Traditional Medicinal Plants for Ethnoveterinary Medicine Used in Kilte Awulaelo District, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Ethnoveterinary is the scientific study of the relationships between livestock and plants. Traditional medicine is still remaining as the main resource for livestock treating health problems. Hence, the purpose of the study was to conduct ethnoveterinary study on medicinal plant species used to treat diseases of livestock in Kilte Awulaelo District, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: An ethnoveterinary study of medicinal plants was conducted in the District. The study employed common ethnoveterinary methods including semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference ranking exercises and paired comparisons. A total of 72 informants were purposefully selected, with the help of local administrators, elders and other members of the local community.Results: A total of 50 species belonging to 44 genera and 27 families in which family Solanaceae is represented by 8 species (16%), followed by family Euphorbiaceae with 5 species (10%) used as medicine. Present survey reveals that some plants have multiple medicinal uses, while some were being used to cure only one disease. Likewise some of the diseases are being treated by many plants while some diseases treated by one plants species. The males above 40 years were found to be more knowledgeable regarding uses of medicinal plants than women and youngsters. Mostly leaves of the plants used as medicine. The major threats found to be drought followed by over grazing. Conclusion: Kilte Awulaelo District is relatively rich in medicinal plant Knowledge and practice. It is concluded that the plant resources in this area are used to treat different diseases of livestock. The medicinal plants were exposing to various anthropogenic and natural factors. The participation of the local people, awareness rising through training or education on sustainable utilization and management of plant resources, establishment of forest protected areas should be encouraged. Conservation of medicinal plants, conservation and promotion of indigenous knowledge by promotion of research activities are required.

Keywords: Ethnoveterinary, Medicinal plants, Kilte Awulaelo District, Eastern Tigray, and Ethiopia.