JIMMA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

ASSESSMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANT USED FOR HUMAN AND ANIMALS IN

TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE PRACTICE IN JIMMA ZONE SIGMO DISTRICT
DIYA KEBELE

BY: NAZIF DAGA

ADVISOR: ANBESSA DABESSA (Dr)

RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO JIMMA UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF

NATURAL SCIENCE, AND DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF BA DEGREE IN BIOLOGY.

AUGUST, 2022

JIMMA, ETHIOPIA
 JIMMA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

ASSESSMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANT USED FOR HUMAN AND ANIMALS IN

TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE PRACTICE IN JIMMA ZONE SIGMO DISTRICT
DIYA KEBELE

SUBMITTED BY NAZIF DAGA

THIS RESEARCH PAPER HAS SUBMITTED FOR EXAMINATION WITH

APPROVAL UNIVERSITY ADVISER

ADVISOR:.ANBESSA DABESSA(Dr)

SIGNATURE: __________________________

DATE: ______________________________

EXAMINERS NAME: _____________________

SIGNATURE: ___________________________

DATE: ______________________________

AUGUST, 2022

JIMMA, ETHIOPIA
 Contents

List of tables........................................................................................................................……….i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................ii

Abstract..........................................................................................................................................iii

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the study...................................................................................................1

1.2 statement of the problem...................................................................................................2

1.3. Objective of the study...............................................................................................................3

1.3.1. General Objective......................................................................................................3

1.3.2. Specific objective.......................................................................................................3

1.4. Significance of the study..........................................................................................................4

1.5. Scope of the study.....................................................................................................................4

1.6 Organization of the study...........................................................................................................4

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.......................................................................................5

2.1 Concept of traditional medicinal plant......................................................................................5

2.2 History of traditional medicinal plants......................................................................................5

2.3 Traditional Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia...................................................................................6

2.4 Sources of Medicinal Plants......................................................................................................7

2.5 Status of Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia.......................................................................................7

2.6 Uses of Medicinal Plants Other Than Their Medicinal Values.................................................8

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................9

3.1 Study Area.................................................................................................................................9

3.2. Research Design.......................................................................................................................9

3.3. Sources of data..........................................................................................................................9

3.4. Sample size and sample technique.........................................................................................10

3.5. Methods of data collection......................................................................................................10

3.5.1 Questionnaires...................................................................................................................10

3.5.2 Interview...........................................................................................................................11

3.6 Data Analysis Method.............................................................................................................11

4. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.......................................................................12

4.1 Socio demographic characteristics of respondents..................................................................12

5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION........................................................................19

5.1 Conclusion of the study...........................................................................................................19

5.2 Recommendation of the study.................................................................................................20

REFERENCE................................................................................................................................21

Appendix I.....................................................................................................................................23
List of tables

Table 1. Characteristic of respondents

Table 2: Attitudes of community on medicinal plants used

Table 3: Frequency of using traditional medicinal plants

Table 4: Criteria used to determine the amount of traditional medicinal plant to be given

Table 5: Diseases treated with traditional medicinal plants

Table 6: Parts of plants used to prepare traditional medicinal plants to treat diseases

Table 7: Methods of medicinal plants preparation

Table 8: Summary of traditional medicinal plants used to treat diseases at Sigmo district
Diya Kebele.

Table 9: Summary of traditional medicinal plants used to treat Human diseases at Sigmo
district Diya Kebele.

Table 10: Summary of traditional medicinal plants used to treat livestock diseases at Sigmo
district Diya Kebele.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the almighty God. And then it is my
pleasure to say thanks for my advisor Dr Anbessa Dabessa for his encouraging, valuable
guidance and effort in reshaping, organizing and editing this thesis. He has been continuously
helpful throughout in doing of this paper. His guidance and patience in reviewing the drafts, of
this paper at various levels, correcting them step by step and his constructive comments are
greatly appreciated and have transformed this thesis into its present form. finally, I would like
also to express my deepest gratitude to Sigmo health center workers, health extension workers
and traditional healers in providing me with adequate information and the required data.
 Abstract
About 75-90 % of the rural population in the world (excluding western countries) relies on
traditional medicines as their only health care system. In Africa, traditional medicine plays a
central role in health care needs of rural people and urban poor. The present study was carried
out in Sigmo district with aimed to medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional
health care at Diya Kebele, jimma Zone. To assess medicinal plants used for human and animals
in traditional health care both primary and secondary data were collected. A descriptive survey
design was employed to achieve the purpose of the study. Accordingly, the research sample was
composed of 200 respondents and these samples were drawn from the total population using
random sampling techniques with proportional allocation method; Moreover, the data gathering
tools for this research were both closed and open-ended questionnaire. Data collected using
these instruments were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentage. Finally, the study
revealed that, further investigation must be undertaken to determine the validity, efficacy and
dosage of the plants to make it available as an alternative medicine to human disease and the
documentation and preparation of manual, as a means to preserve local knowledge and
experience must be encouraged along with dissemination of information on appropriate
cultivation methods for scarce medicinal plants in demand.
.
Key words: - malaria, medicinal plant, traditional health careand treatment.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study

Ethnos botany is a broad term referring to the study of direct interrelations between humans and plants. The
world health organization (WHO) (2001) defined traditional medicine as the total combination of knowledge
and practices that can be formally explained or used in prevention and elimination of physical, mental or
social imbalance and relying exclusively on practical experience and observation handed down from
generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing.

According to Fassil (2001), about 75-90 % of the rural population in the world (excluding western countries)
relies on traditional medicines as their only health care system. This is not only because of poverty where
people cannot afford to buy expensive modern drugs, but traditional systems are also more culturally
acceptable and meet the psychological needs in a way modern medicine does not. Consultation of medicinal
practitioners is very helpful for the development and incorporation of useful approaches in planning and
budgeting system for health care provision of most developing nations and indigenous communities.

In Africa, traditional medicine plays a central role in health care needs of rural people and urban poor. Here, it
is said that, this situation would remain so long as modern medicine continues to be unable to meet the health
care of the people of the continent effectively (Jansen, 1981). Their value and role of this health care system
will not diminish in the future, because they are both culturally viable and expected to remain affordable,
while the modern health care service is both limited and expensive (WHO, 1998). Indigenous traditional
medicinal practices were carried out essentially based on private practice, i.e.private agreement between
consenting parties, and the knowledge of traditional practice in most cases has descended through oral folk
lore (Asfawet al., 1999). Secrete of information retained by traditional healers is relatively less susceptible to
distortion but less accessible to the public.
1.2 Statement of The Problem

In the Industrialized countries people are seeking alternative herbal medicine because of the side effect from
the strong modern drugs. According to World Health Organization (WHO) 70 to 90 percent of world
population especially from developing countries, use plant remedies for their health care. However, the effort
to provide public acceptance and ascertain scientifically remained to minimum in developing countries
(Belachew D). Ethiopian traditional herbal drugs: potentiality and appropriate utilization,Moreover, the high
cost of drugs and the inability of many developing countries to purchase modern drugs have prompted them to
look for local products in the form of medicinal plants, that have proved to be effective, safe, inexpensive and
culturally acceptable (Sofowora A.1982; 19– 25). Developing countries like India, Pakistan and China have
identified potential usage of medicinal plants, and integrated them in to their overall health care system
(Andrew T.1982).

In Africa, traditional medicine plays a central role in health care needs of rural people and urban poor. Here, it
is said that, this situation would remain so long as modern medicine continues to be unable to meet the health
care of the people of the continent effectively (Jansen, 1981). Their value and role of this health care system
will not diminish in the future, because they are both culturally viable and expected to remain affordable,
while the modern health care service is both limited and expensive (WHO, 1998).
Ethiopia has high diversity of plant species most of which are used in traditional medicine. It is often quoted
as Ethiopia one of the six African countries where about 60% of the plants are said to be indigenous with their
healing potential (Desta Y., Debela A., Asseffa, G.1996). But, in Ethiopian society, knowledge about the
extent and characteristics of traditional healing practices and practitioners is limited and has frequently been
ignored in the national health system. This is also true in DiyaKebele, SigmoWoreda, Jimma zone, where such
study on medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional health care was not conducted in the past.
Based on the above insight the study focused mainly on identifying the knowledge, perceptions, and practice
of Traditional Medicinal health care through cross-sectional study in DiyaKebele, SigmoWoreda, Jimma zone.
Locally available and widely used medicinal plants would need to be identified and a list compiled as well as
propagated to alleviate the risk of extinction due to accelerated urbanization, recurring drought and
deforestation. This study was conducted to document locally available medicinal plants and empirical or local
knowledge of traditional healers on commonly used medicinal plants in Jimma zone, Sigmo district, Diya
kebele. Because medicinal plants used for human in traditional health care practice was transferred from
generation to generation through oral education especially in countries like Ethiopia, where there is little
accessibility to written documents and records on medicinal plants. However, after thorough investigation of
relevant information in related to assessment medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional
health care, the research has come up with the following basic research question.
1. To what extent the members of Diya Kebele community uses medicinal plants for human and animals
health care?

2. To what extend the Attitude and Knowledge of the community towards traditional medicinal plants
used for human and animals health care?

3. What types of plants and parts of used in traditional health care practice?

1.3. Objective of the study

1.3.1. General Objective

 To assess medicinal plants used for human in traditional health care at Diya Kebele, jimma Zone.

1.3.2. Specific objective

 To identify the practice of medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional health care by
community at Diya Kebele,
 To describe parts of plants used in traditional health care Diya Kebele,
 To document locally available medicinal plants and empirical or local knowledge of traditional healers on
commonly used medicinal plants in Jimma zone, Sigmo district, Diya Kebele.

1.4. Significance of the study

Apart from an obligatory requirement as partial fulfillment for the award of bachelor degree to the research;
the study would important for the case of to assess medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional
health care at Jimma zone, Sigmo district, Diya Kebele.
.The research again gives an insight for Sigmo district health office, other government bodies and stakeholders
on preference, reason and knowledge of medicinal plants. In addition, it may also serve as an initial
supplementary material for other research and individuals seeking intensive study in the problem area.

1.5. Scope of the study

In order to make the study more manageable, geographically the study was limited to Diya Kebele, Sigmo
district, Jimma zone, Oromia Regional State. This helps the researcher to easily obtain relevant information
about the medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional health care. The studies were also
limited to the medicinal plants used for human and animals in traditional health care.
 1.6 Organization of the study
This paper will set to contain five chapters. The first chapter comes up with the introductions part of the
research. The second chapter deals with the literature review. The third chapter deals with methodology of the
study. The fourth chapter is data analysis and interpretation and the last one is conclusion and
recommendation of the research.
2.REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Concept of traditional medicinal plant

The world health organization (WHO) (2001) defined traditional medicine as the total combination of
knowledge and practices that can be formally explained or used in prevention and elimination of physical,
mental or social imbalance and relying exclusively on practical experience and observation handed down from
generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing.

2.2 History of traditional medicinal plants

Historically, all medicinal preparations were derived from plants, whether in simple form of plant parts or in
the complex form of crude extracts. The primary benefits of using derived medicines are that they are
relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering profound therapeutic benefit and more affordable
treatment about 200 years ago our pharmacopoeia was dominate by herbal medicines and almost 25% of the
drugs prescribed worldwide were come from plants. Of the 252 drugs considered as basic and essential by the
WHO, 11%are exclusively of plant origin and significant number are synthetic drugs obtained from natural
pre-cursors.

The history of herbal medicine is rather old and dates back to the time when the early man becomes conscious
of his environment. Thousands of years’ experience, by trial and error must have taught him to distinguish
between useful and harmful plants with their properties as healing agents dawning on him much later. Since
then, medicinal plants have been used in virtually all cultures as source of medicine (sefu, et.al 2006).

By definition traditional use of plant medicines implies substantial historical use, and this is certainly true for
many products that are available as traditional herbal medicines. In many developing countries, a large
proportion of the population relies on traditional practitioners and there are mamentarium of medicinal plant
in order to meet health care needs. Although modern medicine may exist side by side with such traditional
practice, herbal have often maintained their popularity for historical and cultural reason. Such products have
become more widely available commercially, especially in developing countries. In this modern setting,
ingredients are sometimes marketed for uses that were never contemplated in traditional healing systems from
which they emerged. While in some countries, herbal medicines are subjects to rigorous manufacturing
standards, this is not so everywhere. In Germany for example, were herbal products are sold as
Photomedicines; they are subject to the same criteria for efficacy, safety and quality as other drug product. In
the USA, by contracts most herbal products in the market place are marketed and regulated as a dietary
supplement, a product category that does not require pre approval of products on the basis of any of these
criteria. (Sefu, et.al ,2006)

The other black box of herbal- based treatment is the lack of information about the composition of chemical
constituents of the herbal remedy. Herbs are natural products and their chemical composition varies depending
on several factors, such as botanical species, used chemo types the anatomical part of the plant used (seed,
root, leaf and so on) and also storage sun humidity, type of ground, time of harvest, geographic area, and
concentration of chemical constituents from batch and even the same manufacturer can merchandized to
achieve a high pharmaceutical quality. This variability can result in significant difference in pharmacological
active both pharmaco dynamic and pharmacokinetic issues.

For centuries, right up to 19th century, herbs were the major sources of drugs. While they were put aside with
the rapid advance in synthetic organic chemistry for around 50% years in the past, they still occupy an
important place in medicine.

2.3 Traditional Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia

The various climatic and topographic conditions of the country contributed to a rich biological diversity.
Ethiopia is believed to be home for about 6,000 species of higher plants with approximately 10% endemism
(Viveroet al., 2006). Similarly, as it was reported by IBC (2005), the flora of Ethiopia consists of an estimated
number of 6000 species of higher plants with 10-12% endemism. Medicinal plants species are also part of
those many plant species of the country. Like all other parts of the world, plants are used as a source of
medicine in Ethiopia. According to Dawit (1986), 95% of traditional medicinal preparations are of plant
origin.

Ethiopia is also a country with many languages, beliefs and highly diversified culture. This diversification
contributes to the people of the different localities of the country to develop their own specific knowledge of
plant resource uses, management and conservation (Pankhurst, 1990). Ethiopia has a long history of using
traditional medicines from plants and has developed ways to combat diseases through it (Asfawet al., 1999).
Although a significant number of people in Ethiopian societies use traditional medicinal plants for their
primary health care. Much of the earliest knowledge was not written down due to secrete kept by priest and
other knowledgeable persons, as a source of power since ancient times (Mirutseet al., 2003). It is not easy to
get traditional medicinal knowledge of the healers because they claim that the knowledge is their own and
wanted to transfer their knowledge only to a person they want to pass, mostly to the eldest son. This becomes
practical when they approach death (Jansen, 1981).

2.4 Sources of Medicinal Plants

According to Frankel et al. (1995) medicinal plants species are grown in the natural ecosystem. Similarly, the
work of Tesfaye and Sebsebe (2009) indicated that most of the medicinal plants in Ethiopia are collected from
the wild, some are cultivated and some others are grown in home gardens either purposely for medicinal use
or non-medicinal purpose. According to Zemede (1997), plant species cultivated in Ethiopian home gardens
for the purpose of medicine is about 6%. This figure indicates that a large number of medicinal plant species
that are used by the herbalists are collected from the natural vegetation. Local forests are sources of plant
processes into therapies used in traditional medical system (Balick and Cox, 1996). The natural ecosystems of
the forests, grass lands, wood lands, wet lands, field margins, contain a significant number of medicinal plants
species.

2.5 Status of Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia

About eighty percent of Ethiopia depends on medicinal plants for primary health care. Although the
contribution of medicinal plant species to modern health system and the poor society who live mainly in the
rural area is very high, lack of detailed descriptions of the medicinal plants has made it difficult for the
researchers to decide the identity of these plants universally with the only reference being the local names of
the plants and there is very little attention in modern research and development and the effort made to upgrade
is not satisfactory. One of the reasons is that the traditional medicinal plant species are not well described
(Mesfin and Sebsebe, 1992). According to Sebsebe and Ermias (2001), when research is conducted on the
medicinal plant species, it must target on the fact that the providers of the indigenous knowledge should get a
fair share on the benefits of the development of medicines. According to Tesfaye Awas (2007), detailed
information on medicinal plants of Ethiopia could only be obtained when studies are under taken in various
parts of the country where little or no botanical and ethno botanical studies have been conducted. Scientific
research on medicinal plants provides additional evidence to the present knowledge of medicinal plants which
has been handed down from generation to generation (WHO 1998). As it has already been stated by
Cunningham (1993) and Alexiades (1996), it is better to involve traditionally medical practitioners in
pharmaceutical companies. The modern health professionals and some of the consumers ask for scientific
based evidence. This encourages for better and more research work. According to Kannon (2004), research on
medicinal plants should direct for quality control and the research should examine active herbal constitute for
efficacy and toxicity of the herbs.

2.6 Uses of Medicinal Plants Other Than Their Medicinal Values

As it has already reported, medicinal plants are used for different purposes namely, as food, charcoal, fire
wood, construction, fodder, forage, ornamental, spices, etc. many medicinal plants are used as a food. For
instance plants like Alliumsativum(Alliaceae), Capsicum annum (Solanaceae),
Carissaspinaru(Apocynaceae),Citruslimon(Rutaceae),Coffeaarabica (Rubiaceae), Cordiaafricana
(Boraginaceae), Dovyalisabyssinica (Flacourtiaceae), Embeliaschimperi (Myrsinaceae),
Enseteventricosum(Musaceae), Ficussur(Moraceae), linumusitatissimum(linaceae),
Trigonellafoenumgraecum(Fabaceae), Urticasimensis(Urticaceae), Ximeniaamericana(Olacaceae)

(Tigistet al., 2006).

The pharmacologically active constituents in plants used as food would likely have a great impact on
medicinal plant species than those in plants used as medicine which are taken only in small amounts (Etkin,
1988). Other medicinal plants like Eucalyptus globulus, Prunusafricana, Hageniaabyssinica, Acacia
abyssinica, Allophyllusabyssinicus, Cordiaafricana, Juniperusprocera, Millettiaferruginea,
Oleaeuropaeasubsp.cuspidata and Vernoniaamygdalinaare used as a fire wood, constructing and charcoal.
Others like ZingiberofficinaleandCoriandrumsativumare used as a spice (Amare, 1976). Adding to this WHO
(1998) and traditional medicinal plants are also used as raw materials for the manufacture of modern drugs.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Area
The study was conducted at Diya kebele, Sigmo District, Jimma zone, Oromia regional state. Sigmo district is
located at about 127 km from Jimma town and 420km far from Addis Ababa. Sigmodistrictis one of the
districts that lies in the South Western Part of Jimma Zone. Sigimo district is mainly known for its
horticulture, agriculture, honey production, and coffee production. 90% of the study area is Woinadega air
condition, has a latitude and longitude of 8°15′N 34°35′E respectively and altitude ranges from 2050 to 3200 meter
above sea level. The area receives annual rainfall of 1500-2700mm for about 9 to 11 months per year starting from
January to December.The area encompasses huge natural forest of 110,802 ha, which is named as Timba and Gabba
forest. The major crops grown by farmers are: Teff, wheat, pea, bean, inset, maize, and sorghum in the order of
dominancy.

3.2. Research Design

Considering the nature of the study, the descriptive survey design was employed for the study with the
assumption that it is appropriate to describe condition that exist, opinions that are held, and processes that are
going on, trends that are developing and also to asses large sample size (Best and Kahan,. 2005). In this study,
the researcher was used both quantitative and qualitative approaches with more emphasis on quantitative
approach as the leading method.

3.3. Sources of data

To reach on the stated objectives, the researcher was used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was
collected from respondents or people of Sigmo district,Diya kebele, in Jimma Zone, became important for this
study due to the fact that most of the people are dependent on farming. This makes them intimate to natural
resources of which plants occupy key position. It is also expected that they depend on plants one way or
another way for their subsistence. Through structured questionnaire containing open ended and close ended
question,the secondary data was obtained from different documents related to medicinal plants used for
human and animals in traditional health care.

3.4. Sample size and sample technique

From the study population 0f 1200 house holders, the sample size will be determined by using the random Sampling
methods from the study population of1200 house holders using the following statistical formula (Daniel,.2004).

n= NpqZ2
d2 (N-1) + pqZ2
n=1200 x0.5 x0.5x (1.96)2
(0.1)2x (1200-1) + (1.96)2x0.5x0.5

n = 1152.48/12.9504 = 90
Value of Z that corresponds to 96% confidence interval=1.96

N= population study

P=prevalence of population

n=number of sample size

q=1-p=0.5

d=Degree of accuracy=0.1

For the study based on the scarcity of time the researcher had used 90 samples of respondents and 4 health extension
workers.using from Sigimo district by using involved systematic random sampling methods.

The first person was sampling randomly and then every 3rdperson was included in the sample from health
extension family status document. Therefore, from 94 sample selected 90 (95.7%) of respondents were
households, and 4(4.25%) of respondents were health extension workers.

3.5. Methods of data collection

A researcher would have used questionnaires for the households and interview for the health extension
workers. The data collection tool was first prepared in English after reviewing related literatures and then
translated to Afan Oromo language.

3.5.1 Questionnaires
Both close ended and open-ended type of questionnaires was provided on the questionnaire parts to collect
data from the respondents. According to Matiru, (1993), a questionnaire is a collection of written questions
which are usually answered in order to obtain information from the participants. The purpose for using
questionnaires is to enable participants to answer freely as they fill the questionnaire forms.
For the purpose of data gathering, the researcher prepared similar questionnaire for all groups of sample
respondents. The questionnaire consists of two set of items with close ended and few open-ended types. The
questionnaire has two parts: First section contained the general data of the respondents. And the other is
question item filled by respondents.

3.5.2 Interview
Furthermore, the researcher interviewed health extension workers to collect tangible data. Semi-structured
interview questions were employed as an instrument to collect relevant information. The reason for using
semi-structured interview is that it can permit the exploration of issues, which might be too complex to
investigate through questionnaires and also justifies as it allows better flexibility for the interviewer and
interviewee to explain more explicitly what he/she knows on the issue (Best and Kahn, 2003).
3.6 Data Analysis Method
The data gathered from the sample from the selected kebele were analyzed by using quantitative or statically
procedure that will statistically related variables that generated from questionnaire. Both open-ended and
closed-ended questionnaire was expressed in terms of percentage and tabular representations to analyze data,
observation, facts and the desired answer from selected samples expressed by using quantitative data
analyzing method. Based on interpretation, reasonable explanation was made on factors affect malaria
prevention.

4. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

This chapter deals with the presentation and analysis of data gathered from groups of participants using
questionnaire, interview and documents. The questionnaire was administered to farmers and traditional
healers, whilst the interview was conducted with health extension workers.

No Variables Parameter 4.1 Socio demographic

Parameter No % characteristics of
1 M 57 61
Sex respondents
F 37 39
Total 94 100
2 26-30 5 5 Table 1. Characteristic
31-35 21 22 of respondents
Age 36-40 26 28
Above 41 42 45
Total 94 100
3 Un educated 49 52
Primary school 27 29 The data in table 1 above
Qualification Grade 12 com.
th
16 17
shows that 57 (61%) of
Diploma and above 2 2
Total 94 100 respondents are males,
4 10 -20 year 16 17 while 37 (39%) of them
Experience in 20-30- 27 29
using of TM plant Above 30 years 41 43 are females, in another
None 10 11 way high number of
Total 94 100
5 Protestant - -
Orthodox - -
Religion Muslims 94 100
Other - -
Total 94 100
respondents about 41 (45%) are age found above 41, whereas respondents account 26(28%), 21 (22) and 5 (5)
are found age between36-40, 31-35 and 20-30 respectively. Similarly, the above table shows all of the
respondents 94 (100%) of them where followed Muslim religion.

The majority of the respondents 41 (43%) of respondents have an experience above 30 years, 27 (29%)
respondents where have 20-30- years’ experience and, 6 (17%)of respondents have an experience 10-20 years
and the reminders were none. Therefore, this indicate that most respondents have an excellent experience and
spend their time on collecting the traditional medicinal plants at the village.

Finally, the table shows the educational back ground seems the data 49 (52%) were uneducated, 27 (29%), 6
(17%) and 2 (2%) of them are primary, 12th complete and higher education holder respectively.

Table 2: Attitudes of community on medicinal plants used

No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage
Positive 40 43
1 What is your attitudes towards using traditional Negative 36 38
medicinal plants to treat human and animals disease? No idea 18 19
Total 94 100

The data in Table 2shows that 40 (43%) of the study participants were found to have good knowledge about
TMs or had positive attitudes towards medicinal plants and 36 (38%) had poor knowledge level. The
remaining respondents 18 (19%) were no idea on traditional medicinal plants. This indicates that most
participants had used different typesof herbal medicines either by themselves or visited traditional healer at
least more than three in their lifetime for treatment. That means they had used only herbal medication of
different type as mode of treatment for various illnesses
In this regard from the interview with health extension worker they speak that the community can have good
knowledge (awareness on the benefits and adverse effects of traditional medicine.) on the locally prepared
medicinal plants. But they had negative attitudes towards traditional medicinal plant due to the amount/ dose
of the medicinal plant given to the patients and considered as it may cause to death.
Table 3: Frequency of using traditional medicinal plants
No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage
Frequently 43 46
2 How often you do you use the traditional medicinal Sometimes 41 44
plants to treat human disease? Rarely 10 10
never uses 94 100

As table 3 indicates,41 (44%) of respondents were used traditional medicinal plants sometimes and 43 (46%)
of them were used frequently and 10 (10%) of respondents were used rarely, there is no one respondents who
never use medicinal plants to treat diseases. Therefore, the response of respondents implies that they used
traditional medicinal plants frequently until the disease were goes to severe point.

From the interview the researcher had with the health extension workers they said that People of the study
area use medicinal Plants frequently to cure human diseases and injures.

Table 4: Criteria used to determine the amount of traditional medicinal plant to be given
for patients

No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage

Age of the patient 37 39
3 What criteria is used to determine the Intensity of medicine 29 31
amount of traditional medicinal plant to Assuming the Side effect 19 20
give for the patients? of the medicine ?
Intensity of the disease 10 10
Total 94 100
According to table 4, 37 (39%) respondents of the study answered that they used the age of the patients to
determine the amount of the traditional medicinal plants to treat diseases and 29 (31), 19 (20%), 10 (10%) of
them use intensity of the medicine, assuming the side effect of the medicine and the intensity of the disease
respectively. Regarding to this Kaura, et al 2009 describes thatpeoples particularly traditional healers use age
of the patient, intensity of the medicine, side effect of the medicine and the level of the disease as criteria to
determine the amount and dose of traditional medicinal plants before giving to the patients.
From the interviews one said that They have developed several methods of application or administration of
medicinal plants depending on the particular disease to be treated. Some of the of administration of plant
materials as practiced by the community of Sigmo district, Diya kebele include intranasal, oral and external
application (ointment, bandaging over the surface of the skin).

Table 5: Diseases treated with traditional medicinal plants

No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage

Rabies 12 11%
Wounds and skin diseases 15 14%
For what types of disease do you use
Malaria ana head ache 10 9.4%
4 these traditional medicinal plants?
Cough and common cold 11 10%
Tooth ache 12 11%
Intestinal parasites, 14 13%
diarrhoea, amoeba, and
stomach ache
Eye, ear and tooth ache 8 7.5%
Cattle ailments (blackening, 10 9.4%
anthrax, leech, and external
parasite
Total 94 100%
As table 5 indicates 15 (14%) of the respondents use traditional medicinal plant to treat wounds and 11 (10%)
of the respondents replied that they use traditional medicinal plants to treat cough and common cold. In
similar manner 14 (13%), 12 (11%), 10 (9.4%), 8 (7,5%) and 10 (9,4%) of the respondents replied that they
use traditional medicinal plants to cure parasites/worms, Rabies, malaria, eye, ear and tooth ache, and
livestock ailments respectively.

Therefore, according to the response of the respondent’s majority of the community use traditional medicinal
plants for wounds, cough and parasite/worms most frequently and use to treat Rabies, fever, headache, broken
bone and asthma sometimes. Regarding to the traditional medicinal plants Coolins, 1998 writes that they are
base for modern medicine that peoples are currently using.

The interviews said that the traditional healers and medicinal plant users was used such medicinal plants to
cure wounds, cough, worms, fever, Rabies, malaria, headache, and others internal body pain. Traditional
healers of the study area use these medicinal products for treatment of different diseases that ranges from
painkiller to malaria and hemorrhoid.

Table 6: Parts of plants used to prepare traditional medicinal plants to treat diseases
No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage
Leaf 37 39%
Root 22 23%
5 What parts of plants are in use for medication
Steam 13 14%
to treat human disease?
Fruit 23 24%
Total 94 100%

As shown from table 6, the respondents of the study indicate they used leaf predominantly followed by root
and fruit (the same coverage); bark and flower of a plant parts as a source of medicinal plants constitutes 37
(39%), 22 (23%), 23(23%) and 13 (14%). Therefore, this indicates that most traditional healers and users of
traditional medicinal plant at all uses leaf, fruits roots and steams to cure the abovementioned diseases.
The interviews said that the traditional healers and traditional medicinal users were collect parts of the
traditional medicinal plants any time while they faced someone who is affected by disease and catch
by the disease.
Similarly, J, AM, et al 1991 states that peoples and traditional healers most dominantly use different parts of
plants collectively like leafs, fruits, roots and steams to treat diseases around their area.

Table 7: Methods of medicinal plants preparation

No Items Alternative Frequency Percentage
Boiling 16 17
6 Pounding 36 38
How do you prepare these medicinal
Drying 14 15
plants?
Mixing 28 30
Total 94 100

According to table 7, 36 (38%) of respondents replied that traditional healers and traditional medicinal plant
users were preparing medicinal plants by pounding, 28 (30%) of them were by mixing together, 16 (17%) of
them were by boiling and 14 (15%) of them were by drying each other. Therefore, according to the
information gathered from the study peoples prepare traditional medicinal plant by pounding, mixing together
parts of plants such as leafs, roots, fruits and steams (Davis, et al, 1989) a boiling, drying.

The interviewers have reported that users and traditional medicinal healers use many plant products for
different disorders. The people prepare the plants in different dosage forms (liquid, solid, and gaseous forms)
and administer them by mixing with water, tea, egg, and honey or without any mixing.

Table 8 Number of medicinal plants treat human, livestock and both human and
livestock disease

Category Number of plant Percentage

Human 22 55

Livestock 10 25

Both 8 20.0

Total 40 100

Among the collected 40 medicinal plants,22(55%) used to treat Human disease,

23(18.2%)used to treat livestock ailments and 8(20%) used to treat both human and
livestock ailments (Table 8).
 Table 9: Summary of traditional medicinal plants used to treat human diseases at Sigmo
district Diya Kebele.
No Scientific Family Local Parts Applied for Method of Frequenc
name name used preparation y
Zingiber Zingiberaceae Zingible Rhizo Cough Rhizomes are freshly Till cure
Officinal (jinjibila me pulverized and then
1 Ross ) boiled;
the decoction is taken
while warm
Olea Oleaceae Ejersa Leaf Tooth ache Leaves are boiled and Once
2 europeae (Woyra) (ye'tirishime decoction taken when
L. spp m) cold
Cuspidata
3 Salix Salicaceae Aleltu Leaf Rabies Leaves are pounded Once a
subserrata (yebd and dried, and then day
weshabeshet mixed with milk for three
a) days
4 Eucalyptus Myrtaceae Baarga Leaf Cough Leaves are boiled and Once a
Globulus moo adii decoction taken when day
cold
5 Nigella Ranumculace Assabuu Fruit Intestinal -Powder mixed with Once a
Sativa L. ae da parasite honey day
(yehod-
wustetilatel
6 Ocimum Labiatae Damake Leaf Headache Fresh leaves are Oncea day
Lamiifolium se pounded, and then juice
is taken orally.
7 Datura - Asaangi Leaf Wound Leaves are pounded
ra and liquid is varnished
stramonium
to wound
8 Carica Carica Papaya Leaf Malaria Leaves are pounded Once a
papaya L. papaya (Woba) and then day
boiled; the decoction is
taken
while cold.
9 Ruta Caradda Leaf Abdominal Fresh leaves are Once
chalepensis L. ma colic pounded and
(Kurtet) Then juice is prepared.
seeds can
also be used
10 Acacia Fabaceae Laaftoo Leaf Leismanesei Juvenile leaf crushed Till cure
abbyssinica s and sniffed
11 Alliumsativum Alliaceae Qullubbi Bulb Eaten with Enjera and
L i Adii Malaria Capsicum annuum L For 5days
before eating breakfast
12 Asparagusafri Asparagaceae Sariitii Leaf Spider Leaves crushed and Till cure
canusLam poison applied on the affected
part
13 Bidensmacrop Asteraceae Keelloo Leaf Athletis foot Leaves put on fire and 3days
tera rubbed on affected part
14 Brassicacarin Brassicaceae Goomm Seed Common Powdered and Mixed 3days
ataA.Br. ana Cold with water then drunk
15 Bruceaantidys Simaroubacea Qomany Leaf Ascaris Crushed with Two days
entricaJ.F e oo Bersemaabyssinica and
cooked with porriage
and given for children
16 Crotonmacros Euphorbiacea Bakkann Latex Skin Exudates put on the cut
tachyusDel. e iisa bleeding skin
17 Centellaasiati Apiaceae Buqqee Leaf Tinea Leaves crushed and Until cure
ca(L)Urban corporis rubbed
18 Clematissime Ranuculaceae Hidda Root Stomach Fresh root chewed and
nsis Fresen. fiitii ache swallowed
19 Cofffeearabic Rubiaceae Buna Seed Diarrhea Powder of roasted
aL. coffee beans mixed
with honey and given
to patient
20 Cocciniaabyss Cucurbitaceae Ancoote Root Tuberclosis Cooked and eaten with For four
inica(Lam.) e enjera. days
21 Catha edulis Celasteraceae Caatii Leaf Cough Leaf crushed and For four
(Vahl) boiled with tea then days
drunk
22 Cucurbitapep Cucurbitaceae Buqqee Seed Tape worm The dried seed roasted
oL. and eaten
23 Cynoglossom Boraginaceae Maxxan Leaf Ear diseases Leaves smashed and
lanceolatum nee dropped in ear
Forssk. Head ache Leaves crushed and
sniffed
Eye diseases Leaves smashed and
dropped in eye
24 Daturastruma Solanaceae Asaangi Leaf Nasal Leaves smashed and
niumL. ra bleeding smelled
Seed Tooth ache Seed put on fire and the
smoke in haled
25 Echnoshispid Asteraceae Qabrich Bark Evil eye Dried bark put on fire
us Fresen. oo and the smoke inhaled
26 Embeliaschim Boraginaceae Aanquu Fruits Tape worm Fruit eaten early in the
peri Vatke morning .
27 Rosaceae Heexoo Flow Tape worm Fresh floral part
Hageniaabyss er powdered and soaked
inica(Brace) in water for four days
and then drunk with
coffee before having
breakfast.
28 Ancanthaceae Dhumm Leaf Head ache Leaves put on fire and
Justsiaschimp uugaa rubbed on head
eriana
T.Andres
29 Cucurbitaceae Buqqee Fruits Dandruf Put on fire and burnt
Lagenariasice seexana the affected part with it
raria(Molina) a
30 Brassicaseae Shiinfaa Seed Malaria Seed pawdered and
Lepidiumsativ eaten with enjera.
um L.

Table 10: Summary of traditional medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments at Sigmo district
Diya Kebele.

No Scientific Family Local Parts Applied for Method of Frequenc

name name used preparation y
1 Achantaceae Kosorru Leaf Wounds on Leaves crushed and Till cure
Achantuspolys u the shoulder rubbed on the wound
tiachiusDelile of oxen
2 Ancanthaceae Dhumm Leaf Cossidiosis Fresh leaves crushed
Justsiaschimp uugaa and given for hen or
eriana hen blackening
T.Andres
3 Solanaceae Hiddii Fruits Eye disease Fruits boiled in water
Salanumangui seexana and droped in the eyes
viLam. a of affected cattle
Root Trypoanoso Grinded and mixed Three
miyasis with water and given days
one bottle
4 Brassicaseae Shiinfaa Seed Blackening Seed powdered in
Lepidiumsativ water and given by the
um L. bottle forcefully for
cattle
5 Bruceaantidys Simaroubacea Qomany Leaf Kaafira Leaves crushed and Till cure
entricaJ.F e oo rubbed on the leap in
the mouth of cattle
6 Crotonmacros Euphorbiacea Bakkann Root Rabies Dried root powdered At least
tachyusDel. e iisa and given to dog with for 3days
injera which suffered
 by rabies
7 Centellaasiati Apiaceae Buqqee Fruits Tick Fruit cooked and
ca(L)Urban rubbed on an affected
part.
8 Clematissime Ranuculaceae Hidda Root Intestinal Root crushed and given
nsis Fresen. fiitii paraasite for cattle by mixing in
water t o get relief
from intestinal
parasites
9 Sidarhombifol Mslvaceae Karaaba L worm Leaves crushed and Till cure
iaL. a rubbed externally
Olea Oleaceae Ejersa Leaf Breast Leaves are boiled and Once
10 europeae (Woyra) disease then the breast of the
L. spp cows washed by it.
Cuspidata
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion of the study
Based on the data that obtained from questionnaires and interview given to the traditional
medicinal plant healers and traditional medicinal plant users as well as health extension workers
of Sigmo district Diya Kebele, the following conclusion was drawn from interpreted data and
literature revised.
 The study has indicated that, local people of Sigmo district Diya Kebele, have used plants
(traditional medicinal plants) to treat human ailments for long period of time. Medicinal
plants were still acceptable in the community of Diya Kebele Sigmo district due to
cultural acceptability, easy accessibility, and affordability of traditional medicine.
 Most widely observed plant parts in the presparation of remedies are the leaves, roots,
whole plant, fruits, stem & bark parts in that order.
 The community can have positive attitudes towards traditional medicinal plant. But feel
overdose using of traditional medicinal plants may cause to death. That means the
population has good knowledge about traditional medicines
 People of the study area use medicinal Plants frequently to cure human diseases and
injures
 peoples of the study area can prepare medicinal plants by pounding, boiling, drying and
mixing together parts of plants such as leafs, roots, fruits and steams.
5.2 Recommendation of the study
Finally based on the findings and conclusion of the study, the researcher recommends the
following points for the community, health extension workers and Woreda health center.

 Accepting use of medicinal plants to treat human disease as a valuable alternative way is
important for the community.
 Further investigation must be undertaken to determine the validity, efficacy and dosage
of the plants to make it available as an alternative medicine to human and animals
disease.
 Furthermore, training should be given to the local people (traditional healers) on the use
of standard Survey of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and livestock Diseases
measurements to reduce side effects due to improper dosage.
 The documentation and preparation of manual, as a means to preserve local knowledge
and experience must be encouraged along with dissemination of information on
appropriate cultivation methods for scarce medicinal plants in demand.
REFERENCE
Amare Getahun (1976). Some common medicinal and poisonous plants used in Ethiopian folk

medicine. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Pp. 3-63.

Asfaw Debela, Dawit Abebe and UrgaKelbessa (1999). An overview of traditional medicine in

Ethiopia: Prospective and Development Efforts. In: Ethiopian Pharmaceutical

Association, pp. 45-53, (Tamirat Ejigu, ed.) Silver Jubilee Anniversary, Special Issue.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Belachew D. Ethiopian traditional herbal drugs: potentiality and appropriate utilization. 8th
International Conference of Ethiopian Studies1984:763 –766
Dawit Abebe (1986). Traditional medicine in Ethiopia: The Attempts being made topromote it
for effective and better Utilization. SINET: Ethiop. J.Sci., (Supp.) 9:61-69.
Dawit Abebe (2001). The role of medicinal plants in Health care Coverage of Ethiopia, the
possible benefits of integration. In: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal
plants in Ethiopia. pp. 107-118. (Medhin Zewdu and Abebe Demissie (eds.)). Proceeding
of the National workshop on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable use of medicinal
plants in Ethiopia, 28 April-01 May 1998, IBCR, Addis Ababa.
Desta Y., Debela A., Asseffa, G. Traditional Medicine: global andNational perspectives. In
Abebe D.ed Proceeding of the workshop on development and utilization of herbal
remedies in Ethiopia (1996 June 4-6; Addis Ababa: EHNRI 1996: 1-9
Fassil Kibebew (2001). The status and availability of oral and written knowledge on traditional

health care in Ethiopia. In: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal plants in
Ethiopia, pp. 107-119, (Medhin Zewdu and Abebe

MirutseGiday and Gobona Amene (2003). An ethnobotanical survey on plants of veterinary

importance in Two Woredas of Southern Tigray. Northern Ethiopia.SINET: Ethio. J. Sci.,

26(2): 123-136. New York, USA. Pp. 219-224.
Jansen, P.C.M. (1981). Spices, Condiments and Medicinal plants in Ethiopia, their Taxonomy

and Agricultural Significance. Center for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation,

Wageningen, Netherlands. Pp 327.

Tigist Wondimu, Zemede Asfaw and EnsermuKelbessa (2006). Ethnobotanical Study of food

plantsaroundDheeraa’town,Arsi zone, SINET: Ethiop.J.Sci.,29(1):71-

WHO, Regulatory situation of herbal medicines (1998).: A Worldwide Review, Pp. 1-9 Geneva.

WHO, Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005, World Health Organization, Geneva,

Switzerland, 2002.
Appendix I
JIMMA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Questionnaires

This questionnaire is prepared to assess medicinal plants used for human in traditional health
care at Jimma zone,Sigmo district, Diya Kebele.To achieve this objective, your honest response
to this questionnaire is very much needed. Hence the researcher kindly requests your corporation
to fill in the questionnaire. All your information supplied in this questionnaire will be
confidential and used only for the purpose of this study. For confidentiality you should not write
your name on this questionnaire paper.

Thank you very much for your kind support

Part I: Back ground information

Please provide the following information

1. Kebele: ____________________-

2. Sex male female

3. Age: __________

4. Qualification a) Diploma c) Grade 8

b) Grade 10 d) Illiterate
Part II
This section is designed to assess medicinal plants used for human in traditional health care at
Jimma zone,Sigmo district, Diya Kebele. You are asked to consider each question in terms of
your observation and practice on medicinal plants used for human in traditional health care. Read
each statement carefully and try to fill the space provided with the appropriate information that
best fit the specific question.
1. How are your attitudes towards traditional medicinal plants used to treat human disease?
a. Positive c. No idea
b. Negative d. Either of the two

2. How often you do you use the traditional medicinal plants to treat human disease?
a. Frequently c. rarely
b. Sometimes d. never uses
3. What criteria is used to determine the amount of traditional medicinal plant to give the
for patients?
a. age of the patient c. How the medicine affects the patient’s disease
b. intensity of disease
4. List types of plants that the you can use them as a traditional medicinal plant for human
health care.
a. ________________________ e.______________________________
b. ________________________ f.______________________________
c. ________________________ g.______________________________
d. ________________________ h.______________________________
5. For what types of disease do you use these traditional medicinal plants?
a. Parasites/worms
b. Fever
c. Wounds
d. Malaria
e. Cough
f. Tooth ache (ye'tirishimem)
g. Others
6. How do you prepare these medicinal plants?
a. Boiling
b. Pounding
 c. Freezing
d. Drying
e. Mixing
7. What parts of plants are in use for medication to treat human disease?
a. Leaf
b. Root
c. Steam
d. Bark

Part III: Interview questions for health extension workers

1. Do you think that members of the community have the awareness on the use of traditional
medicine at your village?

2.What attempts you have been doing to change the traditional medicine to the modern one?

3. How often traditional healers collect traditional medicinal plant?

4. For what kinds of diseases do you think the traditional healers use traditional medicinal plants
to treat human disease in your community?

5. Does the society have sufficient information on the negative impacts of traditional medicinal
plants used to treat human disease?

6. What you suggest on the practice of traditional medicinal plant used to treat human disease at
your villages?