Abstract:
The indigenous people of different localities in the country have developed their specific
knowledge on the use, management and conservation of plant resources.This Ethnobotanical
study was conducted to asses and documents the use of medicinal plants by people of Simada
District, South Gondar, Ethiopia. A total of 160 respondents were selected. Out of these, 24 key
informants (16 males and 8 females) were purposively selected based on recommendation from
elders and local authorities and the rest 136 were selected randomly. Data were collected using
semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussions.The data were analysed by
using descriptive statistics, informant consensus, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking and
fidelity level. A total of 98 plant species: 56 species from wild vegetation, 27 species from
homegarden and 15 species from both wild and homegardens distributed in 81 genera and 45
families were collected and identified. From these, 58 species were recorded for the treatment of
human health problems, 13 species for livestock and 27 species for the treatment of both human
and livestock ailments. From the total medicinal plants species 44 species were herbs, followed
by 37 species were shrubs,14 species of trees and 3 species were climbers.The most frequently
used plant parts were leaves (42.7%) followed by roots (17.43%). The most widely used method
of preparation was crushing (34.4%) followed by powdering (15.6%) followed squzeeing
(13.8%). The common route of administration recorded was oral (56%) followed by dermal
(29.81%), nasal and oral (5.5 %) and nasal (4.6%). The medicinal plants that is most effective in
treating certain diseases such as Allium sativum, Carsia spinarum and Lepidum sativum have
high informant consensus. Preference ranking showed that people of the area have preference for
Rumex abyssinicus for the treatment of dihrrea. Direct matrix ranking showed that Cordia
africana as the most multipurpose species by the community. Agricultural expansion, firewood,
overgrazing and construction are major threats to medicinal plants in the study area.Encouraging
the local people, give awareness and training on coservation and management of plants in
general and medicinal plants in particular, in their community are recommended.
Key words: Ethnobotsany, Homegardens, Indgenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Simada