Abstract
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in selected kebeles of Jeldesa cluster, Dire Dawa Administration, eastern Ethiopia was carried out with the aim of assessing and documenting the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used in the communities and preserves it to be used by the next generations. Ethnobotanical data collection was carried out from September 2015 to March 2016. Three study sites (kebeles) were selected purposefully based on the preliminary survey and recommendations of elders in the study area. Ethno-botanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussion. About 24 informants (21 male and 3 female) were involved in this study. A total of 52 medicinal plant species belonging to 43 genera and 30 families were documented for the management of 48 human ailments; with details on their local name, family, habit, habitat, and their mode of preparation and mode of administration. Fabaceae had a relatively high number of species 7(13.5%), followed by Lamiaceae 4 (7.7%). Shrubs constituted 23 species (44%) followed by herbs 19 species (37%). Oral route contributed (57.7%) of the total species, followed by dermal (27.1%). Most of these species (83%) were wild and harvested mainly for their leaves (34%). Most herbal remedies are prepared using fresh plant materials (48%) in the form of crushing (31%). Ailment categories with high ICF value were swollen body parts (Gofla), wounds, and poisonous animal bites that had ICF values of 0.68, 0.66 and 0.64, respectively. Fidelity level index of Euphorbia somalinsis, Xanthium spinosum and Tribulus terrestris for kidney problem, Crotalaria laburnifolia for constipation, Eulophia petersii for swollen body part/GOFLA and Barleria orbicularis, Solanum sepiculum and Echidnopsis dammanniana for snake poison showed a fidelity level of 100% this indicated their outstanding preference for treating the corresponding ailments. The results of the present study also showed that deforestation and human encroachment were ranked 1st and 2nd as threats to conservation of medicinal plants. The present paper represents significant ethnobotanical information on medical plants which provides baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies. Key words: Ethnobotanical study, Jeldesa Cluster, Human ailments, Traditional medicine, indigenous knowledge, Eastern Ethiopia.
Highlights
Ethiopia has a long history of traditional medicine and has developed ways to combat disease through it
Even though encouraging initiatives have emerged in recent years, studies conducted hitherto are far from complete owing to the multiethnic cultural diversity and the diverse flora of Ethiopia (Bekele, 2007; Yineger et al, 2008)
Jeldesa Cluster is consisted of nine rural kebeles (Jeldesa, Ciremiti, Gerba aneno, Mudi aneno, Ayale gumgum Legedini, Debeley, Melkakero and Kulayu) it is located at about 45 km North East of Dire Dawa city
Summary
Ethiopia has a long history of traditional medicine and has developed ways to combat disease through it. It is gifted with a huge potential of medicinal plants and their uses that provide a wide contribution to the treatment of human ailments (Asfaw, 2001; Giday, 2003). Medicinal plants and the associated knowledge are being threatened by ongoing deforestation, environmental degradation and ‘modernization’ (Balemie et al, 2004; Bekele, 2007). All this necessitates the need to investigate the status of medicinal plant resources and knowledge base associated with it for successful resource conservation and development. The information generated enhances the ethnobotanical knowledge of the region and provides recommendations that would help to combat problems in the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants and serve as baseline information for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies
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