WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSTY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIECNES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

ETHNOBOTANICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN CASE OF

SODO TOWN IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.

PREPARED BY ID No

1. AMANUEL HALACHO BIO/WE/023/12

2. ASHENAFI KELTA BIO/WE/025/12

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, WOLAITA

SODO UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF
BACHELOR DEGREE OF SCIENCES IN BIOLOGY

ADIVSOR: EYOB CHUKALO (PhD)

NOVEMBER, 2023

WOLAITA SODO, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between plants and people with a particular
emphasis on traditional cultures. The objective of the study was to assess and document
knowledgeable elders and local communities. Various ethnobotanical techniques were used to
collect and analyze the data. Interviews and questionnaires were used as techniques of data
collection. Fifty informants (28 males and 22females) from Sodo town were included in the
study. A total of 40 plant species (29 from wild and 11 from home garden) distributed in 27
families and 36 genera, were collected from the study area and identified. Out of these, 25
species (62.5% ) are used for treatment of human and 12 species (30%) for livestock aliments,
while 3 species (7.5%) are used to treat both livestock and human ailments. Herbaceous species
constitute the largest number with 14 species (35%) followed by shrubs 13 species (32.5%), trees
with 12 species (30%) and climber 1(2.5%). Oral administration is the dominant route (40%),
followed by dermal route (32.5%) in which pounding, powdering, smashing, chewing, rubbing,
crushing, burning, smoking, squeezing, creaming and rinsing are recorded as methods of
preparation techniques.

Key words: - Ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plant, mode of preparation ,

treatment

II
Table of Contents Page
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................................II
1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................- 1 -
1.1. Background of the study...............................................................................................................- 1 -
1.2. Significance of the study...............................................................................................................- 2 -
1.3. Statement of the problems..........................................................................................................- 2 -
1.4. Objectives of the study.................................................................................................................- 3 -
1.4.1. General objective......................................................................................................................- 3 -
1.4.2. Specific objectives.................................................................................................................- 3 -
2. Literature review.................................................................................................................................- 4 -
2.1. Concept of cultural (traditional) medicinal plants........................................................................- 4 -
2.2. Indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants................................................................................- 4 -
2.3. Role of medicinal plants...............................................................................................................- 5 -
2.4. Traditional medicinal activities in Ethiopia...................................................................................- 5 -
2.5. Habits and structure of plants used for preparation of traditional medicinal plants....................- 6 -
2.6. Method of utilizing traditional medicinal plants...........................................................................- 6 -
Traditional medicinal plants can be utilized either:-...........................................................................- 6 -
2.7 .The threats to medicinal plants and the associated knowledge...................................................- 6 -
2.8. Conservation efforts of medicinal plants......................................................................................- 6 -
2.8.1. Ex-situ conservation..............................................................................................................- 7 -
2.8.2. In-situ conservation...............................................................................................................- 7 -
2.9. Advantages and Disadvantages of traditional medicinal plants...................................................- 7 -
2.9. 1. Advantages of traditional medicinal pants...........................................................................- 7 -
2.9.2. Disadvantages of traditional medicinal pants........................................................................- 7 -
3. Materials and Methods...................................................................................................................- 8 -
3.1. Descriptions of study area and period...........................................................................................- 8 -
3.2. Sampling Techniques....................................................................................................................- 8 -
3.3. Method of data collection............................................................................................................- 8 -
3.4. Data analysis.................................................................................................................................- 8 -
4. WORK PLAN.....................................................................................................................................- 9 -
Table 1 Work plan...................................................................................................................................- 9 -
5. BUDGET BREAK DOWN.................................................................................................................- 9 -

III
Table 2 Budget breakdown.....................................................................................................................- 9 -
References.............................................................................................................................................- 10 -

IV
 1. Introduction
1.1. Background of the study
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between plants and people with a particular
emphasis on traditional cultures. The traditional use of plants to fulfill daily needs dates back to
the beginning of human civilization and continues to date. Still traditional medicinal plant
knowledge is the integral part of culture of many Asian and Africans countries indigenous
community. In Ethiopia, utilization of medicinal plant remedies in preventing or curing various
ailments still plays a significant role in most parts of the country (Birh et al., 2011; Giday and
Teklehaymanot , 2013; Tolossaet al., 2013). Particularly, traditional herbal healing is widely
practiced throughout the rural population as their primary health-care system (Yineger, 2007;
Seid and Tsegay, 2011). There is a high expectation of enormous traditional knowledge and use
of medicinal plant species in Ethiopia due to the existence of diverse languages, cultures, beliefs
and significant geographical diversity which favored the formation of different habitat for
medicinal plant (Cunningham et al., 2001). In Ethiopia, it has been estimated that traditional
remedies are the most important and sometimes the only source of therapeutics for nearly 80% of
the population of which 95% of traditional medicinal preparations are of plant origin (Hamilton,
2003). Much of the knowledge on traditional medicine is available in rural communities. Most of
them are perpetuated by word of mouth within family or small community. However, since
cultural systems are highly dynamic, these skills are likely to be lost when the communities
emigrate to towns or regions, or if the local ecology is significantly changed (Suleman and
Alemu, 2012). Furthermore, the high population pressure and its related consequences like
increased need for agricultural land, settlement, fuel wood, house construction, and income
generation have led to an extreme reduction of medicinal plant in all over their ranges (Bekalo et
al., 2009; Belaynehet al., 2012).
The current loss of medicinal plants in the country due to natural and anthropogenic factors links
with the missing of valuable indigenous Biology associated with the plants. This strong link
suggests a need to conduct ethnobotanical research and to document the medicinal plants and the
associated indigenous knowledge. Such studies are useful to identify threatened plants and to

1
take appropriate conservation measures. The present research will document the wealth of
indigenous
Knowledge on utilization, management and conservation of medicinal plants as well as threats to
the plants in Sodo Town, Wolaita zone.

1.2. Significance of the study

All most all researches have their own predetermined objective to achieve and signify their work.
The finding of this study has the following important significances:
1. It helps people of the study area to develop the habit of documenting and passing indigenous
Knowledge to next generation without being distorted.
2. Provide useful information for industries on market potential of medicinal plants products in
the study area.
3. Help health institutions to design intervention strategies for controlling of diseases using both
Traditional and modern drugs.
4. The study will provide valuable information for local people health offices and other
concerned people.
5. Generates base line data for future research in the same field.

1.3. Statement of the problems

Medicinal plants are the base for the development of new drugs and for the survival of all human
kinds as well as other livestock’s. However, the local knowledge of traditional medicine of the
area usually passed on orally from generation to generation as most other parts of the country.
Valuable information can be lost or destroyed whenever traditional healers or elder’s people die
before they have passed their traditional knowledge to the next generation. It is also true that
there is no true and enough documented data and reference about what type and species of
medicinally used plants of Ethiopia as documented for National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan by (Tesema, 2002). There are more than 887 plants species reported to be utilized in the
traditional medicine of Ethiopia. This indicated that about 14% of Ethiopian floras are used in
rational medicine.

2
1.4. Objectives of the study
1.4.1. General objective
 To assess and document Ethno botanically used medicinal plants in the study area

1.4.2. Specific objectives

 To identify plant species used as medicinal plants and their parts used for medicinal
preparations.
 To assess types of aliments treated by medicinal plants.
 To distinguish the method of using of medicinal plants in the study area.
 To record uses of the medicinal plant species other than their medicinal value.

3
 2. Literature review

2.1. Concept of cultural (traditional) medicinal plants

Traditional medicinal plants are the combination of knowledge and practices whether applicable
or not in diagnosis, preventing or eliminations of physical or mental disease which may rarely
exclusively on past experience and observation undertaken from generation to generation (WHO,
1979). According to medicinal history, Hippocrates (469-370 B.C) was the first Greece to regard
medicine as a science and he is now referred to as the father of medicine. Furthermore, Pinly the
elder was one of the first Roman naturalist who wrote same 37 books and devoted two volume
(number 20 and 27) to medicinal botany and he often prescribed paper and repentance as the cure
of for many disease (Lewis,1981).

2.2. Indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants

Indigenous knowledge refers to the accumulation of knowledge, rule, standards, skills, and
mental set, which are possessed by local people in a particular area (Quanah, 1998). It is the
result of many generations’ long years’ experiences, careful observations and trial and error
experiments (Martin, 1995). Traditional people around the world possess unique knowledge of
plants resources on which they depend for food, medicine and general utility including
tremendous botanical expertise (Martin, 1995). Over centuries, indigenous people of different
localities have developed their own specific knowledge on plant resource use, management and
conservation (Cotton, 1996).Systematic application of indigenous knowledge is important for
sustainable use of resources and development (Thomas, 1995). Various animal and mineral
products contribute to human welfare; the plant kingdom is most essential to human well-being
especially in supplying basic human needs. Since ancient times, human beings used plants for the
purpose of disease control and prevention. It was believed to be the result of many generations
long years’ experience, careful observations and trial and error experiments that early humans
acquired the knowledge on the utilization of plants for disease prevention and curative purposes
(Sofowora, 1982; Martin; 1995). So, the knowledge and application of traditional medicine is
one of the widely used indigenous knowledge systems. This implies that humans are dependent
on other organisms for their life. This close interaction and dependency of human on plants is
studied under the field of Ethnobotany. Such knowledge, known as ethno medicinal knowledge
involves traditional diagnosis, collection of raw materials, preparation of remedies and its

4
prescription to the patients. Indigenous knowledge on remedies in many countries including
Ethiopia passes from one generation to the next verbally with great secrecy. Such secrete makes
indigenous knowledge vulnerable to distortion and in most cases; some of the lore is lost at each
point of transfer; there is a need for systematic documentation of such useful knowledge through
ethnobotanical research.

2.3. Role of medicinal plants

Plants have played crucial role as a source of traditional medicine in Ethiopia from the time to
combat different ailments and human sufferings (Asfaw, et al., 1999). It was the only system
available for health care prior to the introduction of modern medicine for prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of social, mental and physical illness (Dawit, 1986). To date traditional medicine
has become an integral part of the culture of the Ethiopians people due to its long period of
practice and existence (Mirgissa, 1998).The antiquity of the traditional use of medicinal plants in
Ethiopia could never be disregarded ( Mirutse, 1999). Due to accessibility, acceptability and
biomedical benefits there is a large magnitude of use and interest of medicinal plants in Ethiopia
(Dawit, 2001).

The long history of use of medicinal plants in Ethiopia is reflected in various medico-religious
manuscripts produced on parchments and believed to have originated several centuries ago
(Fassil, 2001). Reviews of medicinal textbooks that have been written in Geez or Arabic between
17 th and 18 th centuries indicated that the majority of Ethiopians, with the exceptions of few
privileged groups, starting from the time of the Italian occupation, have been depending almost
entirely on the traditional medicine (Pankhurst, 1990).

2.4. Traditional medicinal activities in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia there is a great geographical diversity which creates tropical, subtropical and
temperate climatic condition resulted in great diversity in flora and fauna in Ethiopia. This
conciliation also favored the evolution of diverse disease and their causative agents. In response
to these diseases: Ethiopians have developed remedies that restore enhance good health. The
knowledge is based on oral traditional or information codified in early medico-religious
manuscripts (Mesfin, 2004).

5
2.5. Habits and structure of plants used for preparation of traditional
medicinal plants
Preparation of traditional medicinal plants used for medicinal purposes, may have one of the
following habits: herbaceous, shrubby or shrub trees, climber or any other. The traditional
medicinal constituents or ingredients maybe found in their leaves, seeds, flower, fruit, root,
rhizomes, stems, bark, seed-coat and so on. To get maximum benefit or medicine, there is
specific season and time of the day in which active principle of plants materials would be
attainable (Banner, 1979).

2.6. Method of utilizing traditional medicinal plants

Traditional medicinal plants can be utilized either:-

• By making a juice of leaves barks or roots and then :-

• Swabbing on affected parts of the body or

• Drinking the juice or

• Rubbing the juice on an injured part of the body or grinding the leaves and seed apply on
affected body parts and drink its juice or boiling and inhaling the vapor or grin.

(www.penn foster gldal.com).

2.7 .The threats to medicinal plants and the associated knowledge

There are two sources of threats to medicinal plants specifically and in general to the biodiversity
.i.e .natural and manmade threats. Man made threats include:-agricultural expansion, destructive
harvesting and introduction of invasive species, urbanization, population pressure and over
harvesting are some of the man made threats to medicinal plants. Natural threats include:-
recurrent drought, bush fire, disease and pest out break (William, 2003).and so on.

2.8. Conservation efforts of medicinal plants

There are two major strategies undertaken in conserving biodiversity in general and medicinal
plants in particular. These are:-

6
2.8.1. Ex-situ conservation
So far the Institute Of Biodiversity Conservation and Research (IBCR) has conserved about 662
samples of 31 medicinal plants species in cold room gene bank. Although their storage behavior
is still not studied. Until storage techniques are prepared, it is better to conserve medicinal plants
in ex-situ in bank (Mari, 1917).

2.8.2. In-situ conservation

This conservation approaches dedicated conserving the medicinal plants in their original natural
habitats in order to restore the generic diversity of species. (http://penn wikipedia.org).

2.9. Advantages and Disadvantages of traditional medicinal plants

2.9. 1. Advantages of traditional medicinal pants

• Cheaper than modern medicine.
• More accessible to most of the population in the third world countries.

• It is potential source of new drugs (Penn. fostergldal.com).

2.9.2. Disadvantages of traditional medicinal pants

• Lack of scientific proof of its efficiency.

• Traditional medicinal practitioners are not hygienic in their preparation method.

• Witch crafts and the evil aspects of traditional medicinal also disorder form of medicine

(http://berbs-love to know.com).

7
 3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Descriptions of study area and period

Wolayita or Wolaita is an administrative zone in Ethiopia. It is named for the Welayta people,
whose homeland is in the zone. Wolayita is bordered on the south by Gamo Zone, on the west by
the Omo River which separates it from Dawro, on the northwest by Kembata Zone and Tembaro
Special Woreda, on the north by Hadiya, on the northeast by the Oromia Region, on the east by
the Bilate River which separates it from Sidama Region, and on the south east by the Lake
Abaya which separates it from Oromia Region. The administrative centre of Wolayita is Sodo.
Other major towns are Areka, Boditi, Tebela, Bele, Gesuba, Gununo, Bedessa and Dimtu.

Wolayita has 358 kilometres (222 mi) of all-weather roads and 425 kilometres (264 mi) of dry-
weather roads, for an average road density of 187 kilometres per 1000 square kilometres. Its
highest point is Mount Damota (2738 meters.

3.2. Sampling Techniques

The techniques employed for data collection will Interviews, observations and questionnaires for
informants in Wolaitic language focusing on indigenous knowledge of the local community on
use local name of medicinal plants, method of preparation, parts of plant used, mode of
application and threats of medicinal plants. Accordingly, a total population 50 informants (22
female and 28 male) were selected including some elderly people and traditional medicine
practitioners for personal interviews.

3.3. Method of data collection

Two methods (primary and secondary data collection method) will be used to identify and
document medicinal plants in the study area. Primary data will be collected through
questionnaires, observation sand interviews. Secondary data will be collected from Internet,
books, thesis, and journals and scientific study.

3.4. Data analysis

Descriptive statistical methods such as percentages and tables will be employed to analyze,
present ,interpret and summarize the data on medicinal plants, used and associated knowledge.
The most useful information gathering on medicinal plants reported from local people are:

8
medicinal value, application, methods of preparation, routes of administration, disease treated,
parts used and habit( growth form of the plants) were analyzed by using table and percentage
4. WORK PLAN
Table 1 Work plan
No Activity Months
Dec Janu Feb March
1 Proposal development √ √
2 Proposal submission √
3 Questioner development √
4 Data collection √
5 Data analysis and interpretation √

6 Data organization √
7 Report writing √
8 Submission

5. BUDGET BREAK DOWN

Table 2 Budget breakdown
No Item Unit Amount Unit price Total remark
1 Paper Desta 1 170 170
2 Data collection Number 3 100 300
Interview Number 3 70 210
transportation
3 Computer service Number 1 100 100
4 Printing Number of 56 2 112
sheet

9
References
1. Abebe Wakjira (1984) Traditional pharmaceutical practice in Gondar region,
Northwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethno pharmacology. 1984;11:33–47.
2. Asfaw Debela, DawitAbebe and Ensermu Kelbessa (1999). An over view of traditional
medicine in Ethiopia: Perspective and Developmental Efforts. In: Ethiopian Pharmaceutical
Association.Pp: 25-61, (Tamrat, Ejigu, (eds). Silver Jubilee Anniversary. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3. Banners Mars (1979).Traditional Medicinal Current Pattern of Usage. R. H. WHO TRM.
America, New York.
4. Bekalo Tasfaye Haile Mariam, Woodmatas Sebsebe Demissew ,Woldemariam Zemede Asfaw
(2009). An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people in the lowlands of
Konta Special Woreda, southern nations, nationalities and peoples regional state, Ethiopia J.
Ethnobiol. Ethnomed.5:26.
5.Belayneh ,Anteneh Asfaw Zemede , DemissewSebsebe , BussaNegussie F (2012).Medicinal
plants potential and use by pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Erer Valley of Babel
Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia J. Ethnobiol.8:42.
6. BeyeneTedesse (2008). Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants In Adigrat Woreda and
Adjacent Kebele In Ganta-AfeshumWereda, Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical
Approach. MSc Thesis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
7. Birhan W, Giday Mirutse, Teklehaymanot Tilahun (2011). The contribution of traditional
healers' clinics to public health care system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional
study .Eth J. Ethnobiol nomed.7:39.
8. Cotton, C.M. (1996). Ethnobotany: Principles and Applications. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.,
Chi Chester, England, pps: 347-374.
9. Cunningham AB (2001). Applied Ethnobotany: People, wild plant use and conservation
London and Sterling, VA: Earth scan Publications Ltd.
10. DawitAbebe (1986). Traditional medicine in Ethiopia. The attempt being made to promote it
for effective and better utilization. SINET: Ethio. J. Sci. 9: 61–69.
11. Debela Hunde (1919). Survey on Plant Used in Traditional Medicine in Kefa, Jimma
Teacher’s College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
12. Fassil Kibebew (2001). The status and availability of oral and written knowledge on
Traditional healthcare in Ethiopia. In: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal

10
Plants in Ethiopia. Pp.109-119, (Medhin Zewdu and Abebe Demise (eds). Proceeding
Of the national work shop on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants
In Ethiopia, 28 April- May-01 1998, IBCR, Addis Ababa.
13. GidayMirutse and Ameni Gobena (2003). An Ethnobotanical Survey on Plants of Veterinary
Importance in two Woreda of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. SINET: Ethiopian J. Sci.
26:123-136.
14. Hamilton A (2003). Medicinal Plants and Conservation: issues and approaches. Panda
House, Catteshall Lane, London.
15. Lewis (1981).Soil and Water Conservation, food and Agricultural organization of united
nation, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
16. MirgissaKaba (1998). Utilization of plant medicine for the treatment of health problems.
The case of Oromo of Chora District, Illubabor Zone, Western Ethiopia.
Ethio. J. Health Dev., 10: 161-166.
17. Martin, G.J. (1995). Ethnobotany: A Method Manual. Chapman and Hall, London, pp:
267- 347
18. MesfinTedesse.(2004).Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea volume 2 part1. And SIDA,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sweden.
19. Mirutse Giday (1999). An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the zay people in
Ethiopia. M.Sc. Thesis. Uppsala, Sweden. Pankhurst, R. (1990). An introduction to
Medicinal history of Ethiopia. The Red Sea Press, Inc. New Jersey.
20. Quanash, N. (1998). Bio cultural diversity and integrated healthcare in Madagascar.
Nature and resources.30:18-22.
21. Seid MA, Tsegay BA (2011). Ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants
In Tehuledere district, South Wollo, Ethiopia. J. Med. Plant Res. 5:6233-6242.
22 .Subramanian R, Steven NG, Murugesan M, BalasubramaniamV, Muneer M (2008).
Consensus of the ’Malasars’ traditional aboriginal knowledge of medicinal
Plants in the Velliangiri holy hills, India. J. Ethnobiol. Ethnomed.4:8.
23. Suleman Sultan and AlemuTamirat (2012). A survey on utilization of ethno medicinal plants
in Nekemte town, East Wellega (Oromia), Ethiopia. J. Herbs Spices Med.
Plants 18:34-57.
24. Teklehaymanot Tilahun and Gidey Mirutse (2007). Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal

11
Plants used by People in Zegie Peninsula, Northwestern Ethiopia. J.Ethnobiol.Ethnomed.3:12.
25. Thomas, H. (1995). Indigenous knowledge, emancipation and alienation. Journal of
Knowledge Transfer and Utilization. 8: 63-73.University of Washington.
26. TolossaKetema, DebelaEtena, Athanasiadou Spiridoula, ToleraAdugna, Ganga Gebeyehu,
(2013). Ethno-medicinal study of plants used for treatment of human and livestock ailments by
traditional healers in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia. J.Ethnobiol. Ethno med. 9:32.
27. WHO (1978), the promotion and development of traditional, Technical Report Series,
Geneva,: series No 622:1-42.
28. William Cunningham (2003).Environmental Science: Global Concern, Mc Graw-hill,
America, New York.

12