MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TO TREAT HUMAN AND LIVESTOCK DISEASES IN DODOLA DISTRICT, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Medicininal plants have been used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments since ancient times.The study was conducted to investigate the medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock diseases in Dodola district, West Arsi Zone, Oromial Regional State, Ethiopia. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. More specifically, cross sectional study design was used. The purposive sampling techniques wereused to select key informants, and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the general informants. Ten (10) kebeles were selected purposefully from 27 kebeles in the district. A total of 84 (60 males and 24 females) above the age of 20 were randomly selected through simple random sampling technique.Data were collected using semi structured interviews, field observations and focus group discussions.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency and percentage, preference ranking, paired comparison, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus, and informant consensus factor, fidelity level index and jaccard’s coefficient of similarity. A total of 128 medicinal plants belonging to 114 genera and 56 families were documented. The Asteraceae family had the most species with 14 (10.9 %), followed by Solanaceae with 12 (9.39%). Of these 86 species were used for the treatment of human ailments, 24 species for both human and livestock ailments and 18 species were used to treat livestock ailments. Herbs were the most widely used plants, which were accounting for 56(43.75%) followed by shrubs50 (39.06%), trees 14 (10.93%), climbers8 (6.25%). The most frequently used plant part was the leaves accounted for 50 (39.06%) followed by root 21 (16.40%). The most widely used method of preparation was pounding 40 (31.25%). The most common route of medicine administration was ora l50 (39.06%).The most commonly used application of medicinal plant was drinking 50 (39.06%). There was high preference for Allium sativum in treating stomachache while paired comparison showed Croton macrostachys the most preferred species in treating febrile illense. Eucalyptus globulus was shown the most multipurpose use species while agricultural expansion was considered as major threat to plants in general and medicinal plants in particular. Hence, raising awarness is vital to save medicinal plants from further loss.