Keywords
Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; Indigenous knowledge; Enarj Enawga;
Abstract
Background: Traditional plant remedies are still the most important sources of therapeutics for nearly 80% of the Ethiopian population. Like other communities in Ethiopia, traditional plant remedies play a vital role in the primary healthcare system of Enarj Enawga District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of the present study was to document and analyze the use and conservation statuses of medicinal plants in Enarj Enawga District.
Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), preference/priority ranking exercise and Direct Matrix Ranking (DMR) exercise were used to analyze the data.
Results: 111 medicinal plant species belonging to 97 genera and 50 botanical families were reported in the District. Asteraceae (9.01%) was found to be the most dominant plant family in the study area. Most of the medicinal plants belong to the herb (47.75%) and shrub (31.53%) categories. Roots (39.53%) and leaves (35.81%) were the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of remedies. The study also revealed Securidaca longepedunculata as the most threatened medicinal plant in the District.
Conclusion: Although their future use is hampered by poor conservation practices, the diversity of medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge is so immense in the District, promoting appropriate conservation strategy in the study area, Enarj Enawga District.
Citation
Birhan YS, Kitaw SL, Alemayehu YA, Mengesha NM. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human diseases in Enarj Enawga District, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. SM J Med Plant Stud. 2017; 1(1): 1006.