Tapeworm
Fr
Dried fruit is powered and dissolved by water and then one glass water is drunk.
Oral
NA73

Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter
Dawa tef
H
Bone fracture
Se
Flour of teff is mixed with different spices and then eaten continuously.
Oral
NA83

Erica arborea L. (Ericaceae)
Asta
S
Circumcision
L
Fresh leaf is mixed with leaves of Verbascum sinaiticum and pounded together and then powder is put on affected part.
Dermal
NA5

Erythrina brucei Schweinf.
Korch
T
Eczema
L/ba/R
The powders of dried leaf, bark, and root are mixed with cheese and then applied.
Dermal
NA25

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae)
Nech bahir zaf
T
Asthma
Athlete’s foot
L
L/Sh
The young leaf is boiled with water and the steam is inhaled.
Washing the sol with young shoot or putting under the sock.
Nasal/oral
Dermal
NA87

Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel
Qulqual
T
Jaundice, rabies
Sap
Few droplets of the milky latex are mixed with the powder of wheat and teff and then baked and eaten.
Oral
NA91

Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae); NA55
Sholla
T
Dysentery
La
About one spoon of sap is taken.
Oral
NA55

Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Apiaceae)
Ensilal
H
Abdominal pain
Se
The leaves boiled with tea or coffee and then drunk.
Oral
NA35

Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel (Rosaceae)
Kosso
T
Tapeworm
Se
Dry seed ground into powder, mixed with local alcohol (“tella”), and drunk.
Oral
NA37

Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae)
Gebis
H
Gastritis
Se
The roasted powder is boiled in water and drunk until relief.
Oral
NA39

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae)
Jatrofa
T
Wound
La
The latex is applied on the wound.
Dermal
NA78

Jasminum abyssinicum L. (Oleaceae)
Tenbelel
Cl
Tapeworm
L
Fresh leaves crushed, squeezed mixed with water, and decanted and then drunk without having food.
Oral
NA14

Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. ex Nees) T. Anders

Smiza
S
Wound
Abdominal parasite
L
The fresh leaf paste is applied over infected area of skin.
Dry leaves are crushed and pounded with water and then one glass is drunk.
Dermal
Oral
NA15

Kalanchoe petitiana A. Rich. (Crassulaceae)
Andahula
H
Swelling
Tonsil
L/St
R
Fresh leaves or stem heated with fire and put on the swollen part.
Fresh root is put on the nostril.
Dermal
Nostril
NA53

Laggera integrifolia Sch. Bip. ex A. Rich
Gimmie
H
Common cold
Toothache
L

Leaf is inhaled for sometimes through nose.
Crushed and put b/n teeth for 5–10 minutes and then spit out.
Nostril
Mouth
NA8

Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm F.) A. Iwarsson. (Lamiaceae)
Feres zeng
H
Diarrhea
Fr/L
Powder of dried fruit and leaf is mixed with honey and then given.
Oral
NA23

Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae)
Telba
H
Gastritis
Se
Few seeds immersed in water over night and one glass drunk continuously.
Oral
NA24

Lepidium sativum L.(Brassicaceae)
Feto
H
Diarrhea
Se
Seeds ground into paste-like food and then eaten or mixed with butter and water and drunk.
Oral
NA74

Lippia adoensis Hochst ex. Walp.
Kesiy
H
Gastritis
L
Fresh leaves chewed.
Oral
NA26

Lobelia rhynchopetalum (Hochst) Hemsl.
Jebera
T
Evil sprit
R
The dried root fumigated.
Nasal/oral
NA40

Lupinus albus L. (Fabaceae)
Gibto
H
Hypertension
Se
Soaking with water for 3–5 days, decanting the water, and eating and/or preparing in the form of alcohol and drunk.
Oral
NA72

Maytenus arbutifolia (A. Rich.) Wilczek (Celastraceae)
Atat
H
Itching
R
Dry root is boiled in water and body is washed with it
Dermal
NA76

Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Bak.
Birbira
T
Skin infection
Goiter
Fr
Dry fruit powder is mixed with butter and salt and then applied to the infected skin.
Chewing the fruit for goiter.
Dermal
Oral
NA77

Momordica foetida 
Schumach. (Cucurbitaceae); NA33
Yamora misa
Cl
Toothache
Wound
L
Fresh leaf is chewed for sometimes and spit out.
Fresh leaf is crushed and pasted.
Oral
Dermal
NA33

Myrica salicifolia A. Rich. (Myricaceae)
Shinet
T
Leishmaniasis
Ba
The powder is mixed with butter and applied on the contaminated part.
Dermal
NA32

Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae)
Ades
S
Ringworm
L
Leaf powder is mixed with butter and is being applied on the infected part continuously.
Dermal
NA31

Nigella sativa L.(Apiaceae)
Tiqur-azmud
H
Common cold
Asthma
Se
Se
The seeds ground into powder and covered with a piece of cloth and inhaled three to four times per day.
Seeds are put in boiling water and steam is inhaled.
Nasal
Nasal/oral
NA34

Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae)
Ziqaqibie
H
Dysentery
L
Leaf is pounded, mixed with water, and drunk.
Oral
NA49

Ocimum lamiifolium 
Hochst. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae)
Dama kesy
H
Sun-strike
L
From three places the leaves are cut and crushed, squeezed, and drunk.
Oral
NA48

Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidate (Wall. Ex G. Don) Cif. (Oleaceae)
Woira
T
Toothache
St
Dry/fresh branches used as tooth brush.
Oral
NA68

Otostegia integrifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae)
Tinjut
S
Abdominal pain
L
Pounding and squeezing the fresh leaf and mixing with water then drinking.
Oral
NA47

Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit. (Phytolaccaceae)
Endod
S
Abortion
L
The leaf is crushed, mixed with water, filtered, and drunk.
Oral
NA11

Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae)
Gorteb
H
Cut
L
Crush and apply it on the cut part.
Dermal
NA13

Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae)
Amera
H
Wounds
R
Dried root finely crushed and applied or rubbed on wounds.
Dermal
NA18

Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) R. B. ex. Mirb. (Podocarpaceae)
Zigba
T
Swelling
L
Fresh leaf is crushed and tied with a piece of cloth on the contaminated skin.
Dermal
NA19

Prunus africana (Hook. F.) Kalkman (Rosaceae)
Homma
T
Wound
Ba
Powdered and tied for 5–7 days.
Dermal
NA16

Ranunculus oligocarpus Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Ranunculaceae)
Etsesiol
H
Eczema
L
Crushing and tying the infected part with a piece of cloth for two hours.
Dermal
NA29

Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit
Gesho
S
Tonsillitis
Skin infection
Dysentery
Fr
L
L
The dry fruit of the plant is made as powder and mixed with water and then drunk.
It is rubbed with the fresh leaves on the infected skin as gel.
Fresh leaves are squashed and mixed with water, and about one cup is drunk.
Oral
Dermal
Oral
NA27

Rumex nepalensis Spreng (Polygonaceae)
Tult
H
Blood pressure
Stomachache
R

About the size of fingertip of root is chewed and the juice is taken daily.
Chewing and taking the sap.
Oral
Oral
NA38

Rumex nervosus Vahl (Polygonaceae)
Enbuacho
S
Burn
St
The powder of roasted stem is mixed with butter and applied on the skin.
Dermal
NA43

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae)
Tila-adam
H
Common cold
Stomachache
St and L
L
Fresh stem and leaf are boiled with coffee or tea then drunk.
The fresh leaf is immersed with cold water for 24 hrs and drunk.
Oral
Oral
NA42

Sida schimperiana Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Malvaceae)
Chifrg
S
Dysentery
L
The dried leaf is ground and mixed in a cup of water. Drink two spoon solutions after shaking.
Oral
NA50

Solanum anguivi Lam. Hochst ex A. Rich. (Solanaceae)
Zercho enbuay
S
Eczema
Fr
The fruits along with Myrtus communis and spices are crushed, mixed with butter, and stained for consecutive days.
Dermal
NA41

Solanum marginatum L.f.
Enbuay
S
Toothache
Fr
The fruit sap is applied on affected tooth drop by drop.
Oral
NA44

Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae)
Awit
H
Itching
Fr
Watery/fluid of the fruit is applied on the skin part.
Dermal
NA85

Stephania abyssinica (Dill. & A. Rich.) Walp. (Menispermaceae)
Yayit jero
Cl
To increase mental activity
R
Dry smashed root is mixed with “Abish” and then drunk with one cup of coffee.
Oral
NA86

Urtica simensis Stedel
Samma
H
Gastritis
L 
Sh
Prepare in the form of stew and eat with bread (“Injera”)
Oral
NA88

Verbasicum siniaticum Benth.
Qetentina
H
Gastritis
R
Juice is extracted from fresh root and then drunk.
Oral
NA70

Verbena officinalis L. (Verbenaceae)
Atuch
H
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomachache
Heartburn
R

Sap of the fresh root is chewed and swallowed for three days.
Root is crushed, squeezed, and given to the patient.
Oral

NA71

Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Asteraceae)
Girawa
S
Stomachache
Intestinal parasite
L
Fresh leaf is mixed with water, crushed, and squeezed, decanted, and drunk.
Juice is extracted from fresh leaf and taken orally (one cup).
Oral

NA92

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae)
Gizewa
S
Fibril illness
L
Its leaf is crushed along with Allium sativum and the whole body is rubbed or the leaf is boiled with water and the vapour is inhaled.
Dermal
NA93

Zehneria scabra (Linn. F.) Sondll. (Cucurbitaceae)
Harg ressa
Cl
Sun-strike
L
It is crushed, mixed with water, and decanted, and then one cup is drunk or the stem is boiled and inhaled.
Oral
NA64

Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Zinjible
H
Stomachache
Rh
Chewing and eating.
Oral
NA66

Note. plant species. plant species which are used in the treatment of both human and livestock ailments.

Table 3: List of medicinal plants used for treating livestock diseases in the study area, with scientific name, family, local name, habit (Ha), shrub (S), tree (T), herb (H), climber (Cl), seed (Se), fruit (Fr), flower (Fl), shoot (Sh), collection number (Coll. No.), source, condition of preparation (fresh/F and dry/D), parts used (PU), root (R), leaf (L), stem (St), bark (Ba), and rhizome (Rh).

Scientific name, family
Local name
(Amharic)
Ha
Disease treated
PU
Preparations, conditions of plants used, and mode of applications
Route
Voucher number

Achyranthes aspera Lam. (Amaranthaceae)
Telenj
H
Eye infection
R
Fresh root is crushed and mixed with water and then dropped into the cattle’s eye.
Eye
NA10

Capparis tomentosa Lam. (Capparidaceae)
Gumero
S
Evil sprit
R
Fumigation of dried root.
Nasal/oral
NA6

Clausena anisata (Willd.) J. D. Hook. Ex. Benth. (Rutaceae)
Limich
S
Coccidiosis
L
The leaves are squashed and extracted by water then the juice is given to chicken pox one or two spoon with bread.
Oral
NA81

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. (Poaceae)
Tejesar
H
Anthrax/unspecified disease
R
Dried root powder is mixed with fresh water and then given to cattle.
Oral
NA82

Dracaena steudneri Engl. (Dracaenaceae)
Merqo
T
Evil sprit
Ba
The juice is extracted from inner part of the bark and mixed with water and then given to animals for 2-3 days.
Oral
NA67

Embelia schimperi Vatke (Myrsinaceae)
Enqoqo
S
Unspecified disease
L
Its fresh leaves along with the leaves of Phytolacca dodecandra could be crushed, squeezed, decanted and given to cattle.
Oral
NA73

Euclea racemosa (DC) Dandy (Ebenaceae)
Dedeho
S
Wound
L
Leaf powder is applied topically on the wounds of livestock.
Dermal
NA79

Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel. (Euphorbiaceae)
Qulqual
T
Rabies
R
The root crushed and mixed with food and then given to dog.
Oral
NA91

Grewia ferruginea Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Tiliaceae)
Lenquata
S
Placenta retention
L
Leaves pounded, mixed with water, and then given to cattle to drink.
Oral
NA21

Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. (Asteraceae)
Nug
H
Leech
Se
The seed is pounded and boiled with water then after cooling applied through nasal cavity to expel the parasite one cup.
Nasal
NA84

Inula confertiflora A. Rich. (Asteraceae)
Woynagift
S
Infected eye
L
Fresh leaves crushed, squeezed, and dropped into eye.
Eye
NA89

Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. ex Nees) T. Anders. (Acanthaceae)
Smiza
S
Coccidiosis
Unspecified disease
(“Qurba”)
L
The leaves are squashed and extracted with water, then one or two spoons of juice are given to chicken.
Its leaves along with the leaves of Ricinus communis are crushed, squeezed, mixed, and decanted, and then about one can is given to cattle.
Oral
Oral
NA15

Lagenaria abyssinica (Hook. f.) C. Jeffrey (Cucurbitaceae)
Qil
Cl
Leech
Fr
Fresh fruit sap is given to cattle.
Nasal
NA54

Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae)
Nim
T
Insect repellent
L
Leaves and juice sprayed in the house (on infected cattle skin).
Dermal
NA52

Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae)
Tinbaho
S
Leech
L
Leaves crushed, squeezed, and dropped into the cattle’s nostril.
Nasal
NA62

Otostegia integrifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae)
Tunjit
S
Leech
L
Leaf juice is squashed and applied through nasal cavity to expel the parasite.
Nasal
NA47

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Rosaceae)
Kok
S
Diarrhea
L
Crushed and immersed in water for few minutes and then given to calf.
Oral
NA16

Rhamnus prinoides L’ Herit (Rhamnaceae)
Gesho
S
Leech
L
Leaf juice is pounded with water and applied through nasal cavity to expel the parasite
Nasal
NA27

Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae)

H
Cough
Wh
Whole plant concoction is drunk (given to cattle).
Oral
NA65

Salvia schimperi Benth. (Lamiaceae)
Yahiya Jero
H
Coccidiosis
L
Fresh leaf is mixed with Ruta chalepensis leaf and Allium sativum bulb; squeezed juice mixed with water is given orally to hen.
Oral
NA58

Solanecio gigas Vatke. (Asteraceae)
Yeshikoko gomen
S
Dysentery
Bloating
L
The whole leaf is given to cattle.
The leaf is pounded, squeezed, and added through nose.
Oral
Nasal
NA57

Solanum marginatum L.f. (Solanaceae)
Enbuay
S
Leech
External parasite
Fr
The fruits’ sap is dropped into nostril.
The cattle’s skin is rubbed with the fluid.
Nasal
Dermal
NA44

Verbasicum sinaiticum Benth. (Scrophulariaceae)
Qetentina
H
Rabies
L
Juice squashed from fresh leaf and then given to the dog with milk and food.
Oral
NA70

Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)
Zinjibl
H
Stomachache
R
Fresh rhizome crushed is mixed with salt and then dissolved by water and one cup is given.
Oral
NA66

Note. plant species. plant species which are used in the treatment of both human and livestock ailments.

The ethnobotanical study of MPs in Gozamin Wereda showed that plant medicines are used by a large amount of the population and it is the most important means of treating some common human and livestock ailments such as wound, stomachache, dysentery, diarrhea, gastritis, eczema, eye disease, snakebite, malaria, tapeworm, toothache, evil eye, cough, hemorrhoids, febrile illness, anthrax, control of leech, external animal parasites, tonsillitis, and fever especially for those community members who cannot buy the modern medicines with a relatively higher price.

3.5.2. Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Natural Habitat and Home-Garden

Most medicinal plants were collected in their natural habitat which account for 42 (45%) whereas 28 (30%) medicinal plants were from home-garden and 23 (25%) were from both home-garden and the wild (Figure 4). Various studies conducted in Ethiopia as well as other countries in the world reported that majority of MPs were harvested from the wild [32–34]. Here, our findings revealed that many MPs were also collected from home-gardens. This indicated that the people and the local healers have started cultivating many MPs in their gardens.

Figure 4: Diversity of medicinal plants in natural habitat and home-garden.

3.5.3. Plant Parts Used in the Study Area

Every part of different plant species is used against a variety of ailments. As per the informant’s response, the most commonly used part is the leaf (39), followed by root (16), seed (13), fruit, latex, leaf/or fruit, and stem (4, each) (Figure 5). In some cases, more than one organ of the same plant species, particularly a combination of parts, is used in the preparation of different therapies (see also Tables 2 and 3). It was also observed that the indigenous people have deep knowledge and age-old experience in the right mix of different plant parts to get better treatment of the given ailment. In this study, leaves are the most frequently utilized part of plant organs. Analogous results on different ethnobotanical studies by Giday et al. [12], Megersa et al. [23], Kefalew et al. [24], Gebeyehu et al. [31], Tolasa [32], and Lulekal et al. [33] were reported in Ethiopia.

Figure 5: Plant parts used by Gozamin’s community.

It was reported that the ease of accessibility to leaves explains their frequent inclusion in most of the preparations [35]. It was also observed that residents have been using leaves to identify MPs. Additionally, leaves are the main photosynthetic organs in plants, and photosynthates are translocated to other parts, such as the root, stem, fruit, and seed. These can act as toxins for protection of predators and some are of medicinal value to humans.

On the other hand, the results of the study showed that harvesting of roots has great impact on the plants and leads to the dearth of the MPs. Fortunately, the plant parts which are mostly used for the preparation of the remedies in the study area were leaves and harvesting of leaves has less impact on the plant than harvesting of roots.

3.6. Disease Categories in the Study Area

Diseases can be categorized in different ways as dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and so on. Based on the information obtained in the study site, the most prevalent diseases are related to skin (dermatology) and gastrointestinal ones (31%, each) followed by livestock (19%) and other diseases (15%) (Figure 6). The study showed that dermatological diseases such as wound, skin rush, itching, and eczema are prevalent and a number of MPs were found to be cited so as to treat these skin diseases. Similarly, gastrointestinal diseases like stomachache, gastritis, abdominal pain, intestinal parasite, dysentery, diarrhea, vomiting, hepatitis, and other related diseases were treated by many MPs. Respiratory and other diseases were also treated by various MPs (Figure 6; Tables 2 and 3).

Figure 6: Categories of disease.

The health problems could be as inverse as the MPs and associated ecological zones. For example, Tolasa [32] reported 49 human health problems, which have been treated by 85 different MPs. Awas and Demissew [36] and Gebeyehu et al. [31] identified skin disease as the most commonly reported health problems in Kafficho people, Menjarna Shenkora and Mecha districts, respectively. On one hand Belayneh et al. [37] and Lulekal et al. [27] reported gastrointestinal diseases as the major human health problems. On the other hand, Mesfin et al. [34] reported malaria as the most common human health problem of Wonago district.

3.7. Diversity of Medicinal Plants in terms of Families

In this study different families of MPs were recorded. Among them Asteraceae is the most dominant family that holds 9 (9.68%) plant species followed by Solanaceae having 7 (7.53%) species. Other taxa commonly used are Cucurbitaceae and Lamiaceae (each 5 spp.), Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae (each 4 spp.), Brassicaceae, Poaceae, and Rosaceae (each 3). The remaining forty-two (42) families hold fifty plant species. Eight of them account for two species. The rest of the families signify one species (Figure 7; Tables 2 and 3). Our finding agreed with the finding of Gebeyehu et al. [31] in which Asteraceae is the dominant family followed by Solanaceae. Etana [38] also reported that Asteraceae is the dominant family followed by Fabaceae. This may be because the weedy nature of the family Asteraceae takes advantage of disturbance.

Figure 7: Families represented by highest number of medicinal plant species.

3.8. Habits of Medicinal Plants Which Treat Diseases

The finding shows that the most widely used MPs habits in the different Kebeles of the study areas were herbs, 42 (45%), followed by shrubs 29 (31%). Trees and climbers account for 15 (16%) and 7 (8%), respectively (see Figure 8). Herbs are largest in number; this may be because the plant species exhibit high level of abundance and it is easy to access them. The results of this finding agreed with the findings of other indigenous researchers including Berhan et al. [15], Giday et al. [12], and Teklehaymanot and Giday [39]. On the contrary, the findings of Hunde et al. [14], Giday and Ameni [9], Lulekal et al. [33], and Mesfin et al. [34] revealed that shrubs are the most commonly used habits in their respective different study sites of Ethiopia.

Figure 8: Habits of medicinal plants.

3.9. Traditional Methods of Preparation, Condition, and Route of Application

The popular method of preparation of traditional medicine is crushing and squeezing accounting for 54 (45%) followed by powdering (powder form), 22 (18%). It was also recorded that 13 (11%) were prepared in juice form, 9 (8%) in boiling form, 8 (7%) in chewing form, and 4 (3%) in the form of fumigation and immersion (each). Other methods such as paste form, raw form, and the like accounted for 6 (5%) (Figure 9). Methods can be used for human and livestock problem except chewing which is used only for humans.

Figure 9: Ways of preparation of traditional medicine in the study area.

Based on the informants’ information the most popular method of preparation of remedy in the study area was crushing. This finding is in line with the results of Yineger and Yewhalaw [16], Getaneh [30], and Amsalu et al. [28]. However, Mesfin et al. [34], in a similar study on people of Wonago Wereda, reported that powdering was dominant method of preparation of remedy.

The result in the conditions of plant part used indicated that most medicines (about 61%) of traditional MPs were prepared from fresh plant materials in the study site whereas 30% and 9% of medicinal plants were reported to be used dry and in both dry or fresh form, respectively (Figure 10). The most common use employs fresh (intact or pounded/crushed) leaves for external administration.

Figure 10: Conditions of preparations of traditional medicine in the study area.

This finding is also consistent with the finding of [23, 26, 28–30, 32, 34, 36, 40] that reported that the majority of the remedy preparations were in fresh form. In contrast with this, Tolasa [32] stated that 60% of the preparations are fresh or dried followed by fresh, 36.47%, and dried, 14%.

Respondents argued that they use fresh plant parts mostly because they believe that using fresh materials increases efficacy as compared to the dry ones. This is because of the fact that the ingredients may be lost or reduced when the plants became dry. Nevertheless, this contributes much a lot to the threats of MPs given that local people have no practice of preserving dry form of traditional medicine.

On the other hand, the most common route of administration is internal particularly oral that accounted for 51.61% followed by dermal, 24.73%. The oral/dermal, nasal, and nasal/oral ones and others are indicated in Figure 11. This result is being in agreement with the findings made by Megersa et al. [23] and Amsalu et al. [28], who reported that the leading route of application used by the given community in their respective study areas of remedies is taking orally.

Figure 11: Route of administrations.

3.9.1. Dosage

Dosages were estimated using lid spoons, pinches, or handfuls (“woket”) (for powder preparations), cups (“sini” or “finjal”), “tassa” (can), and glasses (birchiko) (for liquid mixtures to be administered), numbers or in some cases handfuls (for leaf, seed, and fruits), and “atik” (for roots, stems, or barks). The measurements used to determine the dosages are not standardized and depend on the age, physical appearance of the patient, degree of the illness, diagnosis, and experience of individual herbalists/knowledgeable person. Children are given less than adults, such as one-fourth of a coffee cup whereas an adult is given up to one glass depending on the type of illness and treatment. Getahun [40] and Abebe [41] were also reporting independently lack of precision and standardization as drawback for the recognition of the traditional healthcare system. Giday and Ameni [9] also reported similar results.

3.10. Ranking of Medicinal Plants

3.10.1. Preference Ranking

If a number of species are prescribed for the same ailment, people would tend to show preference of one over the other. Thus, preference ranking of six MPs which were reported against leach (livestock disease) was conducted after selecting six key informants. The informants were asked to compare the given MPs based on their efficacy and to give the highest number (5) for the medicinal plant which they thought most effective against leech and the lowest number (1) for the least effective plant in treating the disease. The results showed that Nicotiana tabacum was the most preferred followed by Rhamnus prinoides and Solanum marginatum (see Table 4).

Table 4: Preference ranking of six medicinal plants against leech in livestock (cited by six respondents).

Medicinal plants
Respondents ()
Total
Rank

Guizotia abyssinica
3
2
2
2
2
1
12
6th

Lagenaria abyssinica
3
2
2
3
2
2
14
5th

Otostegia integrifolia
1
4
3
3
3
2
16
4th

Rhamnus prinoides
4
4
3
4
4
4
23
2nd

Solanum marginatum
4
4
3
4
4
4
23
3rd

Nicotiana tabacum
4
4
3
4
5
5
25
1st

Note. Scores in the table indicate ranks given to medicinal plants based on their efficacy. Highest number (5) is given to the medicinal plant which informants thought to be most effective in treating leech and the lowest number (1) is given to the least effective plant.

Result of the preference ranking exercise also indicated that Nicotiana tabacum is the most preferred ethnoveterinary MPs used to treat leech, the most commonly reported disease in the area. This may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds against leech in this plant species. Hence, the species should be further investigated in the laboratory for further activities and even against different ailments.

3.10.2. Paired Comparison

In this study, seven key informants made the pairwise comparisons of five MPs and the values were summarized as follows. It was found that Acmella caulirhiza species stood first followed by Laggera tomentosa for the treatment of toothache. Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Solanum marginatum, and Momordica foetida were placed 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively (Table 5). This rank is because of the effectiveness of the plant in the point of view of the indigenous people of Gozamin Wereda.

Table 5: Paired comparison of five medicinal plants used to treat toothache.

Medicinal plants
Respondents ()
Total
Rank

Acmella caulirhiza
3
4
4
4
3
5
3
27
1st

Laggera tomentosa
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
23
2nd

Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
19
3rd

Solanum marginatum
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
17
4th

Momordica foetida
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
16
5th

Note. A paired comparison of five highly cited MPs used to treat a highly cited human ailment (toothache).

3.10.3. Direct Matrix Ranking

Many MPs were found to be used for different purposes in addition to their medicinal values. The major uses include firewood, furniture, forage, charcoal, and eating. For ranking seven key informants were asked to give value, 5 to the most used plant for that particular purpose and 0 to the least used one. In view of that, Cordia africana was found to be the most multipurpose plant scoring 93, followed by Carissa spinarum scoring 87, and the least one was Croton macrostachyus having score of 72 (Table 6). The highest direct matrix ranking on the topic of Cordia africana was also reported in Gebeyehu et al. [31]. This confirms that as the value is getting high the plants have multiple uses in the context of the local community.

Table 6: Direct matrix ranking for the multipurpose of six medicinal plants [average score of 7 key informants (5 to the most used plant for that particular purpose and 0 to the least used one)].

Medicinal plants
Use categories
Total
Rank

Medicine
Firewood
Furniture
Forage
Soil con.
Edible

Cordia africana
24
20
24
5
10
10
93
1st

Carissa spinarum
27
17
5
10
12
16
87
2nd

Prunus africanus
20
21
20
5
8
8
82
3rd

Olea europaea subsp. cuspidate
20
22
14
5
9
5
75
4th

Vernonia amygdalina
30
20
15
0
8
0
73
5th

Croton macrostachyus
29
19
18
0
6
0
72
6th

Direct matrix of randomly selected MPs with different uses including medicinal value on given use criteria revealed that MPs broadly collected for different purposes such as charcoal, construction, fencing, firewood, forage, furniture, and the like were also indicated [28, 38].

3.11. Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity (JCS)

Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity (JCS) revealed that the study area has the highest similarity with 45 common species (34.66%) to the study conducted around Wonago Wereda, followed by 40 common species (28%) with Debre Libanos Wereda, followed by 39 common species (21.91) with Chelya Wereda, followed by 30 common species (17.65) having similarity to Gimbi Wereda, followed by 23 common species (17.16%) having similarity to Zegie. The least similarity was linked with the study conducted on Bale Mountain National Park (Table 7).

Table 7: Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity index with six other areas with respect to plants species composition.

Sample of study areas
A
B
C
JCS%
References

Gozamin Wereda
93
-
-
-
Present

Bale Mountain National Park
101
86
15
7.42
Yineger et al. 2008

Chelya District
89
50
39
21.91
Amenu, 2007

Debre Libanos District
90
50
40
22.22
Getaneh, 2009

Gimbi District
85
55
30
17.65
Tolasa, 2007

Wonago District
65
20
45
34.66
Mesfin et al. 2009

Zegie Peninsula
67
44
23
17.16
Teklehaymanot and Giday, 2007

3.12. Fidelity Level

Fidelity levels were calculated for Plumbago zeylanica, Prunus africanus, Solanum anguivi Lam., and Withania somnifera having highest scores (100%) which treat diseases like wounds, eczema, and fibril illness (Table 8). On the other hand, Rhamnus prinoides which treats tonsillitis, skin infection, and dysentery has the least score (50%) (Table 8). Plants that are known as remedies of a single ailment have 100% fidelity level as compared to those that are used as remedies for more than one type of aliment. Most of the plants with high FL values have pharmacological effects that have been proven scientifically. On the other hand, the lowest one indicated less preferred species for treating specific ailments. In contrast, these plants have been widely used against several diseases. Plants with highest fidelity level values could also be targeted for further photochemical investigation to prove the bioactive components that are responsible for their high healing potential [42].

Table 8: Fidelity level of traditional medicinal plants cited by informants against the corresponding human ailment.

Plant species
Diseases treated

FL values (%)

Plumbago zeylanica
Wounds
7
7
100

Prunus africanus
Wounds
8
8
100

Solanum anguivi Lam.
Eczema
10
10
100

Withania somnifera
Fibril illness
5
5
100

Verbena officinalis
Stomachache and intestinal parasite
12
15
80

Rumex nepalensis
Blood pressure and stomachache
18
24
75

Brucea antidysenterica
Diarrhea, wound and leishmaniasis
15
20
75

Laggera tomentosa
Common cold and toothache
25
35
71.42

Carica papaya
Gastritis, malaria, and diarrhea
25
45
55.56

Rhamnus prinoides
Tonsillitis, skin infection, and dysentery
20
40
50

FL = fidelity level; = number of informants who independently cited the importance of a species for treating a particular disease; = total number of informants who reported the plant for any given disease.

3.13. Nutraceuticals

Of the total MPs collected, twenty (21.51%) of them are used as a source of both medicine and food (nutraceuticals). The ethnobotanical information revealed that many food crops have medicinal effects (Table 9). The following plants like Allium sativum, Brassica carinata, Brassica nigra, and so on are directly used as a source of medicine and food in the study area of the given community. From this one can easily understand that the local people have IK and age-old experience in the use of plants as a source of medicine and nutrition. Similar findings were reported by Reta [43]. Most TMPs are safe, some are nutraceuticals, some are functional foods (wild fruits, vegetables, and other crops), and hence they are preferred.

Table 9: Lists of nutraceutical (used as both food and medicine) plants.

Botanical names
Family
Local names
(Amharic)
Uses as food
Disease treated

Allium sativum
Alliaceae
Nech shinkurt
Bulb and leaf as food
Cough, evil eye, asthma

Brassica carinata
Brassicaceae
Gomen
Leaf/seed as food; oil
Skin rush

Brassica nigra
Brassicaceae
Sinafich
Used as spice
Abdominal pain

Capsicum annum
Solanaceae
Qaria
Fruit used as spice
Vomiting, dysentery

Carissa spinarum
Apocynaceae
Agam
Edible fruit
Evil eye

Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
Bunna
As stimulant
Wound

Eragrostis tef
Poaceae
Teff
Human food
Bone fracture

Ficus sur
Moraceae
Shoal
Edible fruit
Dysentery

Foeniculum vulgare
Brassicaceae
Ensilal
Used as spice
Abdominal pain

Guizotia abyssinica
Asteraceae
Nug
Sources of oil and fodder
Leech

Hordeum vulgare
Poaceae
Gebis
Food and fodder
Gastritis

Linum usitatissimum
Linaceae
Telba
Oil crop and fodder
Gastritis

Lepidium sativum
Brassicaceae
Feto
Used as spices/food
Diarrhea

Lupinus albus
Fabaceae
Gibito
Seed used as food
Hypertension

Nigella sativa
Apiaceae
Tiqur-azmud
Used as spice
Common cold, asthma

Prunus persica
Rosaceae
Kok
Edible fruit
Diarrhea

Rhamnus prinoides
Rhamnaceae
Gesho
Stimulant/spices
Leech, tonsils, skin infection

Ruta chalepensis
Rutaceae
Tila-adam
Seed/leaf as spices
Stomachache

Urtica simensis
Urticaceae
Samma
Edible leaf
Gastritis

Zingiber officinale
Zingiberaceae
Zinjibl
Used as spice
Stomachache

3.14. Threatened and Endemic Medicinal Plants in the Study Area

In the study area, ethnobotanical information disclosed that MPs like Hagenia abyssinica, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Podocarpus falcatus, Juniperus procera, Euphorbia abyssinica, Myrica salicifolia, Cucumis ficifolius, Withania somnifera, Cordia africana, Brucea antidysenterica, Ficus sur, and Millettia ferruginea are highly threatened. Medicinal plants documented as endemic from Ethiopia to the study site were Brassica carinata, Eragrostis tef, Cynoglossum coeruleum, Echinops kebericho, Erythrina brucei, Guizotia abyssinica, Inula confertiflora, Lippia adoensis, Lobelia rhynchopetalum, Millettia ferruginea, Solanecio gigas, and Urtica simensis which accounted for 13% (12 plant species) of the total collected MPs. Out of these, Cynoglossum coeruleum, Inula confertiflora, Laggera tomentosa, and Lobelia rhynchopetalum are nearly threatened while Lippia adoensis, Solanecio gigas, and Urtica simensis were under least concern (LN) [44]. This list could be used for collection of the rare plants of Ethiopia and contribute to national plant conservation target.

3.15. Threats and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in the Study Area

3.15.1. Threats of Medicinal Plants

As elsewhere in Ethiopia, plant resources are vital for the livelihood of the Amhara people of Gozamin community. In the study sites, the resources are eroded from time to time because of the increment of population. Associated with this, the demand of agriculture (raring of livestock and cultivation) is high and therefore overgrazing and clearance of vegetation/forests are high. There is evidence of remnant plants at the spot in the grazing lands and farmlands of representative Kebeles in the Wereda where the data were collected. This indicates that overgrazing and deforestation were the main cause of the devastation of plants in the study area. Priority ranking factors (Table 10) also indicated that overgrazing contributed the major factor (26.12%) to the threat of MPs followed by charcoal and firewood (23.42%) and deforestation (23.42%) (for agricultural expansion, furniture, and building). Drought and mining are other destructive factors, which account for 14.41% and 12.61% of the total scores, respectively.

Table 10: Ranking of threats on medicinal plants cited by 7 respondents (values 1–5: 1 = the least destructive and 5 = the most destructive) (a single respondent mentioned two or more threats).

Threats
Respondents ()
Total
%
Rank

Overgrazing
5
4
4
5
4
4
3
29
26.12
1st

Charcoal and firewood
4
4
5
4
3
3
3
26
23.42
2nd

Deforestation
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
26
23.42
2nd

Drought
3
3
3
2
1
2
2
16
14.41
4th

Mining
3
2
3
2
1
1
2
14
12.61
5th

Almost all of the informants are familiar with one and more than one threat for the scarcity of medicinal plants in the study area. Deforestation for firewood, charcoal, construction, agriculture, and mining is common practice in the study areas. The previous vegetation site has been changed drastically and the most useful plant species are at risk and they are on the way to be vanished. Similarly, Balemi et al. [13] reported that overgrazing was principal threat to MPs in Fentalle area. On the other hand, the findings of Leulekal et al. [33], Megersa et al. [23], and Chekole et al. [25] indicated that intense deforestation became the major threat on MPs in their respective study sites. Berhanu et al. [15] and Kefalew et al. [24] also reported that agricultural expansion was the major factor contributing to the local decline of medicinal plants.

3.16. Conservation and Management Practices

In Gozamin Wereda, irregular remnants of aged dry Afromontane evergreen forests that contain many MPs can be found mainly around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches. Hence, someone sees a patch of indigenous old-aged trees in the study area; he/she can be sure that there is an Orthodox Church in the middle. Patches of forests are visible from a great distance. Similar findings were reported in Chekole et al. [25]. This shows that culture, belief, and religion contribute much a lot to the conservation of MPs.

Some traditional practitioners in the study area have brought the different curative plans from different corners and started to conserve these MPs by cultivating at home-gardens. On the topic of this, Asfaw [11] in his findings reported that the home-garden is a strategic and ideal farming system for conservation, production, and enhancement of MPs and valuable IK. The same information was also documented by Etana [38].

Likewise, few management practices are carried out in the home-gardens of Gozamin’s indigenous people. One of the practices is to the make an effort for maintaining diverse plant species in the garden as much as possible. Diversity is achieved through planting and protecting annual and perennial herbs and woody perennials in combinations. Management practices like intercropping and crop rotation were observed among very few farmers of the study area. In doing so, herbal remedies continued to exist because of the existence of other plant species. As a result, indigenous people can be excellent conservators of plant diversity. However, according to the informants, in most cases attempts regarding conservation were weak. Similarly, Lulekal et al. [27] reported that although traditional practitioners and local communities in their study sites mainly depend on the natural environment for collecting MPs, the effort to conserve and sustainably utilize resources was frail.

4. Conclusions

Through the ethnobotanical survey conducted from January 5, 2014, to February 15, 2015, a total of 93 MPs under 51 families and 87 genera were recorded and documented from 12 sample Kebeles of the local people for the treatment of different human and livestock ailments. The majority of the reported medicinal plant species were harvested from natural habitats. Furthermore, about 13% of medicinal plants of the study area were found endemic to Ethiopia. Both human and livestock health problems were most frequently treated by fresh plant material. Herbs were reported as the most dominant growth forms in the preparation of traditional remedies followed by shrubs, trees, and climbers. Leaves followed by roots were the dominant plant parts used for preparation of most remedies.

This study showed that traditional herbal medicine is playing a significant role in meeting the primary healthcare needs of Gozamin community. Acceptance of traditional herbal medicine and limited access to modern healthcare services could be considered as the main factors for the continuation of the practice. Some plant species were also reported to have uses other than their medicinal values. However, the efforts on the use and conservation of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge were observed to be poor. Hence, awareness about the need for in situ and ex situ conservation should be created among the local communities and urgent measures must be given to threatened plant species.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ Contributions

All authors had significant intellectual contribution to the design of the study, data collection and analysis, and write-up of the manuscript. Authors conducted the fieldwork, identified the plants, analyzed the data, wrote the draft manuscript, and actively followed it up through revisions up to submission and after. Nigussie Amsalu designed the study, collected data, and confirmed the identification of the plants and data analysis; Yilkal Bezie was responsible for data collection, data analysis, and write-up and checked the final version; Mulugeta Fentahun was responsible for data collection, reviewed and edited the draft manuscript, provided comments and suggestions, and checked its final version. Addisu Alemayehu and Gashaw Amsalu were also responsible for data collection and reviewing the paper and hence all authors read and approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from Research and Directorate Office of Debre Markos University in implementing this research. They are indebted to the inhabitants of Gozamin Wereda, especially herbal healers who undeservedly shared with them their knowledge on MPs along with their wonderful hospitality and kind response to their inquiries on information in the study areas during field activities. Finally, they would like to extend their gratitude to Wereda Agricultural and Rural Development Office for providing various secondary basic data in support of their study.

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