ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TO TREAT HUMAN AND LIVESTOCK AILMENTS IN JAMMA DISTRICT SOUTH WOLLO ZONE OF AMHARA REGION

<strong>Abstract</strong>: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in Jamma District, South Wollo Zone Amhara Region with the main objective to document indigenous knowledge of local community on ethnobotanical data of medicinal plant utilization, management of Traditional Medicinal plants. A total of 184 informants which were selected to gather ethnobotanical data on medicinal plant from ten selected kebeles. Of these, 23 key informants were selected purposively based on reconnaissance survey of recommendation by local elders and authorities. The rest were selected randomly. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires with interviews, field observations and pair discussions. Informant consensus factor (ICF), preference ranking &amp; pair comparison were calculated to assess the agreement of informants on the medicinal value of plants. A total of 65 plant species distributed in 62 genera and 39 families were collected and identified. Out of the collected 65 medicinal plants of the study area, 36 species (55.4%) were used against 30 human ailments, 16 species (24.6%) were used against livestock ailments and the remaining 13 species (20%) were used to treat both human and livestock ailments. From the total medicinal plant species 29(43.9%) were shrubs, followed by 25(37.9%) were herbs &amp; 12(18.2%) were trees. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (52.3%) followed by roots (31.8%). The most widely used method of preparation was crushing (46.1%) followed by squeezing (28.3%) of the different plant parts. The common route of administration recorded was oral (45.1%) followed by dermal (43.3%). Disease categories such as febrile illness, urine retention abdominal ache &amp; stomachache had higher ICF values, suggesting high incidence of these diseases in the study area and agreement of people on their remedies. The most popular medicinal plants in this study area were Ocimum lomifolium effective for treating febrile illness of human. Agricultural expansion &amp; firewood collection were reported as major threats to plants of the study area. The erode indigenous knowledge emanation from secrecy, oral based knowledge transfer, reluctance of young generation to gain the knowledge, unavailability of plant species, modern education and awareness factors are the major ones. In order to protect biodiversity erosion and loss of indigenous knowledge, local communities must be taught and involved in conservation and management of plant resources and their indigenous knowledge.