Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Traditional plant remedies in Bale, Ethiopia - what to know
By Bussmann, Rainer W et al.·Published in Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine·2011·William L, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plant use in Odo-Bulu and Demaro, Bale region, Ethiopia.
Plain-English summary
This study looks at how people in the Oromo community of Southern Ethiopia use plants for various purposes. In the Bale region, they identified 294 different plant species, while a nearby area had 230. Out of these, only 13 plants were used for treating animals or for human health issues, mainly for common problems like stomach aches, diarrhea, wounds, and skin infections. Interestingly, some plants were also used for spiritual healing and to drive away demons. The research found that traditional knowledge about these plants is fading, likely because many people now prefer Western medicine, which they believe is more effective and safer.
Abstract
This paper reports on the plant use of laypeople of the Oromo in Southern Ethiopia. The Oromo in Bale had names/uses for 294 species in comparison to 230 species documented in the lower reaches of the Bale area. Only 13 species was used for veterinary purposes, or as human medicine (46). Plant medicine served mostly to treat common everyday ailments such as stomach problems and diarrhea, for wound treatment and as toothbrush-sticks, as anthelmintic, for skin infections and to treat sore muscles and. Interestingly, 9 species were used to treat spiritual ailments and to expel demons. In most cases of medicinal applications the leaves or roots were employed.Traditional plant knowledge has clearly declined in a large part of the research area. Western style health care services as provided by governments and NGOs, in particular in rural areas, seem to have contributed to a decline in traditional knowledge, in part because the local population simply regards western medicine as more effective and safer.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21943288/