Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia
Abstract Background Throughout history, plant resources have played a crucial role in human society. After addressing fundamental needs such as food and shelter, humans have sought out plants for medicinal purposes to alleviate various health issues. The utilization of plant resources for diverse ap...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00753-9 |
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| author | Ashebir Awoke Girma Gudesho Kindu Chane Yared Siyum Walle Tilahun Habtamu Gebremedhin Afework Tadesse |
| author_facet | Ashebir Awoke Girma Gudesho Kindu Chane Yared Siyum Walle Tilahun Habtamu Gebremedhin Afework Tadesse |
| author_sort | Ashebir Awoke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Throughout history, plant resources have played a crucial role in human society. After addressing fundamental needs such as food and shelter, humans have sought out plants for medicinal purposes to alleviate various health issues. The utilization of plant resources for diverse applications, including traditional herbal medicine, is integral to the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the communities in southwest Ethiopia. However, despite the existence of numerous indigenous traditional medicinal plants, the ethnobotanical knowledge surrounding these resources in the Bita district remains largely unexplored. Consequently, this study aimed to document and analyze the traditional medicinal plants, along with the associated customs and knowledge utilized by the local population. Methods Between June 2024 and Pagume (the 13th month unique to Ethiopia) of the same year, a combination of semistructured interviews, in-person meetings, group discussions, and guided field trips was employed to collect quantitative ethnobotanical data. A total of 136 informants, comprising 104 men and 32 women, participated in the interviews to provide insights into ethnobotanical practices. The research utilized several quantitative methodologies, including the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), plant part value, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking. Additionally, various statistical analyses were conducted, including independent t tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression, utilizing R to assess and compare the ethnobotanical knowledge across different groups of informants. Result A total of 122 species of traditional medicinal plants, belonging to 104 genera and 53 different plant families, were documented in this study. The Asteraceae family was the most frequently cited, comprising 12 species, making it the largest family identified. This was followed by Lamiaceae with eight species, Solanaceae with eight species, Rubiaceae with seven species, Euphorbiaceae with six species, Cucurbitaceae with five species, and Fabiaceae with four species. The plant parts most commonly utilized in traditional remedies were leaves and roots, with the predominant method of preparation being crushing. Notably, the average number of medicinal plants reported by participants varied significantly across different demographics, including gender, age groups, educational levels, and experience (P < 0.05). Conclusion The study area boasts a diverse range of potential medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge. To mitigate the increasing anthropogenic threats and ensure the preservation of these plants and their related knowledge, it is crucial to implement effective conservation strategies and responsible usage. Furthermore, the medicinal properties of these plants should be validated through scientific experimentation to effectively combine local knowledge with modern medicine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8db8d780d56432faed82b330c81b479 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1746-4269 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8db8d780d56432faed82b330c81b4792025-08-20T03:11:07ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692025-02-0121115010.1186/s13002-025-00753-9Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern EthiopiaAshebir Awoke0Girma Gudesho1Kindu Chane2Yared Siyum3Walle Tilahun4Habtamu Gebremedhin5Afework Tadesse6Department of Biology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Biology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Biology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Biology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Mathematics, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Geology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityDepartment of Geology, Mizan-Tepi UniversityAbstract Background Throughout history, plant resources have played a crucial role in human society. After addressing fundamental needs such as food and shelter, humans have sought out plants for medicinal purposes to alleviate various health issues. The utilization of plant resources for diverse applications, including traditional herbal medicine, is integral to the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the communities in southwest Ethiopia. However, despite the existence of numerous indigenous traditional medicinal plants, the ethnobotanical knowledge surrounding these resources in the Bita district remains largely unexplored. Consequently, this study aimed to document and analyze the traditional medicinal plants, along with the associated customs and knowledge utilized by the local population. Methods Between June 2024 and Pagume (the 13th month unique to Ethiopia) of the same year, a combination of semistructured interviews, in-person meetings, group discussions, and guided field trips was employed to collect quantitative ethnobotanical data. A total of 136 informants, comprising 104 men and 32 women, participated in the interviews to provide insights into ethnobotanical practices. The research utilized several quantitative methodologies, including the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), plant part value, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking. Additionally, various statistical analyses were conducted, including independent t tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression, utilizing R to assess and compare the ethnobotanical knowledge across different groups of informants. Result A total of 122 species of traditional medicinal plants, belonging to 104 genera and 53 different plant families, were documented in this study. The Asteraceae family was the most frequently cited, comprising 12 species, making it the largest family identified. This was followed by Lamiaceae with eight species, Solanaceae with eight species, Rubiaceae with seven species, Euphorbiaceae with six species, Cucurbitaceae with five species, and Fabiaceae with four species. The plant parts most commonly utilized in traditional remedies were leaves and roots, with the predominant method of preparation being crushing. Notably, the average number of medicinal plants reported by participants varied significantly across different demographics, including gender, age groups, educational levels, and experience (P < 0.05). Conclusion The study area boasts a diverse range of potential medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge. To mitigate the increasing anthropogenic threats and ensure the preservation of these plants and their related knowledge, it is crucial to implement effective conservation strategies and responsible usage. Furthermore, the medicinal properties of these plants should be validated through scientific experimentation to effectively combine local knowledge with modern medicine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00753-9EthnobotanyPhytomedicinesThreatsBita districtSouthwestern Ethiopia |
| spellingShingle | Ashebir Awoke Girma Gudesho Kindu Chane Yared Siyum Walle Tilahun Habtamu Gebremedhin Afework Tadesse Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Ethnobotany Phytomedicines Threats Bita district Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title | Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in Bita district, southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | traditionally used phytomedicines and their associated threats in bita district southwestern ethiopia |
| topic | Ethnobotany Phytomedicines Threats Bita district Southwestern Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00753-9 |
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