An Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the local people of Assosa District, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

Background: Assosa District is home to variety of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge where there was no previous study on medicinal plants. The study was aimed at documenting the medicinal plants and associated knowledge emphasizing structure and relationships among plants and humans. Methods: About 58 regular and 18 healers were selected from nine sites based on availability of vegetation, healers and accessibility. Ethnobotanical techniques and indices were used for data collection and analysis supplemented by statistical tests, models and ordination methods. To display the structure of relationships among plants and humans, R Statistical Software was used. Results: About 54 medicinal plants belonging to 49 genera and 33 families were identified. Family Solanaceae was with the highest number of species. Most of the medicinal plants were shrubs, followed by trees. Leaves were the most frequently used parts. About 64% of the remedies were prepared fresh. The highest fidelity level (100%) was recorded for hemorrhoids and gastric ulcers. The highest informant consensus factor values (0.96) were linked to diseases of the eye and adnexa. Deforestation and urbanization were among the major threats to conservation. Significant associations among medicinal plant knowledge and sociodemographic factors observed. Conclusion: There is rich medicinal plant diversity and associated indigenous knowledge demanding ex-situ and in-situ conservation. Phytochemical profiling of high-ranking medicinal plants for cupping therapy and other health problems is needed. Ordination methods are good representations of the structure of relationships among plants and humans. Keywords: Assossa, cupping therapy, Ethiopia, Ethnobotany, Herbs, Indigenous