Ethnobotanical Studies on Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Humans’ Skin Diseases in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

The ethnobotanical literature review explores the use of medicinal plants in treating skin diseases in Ethiopia, assessing gaps in accessible research papers. 18 scientific papers, including M.Sc. theses, journals, electrons, and proceeding, highlight the safety and cost-effectiveness of these plants. In this ethnomedicinal literature review, a total of “233” species belonging to 71 families under 170 genera were selected from different regions of the country. Taxa commonly used for the treatment of skin disease belong to six families such as Asteraceae (19), Fabaceae (17), Solanaceae (15), Euphorbiaceae (14), Lamiaceae (11) and Malvaceae (10, each) in number of species. Herbs formed a major component (43%), while shrubs, trees, and climbers constitute 32%, 16%, and 9%, respectively. Plant species cure various skin diseases such as dandruff, eczema, skin rash, scabies, inflammation, cuts, wounds, boils, itching, sores, and swellings. The most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of remedies were leaves, followed by roots and/or leaves. Traditional folk medicines hold the heritage of community acceptance because they are derived from indigenous knowledge and skills that also involve theories, beliefs, and experiences. In this review, the current literature on ethnomedicinal plants is summarized, along with a listing of the medicinal plants used for common skin ailments. Based on the reviewed papers, the main threats to medicinal plants in the country were overgrazing, agricultural expansion, firewood, drought, and construction. Thus, the review paper concludes by providing recommendations regarding the scenarios of research in the country.