Ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal plants utilized by indigenous communities in the Fofa and Toaba sub-districts of the Yem Zone, Central Ethiopian Region.

Background: Ethnobotany investigates the ways in which communities utilize plant species to tackle a range of health concerns in both humans and animals, highlighting the intricate relationships between plant life and local cultural practices. The degradation of habitats resulting from agricultural development and deforestation poses a considerable risk to the accessibility of these vital plants. This research was conducted in the Fofa and Toba sub-districts of the Yem Zone in Central Ethiopia, aiming primarily to explore and record the medicinal plant species that indigenous communities use for treating various health issues in both people and livestock.

Methods: This study was carried out between March 2023 and April 2024, involving a total of 96 informants, with 12 selected from each kebele. A range of quantitative methodologies were employed in the research, such as the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), plant part value, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking. Furthermore, various statistical analyses including independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression were performed using R to evaluate and compare the ethnobotanical knowledge among different groups of informants.

Results: A total of 164 medicinal plant species from 140 genera and 60 families were identified in the study. Of these species, 67.68% were utilized for human ailments, 19.5% for livestock issues, and 12.8% for both. The sources of these medicinal plants included 81 species from wild areas, 35 from home gardens, 23 from agricultural fields, 15 from living fences, and 10 from roadsides. In terms of growth forms, herbs comprised the largest group with 76 species, followed by trees with 42 species, shrubs with 34 species, and climbers with 9 species. The most commonly used plant parts were leaves, followed by roots. Preparations were primarily made by crushing the plants, with other methods including powdering, chewing, smashing, and boiling. The highest informant consensus factor value of 91% indicated a significant healing potential for respiratory diseases, common colds, coughs, and fevers. Notably, A. sativum (for malaria) and H. rueppelii (for abdominal pain) recorded the highest fidelity level values. Additionally, the average number of medicinal plants reported by participants varied significantly across different demographic factors, including gender, age groups, educational levels, and experience (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study area is home to a wide variety of potential medicinal plants along with valuable indigenous knowledge. To address the growing anthropogenic threats and safeguard these plants and their associated knowledge, it is essential to adopt effective conservation strategies and promote responsible use. Additionally, the medicinal properties of these plants should be scientifically validated to harmonize local knowledge with modern medicine effectively.