An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Amaya District, South West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

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Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify medicinal plants and document associated indigenous knowledge of the Amaya District’s people related to differentiating the parts of medicinal plants, and their modes of preparation and administration to treat human and livestock diseases in South West Ethiopia. A total of 112 medicinal plant species belonging to 96 genera and 56 families were identified and documented. Most of the medicinal plants harvested were herbs followed by trees. Leaves were the most frequently used medicinal plant parts, followed by seeds and roots to prepare traditional remedies. Pounding was the most widely used mode of preparation in the study area, followed by crushing and chewing. The most commonly used route of administration was oral. The majority of medicinal plants were used in fresh condition to treat diseases. A Pearson correlation test indicated a significant difference between age of informants and number of medicinal plant species cited, and between level of education and number of medicinal plant species cited in the District. Ocimum lamiifolium specie was cited by the highest proportion of informants, and ranked first in treating febrile illness human disease in the study area. Malaria disease category scored the highest number of informant consensus factor value. Acmella caulirhiaz ranked first to treat tonsillitis infections. Cordia africana ranked first as a multipurpose medicinal plant. Farm expansion, firewood collection and lack of interest of the young and learned groups towards traditional medicines were the major threats to medicinal plants. Hence, identification and documentation of the medicinal plant species and the knowledge of the local people on how to prepare and use them is so vital for preserving them. Community based cultivation in home gardens and farmlands besides conserving them in wild, where they grow, are recommended to minimize the loss of those medicinal plants.

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