Table 6 Market Survey Herbs identified and information collected from vendors of medicinal plants

Artemisia absinthium

Ariti

Stomach ache

Observed in a fragrant bouquet with Tej sar (Cymbopogon citratus) and Ajuban (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum)

Echinops kebericho

Kebericho

Used as incense in the home for children who have nightmares

Smoke may be inhaled by covering head with blanket over the smoking root

Prevents nocturia

Repels snakes from house

Glinus lotoides

Meterre

Taenicidal

Cleaned, ground with Nug (Guizotia abyssinica). Taken with a little sugar and eaten before food. Necessary to fast until noon prior to administering

1 birr for a small cup

Guizotia abyssinica

Nug

Ground seed used as binder

Seed is ground to a paste and mixed with herbs for administering

Lepidum sativum

Feto

Abdominal pain

Chopped, infused and drunk

Lippia adoensis var. koseret

Koseret

Culinary – used in making niter kibbe (a type of ghee)

Nigella sativa

Tikurazmud

Culinary

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum

Ajuban

Fragrant bouquet

Culinary flavouring/spice

Olea europea

Weyra

Sterilising treatment for milk equipment

Oil collected from root

Otostegia fruticosa

Tenjut

For stomach pain

The leaves are burnt and smoke inhaled

The branch is used for cleaning teeth

Rhamnus prioides

Gesho

To make Tella (fermented drink)

Rosmarinus officinalis

Asmarino, Yetibs ketel

Culinary flavouring, hair rinse

Ruta chalepensis

Tenadam

Megagna (stomach pain)

Used in coffee

Thymus schimperi

Tosign

Hypertension

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Abish

Digestive and culinary, skin disorders