Antimalarial medicinal plants used by <i>Gumuz</i> people of Mandura Woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The traditional knowledge of antimalarial medicinal plants has been the basis for drugs that are currently in use to treat malaria. Thus, the objective of this study was to document <i>Gumuz</i> people’s traditional knowledge of antimalarial medicinal plants and related diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six Kebeles of Mandura Woreda between March and August 2013 and 184 informants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire, guided field walks, and market surveys. A statistical test, Relative Frequency of Citation, (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL) were calculated. In this study, 38 species belonging to 33 genera and 28 families were documented. The traditional knowledge among informants varies with age (p < 0.05). The majority of plants were from family Fabaceae. Root (46.3%), decoction (57.6%) and oral (97.8%) was the main plant part, method of preparation and administration route, respectively. <i>Pappea capensis</i> Eckl. & Zeyh. (0.73) had the highest RFC. <i>Pappea capensis</i> and <i>Momordica foetida</i> Schumach. had the highest fidelity levels. A few numbers (12%) of antimalarial medicinal plants were sold on local markets. This study generated a baseline data for antimalarial plants, from an area with stable and year-round malaria transmission, for further pharmacological analysis.