Table 3 Herb data chart

Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae

Telenj/qay telenj

1933

Part of a recipe for shotelay (Rhesus factor incompatibility in pregnancy) combined with Serabizu (Thalictrum rhynchocarpum), Quechine (Indigofera zavattarii), Y’imdur embway (Cucumis ficifolius), Tefrindo (Gomphocarpus purpurascens), Tult (Rumex nepalensis)

The herbs are dried, chopped together and put in a cotton pouch to be hung around the pregnant woman’s neck in the seventh month. When the baby is born it is taken off the mother and put on the baby

M3

“To be collected on a Wednesday or a Friday, having abstained from sexual relations, and having not spoken to anybody on the morning of the collecting day. The herbs are dried outside the house, chopped together and put in a cotton pouch. The cotton must be spun by a lady in menopause, and spun with her left hand not her right hand. The pouch is put on the lady’s neck and as soon as she gives birth it is taken from her and put on the baby’s neck….this is my specialty“

Anti-fertility [26]

Fresh pulverised leaf or its juice is placed in the nostril or its juice is sniffed for epistaxis. The crushed fresh leaf is also placed in the genitalia as a remedy for menorrhagia and to stop post-partum haemorrhage [27]

Herpes zoster, blood clotting[28]

Wound [29]

Wound [30]

Vaginal fumigation [31]

Wounds (kusil)

Leaves rubbed and put on cut or wound

F1

Acokanthera schimperi (A.DC.) Schweinf.

Mrenz

2016

Psychiatric disease (likuft)

Used in a formula (see Solanum incanum)

F3

Antiarrhythmic, vasoconstrictor, hypertensive agent, Na/K ATPase inhibitor [32]

Apocynaceae

Actiniopteris semiflabellata Pic.Serm

Menna

Burn (severe)

Powdered roasted plant applied topically

M2

“It was immediately cured by a shamagalay (old man) around the church. The doctor’s treatment had not worked. I asked the shamagalay why this worked better than the clinic treatment. He said it was to contain the wound so that it did not affect the bone”

Pteridaceae

Albizia anthelmintica Brongn.

Musena

Taeniasis

Musena and Enkoko (Embelia schimperi) given but not in combination

M7

Drink either with tella (local beer)

Bark powder is cooked with meat and soup is taken as tenifuge [33]

Fabaceae

The bark is mixed with Nug (Guizotia abyssinica) and sugar

M5

The bark is mixed with Nug (Guizotia abyssinica), chopped together

F2

“If you take musena you may never see the segments…it kills all internally, it is digested. There will not be another infection”

F1, F4

“We buy the Musena from the market”

Allium cepa L.

Shinkurt

Taeniasis

As part of a formula comprising Arake (spirit brewed with fermented grains) with Kosso (Hagenia abyssinica), Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis), Zingibil (Zingiber officinale) and Quorofa (Cinnamomum verum)

F2

The herbs are used in the brewing of Arake

Widely used as a medicinal plant worldwide

Amaryllidaceae

Allium sativum L.

Nech shinkurt

Asthma

3-4 cloves chopped and mixed with honey, dissolved by Kosso arake (spirit brewed with fermented grains and Hagenia abyssinica)

F2

“The Kosso arake dissolves the Nech shinkurt. The Nech shinkurt can have a kind of side effect on the stomach (gastritis). If you want to protect yourself you may take lightly roasted Talba (Linum usitatissimum) or Abish (Trigonella foenum-graecum)”

For common cold, malaria, cough, lung TB…asthma…parasitic infections, diarrhoea (etc.) [34]

Amaryllidaceae

Widely used as a medicinal plant worldwide

Aloe debrana

Wounds (kusil)

M1

“A wound that is infected and very dry, contracted, they will use Aloe debrana and it will relax”

Christian

Xanthorrhoeaceae

Aloe pulcherrima M.G.Gilbert & Sebsebe

Sete eret

2000

Asthma

The sap is boiled with water. Sugar is added. This is filtered to about ½ teacup. Drink this and suck on a lemon. Do this for four days.

M6

“You will burp the lemon taste, not the bitter aloe taste. After using this recipe I am free from asthma”

“The species grows….in Gonder, Gojam, Welo and Shewa floristic regions. It is so far not known anywhere else. It occurs in a very sporadic manner, mainly on cliffs, and almost always in inaccessible places” [35]

Xanthorrhoeaceae

Aloe spp.

Eret

Burn

The burn is washed first with warm water and salt, then Eret placed on top

F1

“We do not use alcohol to wash it like the doctors do”

Xanthorrhoeaceae

Andrachne aspera Spreng.

Tekeze

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

The root is chewed for stomach treatment and nausea (anti-emetic)

M1, F1

“Not during pregnancy”

Ascariasis, stomach distention, malaria, asthma, gastritis, liver disease and as anti-emetic [36]

Phyllanthaceae

Snake bite

The root is chewed, followed by lots of water. Will cause to vomit

F1

Artemisia absinthium L.

Ariti

2024

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

Mixed with Tej sar (Cymbopogon citratus) and made into an infusion and filtered, and drunk

F4

“Ariti tastes bitter, like Kosso” (Hagenia abyssinica)

The juice of the powdered leaves is taken with honey to treat stomach ache [37]

Asteraceae

Mixed with Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis), and Zingibil (Zingiber officinale) made into an infusion, filtered and drunk

M3

Remembers megagna as a childhood illness. “The pain immediately disappeared when this mixture was drunk”

Cholagogic, digestive, appetite-stimulating, wound-healing, anticancer, antiparasitic [38]

Found on sale in Fiche market, as part of a fragrant bouquet (with Tej sar – Cymbopogon citratus, Ujuban – Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum, and Tenadam – Ruta chalepensis)

Artemisia abyssinica Sch.Bip. ex A. Rich Asteraceae

Chikugn

1999

Evil Eye, combined with Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis) and Shinkurt (Allium cepa)

Take the dried skin of a hyena and put the herbs in a pouch of the leather as a charm around the neck.

M6

“I used to suffer from evil eye in childhood. If that is prepared and is smelling in the house, someone who is suffering from evil eye will start shouting and moving around; they will tie him down by force and apply in his nose. If you apply this, he will tell you the person with the evil eye up to the seventh generation”

Anti-leishmanial, intestinal problems, bronchitis and other inflammatory disorders, cold and fever, anorexia, colic, infectious diseases (bacterial, protozoal), headache, amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea [39]

Eye infection – topically [40]

Psychiatric disease (lekeft)

F1

Haemostatic (nose), tonsillitis, cold, constipation, rheumatism [41]

Take Chikugn (Artemisia abyssinica) and three young leaves of Set eret (Aloe pulcherrima) with Nech shinkurt (Allium sativum), Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis), the whole plant of Tekeze (Andrachne aspera), along with the leaves of Chat (Catha edulis) and Ye ahiya joro (Verbascum sinaiticum): chop together. The juice is applied to the nose

F2

“My father was told by somebody”

Whole herb is use for tonsillitis [42]

Fumigant for milk machinery

F1

Asparagus africanus Lam.

Seriti

1928

Rituals such as circumcision, and giving birth

Branch hung in the doorway

M1

Considered cleansing because “women are unclean just after giving birth”

Fresh pulverised root taken mixed with water to stimulate milk secretion. The use of the plant against gouty arthritis and as abortifacient have been recorded [43]

M8

Asparagaceae

Hung on the door where Tella (local beer) is being made, as protectant against uncleanliness (someone who is menstruating, or has recently had sexual relations)

F1

Brucea antidysenterica J.F. Mill

Fit aballo, aballo

2013

Eczema (chiffe)

The leaves are collected and dried, the powder is then applied to the skin

F2

“I had this disease in childhood”

Bullad (weight loss, fever, itching, diarrhoea) [28]

Evil eye (tied around neck) [30]

Simaroubaceae

Cancer treatment, diarrhoea, evil eye, leishmaniasis, rabies, scabies, skin disease, wound [12]

Calpurnia aurea(Aiton) Benth.

Digita

2008

Child with diarrhoea (tekmet)

The leaves of the young shoots from seven plants of Digita are rubbed in the hands for the juice; the juice is mixed with water Dosage is very important, depending on the age of the child

F3

“5 year old, 1 teaspoon, just once. This is what I had as a child”. Some discussion about the toxicity of this plant

Decoction of the fresh leaf has been used against hypertension. Quinolizidine alkaloid, calpurnine, has been isolated [44]

Fabaceae

M1

“The stem bark is poisonous. The dosage should be measured carefully. Only the young shoots are used. Even then one has to be very careful.”

Diarrhoea [45]

F1

“You can become crazy from it. If you go crazy, then you are going to die”

Amoebiasis, giardiasis [30]

Kuruba (diarrhoea) [28]

Used as a fish poison or as a cure for dysentery [46]

Capparis tomentosa

Gumero

Psychiatric disease

In formula (see Solanum incanum)

F3

Bleeding after delivery [30]

Lam.

Capparaceae

Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl.

Chat

Psychiatric disease

In formula (see Artemisia abyssinica)

F2

Frequently observed sold in streets

Ephedrine has been isolated from this plant. Possesses psychostimulant properties [47]

Celastraceae

Chenopodium murale L.

Sinko

1930

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

The young shoots are collected with scissors and rubbed through a sieve as used for the domesticated grass Tef (Eragrostis tef)

F4

Amaranthaceae

Cinnamomum verum J. Presl

Qorofa

Taeniasis

In formula (see Allium cepa)

F1

Lauraceae

Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex.Delile Euphorbiaceae

Bisana

2007

Skin rash

Mixed with egg yolk and applied to the skin

F1

Aphasia, ascariasis, constipation, eye disease, haemorrhoid, induction of abortion, purgative, ringworm, taeniasis, stomach ache, venereal disease control [12]

Skin rash

The fresh bud is cut and the fluid applied to the rash. If the problem is on the head, the head is shaved and bud fluid applied

M8

Dandruff

Scabies, kuruba (diarrhoea), hepatitis, Tinea versicolour [28]

Malaria [30]

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf

Tej sar

2004

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

Mixed with Ariti (Artemisia absinthium)

F5

Found at the marketplace as part of a fragrant bouquet

Treatment of heart, chest and stomach complaints [48]

Poaceae

Stomach ache, smallpox, common cold [12]

Ascariasis [30]

Datura stramonium L.

Astenagir/Astenagirt

1940

Hallucinogenic

M8, E

Eye disease (‘crying eyes’) (topical), bad breath (smoke inhaled, fungus infection of the head (topical), mumps (topical), relief of toothache (vapour inhaled), rheumatic pain (vapour inhaled), treatment of burn (topical), wound (topical) [12]

Solanaceae

Swelling (topical), toothache (inhalation), dandruff (topical) [49]

Swelling, toothache, dandruff, wounds [28]

Echinops kebericho Mesfin

Kerbericho

2001

To dispel nightmares in children

E

Found on sale in Fiche marketplace

Constipation, headache, heart pain, stomach ache, typhus [12]

Asteraceae

Fumigant after childbirth. Typhus fever. Stomach ache. Snake repellent in the house. Intestinal pains [50]

Lung TB, leprosy, syphilis [51]

Cough [49]

Evil eye [28]

Embelia schimperi Vatke Myrsinaceae

Enkoko

2032

Taeniasis

Chopped with Musena (Albizia anthelmintica) and Nug (Guizotia abyssinica) and eaten

M3

Powder of fruit mixed with water and taken as taenicide [52]

With Musena (Albizia anthelmintica) and Nug (Guizotia abyssinica), taken with a drink of Tella (local beer)

M1

“Must be taken simultaneously with Tella. Drink, then jump up and down to dissolve internally. (M7)

Taeniasis, disinfectant [12]

Taeniasis, ascariasis [48]

Tapeworm [30]

M5

If not taken with Tella, you will become dizzy and fall” (M5)

M7

M2

M1

“Enkoko and Musena are both deadly”

With Meterre (Glinus lotoides) and Kosso (Hagenia abyssinica)

M8

“I remember my mother giving me this combination”

The ripe fruits are collected and the exocarp removed. Fruit swallowed directly using water

F2

M3

“It is ok to take Enkoko, Musena and Nug together”

Eucalyptus globulus Labill.

Nech bahirzaf

2027

Fever with headache (mich), colds

Apply rubbed leaves directly to nose

F5

Leaves are boiled with water and the vapour inhaled to treat cough, flu and sore throat [53]

Myrtaceae

Euclea racemosa L.

Dedaho

2028

Warts of the rectum

The root is to be collected early in the morning before urination. The root is dug up then boiled, and a full small teacup of the filtrate must be drunk before food. After the medicine is drunk well prepared food is eaten and well prepared Tella (local beer) is drunk

M6

“Finally a kind of faeces will come out. If this does not happen initially, then the process is repeated the next day”

Gonorrhoea, uterine prolapse, haemostatic, gastritis, diarrhoea, cataract, acne, chloasma, eczema, constipation, rabies, vitiligo, epilepsy [54]

Ebenaceae

Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Qencheb

2026

Scorpion bite

The skin around the bite is slashed, and the milky sap applied

M5

“The scorpion has a venom that gives gland pain for three days. After this application I was ok. Previously with a bite I suffered for three days. This time I was back at work in three hours. I had a small glandular response this time”

Reported use in India for scorpion bite [55]

Euphorbiaceae

Galium simense Fresen.

Chogogit

1998

Skin fungus (qworqwor)

The leaf is rubbed to get the juice which is applied to the affected place; the plant is then discarded. When applied, it irritates and causes a little bleeding. The next day it is washed off, and the patient has to wear newly washed clothing

E

“It will never come again”

Extract of fresh leaves and inflorescences is used in Ethiopia to dress new wounds and cuts [56]

Rubiaceae

M1

Snake bite [13]

M6

M8

Glinus lotoides L.

Meterre

2031

Taeniasis

Mixed with Nug (Guizotia abyssinica) and Musena (Albizia anthelmintica). Taken orally as a paste

F1, F5

Ascariasis, taeniasis, diabetes [12]

Molluginaceae

Cleaned and ground with Nug (Guizotia abyssinica), added sugar and eaten before food. Fast until noon before taking it, then the first meal afterwards should be soup.

E

Found on sale in Fiche market

Tapeworm – fruit powder mixed with Nug is taken orally [28]

Meterre with Nug OR Musena with Nug

M1, M7, M8

Remembers mother giving him all three

Meterre, Enkoko (Embelia schimperi) and Nug (Guizotia abyssinica)

M8

Gomphocarpus purpurascens A. Rich.

Tefrindo

2005

Rhesus Factor problem in pregnancy (shotelay), as part of formula

M3

Asclepiadaceae

(see Achyranthes aspera)

Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.

Nug

Taeniasis

Used as a binder with many preparations, mentioned here for tapeworm infection

F1

Found on sale in Fiche market

Asteraceae

M1

M2

M3

M5

M7

M8

Hagenia abyssinica J.F. Gmel

Kosso

2025

Taeniasis

The flower taken with Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis), Shunkurt (Allium cepa), Zingibil (Zingiber officinale) and Qorofa (Cinnamomum verum)

F1

Female flowers are employed as a taenicide against Taenia saginata[57]

Eye disease, hypertension, scabies, m[12]

Rosaceae

Provides a strong and widely used anthelmintic [46]

Hordeum vulgare L. Poaceae

Gebs

Hypertension

Taken as a fermented barley drink. Gebs (germinated barley), Mashilla (Sorghum spp.) are baked together like a bread. This is broken up and fermented together with beqil (malt starter), brewed and distilled. Drunk from a shot glass

F1

Hordenine with diuretic and in large doses with hypertensive action has been isolated [58]

Indigofera zavattarii Chiov.

Quechine

Rhesus factor problem in pregnancy (shotelay)

In formula: see Achyranthes aspera

M3

Fabaceae

Jasminum grandiflorum L.

Tembelel

1957

Abdominal pain

The root is chewed

M1

Oleaceae

Laggera tomentosa (Sch.Bip.)

Shiro kese

1943

Unexplained stomach problems (megagna)

Leaves crushed and inhaled

PH

Asteraceae

Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & J.R.I. Wood

Ras kebdo

1929

Dandruff (forefore)

Leaf rubbed and applied to the scalp

F5

Asteraceae

Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson Lamiaceae

Feres zeng

1942

Headache (ras metat)

The collected leaves are rubbed between hands and put into nostrils to inhale

F6

“Particularly for headaches with tonsillitis. It cures it well. If not, the patient should be taken to the doctor. Go to a traditional medicine healer for headaches with tonsillitis”

OR

The juice is squeezed out and drunk with coffee.

Ulcer of the neck (nkersa)

Chopped leaves are applied to the ulcer for 24 hours

M7

“People here assume it is cancer of the neck, but it is an ulcer. My uncle tried many things but finally he cured me with this”

For sick chickens

With Aya joro (Verbascum sinaiticum)

F1

Lepidium sativum L. Brassicaceae

Feto

2020

Unexplained stomach problems (megagna)

Ground, mixed with lemon juice and water

F5

Found on sale in Fiche market

Skin problems, fever, eye diseases, amoebic dysentery, abortion and asthma, intestinal complaints [59]

Aphrodisiac, gastritis, headache, ringworm, buda beshita (evil eye) mich (fever with headache) [12]

Stomach ache [30]

Leucas abyssinica (Benth.) Briq.

Aychedamo

1941

Eye infection

E

For eye diseases, twigs of Leucas abyssinica are crushed and coated on eyes [60]

Lamiaceae

Linum usitatissimum L. Linaceae

Talba

Demulcent

Option as protective against gastritis when used with Allium sativum in treatment for asthma

F2

Found on sale in Fiche market

Lippia adoensis Hochst. Ex Walp. Var.Koseret Sebesebe

Koseret

1931

Bee attractant

F1

Found on sale in Fiche market

Dried leaves powdered together with barley eaten to get relief from stomach complaints [61]

Verbenaceae

Malaria, fever, aphrodisiac [62]

Malva verticillata L. Malvaceae

Lut

1935

Expulsion of placenta in cow

The root is dug up and chopped and given as a decoction to cow

F6

Maytenus arbutifolia (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. Wilczek

Atat

2023

Psychiatric disease (in formula – see Solanum incanum)

F3

A number of Maytenus spp. Are used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders including tumors. A tumor inhibitor, maytansine, has been extracted [46]

Celastraceae

Myrsine africana L. Primulaceae

Kechemo

2022

Taeniasis

Fruits are collected, chopped and filtered. Filtrate is drunk to expel tapeworm

F2

“If Kechemo does not work, go for one of the other ones – Musena (Albizia anthelmintica), Enkoko (Embelia schimperi), Kosso (Hagenia abyssinica)”

Fruit powder paste with Nug seed is taken against tapeworm and ascariasis [63]

Twigs used as a toothbrush [46]

Nicotiana tabacum L. Solanaceae

Tembaho

2029

Repels snakes from garden

F1, E

Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. Ex Benth. Lamiaceae

Demakese

1926

Fever with headache (mich)

Rub in the hand and squeeze to get juice, add to coffee or drink

F5

Demonstrated putting a gabi – heavy cotton shawl – over the head for inhalation of vapour

The fresh leaves are squeezed and the juice sniffed to treat coughs and colds. The juice is also used as eye rinse to treat eye infections. The crushed leaves are put in the nostrils to stop nose bleeding [64]

Influenza or cold

OR

Fever with headache

Boil the leaves, place on a hot iron pan and inhale the vapour

Found on sale in Fiche market

Cough, cold, headache, eye infection, hematuria, mich (fever with headache) [12]

OR

Apply rubbed leaves directly into the nose

Juice in coffee

F6

“If the juice of Demakese is red when the herb is rubbed by a person, then the person has mich. If it is green, it is not mich. The mother or the daughter will apply this”

Kusil (wound), mich (fever) [28]

Mich [29]

Mich [4]

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Cactaceae

Culcal

Haemorrhage in childbirth

In a formula (see Periploca linearifolia)

M3

Otostegia fruticosa

Tinjut

1932

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

F1

Found on sale in Fiche market

Insecticide, disinfectant, as a fumigant [12]

(Forssk.) Schweinf. ex Penzig

Lamiaceae

Periploca linearifolia Quart.-Dill. & A.Rich. Apocynaceae

Tikur hareg

Haemorrhage in childbirth

Combined in a formula with Culcwal (Opuntia ficus-indica) and Qeret (unidentified). All are chopped together and then the juice is collected separately (filtered), used as ink to write on paper as a charm hung around the neck

M3

“The debtera will write a charm with the filtrate and put it on her neck, and the blood will stop”

Prepared by debtera:

A potion is prepared, buried in the ground for a week. When opened, the inky fluid is used as an ink to write a spell, or charm. Alternatively, the ink is used to tattoo into the skin with a needle

M3

“The debtera will use this with other herbs to make a potion. This is put in a bottle and buried for seven days before September 11 (Addis amet – New Year’s Day). When opened it will have an inky constituency. The debtera will then use a pen made from Arundo (bamboo), and will write on white paper. It is then worn on the neck. Another way is to tattoo the ink into the skin with a needle”

To keep the wife from straying

To stop enemies from attacking

To prevent bullets from penetrating

To keep devils away

To stop pain

Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit

Endod

1927

Bilharzia

E

Molluscide against Bilharzia [46]

Contraception

The whole roots of 7 young plants without branch, flower or fruit (sterile) are collected, being careful to get it all, on a Friday or a Monday. These are chopped and then mixed with honey, which is collected in October. The woman should take it at the end of menstruation

F1

Debate on this application. Some say the woman should sleep with her husband on the day she takes the medication. “If she sleeps with her husband the ovary will not be badly affected” (M1). “If she goes to the doctor they will clean up that one and she will become pregnant” (F1). “She has to continue sexual relations to stop her ovary being badly affected” (M1). “She has to go to hospital” (M3). Some say it does not matter; used as a contraceptive, the woman will stay without child for 5–6 years. If she wants to become pregnant, she has to take an antidote (merfchow) – another plant. M7 says “If she takes the endod she is permanently sterile”. F1 says “If you spray poison on a flower, it will die”. M2 says “I gave it to my wife and 18 other people. No-one has given birth after that. My wife now wants to have a baby and cannot”

Ascariasis, eczema, gonorrhoea, infertility, liver disease, malaria, rabies, soap substitute, syphilis [12]

Phytolaccaceae

M1

M2

M3

Rabies [4]

M7

Skin blisters (ekek) – viral infection

The chopped fruit is mixed with water as a wash for the hands

M8

Podocorpus falcatus (Thunb.) R.Br.ex Mirb. Podocarpaceae

Zegba

Hepatitis formula

Formula:

M2

“My uncle took the leaf of Zegba and leaf of Togor and leaf of Nechilo. Then the root of Chifrig and the young shoot of Yerzingero addis and then Embwacho and the whole plant of Serabizu and the young shoot of Gesho. All this was put together, chopped, added to water and stirred. This is applied to whole body of the child every morning for seven day, starting on a Wednesday or a Friday and it must be a cloudy day. But it must not be too cloudy”

Four species of Podocarpus including Podocarpus falcatus all exhibited strong inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans[65]

Zegba

Togor leaf (unidentified)

Nechilo (unidentified)

Chifrig (Sida massoika)

Yezingero addis (unidentified)

Embwacho (Rumex nervosus)

Serabizu (Thalictrum rhynchocarpum)

Gesho (Rhamnus prinoides)

Topical application

Polygala hottentotta

Etse adin

1996

Anti-venom

F5

C. Presl

Polygalaceae

Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit

Gesho

1952

Hepatitis (in formula)

Found on sale in Fiche marketplace

Rhamnaceae

Rhus retinorrhoea Steud. Ex A.Rich. Anacardiaceae

Tilum

2009

Wounds

Rubbed in hands and then put on wound

M4

Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. Polygonaceae

Mekmeko

2012

Hypertension

F1

Gonorrhoea, lung TB, leprosy, fever [66]

Itching skin [4]

Extracts drunk to control ‘mild form of diabetes’ [46]

Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Polygonaceae

Tult

1936

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

The root is dug out and chewed. If Tult is not available, then the leaves of Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis) may be used instead

M2

Childhood memory of use. “Tult is very bitter. I was forced to chew it, I would be beaten if I did not chew it”

Amoebiasis, tonsillitis, uterine bleeding [12]

Abdominal cramp, child diarrhoea, toothache, liver disease, eye infection [4]

Stomach ache [13]

Rhesus factor problem in pregnancy

Part of formula (see Achyranthes aspera)

M3

Rumex nervosus Vahl.

Embwacho

2011

Eye problems

Leaves are collected, dried and pounded

F5

Remembers this from childhood

For dysentery, roots powder of Rumex nervosus mixed with melted butter. Stomach ache, roots in a honey paste dressing. Warts (kintarot), roots powder on cut edge [49]

Polygonaceae

Wound (kusil)

Hepatitis

In formula (see Podocarpus falcatus)

M2

Roundworm

Stem chopped with salt

M1

‘My father collected embwacho and he kept a stem and chopped it in small pieces, added salt, gave it to me and forbade me from eating for one hour. After three days there was expulsion of worms and no problem since then”

Ruta chalepensis L.

Tenadam

1997

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

In formula (see Artemisia absinthium)

M3

“The pain immediately disappeared”

Snakebites, headaches, abdominal pain, strained eye, head lice, fever, poor blood circulation, local paralysis, nervous tension, cough, asthma, infected wound, rheumatism. An infusion is also used as a tea to treat headaches, cold, heart pain, earache and intestinal disorder. Dried fruits boiled with milk are used against diarrhoea, or with Tella (local beer) or “wet” (stew) against influenza [67]

Rutaceae

Chew the leaves

M2, M4

Use if Tult (Rumex nepalensis) not available

Combine with Dingetegna (Taverniera abyssinica) and wood ash mixed with a little water

F1

Will cause to vomit

Colic in baby

M3

Tenadam and Ariti (Artemisia absinthium) have the same use for treating the stomach”

PH

Found on sale in Fiche marketplace

Stomach problems [68]

Evil eye and ‘flu’ [28]

Sansevieria ehrenbergii Schweinf. Ex Baker

Wonde cheret

Ear infections

F1

Asparagaceae

Sida massaica Vollesen

Chifrig

1956

Roundworm

The whole part is ground and made into an infusion, filtered and drunk

F5

Malvacaeae

Hepatitis

In formula (see Podocarpus falcatus)

M2

Solanum americanum Miller

Y’ayit Awut

1937

Gonorrhoea

Leaves eaten as a vegetable. Root chopped, infused and drunk

E

Solanaceae

Solanum anguivi Lam.

Zerch embway

1938

Scabies

E

Lymphadenitis [4]

Solanaceae

Nosebleed

Root used to brush teeth, the nosebleed will stop

F5

Gonorrhoea

Root infusion

E

Solanum incanum L.

Embway

2030

Psychiatric disease (lekeft) (in formula)

Young shoots (without branch), combined with:

F3

Stomach problem, snake bite, chest pain, tonsillitis, mich[68]

Solanaceae

Nosebleed

Mrenz root (Acokanthera schimperi)

Gumero root (Capparis tomentosa)

Atat (Maytenus arbutifolia)

All plants are combined and all the juice is applied through the left nostril. The combination may also be inhaled from smoke

M6

“A nun showed me”

Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill.& A.Rich.) Walp.

Y’ayit joro/Shinet

2002

Toothbrush

Teeth brushed with the root

M5

Rabies [29]

Menispermaceae

Used in traditional medicine to treat various stomach disorders and syphilis [46]

Taverniera abyssinica A. –Rich.

Dingetegna

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

Taken with Tenadam (Ruta chalepensis) and Amed (wood ash), mixed together with a little water and drunk

F1

“Will cause to vomit”

“Sudden disease”, headache, stomach ache [12]

Fabaceae

Vomiting, dysentery [28]

Thalictrum rhynchocarpum Dill. Quart.-Dill & A.Rich.

Serabizu

2003

Rhesus factor problem in pregnancy (shotelay) as part of formula- see Achyranthes aspera

M3

Menorrhagia [12]

Ranunculaceae

Urinary tract infection [29]

As part of hepatitis formula (see Afrocarpus podocarpus)

M2

Thymus schimperi Ronniger

Tosigne

1955

Whooping cough

Boiled leaves, drunk as a tea

F4

Found on sale in Fiche marketplace

Used medicinally for headaches and coughs [69]

F5

Lamiaceae

Hypertension

Boiled leaves, drunk as a tea

F4

F5

Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Abish

Demulcent

Mixed with garlic in the treatment of asthma (see Allium sativum), to protect against gastritis which may be caused by strong application of Allium sativum

F2

Found on sale in Fiche marketplace

Used in treating skin and stomach disorders [46]

Fabaceae

Verbascum sinaiticum Benth.

Ye ahiya joro

2034

Sick chickens

Together with Feres zeng (Leonotis ocymifolia)

F1

Scrophulariaceae

Psychiatric disease (lekeft)

In formula (see Artemisia abyssinica)

F2

Verbena officinalis L.

Aqwarach/

1950

Tonsillitis

Chewed

F5

“My mother would chew it, and she has to take 2 birr* for this. Unless they take the money they cannot be cured. If you refuse, it does not work”

Leaf and/or root juice taken against diarrhoea. Decoction of leaf employed as gargle for tongue disease, sore throat and toothache [70]

Attuch/

Verbenaceae

Telenz/

Hulegeb

*Birr is the unit of currency in Ethiopia

Dysentery, digestive after eating raw meat, eczema, eye disease, heart disease, heart pain, indigestion, induction of diarrhoea and emesis to relieve indigestion, insomnia, liver disease, malaria, mumps, snake/rabid dog bite, sore throat, stomach ache, stomach trouble, tongue disease, tonsillitis [12]

Stomach disorder, Herpes zoster, ear problems, evil eye, snake bite, ascariasis [28]

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Gizawa

2033

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

Root is peeled then used as a fumigant by burning it and inhaling the smoke

M4

“Gizawa is my favourite medication. Especially for the stomach. Use the root, peel it, then use it as a fumigant”

Decoction of the root powder taken for rheumatoid arthritis. Bark powder mixed with butter applied as a remedy for swelling [71]

Solanaceae

Bad spirits (Satan beshita)

Adaptogen: whole system

F1

“Gizawa is an all-out treatment for the whole system”

Evil eye (buda)

F1

“Gizawa is like salt, it can go with anything. For devil spirit, epilepsy, buda. Not for wounds or physical sickness.”

Evil spirit exorcism, joint infection, arthritis, malaria [12]

Chest pain, mich, typhoid, evil eye [68]

M8, PH

Old saying: “Why did your child die if you had Gizawa growing in your garden?”

Narcotic properties. Decoctions are used as pain killers [46]

Main actions: Adaptogen, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal, anti-inflammatory, chondroprotective, anticancer, anxiolytic and antidepressant [72]

Zehneria scabra Sond.

Hareg resa/Shahare

1954

Dandruff (forefore)

F2

Amenorrhoea, intelligence boost, mich (fever with headache) [12]

Cucurbitaceae

Eye problem (possibly trachoma)

The eyelid is peeled back and rubbed with the back of the leaf. The eyes should be covered and protected from the light until healed.

F1, M8

“The women use it”

Mich (fever with headache), stomach ache, wart [49]

M8

Leprosy, wound dressing, measles, anthelmintic [73]

Mich [28]

Malaria [29]

Zingiber officinale Roscoe.

Zingibil

Taeniasis

As part of formula with Kosso (see Hagenia abyssinica)

F1

Widely used as a medicinal plant worldwide

Zingiberaceae

Unexplained stomach ache (megagna)

As part of formula with Ariti (see Artemisia absinthium) and Tenadam (see Ruta chalepensis)

M3