Ethnobotanical Study on Traditional Medicinal Plants in Dega Damot Woreda, Amhara Region, North Ethiopia

Introduction: Ethnobotany involves an interdisciplinary approach encompassing the fields of botany, chemistry, pharmacology and anthropology. The usage of traditional and complementary medicine is on the increase in many developed and developing countries. Objective: The study was done to identify major medicinal plants, and also to document the traditional medicinal plants and their medicinal uses in Dega Damot Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methodology and Materials: A community based cross-sectional descriptive study is conducted on a total of 70 informants, among which 20 were traditional healers and the rest were heterogeneous groups of study participants to survey the usage customs of traditional medicinal plants. Results and discussion: In this study, 50 participants were included of which 62% of them were illiterates. 20 well recognized traditional healers were also included, among which 18 were males and 2 females. Most of the traditional healers indicated that their sources of knowledge was from their fathers. In the study area Croton macrostachyus and Ranunculus multifidus were ranked first which were most effective for the treatment of malaria and the treatment of visceral leishimaniasis (Chinkur) respectively. Also, 54 plant species were reported for their medicinal values. Euphorbiaceae are the dominant family, followed by Solanaceae. The 54 plant species were used for 38 types of ailments. Roots and leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. Chopping, pounding and crushing are the most frequently used ways of preparing drugs in the study area and the drugs were administered orally. Conclusion: The people in the study area are knowledgeable about the plants, their distribution, parts of the plants and its use. Different medicinal plants are used to treat various illnesses and herbal medicine remains the most important component of public health care. It is important to create awareness about the conservation of medicinal plant and the importance of maintaining the knowledge about herbal medicine.