2017, Vol. 5, Issue 5, Part D

author(s)
Guluma Kitata, Debela Abdeta and Morka Amante

abstract
Ethiopia, is a country characterized by a wide range of climate and ecological conditions, possesses enormous diversity of fauna and flora. The study of indigenous knowledge on utilization of native plants as source of medicine is important to treat livestock and animals ailments. This research was conducted on ethnoveterinary medicine by use Semi-structured interviewees, observation and guided field walks with informants in selected kebeles of Mida Kegn district, western Ethiopia. This study documents indigenous medicinal plant utilization and factors contributing to the declining of native plants and indigenous knowledge. Traditional healers were selected purposively and interviewed. Accordingly ethnomedicinal use of 60 plant species and 41 families were documented. From the total medicinal plant 18(30.0%) were herbs, followed by 17(28.33%) shrubs, 16(26.67%) trees, 7(11.67%) climbers, 1(1.66%) liana and 1(1.66%) epiphytes species. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves 47(37.3%) followed by roots 27(21.43%). The most widely used method of preparation was Pounding 59(40.97%) of the different plant parts followed by powdering and chewed 28(19.44%) 20(13.89%) respectively. The common route of administration recorded was oral 68(53.97%) followed by dermal 33(26.19%) and nasal 11(8.78%). Fabaceae families constituted the highest proportion followed by Solanaceae. Some traditional healers transfer their indigenous knowledge while others kept the knowledge with them for the sake of secrecy. Most of the traditional healers were found to have poor knowledge on the dosage and antidote while prescribing remedies to their patients. More than one medicinal plant species were used more frequently than the use of a single species for remedy preparations. Mida Kegn district is rich in its medicinal plant composition and the associated indigenous knowledge. Further documentation traditional plants, Evaluation of their efficacy and possible toxicity would be very important.