Ethnobotanical Study Of Medicinal Plants Used To Treat Human Diseases In Lemmu And Bilbilo District, Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethnobotany is defined as the study of local people’s interaction with the natural environment: how they classify, manage and use plants available around them. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people of Lemmu and Bilbilo was to assess medicinal plants used for treatment of human diseases and associated knowledge in the district and it was carried out from December 2022 to February 2023. Relevant data was collected by using semi-structured interview, field observation, focus group discussion and market survey. Data was collected from 100 informants, (83 M and 17 F). Informants were selected with purposive and random sampling techniques. However, among the informants, 76 were randomly selected from three Kebeles whereas, 24 key informants were purposively selected based on recommendations from local elders. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency, preference ranking, paired comparison, and direct matrix ranking were used for data analysis. A total of 73 plant species, representing 62 genera and 40 families, were collected. The most diverse families in terms of species composition were Asteracaeae 6(8.22%), Fabaceae 6(8.22%) and Solanaceae 6(8.22%) species followed by Euphorbiaceae (5.48%) species. Herbs were found to be the widely used life forms and this accounts for 31 plant species (42.47%)and followed by shrubs 23 (31.51%). Leaves (41.35%) were the study area’s most commonly used plant parts for preparing traditional remedies. Preparations are made from fresh (59.4%) by pounding and crushing. Oral administration was the predominant mode of administration, accounting for 63%. Concerning informant consensus factor, the highest ICF values were linked to problems associated with Snake bite (0.93). Preference ranking showed that people of the area have preference for Asparagus africanus for the treatment of Wound. Paired comparison showed that Ocimum lamiifolium was the most preferred plant to treat Fibrile illness. Direct matrix ranking showed Cordia africana as the most utilized species by the community. Major conservation threats included agricultural expansion, charcoal production, and fire wood collection, cutting down trees for construction; overgrazing and house hold materials such as furniture made from timbers. There was no record that indicated the severe conservation impacts of overharvesting of medicinal plants and their parts in the current study area. In addition to having positive attitude of the local communities to the conservation of natural resources, supplementary environmental education with regard to sustainable uses of medicinal plants could be useful.