Medicinal plants used by traditional healers to treat malignancies and other human ailments in

21 Pages·2017·1.1 MB·English

by  Nigatu Tuasha

Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0213-z
RESEARCH Open Access
Medicinal plants used by traditional healers
to treat malignancies and other human
ailments in Dalle District, Sidama Zone,
Ethiopia
Nigatu Tuasha1,2* , Beyene Petros2 and Zemede Asfaw3
Abstract
Background: Medicinal plants (MPs) used by traditional healers (THs) were investigated in Megera and adjacent
subdistricts (kebeles) of Dalle District, Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to identify
andrecordMPsandtheirtraditionalusesinthetreatmentofvarioushumanailmentswithemphasisonmalignancies
andothermostfrequentlyreporteddiseases.
Methods:Traditionalmedicinalknowledgeheldby20THswasinvestigatedfollowingstandardethnobotanical
approaches.Guidedfieldwalk,freelisting,rigorousindividualinterviewswithextendeddiscussions,andlocalmarket
surveyswereemployedtoobtaininformation.Preferencerankings,pairedcomparisons,usevalue(UV)index,frequency
ofcitation(FC),fidelitylevel(FL),andinformantconsensusfactor(ICF)matriceswereengagedtoidentifyMPsusedto
treatmalignanciesandtheothermostprevalenthumanailments.
Results:Seventy-one MP species belonging to 63 genera and 46 families, used to treat 39 human ailments, were
recorded. A high proportion of the species recovered was shrubs (35.2%); while 64.7% were retrieved from the
wild habitat. Leaves were the main part of the MPs used (42.9%), followed by fruits/seeds (13%); all preparations
were made from fresh materials and about 27.9% involved boiling. The frequent route of delivery was oral (77.
9%), followed by dermal (17.6%). About 40.8% of the MPs were used for treating two or more ailments. About 19.
7%oftheMPswereusedtotreatmalignancies(ICF=0.86)amongwhichtheplantspeciesSideroxylonoxyacanthum
wasthemostfrequentlyused(FL=70%).ThespeciesPodocarpusfalcatusandHageniaabyssinicawerepreferredto
treatjaundiceanddeworminhelminthiases,respectively.
Conclusion:The study area is very rich in plant biodiversity, and the herbal medicine is an integral part of the
traditionalhealthcaresystem.TheMPsareexposedtovariousdestructiveanthropogenicactivities,andthissituation
callsforintegratedconservationmeasures.Furthermore,therichethnomedicinalknowledgeheldbytheSidama
communityatlargeandTMpractitioners,inparticular,needsanin-depthstudyanddocumentation.Investigationsof
theMPswithhighICF,FL,andUVstomalignancies,jaundice,andhelminthiasescouldpossiblycontributetofuture
drugdevelopmentefforts.
Keywords:Herbalmedicine,Indigenousknowledge,Sidama,Traditionalhealers
*Correspondence:[email protected]
1CollegeofNaturalandComputationalSciences,Mizan-TepiUniversity,P.O.
Box260,Tepi,Ethiopia
2DepartmentofMicrobial,CellularandMolecularBiology,CollegeofNatural
Sciences,AddisAbabaUniversity,P.O.Box1176,AddisAbaba,Ethiopia
Fulllistofauthorinformationisavailableattheendofthearticle
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InternationalLicense(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/),whichpermitsunrestricteduse,distribution,and
reproductioninanymedium,providedyougiveappropriatecredittotheoriginalauthor(s)andthesource,providealinkto
theCreativeCommonslicense,andindicateifchangesweremade.TheCreativeCommonsPublicDomainDedicationwaiver
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Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page2of21
Background Megera subdistrict (kebele) and three other adjacent
Ethiopia isknownforitsancientcivilizationandishome kebelesofDalleDistrict, Sidama Zone, southernEthiopia.
to people of diverse ethnolinguistic backgrounds [1]. It Emphasis was given to the MPs used to treat various
stretches from about 120 m below sea level (the Kobat malignancies,jaundice,andhelminthiases.
Sink in the Afar depression) to 4543 m above sea level
(the highest peak of Ras Dashen mountain) [2, 3]. This Methods
feature had its share for the creation of varied ecosys- Descriptionofthestudyarea
tems and a high diversity of vascular plants (about 6027 The study was conducted in Megera and three adjacent
species) with 10% endemism [4–7]. More than 1000 kebeles of Dalle District, one of the 21 districts (19 rural
plant species have so far been reported for use in Ethio- and2autonomousadministrativetowns),ofSidamaZone
pia’s traditional herbal medicine, and about 33 of these (Fig. 1). Sidama Zone is located in Southern Nations, Na-
species areendemic tothe country [8,9].Ethiopia isone tionalities and Peoples’ Regional State, Ethiopia. The city
ofthesix plant-rich countries ofAfrica where about 60% of Hawassa, located 275 km south of Addis Ababa, is the
of the plants are said to be indigenous and most of them Regional and Zonal capital. The study area lies about
with healing potential [10]. Jansen [11] had once stated 35kmsouthofHawassa.TheinhabitantsofDalleDistrict
that almost all plants of the Ethiopian flora are used belong mainly to the Sidama nationality and their native
medicinally in different parts of the country in one way language, Sidamu-afoo, belongs to the Cushitic languages
ortheother. family. According to the national census report projected
In Ethiopia, over 70% of the people depend on trad- for the year 2017, the zone has a total population of
itional medicines (TMs) for their healthcare, and more 3,668,304 (50.41% male and 49.59% female) [21]. Dalle
than 95% of the preparations are made from plant origin District has 35 kebeles and a population of 317,246 (male
[12, 13]. According to various reports, local people in = 50.31%, female = 49.69%) of which 252,739 (79.67%)
ruralEthiopiamostlyrelyonTMsforhealthcareservices dwell in the rural parts of the district [21, 22]. The study
and others revert to TM when modern health services area belongs to a moderate (“Wo’richo” or “Woinadega”)
fail due to various reasons [14]. Dissatisfaction with climatic zone and lies between the altitudinal ranges of
modern medicines and lack of their efficacy, especially about1700and1850mabovesealevel.
in the cases of certain human ailments including cancer,
liver diseases, herpes zoster, eczema, swelling, and hem- Reconnaissancesurveyandinformantselection
orrhoids, were some of the reasons that traditional heal- Between the months of February and April 2015, local
ing systems were preferred over conventional medicines administrators, elders (Hayyoole) (respected/influential
[15]. There are case reports of TMs being the preferred personalities), rural development agents, and the center
treatment options for the early stages of some diseases, for training farmers were contacted and their recom-
includingmalignancies[16]. mendations obtained on how to locate and approach the
In Ethiopia, environmental degradation, deforestation, local THs. Twenty THs (14 males and 6 females) were
intermittent drought, and various anthropogenic activ- identified from Megera kebele and three other adjacent
ities are threatening the natural resources in general, kebeles (Wene Nata, Wara, and Kaliti Simita) of the dis-
and MPsare most affected. Afew ethnobotanical studies trict, and their backgrounds were recorded (Table 1).
undertaken in Sidama Zone, where the present study They are all THs, mostly working with herbal medicine
was conducted, showed that TM is an integral part of to varying extent. Their ages ranged from 38 to 82 years
the healthcare system of the Sidama people [17–19]. (mean=62.3; SD=9.75). The knowledge they held was
This corroborates the national report on TM use in recorded based on their preferences. Most frequently
healthcare[12,20]. mentioned human ailments of public health importance
The hypothesis for the present study emerged from ob- around the area were also investigated in association
servationsonthelonghistoryofuseofherbalmedicineto with the symptoms of the diseases as verified by their
treat human ailments by traditional healers (THs) among indigenous knowledge. Ailments of public health
theSidamapeople.Itwasdeemednecessarytoretrievees- importance are diseases/conditions that are a threat to
sential ethnobotanical information from the THs before publichealthandthose canbeidentifiableonanindivid-
the MP resources and the associated indigenous know- ual or at a community level. The list of ailments was
ledge are lost. Therefore, we hypothesized that the THs cross-checked with data of ten most prevalent ailments
that provide treatment for various human ailments have inDalleDistricthealth department[23].
valuable knowledge about the traditional MPs used to
treat various malignancies, jaundice, and helminthiases. Ethnobotanicaldatacollection
Hence, the objective of the study was to record, compile, Rigorous individual interviews and extended discussions
and document ethnobotanical knowledge held by THs of with the practitioners, guided field walk, free listing, and
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page3of21
Fig.1MapshowingthestudyareainDalleDistrict,SidamaZone,Ethiopia
local market surveys were the main data collection Qawaallanka and Wara Dikko). During the survey,
methods employed in this study. The interaction with Sidamu-afoo names of the plants, parts used, and the
the THs was made carefully paying due attention to purposeitwassoldforwere recorded.
Bennett’s Golden Rules for ethnobotany fieldwork [24].
Standard pre-prepared formats were used to record the Plantspecimencollectionandidentification
information provided by the THs about the local name After recording the ethnobotanical information, voucher
of the MP, the part(s) used, preparation methods, dis- specimens of the MPs were collected from the wild and
ease(s)treated,therouteofdelivery,possiblesideeffects, homegardensguidedbytheTHs,fromJulytoSeptember
and the antidotes used [25–27]. Plant growth habit, 2015. GPS was used to record data on altitude and geo-
habitat, conservation status, potential threats, and graphicalcoordinates.Thespecimenswerenumberedand
management prospects of the reported MPs were also the Sidamu-afoo names of the species were recorded,
included in our interview guide. The checklist used was pressed, and properly dried in the field. Appropriate
translated into the local language (Sidamu-afoo), and the documentation was made with photographic pictures of
responses of the THs were recorded in the data collec- the area and the mature individual plant at the site of
tion tool. All interviews and discussions were conducted collection. The identification of specimens was under-
in Sidamu-afoo by the principal investigator. Each TH taken using the relevant volumes of the Flora of Ethiopia
was visited and interviewed two to three times to ensure and Eritrea, by comparing with authenticated specimens
consistency of the information provided. The local and finally confirmed by a plant taxonomic experts.
market survey was carried out at two comparatively Finally, the specimens with labels were deposited at the
large marketplaces in the study area (Megera NationalHerbarium(ETH),AddisAbabaUniversity.
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page4of21
Table1DemographicdataofthetraditionalhealersinDalle giventoeachspeciesweresummedup,andtherankswere
District,SidamaZone,2015 determined based on the total score. This procedure
Demographicdata(N=20) Frequency(%) helpedto identifytheMPspecies thatare verylikelyto be
Gender themosteffectivefortreatingthespecificdiseasebasedon
theconsensus/agreementamongthehealers.
Male 14(70)
Paired comparisons were used to evaluate the degree
Female 6(30)
of preference or levels of importance of MPs that had
Educationalstatus
high consensus among the THs. The randomly paired
Noeducation 11(55) comparison was made according to Martin’s procedure
Basicreadingandwritingskillsonly(adulteducation) 2(20) [26] to determine the effectiveness and popularity of the
Elementaryschool(grade1to6) 6(30) five MP species claimed to be frequently used to treat
malignancies inthestudy area. FiveTHs taken askey in-
Furthereducation(juniorsecondaryandhighschool 1(5)
education) formants were asked to compare the randomly paired
and sequenced anticancer MPs. Then, their response on
Religion
the value of each MP was recorded, and the total score
Culturalreligion 6(30)
of all key informants on each MP was summed and
ProtestantChristianity 9(45)
ranked. Finally, the plant with the highest score was
OtherChristians(e.g.,JehovahWitnesses,SeventhDay 5(25) described as the most effective anticancer MP as per
Adventists)
healers’perceptions.
Ethnicity
The ICF was applied in the manner used by Heinrich
Sidama 20(100) etal. [28],applyingthefollowing formula:
YearsofexperienceasaTH(range)
Nur−Ns
<10years(leastexperiencedTHhas4yearsof 3(15) ICF ¼ Nur−1
experience)
10–20years 5(25) where Nur is the number of use reports (use citations),
and Ns is the number of species used for each citation
Morethan20years 12(60)
by TM practitioners. If a TM practitioner mentioned a
plant used for the treatment of one ailment (e.g., cancer)
Dataanalysis or for more than one ailment, then it is considered as
Dataentryandvalidation,descriptivestatisticaltechniques one use report in line with recommendations from other
of qualitative and quantitative ethnobotanical records, sources [29]. Values ranging between 0 and 1 are ob-
percentages, and frequencies were applied to summarize tained, where a value close to one (1) is obtained when
the data. Furthermore, analytical methods of ethnobotany only one or few species are reported by the majority of
including preference ranking, paired comparison, inform- TM practitioners. Conversely, low ICF values (close to
ant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) index, use zero) show disagreement among the TM practitioners,
value (UV), and frequency of citation (FC) measurements which may include reasons like having different experi-
wereemployed. ences, keeping information with strict secrecy, or lack of
Most trusted MPs considered to be effective for the priorinformationexchangeamongthem[30].
common human illnesses were identified based on the The ratio of informants who independently reported
agreement among the THs using the free list data that their use of a species for the same major purpose to the
showedthedegreeofconsensusamongthem. total number of informants who mentioned the plant for
PreferencerankingwasundertakenaccordingtoMartin’s any use isdescribedas FL [31].FL wascalculated for the
procedure [26], using six key informants based on the mostfrequentlyreporteddiseases/ailmentsas:
valuesoffreelistingandinformantconsensus.Accordingly,
Np
selected MPs used to treat malignancies, hepatitis FL ð%Þ ¼ (cid:2)100
N
(jaundice),andfordeworminginhelminthsweresubjected
to this procedure. The healers gave MPs believed to be where Np is the number of informants that claim the
most effective to treat those illnesses the highest value (5), use of a plant species to treat a particular disease, and N
and the least effective was given the lowest value (1). The is the number of informants that use the plant as a
preferencesofthetopfiveMPssaidtobeusedfortreating medicine to treat any given disease [31]. The medicinal
malignancies, jaundice/liver disease, and helminthiases plant use diversity was calculated by adding the number
were subjected to a ranking by six THs separately. The ofusesthehealerslistedforeach species.
practitioners were requested to compare selected MPs The use value (UV) index helped to evaluate the rela-
based ontheir knowledgetotreat theillnesses. The values tive importance of each medicinal plant species based
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page5of21
on its relative use among informants. Based on the DiseasestreatedbytheTHs
citation of plants during interview sessions, UVs were It was recorded that more than 39 different human
calculated following the approach given by Prance [32] sicknessesweretreatedbytheTHsinthestudyareausing
andAndrade-Cetto andHeinrich[33]usingtheformula: remedies from MPs. The most widespread disease
conditionsinhumans,accordingtotheinformants,include
(cid:2)X (cid:3)
variousformsofmalignancies,2jaundice(especiallyinchil-
UVs ¼ UVis =ðniÞ
dren), helminthiases, bacterial infections, malaria, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., asthma and Usso—a
where ∑UVis is the sum of the total number of use stabbing chest pain), diarrhea, swelling, common cold,
citationsforagiven species byallinformants; febrile illnesses (‘LAMMOOTTA’ or ‘DINGETEGNA’), toothache,
ni is the total number of informants interviewed for gastritis, diabetes, various wounds, and unspecified
species s. headaches.AconsiderableproportionofMPswasfoundto
The frequency of citation (FC) was also computed to be used to treat various forms of malignancies (19.7%),
determine the percentage of respondents who have non-infectious diseases (e.g., diabetes, blood pressure,
knowledgeregardingtheuseofa speciesasfollows: asthma,andgastritis)(13.2%),andhelminthiases(8.5%).
As explained by the THs, some disease conditions are
(cid:2)X (cid:3)
understood, defined,and expressed inaunique way. The
FC ¼ UVis =ðniÞ (cid:2) 100
indigenous nature of the medical system in the area is
evident from local terminologies applied to the diseases/
where ∑UVis is the sum of the total number of use illnesses and health status of people described by the
citationsforagiven species byallinformants; THs and the community at large. For example, an acute
ni is the total number of informants interviewed for ailment characterized by pain of the hip, irritation dur-
species s. ing urination, sweating, and loss of appetite is referred
to as ‘ARRISHO’. A painful illness with fever and swelling
Results on any part of the body, especially on the legs, is known
MPsreportedbyTHs as ‘BUUTAAME’. During treating this illness traditionally,
The study recorded 71 species (69 angiosperms and 2 the TM practitioner usually utters the words either
gymnosperms) of MPs distributed in 63 genera and 46 fincami! (to mean “disappear”/“be vanished”) or dhoohi
families (Table 2). Thirteen families were represented by (to mean “burst out”) while deeply looking at the
twoormorespeciesofMPs,whereas33familieswererep- swelling. ‘LAMMOOTTA’ is an ailment characterized by
resented by only one species each. The family Lamiaceae acute febrile illness and sudden headache that could kill
was represented by six MPs, whereas the Asteraceae, within 2 days if left untreated. Likewise, ‘USSO’ is a
Euphorbiaceae, and Rubiaceae were represented by four characteristically severe disease condition with stabbing
species each (Table 3). The MPs collected from the study pain,which isaccompaniedbysweatingandcoughing.
areaconstitutedshrubsthataccountedfor35.2%,followed
by herbs (26.7%), trees (23.5%), and climbers (14.7%). The PartsoftheMPsusedbyhealersfortreatingpatients
majority(64.7%)weresourcedfromthewildenvironments The study revealed that various parts of plants singly or in
whilehomegardensaccountedfor35.3%oftheMPs. combinationswereusedtotreatspecificailmentsinthearea
Some plants reported from the area are generally (Fig. 2 and Table 2), as explained by THs. Leaves were the
considered by the healers as broad-spectrum TMs for mostwidelyusedpartofMPswith42.9%usagefollowedby
various human illnesses and often are not specific to fruits/seeds (13%). Flowers and whole aerial parts of MPs
certain type of disease(s). These plants include Allium (1.3%each)weretheleastusedforremedypreparation.
sativum, Ruta chalepensis, Zingiber officinale, loome
(Citrus aurantifolia) and kishee/kokkoso (epiphytes1) Medicinepreparation,routesofadministration,anddosage
(e.g., the basket fern, Drynaria volkensii) that grows on Preparations of TMs from plant parts involved boiling
variousfamiliesofseedplantssuchas Citrusaurantifolia, (about 27.9%), concoction (about 15.5%), cold maceration,
Coffea arabica, Croton macrostachyus, Podocarpus pounding,anddecoction.AlltheTMswerepreparedfrom
falcatus, and Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata. According to fresh plant materials for immediate application, as healers
the THs, from dioecious flowering plant groups, flower believed that fresh materials are more efficacious than
and fruit-bearing forms (i.e., with female reproductive stored ones. Water was the most common solvent used,
structures) are recommended for traditional medicinal and in some preparations, honey (7.4%), salt (2.9%), and
use. The opposite ones (plants with male reproductive sugar (1.5%)wereadded to it.TheTHs claimed that these
structures) are considered poisonous or toxic and are not additives either improve the flavor and taste or reduce the
consideredforremedypreparation. toxicityofthemedicine.
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page6of21
Table2Descriptiononthehabit,habitat,partsused,usevalue,frequencyofcitation,modeofpreparations,routeofdeliveryand
humanailmentstreatedbytheTHsinMegeraandadjacentKebelesofDalleDistrict,2015
Family Scientificname Vernacular Habitat Habit PU RA UV FC Preparationand Illness/disease Collection
name application conditiontreated no.
(Sidamu-
afoo)
Acanthaceae Hypoestes Ciikkicho W Sb LRt Or 0.15 15.0 Theleafispounded, Helminthiases NT056
forskaolii(Vahl) macerated,anddrunk; Severe
R.Br. Therootischewed,and stomachache
theoutputisswallowed
Alliaceae Allium Waajjotuma HG H Bu Or 0.40 40.0 Thegarlicispeeled, Tonsillitis NT054
sativumL. chewed,andswallowed Acutesevere
stomachache
Aloaceae Aloesp. Argiisa W Sb Lf Or 0.60 60.0 FreshAloesp.leafis Acutefebrile NT032
chopped,pounded,and illness(‘LAMOOTTA’/
smallquantity(about1 ‘DINGETEGNA’)
teaspoon)isdrunk
immediatelyorlickedand
swallowed
Anacardiaceae Mangifera Mango HG T Sh De 0.20 20.0 Thefluidwhichoozesout Bloodclotting NT053
indicaL. whiletheshootiscutis andwound
appliedtothewounded healing
partofthebody
Apiaceae Foeniculum Malkata HG H LSt Or 0.05 5.0 Pounded,macerated,and Bloodpressure NT015
vulgareMill. aregivenorally
Apocynaceae Acokanthera Qaraaro W T Fr Or 0.20 20.0 Theripefruit(onlythe Asyndrome NT018
schimperi(A. sweetone)ispounded, called‘ARRISHO’
DC.)Schweinf. macerated,andmixedwith ‘USSO/YEBIRDBESHITA’
water,andthepatient (astabbingpain)
drinksabout1and½cup
ofthepreparationinthe
morningbeforebreakfast
Asparagaceae Asparagus Buticho W Sb Rt Or 0.30 30.0 Therootispounded, ‘USSO/YEBIRDBESHITA’ NT026
africanusLam. boiled,anddrunk (astabbingpain),
treatedearlyin
themorning
beforebreakfast;
Febrilemalaria
(thistime,butnot
necessarilyin
themorning)
Asteraceae Acmella Bexxo HG H Fl Or 0.45 45.0 Chewedandswallowed Tonsillitis NT004
caulirhzaDel.
Lactucainermis Ameessa W Cl Lf Or 0.25 25.0 Theleafischopped,boiled, ‘LAGOTEDHIBBA’ NT064
Forssk. andthefiltrateisdrunk (growth
retardation)
Vernonia Hechcho W Sb Lf Or 0.55 55.0 TheleafofVernonia Febrilemalaria NT043
amygdalina amygdalinaispounded, and
Del. macerated,and1cupof helminthiases
thepreparationisgiven
orally
Vernonia Reejjicho W Sb Sh De 0.60 60.0 Theleaffromtheshootof Woundhealing NT057
auriculifera theplant,oftenwith
Hiern. Solanumdasyphyllum,is
gentlyrubbedandapplied
onthewoundedsurface
Boraginaceae Cordia Waaddicho W T BFr Or 0.15 15.0 Thebarkispounded, Gastritis NT041
africanaL. boiled,anddrunk;orthe
ripefruitsareboiled,and
thesweetjuiceisdrunkfor
1week(7days)
Caricaceae Carica Paappaye HG Sb LFr Or 0.30 30.0 ThefreshleafofCarica Bloodpressure NT044
papayaL. papayaishomedried,
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page7of21
Table2Descriptiononthehabit,habitat,partsused,usevalue,frequencyofcitation,modeofpreparations,routeofdeliveryand
humanailmentstreatedbytheTHsinMegeraandadjacentKebelesofDalleDistrict,2015(Continued)
Family Scientificname Vernacular Habitat Habit PU RA UV FC Preparationand Illness/disease Collection
name application conditiontreated no.
(Sidamu-
afoo)
pounded,boiled,and
mixedwithsugaris Gastritis
takenorallyforsometime
(oftenmixedwithfresh
leavesofAjugaintegrifolia);
FruitofCaricapapayawith
thefruitofZanthoxylum
chalybeumarepounded,
macerated,filtered,
anddrunk
Celesteraceae Maytenus Kincho W Sb Br Or 0.15 15.0 Thebarkispounded,boiled, Stomachachein NT021
undata andfiltered,and1cupis infants
(Thunb.) drenched
Blakelock
Clusiaceae Garcinia Soloolsa HG T Br Or 0.10 10.0 Thebarkispeeledcarefully, Sexualimpotence NT036
buchananii boiled,cooled,anddrunk; inmale
Baker Thesameapplicationinthe Asyndrome
thirddayfromthetreatment called‘ARRISHO’
regimenbySidaovata
Commelinaceae Commelina Laaluunxe HG Cl Lt De 0.60 60.0 Thelatexwhichoozesoutis ‘BAARARRE’and NT047
benghalensisL. appliedontheaffectedarea ‘ISHIISHA’(fungal
skininfections)
Crassulaceae Kalanchoe Hanculuulle W H Lf Oc 0.05 5.0 Oozingfluidoftheleafis Inflammationof NT042
petitianaA. spilledintotheeyes aneyedueto
Rich poisonousplant
materials
Cucurbitaceae Cyclantheropsis Basubaaqula HG Cl FrS Or 0.10 10.0 Thefleshyfruitisboiledand Constipation; NT062
parviflora eaten
(Cogn.)Harms Theseedsareroastedand GIT
eaten (gastrointestinal
tract)discomforts
Peponium Surupha W Cl Fr Or 0.35 35.0 Thejuicyripefruit(about Febrilemalaria, NT010
vogelii 2or3)areeatenfor gonorrhea,and
(Hook.f.)Engl. fewdays ‘MAGARTO’
(jaundice)
Cuppressaceae Juniperus Hoomme W T LSh Or 0.30 30.0 Theleafispounded,andthe Liverdisease NT049
proceraHochst juiceisgivenorally
ex.Engl. Theshootispounded, ‘BUUTAAME’(painful
decocted,anddrunk swelling)
Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea Bohe HG Cl LTb De 0.30 30.0 Theleafisrubbedgently ‘BAARARRE’ NT003
alataL. Or andappliedontheaffected Diabetes
partoftheskin;
Thetuberisboiledand
eatenforacertainamount
oftime
Dioscorea KotteBohe HG Cl Tb Or 0.05 5.0 Boiledandeatenregularlyin Diabetes NT035
bulbiferaL. smallamountseveryday;or
preparedintheformof
soupanddrunk
Euphorbiaceae Clutia Maalaasincho W Sb Lf Or 0.05 5.0 Theleafoftheplantand Meningitis NT007
abyssinica freshAloesp.aremixed,
(Jaub.&Spach.) pounded,coldmacerated,
andgivenorally
Croton Masincho W T Sh Or 0.70 70.0 Theshootpartisboiled Febrilemalaria, NT011
macrostachyus anddrunk (especially
Del. P.vivax)
Binjille W H Lf De 0.05 5.0 ‘DHIIGA’(leprosy) NT025
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page8of21
Table2Descriptiononthehabit,habitat,partsused,usevalue,frequencyofcitation,modeofpreparations,routeofdeliveryand
humanailmentstreatedbytheTHsinMegeraandadjacentKebelesofDalleDistrict,2015(Continued)
Family Scientificname Vernacular Habitat Habit PU RA UV FC Preparationand Illness/disease Collection
name application conditiontreated no.
(Sidamu-
afoo)
Euphorbia Mixedwiththeleafof
schimperiana Gouanialongispicatais
HochstEx,A. poundedandcreamedon
Rich theaffectedpartoftheskin
Ricinus Qombo”o W Sb Rt Or 0.20 20.0 Freshrootischewedand Breastcancer NT071
communisL. swallowed
Fabaceae Millettia Hengeddicho W Sb Br Or 0.30 30.0 Thebarkiswashed, Cancer NT069
ferruginea pounded,filtered,and
(Hochst.)Bak. givenorally
Flacourtiaceae Dovyalis Shiilo W Sb Br Or 0.65 65.0 Therawbarkischewed ‘MUJE’(atumor) NT017
abyssinica(A. andswallowed
Rich.)Warb.
Icacinaceae Apodytes Doongicho W Sb Br Or 0.25 25.0 Thebarkoftheplantis Stomachache NT008
dimidiataE. boiled,andabout1cupis
Mey.exArn. givenorally ‘LAGOTEDHIBBA’
(retardedgrowth)
Lamiaceae Ajuga Anamuro HG H Lf Or 0.15 15.0 Freshleafispounded, Bloodpressure NT046
integrifolia decocted,anddrunkwith
Buch.-Ham. teaorcoffee
(bugleweed)
Clerodendrum Ma’niisa W H LfR Or 0.20 20.0 Theleafpartispounded, ‘NAQARSUDHIBBA’ NT006
myricoides mixedwithhoney,and (leukemia)
(Hochst.)Vatke drunk;oritsrootisboiled,
oftenmixedwiththeshoot
ofZanthoxylumchalybeum,
isgivenorally
Ocimum Michete W Sb Lf Na 1.00 100.0 Thesoftleavesarerubbed ‘MICHE’(anacute NT048
lamiifolium dhagicho Or gentlytosqueezea viralinfection)
Hochst.ex characteristicallyreddish
Benth. fluid,collectonacup,and
takenthroughnostrilsvery
carefully;
Itmayalsobedrunkwith
coffee
Plectranthus Toontoona W H Lf Or 0.25 25.0 Theleafisboiled,filtered, Helminthiases NT034
garckeanus De andtheliquidisgiven Athletes’foot
(Vatke)J.K. orally (antifungal)
Morton Rawleafisputbetween
thefingersoflegs
Plectranthus Hellee HG H LSh De 0.75 75.0 Theleafandshootare Woundhealing NT031
punctatus(L.f.) gentlyrubbedand
L’Hér. creamedonthewound
Salvianilotica Michete W Sb Lf Na 1.00 100.0 Thesoftleavesarerubbed ‘MICHE’ NT070
Juss.exJacq. dhagicho gentlytosqueezea
(Damakase) characteristicallyreddish
fluid,collectonacupand
takenthroughnostrilsvery
carefully;itmayalsobe
drunkwithcoffee
Loganiaceae Buddleja Bullaancho W Sb Lf Or 0.15 15.0 Theleavesarepounded, Cancer NT013
polystachya macerated,andgivenorally
Fresen.
Malvaceae Sidaovata Qirqixxe W Sb Lf Or 0.05 5.0 TheleafofSidaovate,often ‘ARRISHO NT060
Forssk. mixedwiththerootof
go’ra(Rubusapetalus)is
boiledatnight,andthe
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page9of21
Table2Descriptiononthehabit,habitat,partsused,usevalue,frequencyofcitation,modeofpreparations,routeofdeliveryand
humanailmentstreatedbytheTHsinMegeraandadjacentKebelesofDalleDistrict,2015(Continued)
Family Scientificname Vernacular Habitat Habit PU RA UV FC Preparationand Illness/disease Collection
name application conditiontreated no.
(Sidamu-
afoo)
cooledpreparationis
drunkinthemorning
Meliaceae Ekebergia Goddiicho W Sb Fr Or 0.25 25.0 Thefruitsarepounded, Cancer NT023
capensis filtered,anddrunk
Sparrm. Fewfruitsarechewedand Stomachache
swallowed
Melianthaceae Bersama Xeweerrakko W T Br Or 0.45 45.0 Thebarkispounded, ‘NAQARSUDHIBBA’ NT063
abyssinica boiled,andasmallamount (cancer)
Fresen. ofthepreparationisdrunk
Menispermaceae Stephania Kalaala W Cl Lf Or 0.25 25.0 Theleafpartisboiled,and Jaundice(liver NT050
abyssinica about1cupisdrunk disease)
Dillonand
A.Rich.
Musaceae Ensete Weese HG H RSt Or 0.15 15.0 Unfermentednewly Amoebiasis NT067
ventricosum De processed“kocho”isbaked
(Welw.) andeaten ‘BIJAAJO’/‘IKEK’
Cheesman) Thedry“xusho”(thread)is (bacterialskin
burnedtogive“diqillo” infection)
(soot),mixedwithanykind
ofbodylotionorbutteris
creamedonthebody
Musax Muuze HG H St De 0.20 20.0 Theoozingfluidfromthe Coagulationand NT065
paradisiacaL. stemisappliedonafresh protectinga
wound secondary
infection
Myrsinaceae Myrsine Morocho W Sb Lf Or 0.20 20.0 Theleaf(oftenmixedwith Cancer(leukemia) NT020
melanophloeos Oleacapensis)ispounded,
(L.)R.Br. coldmacerated,anddrunk
Myrtaceae Syzygium Duuwancho W T BFr Or 0.15 15.0 Thebarkispounded, ‘ARRISHO’(itcures NT061
guineense macerated,anddrunk afterinducing
(Wild.)DC. Theripefruitsoftheplant diarrhea
areeateninsmallamounts Obesity
forsometime
Oleaceae Oleacapensis Seettaame W T Sh Or 0.55 55.0 Theshoot(oftenwith Cancer NT022
L.f. shootofZanthoxylum
chalybeumand
Clerodendrummyricoides)is
boiled,mixedwithhoney,
anddrunk
Oleaeuropaea Ejersa W T Sh Oc 0.10 10.0 Thesoftshootoftheplant ‘BURDICHO’(anearly NT066
subsp. ispoundedwiththe stagetrachoma)
cuspidata(Wall. additionofsmallamount
exG.Don)Cif. ofwater,filtered,andthe
puredropisaddedatthe
marginsofthecornea
Oliniaceae Olinia Noole W T Lf Na 0.30 30.0 Theleafisheatedslightly, Viralcommon NT009
rochetianaA. rubbedbythehands,and cold
Juss. theninhaledthrough
nostrils
Passifloraceae Passifloraedulis Hoophe HG Cl Fr Or 0.05 5.0 Tworipefruitsareeaten Bloodpressure NT029
Sims everymorningforabout
6months
Phytolaccaceae Phytolacca Haraanjicha W Sb Lf Or 0.25 25.0 Pounded,boiled,andtaken Helminthiases;as NT059
dodecandra orallyearlyinthemorning alaxative
L’Herit.
Poaceae Hixicho HG H Lf Or 0.40 40.0 Thegrassyleafisboiled, GITdisorder NT058
macerated,cooled,and
Tuashaetal.JournalofEthnobiologyandEthnomedicine (2018) 14:15 Page10of21
Table2Descriptiononthehabit,habitat,partsused,usevalue,frequencyofcitation,modeofpreparations,routeofdeliveryand
humanailmentstreatedbytheTHsinMegeraandadjacentKebelesofDalleDistrict,2015(Continued)
Family Scientificname Vernacular Habitat Habit PU RA UV FC Preparationand Illness/disease Collection
name application conditiontreated no.
(Sidamu-
afoo)
Cymbopogon giventoinfantsorally(esp. Boostimmunity
citratus(Hook. drenching) ofbreastfeeding
&Arn.)Stapf. infants
Podocarpaceae Podocarpus Dagucho W T SLt Or 0.65 65.0 Theshootisboiled,and1 ‘MAGARTO’ NT040
falcatus cupisdrunk; (jaundice)
(Thunb.)Mirb. Oozingliquidfromthe Gastritisand
stemismixedwithcold amoeba
waterandisdrunk
Polygonaceae Rumex Shiishoone W H Rt Or 0.85 85.0 Freshrootsarepounded, ‘MAGARTO’ NT001
abyssinicus boiled,andabout1cupis (jaundice)
Jacq. givenorally
Rumex Taare HG H Rt Or 0.25 25.0 Therootiswashedand Intestinal NT039
nervosusVahl eatenraw parasites
Therootispounded, ‘LAMMOOTTA’(acute
boiled,andgivenorally febrileillness)
Ranunculaceae Clematis Fiide W Cl LSt Or 0.35 35.0 Thethreadischewed,and Toothache; NT037
simensisFresen. thesmallamountis Cancer
swallowed;
Leafoftheplantis
maceratedanddrunk
Rhamnaceae Gouania Daanikuukke W Sb Lf De 0.10 10.0 Usedoftenmixedwiththe ‘DHIIGA’(leprosy NT024
longispicata leavesofEuphorbia andleukoderma)
Engl. schimperiana,arepounded
andcreamedonthe
affectedpart
Rhamnus Xaddo W Sb Lf Or 0.05 5.0 Theleaf,oftenwiththe Sexually NT027
prinoides rootofRubusapetalus,is transmitted
L’Herit. boiled,decocted,and diseases(STDs)
drunkbeforemeal
Rosaceae Hagenia So”ichote W Sb Fr Or 0.80 80.0 Theripefruitispounded, ‘SO”ICHO’ NT055
abyssinica dhagga decocted,and1cupofthe (tapeworm)
(Bruce)J.F. (qaanqo) preparationisdrunkinthe
Gmel morningbeforebreakfast
Prunuspersica Kooke HG T Lf Or 0.25 25.0 Theleafispounded, ‘LAMOOTTA’(acute NT033
(L.)Batsch macerated,anddrunk febrileillness)
Rubusapetalus Go’ra HG Sb Rt Or 0.15 15.0 Therootispounded, Tuberculosisand NT028
Poir. boiled,anddrunk ‘SIIMMAXO’(a
diseasecondition
characterizedby
painfulurination
likegonorrhea)
Rubiaceae Coffeaarabica Buna HG T Fr Or 0.10 10.0 Thefruitisroasted, Severe,frequent, NT051
L. pounded,andmixedwith andwatery
saltandhoneyandiseaten diarrhea
Gardenia Gaambeella W Sb LLt Or 0.15 15.0 Thelatexiscreamedon ‘LAGOTEDHIBBA’ NT038
ternifolia thetonguesofinfants;or (growth
Schumach& theleafsareboiledand retardation)
Thonn. givenorallyaftercooling
Pentas Baalaamu W H Rt Or 0.30 30.0 Rootispounded,mixed Cancer NT052
lanceolata dhagga De withwater,filtered,and Wounds
Forssk. drunk
Therootispounded,mixed
withsmallwater,and
appliedonthewound
Rubia Haarre HG Cl Rt De 0.25 25.0 ATMpractitionerchews ‘BUUTAAME’(painful NT002
cordifoliaL. theroot,mixedwithsalt, illnesswithfever
andspitsontheswelling andswelling)