Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of gastro-intestinal parasitic diseases in human in Yeki district, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants plays a major role in the primary health care of human beings in Ethiopia. A study was carried out to document ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasitic diseases of human in Yeki district, southwest Ethiopia. The key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. The information was obtained from 26 informants and 8 herbalists through the use of a semi-structured interview and observation on the habitat of medicinal plants. The collected data were analyzed using excel spread sheet. The survey revealed that 29 plant species belonging to 20 families were identified, and they were used for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasitic diseases of human. Among different intestinal parasite studied, protozoa (Amoebiasis) contributed the highest prevalence (48.28%) which infects children frequently. Lamiaceae (13.79%) species was the most frequently used plant family. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts, constituting 51.72% followed by bark, seed, and fruit each with 6.89%. The remedies were prepared crushing single plant (62.5%) and in few cases mixtures of different plants (37.5%). Plants like Maytenus arbutifolia and Pycnostachys meyeri were approved by most of the healers which was used to control parasites. The collated data analysis revealed that a protozoan parasite infection is the most prevalence in the area due to less personal and environmental hygiene. The study revealed that information on medicinal plants was mostly confined to older people, and there is danger that this knowledge can be lost before being passed on to next generations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document information on these plant species so that the future generation can benefit from it. Further investigation should be carried out to validate the efficacy and safety of the aforementioned plants so as to provide cheap alternative ways of controlling parasites.