Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Traditional medicinal plants have been extensively used for centuries in various cultures for the treatment of human diseases. In the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, particularly in the West Shewa Zone, traditional medicine plays a significant role in healthcare delivery. This study focused on assessing the traditional medicinal plants used for the treatment of human diseases in Jeldu Woreda, an area known for its rich biodiversity and traditional healing practices. The research methodology employed a combination of ethnobotanical surveys, interviews with traditional healers and community members, and plant specimen collection. A total of 120 informants, including traditional healers and knowledgeable community members, were interviewed to gather information on the types of medicinal plants used, their preparation methods, and the diseases they are used to treat. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the National Herbarium of Ethiopia for further reference. The results of the study revealed a rich diversity of medicinal plants used in Jeldu Woreda for the treatment of various human diseases. A total of 78 plant species belonging to 42 families were documented for their medicinal properties. The most commonly reported plant parts used for medicinal purposes were leaves, roots, and bark. The preparation methods included decoctions, infusions, and powders, among others. The study identified a wide range of human diseases treated with traditional medicinal plants in the area, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory infections, skin diseases, and reproductive health issues. Some of the most frequently mentioned medicinal plants included Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum lamiifolium, and Calpurnia aurea, known for their effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments. Furthermore, the study highlighted the cultural significance of traditional medicine in the community and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge of medicinal plants for future generations. The findings underscore the need for further research on the pharmacological properties and safety of traditional medicinal plants to validate their efficacy and integrate them into modern healthcare practices. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the traditional medicinal plants used in Jeldu Woreda, contributing to the documentation and preservation of indigenous knowledge and biodiversity in the region. The information gathered can serve as a basis for further research, conservation efforts, and potential utilization of traditional medicinal plants in healthcare systems.

Thesis Overview

Most of the information regarding traditional medicinal plants are still in the hands of traditional vendors, and knowledge of vendors is either lost or passed orally from generation to next generation. This study aimed to survey and document the currently used plants by herbalists in Jeldu Woreda and record their medicinal usage and mode of preparation. Due to most of the vendors of traditional medicinal plants in Jeldu Woreda are alliterated, the data was gathered by supported questionnaire from both vendors and the users of this traditional medicinal plants. The study was limited to traditional medicinal plants which used to treat diseases related to skin, digestive system and circulatory system. The technique used to select the sample from the traditional medicinal plant venders was available sampling since the number of venders in the selected site is not large in number. Thus all the traditional medicinal plant venders in Jeldu Woreda were the respondents of the study. From selected research site about 21 medicinal plants vendorsand 47 users were participated in the study. The finding of the study concluded that there were some plants used to treat some human disease in Jeldu Woreda. Therefore, this research tried to document some medicinal plants used to treat human gastrointestinal, skin and other diseases by including the mode of preparation and how to apply. In this research about 68 respondents have participated. Out of those respondents, 21 were vendors of medicinal plants while 47 were users of medicinal plants. According to data from the medicinal plant vendors and users total of 26 plant species were identified with an identification of the plants’ part with medicinal value. Also, the modes of preparation and mode of application were described in this research. Among this plants species, more than half of them used to treat digestive system disease. From the 26 plant species about half of those plants were recorded for their ability to treat skin disease. The application of the prepared medicine on the skin is mostly by painting the liquidified medicine from plant on infected skin.