A Survey of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in Dabat District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was aimed at obtaining information on the use of medicinal plants by traditional healers in Dabat district for the treatment of human disorders. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data pertaining to plants commonly used to treat health problems and the way traditional healers prepare the medicaments/ remedies. The informants were traditional healers living in Dabat district who volunteered to participate in the study. Dabat district is located in Northwestern Ethiopia, and is approximately 814 Km from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Thirty-one traditional healers were interviewed and 66 traditionally used medicinal plants were reported. Fifty-one plants included in 35 families were identified taxonomically at species level, while 15 were only known by their vernacular names. Forty-four medicinal plants were used as single remedy and 13 herbal preparations were composite remedies. The medicinal plants reported are claimed to treat the prevalent diseases of the district. Herbal medicine might, therefore, play a great role in the primary health care system of the district. Keywords: medicinal plants, traditional healers, semi-structured questionnaire, Dabat district, Northwestern EthiopiaEthiopian Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 25 (2) 2007: pp. 131-144