ADDIS ABABA SCIECE AND TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY
COLLAGE OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN GROUP
ASSIGNMENT

GROUP MEMBERS ID

1. WASIHUN BIRHANU ----------------ETS 0933/12

2. YISHAK DEREJE----------------------ETS 1236/12
3. BRUIK ABERA-------------------------ETS 0793/12
4. FIKRU WORKU------------------------ETS 0825/12
5. HANA HABTAMU---------------------ETS 0837/12

Submission date 20 Aug 2012

Submitted to Dr. Dagmawi
 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN EHTIOPA
1.1 HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations of the world and has a rich history of
traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge practices. Traditional remedies
originated from locally grown plants, animal products and minerals. Other
traditional treatments also include a variety of medical practices such as purging,
bleeding and cupping, steam baths and immersion in hot, often thermal, water, and
counter-irritation. The knowledge on traditional medicine were mainly orally
based, the information on healing practice were passed down by practicing healers
from generation to generation, often with considerable secrecy. The earliest known
Ethiopian medico religious texts written in Ge’ez,”MeshafaFaws” of mid-17th
century and “Mashafa Medhanit” of the early 18th century. In Ethiopian traditional
health care system, traditional health practitioners are categorized as herbalist-
healers, spiritual or faith based healers bone settlers. In addition to this other
groups of healers are those that perform surgical operations such as cauterization,
bleeding, cupping, circumcision, cutting. Traditional medicine has significant role
in the primary health care delivery in Ethiopia where 80% of human and 90% of
livestock population depend on indigenous medicine similar to many developing
countries particularly that of Sub-Saharan African countries. Ethiopia has policies
and strategies that support the development and utilization of medicinal and other
useful natural resources in a sustainable manner. The policies are reflected under
various sectors, viz., health, agriculture, biodiversity, environment, science &
technology. The policy encourages and promotes appropriate use and protections
of traditional medicine knowledge taking into account the need of the traditional
medicinal knowledge holders and the communities who benefit from the use of the
knowledge. The recognition and actual potential significance of traditional
medicine in Ethiopia was not limited to issuance of appropriate policy frame
works. Organizational measure with respect to the development of traditional
medicine on a scientific basis, regulatory aspects, protection of intellectual
property right and conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants has
also been taken, through organizing various institutions. Tremendous effort has
been so far undertaken over the years pertaining the promotion of traditional
medicine. Integrated efforts in research and development of traditional medicine
are in progress to validate the safety, efficacy and quality for the production of
standardized traditional medicine. Validated and standardized medicinal plants
products originated from untapped indigenous knowledge and resources of
traditional medicine will have profound advantages for the contribution and
strengthening the health care system, besides contributing for the sustainable
development and environmental conservation.

1.2 ORIGINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN ETHIOPIAN
The first recorded epidemic that occurred in Ethiopia dates back to 849 following
the expulsion of Abba Yohannes, the head of the Ethiopian church, from the land.
The plague and famine that ensued was perceived as God’s punishment for
Yohannes’ misdeeds.  In a terrified letter to Abba Yohannes, the Ethiopian
emperor wrote that “great tribulations have come upon our land, and all our men
are dying of the plague and all of our beasts and cattle have perished” (Pankhurst,
1990).

It is impossible to pinpoint the birth of medicine in Ethiopia, but certainly the

evolution of curative practices closely follows the path of a disease. Traditional
medical practitioners mostly implement herbs, spiritual healing, bone-setting and
minor surgical procedures in treating disease. Ethiopian traditional medicine is
vastly complex and diverse and varies greatly among different ethnic groups. Most
traditional medical practices in Ethiopia rely on an explanation of disease that
draws on both the “mystical” and “natural” causes of an illness and employ a
holistic approach to treatment (Bishaw, 1991).

Under the rule of Menelik (1865-1913) Western medicine became significantly

more incorporated into the Ethiopian medical system. Numerous medical envoys
from abroad, starting with the Italians and Russians, were influential in building
hospitals, providing medical training and participating in vaccination campaigns.
However, most medical establishments primarily served the urban elites and
foreign missionaries and were concentrated in the major cities (Pankhurst, 1990).

Despite Western medicine becoming more widespread in Ethiopia, Ethiopians tend

to rely more on traditional medicine. Conventional medical services remain
concentrated in urban areas and have failed to keep pace with the growing
population, keeping health care access out of reach for most Ethiopians living in
Ethiopia.
Because traditional medicine is culturally entrenched, accessible, and affordable,
up to 80% of the Ethiopian population relies on traditional remedies as a primary
source of health care (Kassaye et al., 2006). Moreover, Western medicine has
become more focused on preventative measures and people seeking curative
practices still rely on indigenous medicine as the primary source for health care
(Pankhurst, 1990). The influence of traditional medicine is also seen in Ethiopian
migrant populations. In countries with substantial Ethiopian immigrant
populations, traditional herbs, medical devices, and practitioners are readily
available (Papadopoulos, 2002).

1.3 SOME OF ETHIOPIAN MEDICINAL PLANT

AND THE DISEASE THEY TREATS
1.3.1 Ethiopian Traditional Medicinal Plants Used
for Cancer Treatment
Traditional medicine plays a significant role in the healthcare of the majority of the
people in developing countries, including Ethiopia, and medicinal plants provide
valuable contribution to this practice. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer is
becoming one of major health problems in Ethiopia. Relying primarily on field
surveys, there have been recent efforts to assess the use of Ethiopian traditional
medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases including cancer.

1.3.2 Ethiopian medicinal plants traditionally used

for wound treatment

There are rich knowledge and practice in Ethiopian traditional medicine of using
plants for the treatment of various ailments, including wounds. Though scholars
have been working on documenting the ethnobotanical use of plants, the studies
are still ongoing. Objectives: This study systematically reviewed medicinal plants
traditionally employed for the treatment of wounds in Ethiopia.
1.4 SOME AREAS, MEDICINAL PLANT AND
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN ETHIOPIA
1.4.1 Southeast Ethiopia used in traditional medicine
Medicinal plants are integral source of easily available remedy used in rural
healthcare system. The aim of the study was to document available medicinal
plants, methods of preparation and major uses in Southeast Ethiopia.

1.4.2 Ethnomedicinal uses of plants among the Somali

ethnic group
In Ethiopia, most people are dependent on traditional medicine (TM), mainly of
plant origin for human and animal health problems. The practice of herbal
medicine varies widely, in keeping with the societal and cultural heritage of
different countries. The heritage has not been well documented in the developing
countries including Ethiopia and this is even more so in the emerging regions of
the country.

1.4.3 The current status of knowledge of herbal medicine

and medicinal plants in Fiche, Ethiopia
A majority of Ethiopians rely on traditional medicine as their primary form of
health care, yet they are in danger of losing both their knowledge and the plants
they have used as medicines for millennia. This study, conducted in the rural town
of Fiche in Ethiopia, was undertaken with the support of Southern Cross University
(SCU) Australia, Addis Ababa University (AAU) Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian
Institute of Biodiversity (EIB), Ethiopia.

1.5 ETHIOPIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICATIONS

AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH
CONVENTIONAL DRUGS
1.5.1 Ethiopian Immigrants and Self-Medication

Most immigrants who come from countries that rely on traditional medicine
continue to use that form of medicine in conjunction with the use of conventional
medical facilities. Despite the prevalence of self-medication in immigrant
populations and the potential for adverse herb-drug interactions, relatively few
studies have assessed these risk factors in various groups. One recent study looking
at the use of herbal medicine in Hispanic immigrants found that 80.3% used
complementary medicine and the majority did not inform their physician (Howell
et al., 2006). Another study found that only 5% of Chinese immigrants surveyed
reported that their physician had ever asked about their use of traditional medicine
(Wu et al., 2007).

In North America the Ethiopian immigrant population is more diffuse, thus,

traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) may be inaccessible and cultural
misunderstandings may compound frustration with the conventional medical
system (Hodes, 1997). Despite the lack of TMPs, herbal remedies are easily
obtained and widely used by the immigrant population. In many cases Ethiopian
patients use traditional remedies in combination with prescribed conventional
medications for related or unrelated health conditions without informing their
physician.

Ethiopian patients who use traditional medicine and do not inform their health care
providers may do this for several reasons. They may be self-treating an unrelated
illness and do not think that it is significant. For instance, a widespread Ethiopian
remedy for the common cold involves the consumption of large quantities of garlic
and ginger, which has the potential to interact with anti-coagulant, hypoglycemic,
and cholesterol-lowering medications (refer to following table). Patients may feel
that they will be judged by their physicians if they disclose their use of traditional
medicine (Shenkute, 2008). Cultural differences in understanding and treating
symptoms of illnesses may contribute to patients feeling misunderstood by their
health care providers and being more likely to seek satisfactory treatment in the
form of traditional medicine (Hodes, 1997).

1.5.2 Role of the Health Care Provider

As national borders become more porous and the movement of people more
widespread it is increasingly more important for health care providers to be aware
of the cultural background of their patients. The use of traditional medicine by
immigrant patients presents a unique concern. On the one hand, the concern is
practical because so many commonly used traditional remedies have the potential
to adversely interact with conventional medicines. On the other hand, the use of
traditional medicine brings up the issue of culturally constructed notions of health
and illness and demands a place in health care provision discourse.

It is imperative that health care providers are aware of traditional medicines that
their patients may be using. Unusual changes in a patient’s state of health or
reaction to a prescribed medication may be explained by the concurrent use of
traditional medicine. Health care providers should closely observe their patients
and be conscious of adverse herb-drug interactions. Talking to patients about
traditional therapies is crucial and should be done in a nonjudgmental manner to
encourage the patient to feel comfortable in sharing this information with their
health care provider. Asking the right questions in multiple ways may be useful in
clarifying whether a patient is using traditional medicine for an illness that is
related or unrelated to the health concern that brought them to the hospital or clinic
(Shenkute, 2008; Jackson, 2008). 

1.5.3 Commonly Used Conventional Medicines and Potential for

Adverse Herb-Drug Interactions

Many herbal substances that are used in Ethiopian traditional medicine are also
used as ingredients and spices in Ethiopian food. Consumption of these herbs and
spices as part of a normal diet is not likely to cause adverse herb-drug interactions
because they are consumed in relatively small quantities. However, when these
herbs and spices are utilized for medicinal purposes there may be an increased
likelihood of adverse interactions with conventional medicines. There are several
classes of medications that are at a higher risk for adverse herb-drug interactions,
including anti-arrhythmic, anti-seizure, anti-diabetic, and anti-coagulant
medication. Health care providers are particularly attuned to these interactions
because these drugs are typically monitored with serum levels and serum markers
(e.g., warfarin, digoxin).  The risk is increased because of the chemical
composition of these medicines and because they treat some of the most common
illnesses in the Ethiopian immigrant population (Jackson, 2008). The following
table summarizes the most commonly used herbs and spices in Ethiopia and their
potential drug interactions (Fullas, 2003).

This table is best used when interviewing patients about laboratory findings or side
effects when an interaction may be suspected. Conversely, it can be used to help
caution patients about potential interactions, if particular herbs or spices are
consumed in large volumes.
ALERT:  In the table, an asterisk (*) indicates an interaction that would be rare
when the spices and herbs are used as food additives, but occasionally may be
encountered when the spices and herbs are consumed in large quantities
medicinally. In other words, under normal uses, an interaction is unlikely, but
given known medicinal use by East African patients, it is possible.

From a naturopathic or Western herbal perspective, it’s hard to imagine people

consuming spices in large enough quantities to be pharmacologically active.
However, in many countries, notably Ethiopia, spices are used specifically for their
medicinal value and are consumed in quantities far exceeding how they would be
used as a normal food additive, not just in terms of volume, but in frequency of
dosing. For example, with garlic, many cloves may be crushed and consumed
many times a day for medicinal purposes. Pharmacists with extensive experience
managing Ethiopian patients for diabetes, anticoagulation, and hypertension will
see complications of herb-spice drug

: A systematic review
 Helen Bitew, Haftom Gebregergs, +1 author M. Yeshak
 Published 2019
 Medicine
 Ethiopian Journal of Health Development

Background: Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and
Google Scholar
METHODS: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia. A
structured questionnaire was used to collect the specimens and record pertinent information on
their use. RESULT: Several medicinal plants recognized for the treatment of

An Overview of
 W. Abebe
 Published 2016
 Biology
 European journal of medicinal plants
Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants by the
Ethnic Groups of Gondar Zuria District,
North-Western Ethiopia
The aim of the study was to document information on medicinal plants and to describe the
traditional health care practices of Gondar Zuria district, North-West Ethiopia. Field trip was
made in each village of the district to collect ethnomedicinal information from the traditional
healers by using semi-structured questionnaire and field observation. Forty-two plant species
representing forty-one genera and thirty-one families were encountered during the study. Results
of the study were analysed

Methods

WHO-208291 ETHIOPIA/NUTRITION BIOFARM PROJECT ADDIS June 2002 Copyright:WHO/P.VIROT

Author Alevtina Gall discussed the use of traditional medicine by Ethiopian patients with Dr. J.
Carey Jackson, Medical Director of the International Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical
Center, and with Zerihun Shenkute, co-author of this article and pharmacist at
Harborview. Zerihun Shenkute contributed information based on professional knowledge of
pharmacy and Western medicine, experience as a pharmacist serving Ethiopian immigrant
patients, and firsthand cultural knowledge of Ethiopian communities’ traditional and herbal
medicine practices. Information was also obtained through a literature review that included
studies of patient-health care provider relationships and current scientific data regarding
chemical interactions of herbs and conventional drugs.

Brief History of Traditional

Medicine in Ethiopia
WHO-208034 8034 ETHIOPIA/NUTRITION Market spices. June 2002 copyright:WHO/P.VIROT
WHO-210026 ETHIOPIA/TRADITIONAL MEDICINE ENARP (Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research
Institute) Test and production of Natural products used for Traditional Medicine, ENARP, Addis-Abeba,
Ethiopia June 2002 Copyright:WHO/P.Virot

Commonly Used Herbs and Spices in Ethiopia and their Potential Drug
Interactions

Please refer to the sidebar for a PDF table of Commonly used Ethiopian herbs/spices and their
potential drug interactions.
Contents

 Methods
 Brief History of Traditional Medicine in Ethiopia
 Ethiopian Immigrants and Self-Medication
 Role of the Health Care Provider
 Commonly Used Conventional Medicines and Potential for Adverse Herb-Drug Interactions
 Commonly Used Herbs and Spices in Ethiopia and their Potential Drug Interactions
 References

Resource(s)

Table: Commonly Used Herbs/Spices & Potential Drug Interactions

ALSO SEE:

 Eritrean Cultural Profile

 Ethiopian Cultural Profile
 Oromo Cultural Profile

Disclaimer: EthnoMed is designed for educational purposes only an

Traditional medical practitioners mostly

implement herbs, spiritual healing, bone-setting
and minor surgical procedures in treating
disease. Ethiopian traditional medicine is
vastly complex and diverse and vTraditional
medicine plays a significant role in the
healthcare of the majority of the people in
developing countries, including Ethiopia, and
medicinal plants provide valuable
contribution to this practice. ... In addition to
cancer, a large majority of the plants were
also used against various types of other
diseasesaries greatly among different ethnic
Overview on the status of traditional
medicine in Ethiopia and prospects for its
development
interactions not routinely encountered in naturopathic medicine.

References

Bishaw, M. (1991). Promoting traditional medicine in Ethiopia: a brief historical review of

government policy. Social Science and Medicine, 33, 193-200.

Fullas, F. (2003). Spice plants in Ethiopia: their culinary and medicinal applications. Iowa, USA:
Library Congress Cataloging.

Fullas, F. (2001). Ethiopian Traditional Medicine: Common Medicinal Plants in Perspective.

Iowa, USA: Library Congress Cataloging.

Hodes, R. (1997). Cross-cultural medicine and diverse health beliefs Ethiopians abroad. Western
Journal of Medicine, 166, 29-36.

Howell, L., Kochhar, K., Saywell, R., Zollinger, T., Koehler, J., Mandzuk, C., Sutton, B.,
Sevilla-Martir, J., Allen, D. (2006). Use of herbal remedies by Hispanic patients: do they inform
their physician? The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 19, 566-578.

Jackson, J.C. (Feb. 8, 2008) Personal interview with Medical Director of International Medicine
Clinic (HMC) on topic of Ethiopian traditional medicine use in immigrant patients (Haborview
Medical Center, Seattle, WA).

Kassaye, K.D., Amberbir, A., Getachew, B., Mussema, Y. (2006). A historical overview of
traditional medicine practices and policy in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development,
20, 127-134.

Pankhurst, R. (1990). An introduction to the medical history of Ethiopia. New Jersey, USA: The
Red Sea Press, Inc.

Papadopoulos, R., Lay, M., Gebrehiwot, A. (2002 May). Cultural snapshots: A guide to
Ethiopian refugees for health care workers. Research Center for Trans-cultural Studies in Health.
Middlesex University, London. Available on-
line: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/rctsh/embrace.htm
Shenkute, Z. (Feb. 4, 2008) Personal interview with HMC Pharmacy Services pharmacist on
topic of Ethiopian traditional medicine use in immigrant patients (Harborview Medical Center,
Seattle, WA)

Wu, A., Burke, A., LeBaron, S. (2007) Use of traditional medicine by immigrant Chinese
patients. Family Medicine, 39, 195-200.