Abstract:
An ethnobotanical study on the medicinal plants was carried out in Tach Gaynt District, South
Gonder Zone of the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The general objective of this study was to
investigate and document the traditional medicinal plants used by local people to treat both
human and livestock ailments in Tach gayint District Atotal of 123 informants (16 key and 107
general informants and 68 males and 55 females) between the age of 20 and 80 were selected
from six kebeles purposively (key informants) and randomly (general informants).
Ethnobotanical data were collected usin semi structured interviews; field observation, market
survey and focus group discussion.Data were analyzed through through dicritive stastics,
preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and informant consensus factor and fidelity level
index. A total of 76 plant species, distributed in 73 genera and 42 families were collected and
identified in the study area. Shrubs were the most cited plants, accounting for (39.5%) species,
followed by herbs (35.5%), trees (15.8%) and climbers (9.2%). The most frequently used plant
parts were leaves (35.6%) followed by roots (21.9%).
The most widely used method of
preparation was crushing (33.6%) followed by chewing (11.7%). The most routes of
administration were oral (59.6%), followed by dermal (24.7%). The highest ICF value (0.96,
0.91) were organ diseases and febrile in that order. There was a high preference for Nicotiana
tabacum and Zingiber officinale for treating leech and common cold respectively, while high
fidelity level showed Zehneria scabra and Vernonia hymenolepis were used for the treatment of
febrile and organ diseases. Eucalptus globulus was shown to be the top multipurpose
species.Agricultural expansion; firewood, construction, charcoal; overgrazing, fencing and
furniture were reported as major treats to plants of the study area.In general the district is rich
in medicinal plants used to teart human disease.Awareness creation to the local people should
be taken by the local government to conserve and sustainable use of medicinal plants.
Keywords/Phrases: analyzing, indigenousknowledge, informant, Traditional Medicine, threat,
conservation