FACULTY OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

USE AND CONSERVATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS

BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN GEYA KEBELE SOUTH REGION
HAWASSA CITY

NAME ID No
BY: 1. ROBA TASHOME RCS /673/06

2. HASEN LINDI RCS/ 600/06

3. JALE MANGESHA RCS/317/05

A Research submitted to Department of Biology for Partial Fulfillment of

Bachelor Science Degree in Applied Biology

FEBRAURY, 2016

METTU, ETHIOPIA

I
Table of Contents
LIST OF TABLE...........................................................................................................................................II
LIST OF ABBERIVATION...............................................................................................................................III
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of Study.........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Statement of the Problem...................................................................................................................2
1.3 Significance of the study...................................................................................................................2
1.4 Objectives of the Study......................................................................................................................2
1.4.1 General Objective.......................................................................................................................2
1.4.2 Specific Objectives.....................................................................................................................2
2. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Concepts and Development of Ethnobotany......................................................................................3
2.2 Indigenous Knowledge......................................................................................................................3
2.3 Traditional Medicinal Plants..............................................................................................................3
2.3.1 Concept of Traditional Plants.....................................................................................................3
2.3.2 Traditional Medicinal Plants in Public Health Care System.......................................................4
2.4 Threat to medicinal plant...................................................................................................................4
2.5 Conservation of traditional plants......................................................................................................4
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS.....................................................................................................................5
3.1 Description of the Study Area............................................................................................................5
3.2 Study Design.....................................................................................................................................5
3.3 Method of Data Collection................................................................................................................5
3.4 The Study Population........................................................................................................................5
3.5 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques.............................................................................................6
3.6 Methods of Data Analysis..................................................................................................................6
3.7 Ethical Consideration........................................................................................................................6
4. EXPECTED WORK PLAN AND BUDGET.....................................................................................................7
4.1 Work Plan..........................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Budget Estimation.............................................................................................................................8
5. REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................10

I
6. APPENDIXES...........................................................................................................................................11

LIST OF TABLE
List of tables……………...………………………………………….……………………….pages

Table 1: Time frame schedule (work plan)…………………………………………….………7

Table 2: Cost of stationary material…………………………………………………………...8

Table 3: Transport cost ……………………………………………………………………….8

Table 4: Personal cost…..…………………………………………………………………….9

Table 5: Budget summary……………………………………………………………………9

II
 LIST OF ABBERIVATION

IK Indigenous knowledge
IP Indigenous people

WHO World Health Organization

III
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Ethnobotany is the study of the interaction between plants and people overtime and space, with a
particular emphasis on traditional tribal culture (Martin, 1995; Balick and Cox, 1996).
Ethnobotanical studies often significant in revealing locally important plant species specially for
the discovery of crude drug (Pankhurst, 1965).The role of plants that indigenous people used for
multiple and diverse purpose. This is reported that more than 3.5 billion people rely on plant for
treatment of both human and livestock disease. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO,2002), about 65-80% of the world population in developing countries depends essentially
on plants for primary health care due to poverty and lack of access to modern medicine. In Africa
including Ethiopia, about 80% of the total population is depending on traditional medicine to
treat different types of human ailment (Dawit Abebe, 2001).

Indigenous People(IP) have developed their own locally specific knowledge on plant use,
management and conservation, belief and practice generally known as indigenous
knowledge(IK) or traditional knowledge develop and change with time and space, with change
resource and cultures. Indigenous people in Ethiopia employed plant based traditional medicine
to get cured from disease rising worms, fungus, viruses and protozoa (Dawit Abebe, 1986). In
Ethiopia traditional medicine is faced with a problem of sustainable and continuity mainly due to
loss of taxa of medicinal plants (Ensermu Kelbesa et al., 1992; Zemede Asfaw, 2001). The
diversity of plant in Ethiopia is on process of being eroded mainly due to human induced
pressure like habitat destruction and deforestation, commercial timber, encroachment by
agriculture and other land us have regulated in the loss of taxa of medicinal plant over past
(Akerel et al., 1991).

The human and natural factor heavily contributes to the loss of medicinal plants; population
pressure, agricultural expansion and deforestation are the major human induced source. Natural
source include recurrent drought, bushfire, disease and past outbreaks (Ensermu Kelbesa et al.,
1992).Both insitu and exsitu conservation effort must be implemented to capture medicinal plant
genetic resource and the traditional practice associated with them. Now a day two exsitu
conservation and techniques are being practiced; seed storage and in cold room gene bank and
field bank. The insitu conservation is easily practiced with support of farmer based conservation
(Akerel et al., 1991).The knowledge of traditional medicine practice based on medical plant
should be documented through botanical survey. The traditional medicine is important health
care system among Oromo rural community of Boto kebele, which mainly involve the use of
locally available medicinal plant. Concerned ethnobotanical research plays an important role for
conservation and sustainable utilization of the medicinal plant. Therefore the aim of this study

1
will focus on gathering and conservation of traditional medicinal plants and the associated
knowledge of Boto Kebele.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Traditional medicine is believed to be an important primary health care system, which mainly
involves the use of local knowledge available medicine plant. Such knowledge and practice are
currently under threat mainly because of depletion of the local available medicinal plants as a
result of habitat destruction, agricultural expansion, as well as scale environmental degradation
that becomes increased from time to time (Ensermu Kelbesa et al., 1992).The previous locally
knowledge has no information about the use, threat and conservation of traditional medicinal
plants in the study area. Then the present study will initiate to gather record and document the
indigenous knowledge of Boto Kebele medicinal plant and the dependence of the surrounding
people of plant resource, to compile the most important plant for medicinal purpose and find how
the local people try to conserve medicinal plant in Boto Kebele area.

1.3 Significance of the study

The main significance of the study will change the attitude of the local peoples on the use, threat,
management and conservation of the traditional medicinal plant. It encourages the people will be
familiar with different conservation techniques of medicinal plants. Furthermore, it will help to
conserve the traditional medicinal plants and it bring improved products and sustainable use of
medicinal plant by maintaining the medicinal plants for primary health care system and it
encourages people to reconserve the traditional medicinal plant.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.4.1 General Objective

 To investigate the traditional use and conservation of medicinal plants by indigenous
people in Boto Kebele, Mettu Woreda, Illu Aba Bora Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

 To identify plant species used for medicinal purpose.
 To identify plant parts used to treat disease that adapted by the local people of the study
area.
 To describe the traditional use of medicinal plant.
 To asses conservation status of medicinal plants and indigenous knowledge of people of
the study area.

2
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Concepts and Development of Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship plant and people. The focus of ethnobotany is how
plants have been or also used, managed and preserved in human society. The term ethnobotany
was coined for the first time and defined by Hersh Berger in 1986, as the study of plants used by
primitive and aboriginal peoples (Cotton, 1996). Later, the science of ethnobotany was boarded
and redefined by many ethnobotanists like (Martin, 1995). Martin (1995) broadly defined
ethnobotany as a multidisciplinary of science that contributes with the study of direct interactions
between human and plants. The indigenous manipulation of plant material together with the
cultural context in which plants are used as food, medicinal, forage and for any other economic
purpose within the field of ethnobotany (Balick and Cox,1996). Ethnobotany encompasses all
studies that concern the mutual relationship between plants and people. The ethnobotanical
studies have played key role in revealing and promoting traditional practice that have been found
useful in maintaining or enhancing biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resource
(Zemede Asfaw, 2001).

2.2 Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous knowledge (IK) has evolved over centuries and presents the biggest source of
biodiversity knowledge. This involves through conservation, proper use, production and
consumption. Indigenous knowledge is knowledge that people in a given community have
developed overtime and continues to develop. It found in daily activities like farming, gardening,
animal breeding, nutrition, healthcare, education, environmental conservation, spiritual and
religious activities (Thomas, 1995). Indigenous Knowledge develops and acquires through
observation and practical experiences by resource users and long time scale(Cotton,1996).It is
important in providing problem solving strategies for local community indigenous people of
different locality have develop their own specific knowledge of plant resource and sustainable
development on the widely used indigenous knowledge involves in many countries knowledge
and known as ethnomedicinal knowledge involves traditional diagnosis, collection of raw
material, preparation remerges and its prescription to the patient (Pankhurst, 1965).
Documentation of indigenous knowledge is fundamental to preserving this knowledge for
current and future generation as well as protecting intellectual property right. Indigenous
Knowledge in many countries including Ethiopia, parts from one generation to the other
generation verbally with great secrecy (Thomas, 1995).

2.3 Traditional Medicinal Plants

2.3.1 Concept of Traditional Plants

According to the World Health Organization (2001), Traditional medicine defined as the total
combination of knowledge and practice that can be explained or use in prevention and
elimination physical, mental or social imbalance and relaying exclusively on practical experience
and observation handed from generation to generation to whether verbally or writing. Plants used

3
human being for purpose of disease control and prevention around 80% of the population
continues to use traditional medicine in Africa, Asia and Latin America and many governments
have incorporated traditional medicine. In Africa traditional medicine plays a central role in
primary health care need of rural people and urban people (Dawit Abebe, 2001).

2.3.2 Traditional Medicinal Plants in Public Health Care System

Plants have been used as source of traditional medicine in Ethiopia from the time immemorial to
compacts different ailments of human sufferings. Due to its long period of practice and extend,
traditional medicine has become an integral part of culture of Ethiopia people (Pankhurst, 1965).
About 65-80% of the population of Ethiopia depends essentially on plants for their primary
health care due to poverty and lack of access to modern medicine. Around 80% of the total
population of Oromia is depending on traditional medicine to treat different types of human
ailments. Even today it is common for people living in rural and urban areas to treat some
common ailments using plant available around them. Example: Ficussyncomorus to treat
hemorrhoid, Endode used to treat liver problems, Haginiaabicinica to expel tape worm and
Solaniumin canium used to treat snake bite (Dawit Abebe, 1986).

2.4 Threat to medicinal plant

In Africa including Ethiopia, the traditional medicine is faced with the problem of continuity and
sustainability (Ensermu Kelbesa et al., 1992). The primary causes of this problem are loss of
taxa, loss of habitat and loss of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plant. There are two source
of threat to medicinal plant that is manmade or artificial and natural causes. Man made source
include rapid increase in population, the need for fuel, urbanization, timber production,
destructive harvesting, invasive species, commercialization, degradation, agricultural expansion,
habitat destruction while natural case include recurrent drought, bushfire, disease and past out
breaks (Ensermu Kelbesa et al., 1992).

2.5 Conservation of traditional plants

Conservation is defined as the sustainable use of biological resource. In broad sense conservation
is achieved through insitu and exsitu means. Insitu conservation is conservation of species in
their natural habitat. Some traditional medicinal plants have to be conserver insitu due to
difficulty to domestication and management (Zemede Asfaw, 2001). Medicinal plant can also
conserved by insuring and encouraging their growth in special place. This can be possible in
place of work ship (churches, mosques, graveyards etc), scared grooves, from margin,
riverbanks, road sides live fences of garden and fields (Ensermu Kelbesa et al., 1992.)

Availability of plants in general and medicinal plants in particularly has been affected by
dramatic disease in area of native vegetation due to agricultural expansion, deforestation and
development of turbine centers. Some conservation action that have been under taken around the
world designed to protect threaten medicinal plants from further damage in to contribute the
conservation of medicinal plants in their natural habitats that they live (Akerel et al., 1991).

4
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Description of the Study Area
The study will be conducted in Boto Kebele, Mettu Woreda, Illu Aba Bora Zone, Oromia
Regional State, which is located in Southwestern part of Ethiopia and about 600km from Addis
Ababa. The zone shares common frontier with East Wollega and Jimma zone in East, with West
and East Wollega in North, with South Nation Nationalities and Peoples Region in south and
with Gambella Regional state in the west. Also Boto Kebele of Mettu Woreda bounded with
Gayi Kebele in the East, Serdo Kebele in the west, Alebuya Kebele in the South and Kodo Hiri
Kebele in the North.

Mettu town has latitude and longitude of 8⁰18′N, 35⁰35′E/8⁰30′N, 35⁰58′E respectively and
altitude of the 1605 meters. Mettu is the capital of the former of Illu Aba Bora province from
1978 G.C until the adoption of the new constitution in 1995E.C (Philips and Carillet, 2006).
The 2007 National Census reported a total population 28,782 of whom 14,400 were men and
14,382 were women. The majority of inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity with
47.5%, 26% population were Protestant, 21% were Muslims and 5.5% were others (Population
and Housing Census of Ethiopia, 2007)

Generally Mettu Town has 23⁰c mean annual temperature and the mean annual rain fall is
between 1,191.6 to 1,960.7mm with little variation from year to year. Also the zone is well
known for its natural resource like forest, mineral, wild animal and plants used for medicinal
purpose. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood for Oromo of Illu Aba Bora zone, Mettu
Woreda of Boto Kebele.
3.2 Study Design
The study will be carried out to assess the uses and conservation traditional plant among the
inhabitants of indigenous people of Boto Kebele of Mettu Woreda, Illu Aba Bora Zone.
3.3 Method of Data Collection
The two basic instruments are prepared for data collection. These instruments are questionnaires
and interview. The questionnaires open ended and closed ended questions. Also self
administering questionnaires will be prepared for people who are living in Boto Kebele of Mettu
Woreda. To eliminate any hand cup poor administer, the residents are encouraged to ask for
classification or any question that trouble in understanding before questionnaires are distributed.
The purpose of the study will be explained for the respondents and they are advised to fill
questionnaires honestly.
3.4 The Study Population
The study population will be the residents of Boto Kebele of Mettu Woreda, Illu Aba Bora Zone.
Boto Kebele of Mettu Woreda contains 1434 populations. Out of these populations 724 are
males and 710 are females.

5
3.5 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
Among the total population of Boto kebele of Mettu Woreda 69 of them are selected as sample.
To distribute the questionnaires random sampling technique and the sample for the study
(Daniel, 1995) sample size determination formula will be used.

n=NZ²pq/ (d² (N-1) +Z²pq)

Where, n=sample size

N=total population

d=Margin of error

Z=confidence level (95%), which is equal to 1.96

P=population proportion

q=1-p=0.05

n=NZ²pq/d² (N-1) +Z²pq

n=1434(1.96)²(0.95) (0.05)/ (0.05)²(1434-1) + (1.96)²(0.96) (0.05)

n=69

3.6 Methods of Data Analysis

The data will be analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Data obtained from group
discussion will be analyzed qualitatively. To analysis quantitative data (questionnaires and
interview) will entered in to the Excel sheet; analyzed and interpreted by using descriptive
statistical tools such as percentage and frequency in the form of figure, tables, chart etc.

3.7 Ethical Consideration

Gathering data will be carried out with full consent of respondents. By respecting their beliefs
and culture of the respondents will be informed about the objectives of the study and their
agreement will be taken before assured that the information provided will confidential and used
only for the purpose of research.

6
 4. EXPECTED WORK PLAN AND BUDGET
The study will be conducted from February, 2016 G.C up to June, 2016 G.C to accomplish the
overall activities including writing and binding of the proposal research paper.

4.1 Work Plan

Table 1: Time frame schedule (work plan)

Duration(month)

Activities February, March, April, May, June, 2016

2016 G.C 2016 G.C 2016 G.C 2016 G.C G.C

1 Title selection

2 Proposal writing
development

3 Site selection in the

study area

4 Data collection

5 Data organizing and

report writing

6 First draft write up

7 Final write up

8 Submission of final
report

9 Research presentation
and defence

7
4.2 Budget Estimation
In conducting research it is important to consider the amount of budget to undertake the
activities. Taking this in to consider for the minimum a budget to accomplish the study are
presented in the following tables.

Table 2: Cost of Stationary Materials.

No Items Units Quantity Unit Total

price price

1 A4 Paper Pieces 200 0.4 80

2 Ruler No 1 15 15

3 Pen No 10 5 50

4 Note book No 1 30 30

5 Marker No 2 5 10

6 Pencil No 1 2 2

7 Questioner printing and copy Pages 30 0.4 12

8 CD No 2 20 40

Total 239

Table 3: Transport cost

No Items Number of Unit Total

trips price(Birr) price(Birr)

1 Public transport 3×2(round) 5 30

2 Local transport for research and local 6×2(round) 7 84

guides

3 Department vehicle for one adviser 2×2(round) 10 40

4 Payment of informant 20 person 50 1000

8
 Total 1154

Table 4: Personal cost

No Items Quantity Unit Total

price(birr) price(Birr)

1 Internet service for back ground study 5 times 20 100

and justification

2 Other telephone for interview 6 times 10 60

3 Contingency ̅ 150 150

Total 310

Table 5: Budget summary

No Items Total cost for each

1 Stationary cost 239

2 Transport cost

1154

3 Personal cost 310

9
 Total 1703

5. REFERENCES
Akerel, O.Heywood, and Synge H. (1991), The conservation of medicinal plants. Cambridge
University press, Campridge.

Balick,M.J.andCox,D.A.(1996), Plants, People and Culture; Science of ethnobotany.

Newyork,USA.

Dawit Abebe(1986).Traditional Medicine in Ethiopia. The attempt being made to promote it for
effective and better utilization.SINET: Ethiopia, J.sci, 9:61-69.

Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebisbe Demssew, Zerihun Woldu and Edwards, (1992).Some Threatened
Endemic plants of Ethiopia.IN:Edwards. and Zemede Assfaw(Eds).Plant used in African
Traditional medicine as practical in Ethiopia and Uganda,35-55 Botany 2000:NAPREC
Monograph series No.2 Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Fichtland,R and Admasu Audi(1994).Honesty bee flora of Ethiopia. Margref verlaf, Wikersheim,
Germany.pp.510

Gilbert,M.G(1995).Euphorbiaceae.IN:Edwards.S, Mesfin Tadesse and Hedberg I.(eds.).Flora of

Ethiopia and Eritrea,Volume 2 part 2:Canecllaceae to Euphorbia ceae.TheNational
Herbarium,Addis Ababa University, AddisAbaba, Ethiopia and Uppsala,Sweden.pp.268-380.

Martin G.J. (1995).Ethnobotany:A Method Manual.Charpman and Hall,London.pp.265-270.

Pankhurst, R.(1965).A historical Examination of Traditional Medicine and Surgery.Med.3:138-

160.

Tewoldebirhan Gebreegziabiaber and Edwards’s. (1997).Alliaceae.In :(Edwards.S., Sebisbe

Demssew and Hedberg,I.eds.). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea.Vol.6: Hydrocharitaceae to
Areraceae, pp.148.Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Uppsala, Sweden.

Thomas.(1995). Indigenous Knowledge, Emancipations and Alination. Journal of Knowledge

Transfer and utilization.8 (1):63-73.University of Washington.

WHO(2001).Planning for cost effective traditional health services in the new century discussion
paper.http://www.who.or.JP/tm/reach/bkg/index.html.

Zemede Assfaw(2001). The Role Garden in Production and Conservation of Medicinal Plants.IN
:(Medhin Zewdu and Abebe Demessie (eds.).Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal
10
Plants in Ethiopia,28 April-01 may 1998.pp.80-91.IBCR,Addis Ababa.

6. APPENDIXES
Format for collecting ethnobotanical information (questionnaires prepared)

1. Name of the respondent___________________________________________

Sex_____ Kebele_____ Occupation_________________________ Age______

Other information____________________________________________________

2. What are the main human health problems in your locality or kebele?

3. What are the main livestock health problems or disease?

4. Do you use plants to treat disease x in your locality?

A. Name of the plant_________________________________________

B. Habitat of the plant________________________________________

C. Habit of the plant__________________________________________

D. Part of the plant used_______________________________________

E. Preparation method_________________________________________

F. Amount used (dose) _________________________________________

G. Application method__________________________________________

H. Treat to the above plant_______________________________________

I. Method of Conservation of plant_________________________________

J. Other uses of plant____________________________________________

5. How do you prevent/control those diseases?

6. How do you treat human health problem?

7. How do you treat livestock problems?

8. Which plants do you use for treating those particular diseases?

11
9. What is the Local name and Botanical name of the plant?

10. What is the Family name of the medicinal plant?

11. How medicinal plants widespread?

12