A STUDY ON MEDICINAL PLANTS OF GAMO PEOPLE: THE CASE OF BONKE WOREDA, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study on medicinal plants was conducted in Bonke Woreda SNNPRS, Gamo Gofa, Ethiopia with the general objective of investigating traditional medicinal practice, identifying and documenting medicinal plant species and associated traditional knowledge, and assessing threats to medicinal plant resources are used. Information was gathered from 70 informants (53 males and 17 females). The informants, except the healers, were selected randomly. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, guided field walk, group discussion procedures. Seventy eight plant species belonging to 69 genera and 47 families were identified as resources that have been used to treat 57 ailments in the study area. Of these, 56 medicinal plants were reported to have been used for curing human ailments, 10 for livestock ailments whereas 12 for both human and livestock ailments. Most of the medicinal species were collected from home gardens followed by wild habitats. While the most frequently utilized medicinal plant parts were leaves and roots, the most frequently treated ailments using the medicinal plants are stomach disease followed by pneumonia and evil eye whereas the widely used administration is oral followed by dermal application. The study revealed that Ocimum lamiifolium is the most popularly preferable medicinal plant followed by Ruta chalepensis and Echinops kebericho; Ruta chalepensis is the most preferred and most effective medicinal plant to cure stomach diseases; Datura stramonium is the most effective medicinal plant to cure diarrhea. Direct matrix analysis showed that Dodonaea angustifolia ranked first and it is the most preferred plant by local people for various uses. In the study area, the traditional medicinal practice, medicinal plants and the associated knowledge are heavily threatened by some major factors. Taking appropriate interventions is recommended so as to ensure continuation of the traditional medicinal practice on which the local health care system relies.