2017, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part B

author(s)
Yeneayehu Fenetahun, Girma Eshetu, Abebe Worku and Taher Abdella

abstract
This study was carried out to collect and document indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants in Harari regional state, East Ethiopia. The ethnobotanical data were collected from 24 traditional healers (14 male and 10 female) using semi-structured questionnaire, observation and guided field walks. The survey identified 54 medicinal plants distributed into34 families and 50 genera. The fabaceae family was the most dominant plant family recorded as sources of traditional medicines. The study revealed that 42 species (78%) were used against human ailments, 4 species (7%) were used to treat health problems of livestock and 8(15%) species were used to treat both human and livestock ailments. The plant parts most frequently used were the Leaf (48%), followed by root (24%), stem (11%), fruit (9) and whole parts (7). Traditional remedies were processed mainly through crushing, followed by squeezing. Oral applications were widely used, followed, in frequency of prescription, by dermal applications. The study showed that Harari area possess wealthy of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and their applications. Moreover, this ethnobotanical study can assist scientists for further research on medicinal properties of identified plants species that could contribute to development of new drugs.