Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Dizi people in Maji District, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Traditional medicine is a cornerstone of Ethiopia's healthcare system, yet the associated traditional knowledge, particularly in biodiverse regions like the southwest, is under-documented and at risk of being lost. This study aimed to document the medicinal plants used by Dizi people in Maji District, Southwest Ethiopia, evaluate their uses, and identify threats to their sustainability.

Methods: The study was carried out from September 2024 to January 2025. Ethnobotanical data were collected from a total of 311 informants. Descriptive statistics and quantitative indices, including Informant Consensus Factor, Fidelity Level, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking, were employed to evaluate the plant use patterns. One-way ANOVA, and independent t-test were performed with R version 4.2.1 to compare the medicinal knowledge of informants. 

Results: A total of 113 medicinal plant species belonging to 102 genera and 51 families were documented for treating 51 different human and livestock ailments. Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the most dominant families recorded. Herbs and shrubs comprise the largest proportion of growth habits. Leaves and roots account for the highest proportion of plant parts used. The majority of the medicinal plant species (67.25%) were collected from wild habitats, followed by semi-wild (20.35%), and only small portions (12.39%) were from cultivated habitats. Embelia schimperi and Nerophila senegambiensis had the highest Fidelity Level (100%) against their respective ailments. A Significant statistical difference in medicinal plant knowledge between different sociodemographic groups was observed.  

Conclusion: The Maji district possesses a rich diversity of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. However, this knowledge is primarily held by the older generation and is threatened by factors such as agricultural expansion. The heavy reliance on wild-harvested plants highlights a practical need for conservation action.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Indigenous knowledge, Maji district, Medicinal plant