Abstract:
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted in Fogera Woreda, South Gondar Zone
of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The main objective of this study was to document the traditional
medicinal plants use in Fogera Woreda. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 195
informants using the method of semi structured interview, market survey, field observation and
group discussion. Informant consensus, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired
comparisons and informant consensus factor (ICF) were used in data analysis. Sixty nine
medicinal plant species belonging to 67 genera and 41 families were recorded. The habitat
source were natural vegetation 47(68.11%) and home garden 22 (31.88%), 52(75.36%) species
used to treat Human disease 5(7.24%) livestock ailments and 12(17.39%) both human and
livestock ailments, 29(42.02%) were shrubs, 20(28.98%) herbs, 15(21.7%) trees and climber
5(7.24%). The family Solanaceae and Asteraceae both contributed 7(10.44%) species, followed
by Fabaceae 5(7.46%) with 5 Species and Lamiaceae with 4 species each. Most of the
traditional medicines were prepared from fresh plant material 76 (57.57%), followed by dry
material 44(33.33%) and 12 (9.90%) both. The most mode of application method was drinking
51 (33.33). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves 52 (44.82) followed by roots
26(22.41). The most frequent mode of preparation was pounding 48(35.03%), followed by
crushing 22 (16.05%). The most common route of administration of traditional medicinal plants
was oral 76(55.88%) followed by dermal 29 (21.32%). Preference ranking of 6 species of plants
showed that Lepidium sativum ranked the most effective in treating tonsilities. Paired
comparision results indicated that Eucalyptus globules much favored in treating evil eye.
Eucalyptus globules were the most multipurpose medicinal plant. The medicinal plant resource
of the area is threatened by agricultural expansion, fire wood or charcoal making etc. The
participation of the local people, awareness rising through training or education on sustainable
utilization and management of plant resources, establishment of forest protected areas should be
encouraged.
Keywords: Ailment, Attribute, Conservation, Documentation, Ethnobotany, ethnoveternary,
Herbalist, Indigenous Knowledge, Informant consensus factor, Medicinal plant, Remedy.