Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by People in Libo-Kemkem District, South Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was conducted between June 2010 and September 2010, to document medicinal plant species traditionally used by peoples in Libo-kemekem district, South Gondar, Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi structured interviews, focused group discussion and field observations. A total of 52 medically important plants belonging to 45 families and 47 genera were identified in the district. Majorities (47.37%) were collected from wild. Most of the plants (94.23%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (40.38%), followed by fruits (23.08%) and roots (17.31%). Local people depend on both dry and fresh remedies. The administration routes were oral (57.69%), dermal (25.00%), nasal (11.54 %) and anal (5.77%). The preference ranking showed that Lantana camara was the most important species in treating diarrhea followed by Vernonia amygdalin indicating high utility value of the species in the community. The results revealed existence of diverse medicinal plants and indigenous knowledge in the study area. Therefore, documenting medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area.