ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TO TREAT HUMAN AND LIVESTOCK DISEASES IN MALGA WOREDA OF SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the species rich countries in the world and the center of origin with regared to the diversity of many plant species. Ethnobotanical studies are vital to investigate the diverse biological resources for medicinal purposes. The objective of this study was to identify and document traditional medicinal plants used by the people in Malga district for treatment of both human and livestock ailments. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. The information was collected from January 2024 to April 2024 through semistructured interviews, field observations, market survey and focus group discusions. For the interviews a total 120 knowlegable informants were sampled through purposive sampling method. Of which 20 key informants were identified with the help of elders and local administrators from the informants involved in the interviews. . Figure, table, percentage and frequency were used to present the data. Preference ranking, Paired comparison, direct matrix ranking, Informant consensus factor and Fidelity level were used to quantify the collected ethnobotanical data. A total of 84 medicinal plant species belonging to 80 genera and 50 families were identified, with the Solanaceae family being the most dominant one. The plant habits consisted of herbs, trees, shrubs, and climbers,with natural vegetation and home gardens being the main sources. Leaves were the most commonly used plant parts followed by root and seed; with crushing being the most dominant type of method for remedy preparation, followed by chewing and powdering, and oral routes being the most dominant type of drug administration, followed by dermal. Allium sativum was medicinal plant with higher informants’ consensus. The disease with higher ICF rate (0.90) was febrillness. Factors threatening traditional medicinal plants in the study area include agricultural expansion, fuel wood, overgrazing and overharvesting medicinal plants. Conservation of medicinal plants in home gardens, replanting, use of alternative source of energy, living fence and terracing were recommended by the local people to conserve and protect the areas that are used as a source of medicinal plant species.