Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants by Shenasha People Used to Treat Human Ailment in Dibati District, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In all part of the world traditional medicinal plant practices formed the basis of health cares for human being before the advent of modern medicine. In the Ethiopia people use traditional medicine for treatment of human ailment. Like other communities in Ethiopia, shenasha people are use traditional medicinal plant in Dibati District, Benshangule gumuze Region, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to document traditional knowledge on medicinal plants in Dibati district northwest. Methods: The main data collection tools were semi structured interviews, discussions, and observation focused group discussion and various ranking and comparison methods were employed. Information was collected from a sample of 99 informants (77 males and 22 Females) included 20 (male 16 female 4) key informants are identified by the help of kebele administration. Results: Among the study of analysis 48 medicinal plant species with 46 genera and 28 families were recorded. In terms of this the Most of the species (36) were collected from the wild while 12 were collected from home garden were collected. Among the most widely used method of preparation was crashed (33.33%), Pounding (18.75%), of the different medicinal plant parts. Conclusion: In the study area possesses diverse natural vegetation and the environment under serious threated by mainly agricultural expansion, firewood collection, population pressure, overgrazing, urbanization, household tool construction, charcoal production and medicinal purpose. Awareness rising on the use and management systems, sustainable utilization of medicinal plants and their in-situ and ex-situ conservation and establishment of forest protected areas should be recommended.