Table 5 Medicinal plants reported by household (HH) respondents of the Hamer ethnic group, South Omo Zone (January–February 2010)
Vernacular name | Scientific name (Collection number) | Family | Part(s) used | Medicinal indication(s) | Method of preparation and use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chaki Dhesha | Barleria eranthemoides R. Br. ex C. B. Clarke (H022) | Acanthaceae | Leaf | Evil eye | Pounded, boiled with water, filtered and drunk |
Kufuri | Rhus natalensis KraussN (H040) | Anacardiaceae | Fruit | Various disease of stomach | Macerated in water, filtered, mixed with honey, and drunk |
Stem | Malodor of mouth | Gently chewed for about an hour | |||
Mordhe | Launaea intybacea (Jacq.) Beauv.N (H046) | Asteraceae | Root | Abscess | Ground, macerated in water, and the filtrate applied on the affected area |
Dhumuko | Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.N (H025) | Balanitaceae | Bark | Hypertension | Inside part of the bark peeled off, boiled with water, filtered and drunk |
Alela | Boswellia neglecta S. MooreN (H044) | Burseraceae | Exudate | Evil eye | Dried, burned and the smoke inhaled |
Beles | Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (H059) | Cactaceae | Leaf | Hair loss | Sliced and rubbed against the affected part of the scalp |
Zegurma | Combretum aculeatum VentN (H034) | Combertaceae | Leaf | Abdominal colic | Fresh leaves chewed, and juice swallowed |
Ara | Treminalia brownii Fresen.N (H038) | Combretaceae | Bark | Jaundice for both human and animals | Inner bark peeled, chopped, macerated in water, filtered and drunk |
Wefenkur | Commelina benghalensis L. (H054) | Commelinaceae | Exudate | Skin problem | Applied on the affected area |
Gusi | Lagenaria siceraria (Monila) Standl. (H060) | Cucurbitaceae | Fruit | Jaundice | Fruit dissected and patient’s face covered with the inside part of the dissected fruit |
Busente | Cyperus alternifolius LN (H055) | Cyperaceae | Root | Abdominal colic | Chopped, chewed, and juice swallowed |
Alko/Algi | Sansevieria ehrenbergii Schweinf. ex Baker N (H018) | Dracaenaceae | Leaf | Wound healing | Fresh leaves pounded, and juice applied on wound |
Root | Muscle pain | Fresh root chopped, boiled in water, filtered and drunk | |||
Atmin Dhesha | Sansevieria forskaoliana (Schult.f.) Hepper & Wood (H020) | Dracaenaceae | Leaf | Blister after burning | Fresh leaves smashed, juice applied on the site of burning |
Kera | Euphorbia sp. (H027) | Euphorbiaceae | Bark | Hypertension | Fresh bark chopped, macerated in water, filtered, mixed with honey and drunk |
Sewute | Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne (H043) | Fabaceae | Leaf | Goat intestinal parasite | Fresh leaves fed to goats |
Dhita | Albizia anthelmintica (A.Rich.) Brogn. (H009) | Fabaceae | Bark | Intestinal parasite | Inside part of the fresh bark cut, boiled with water, filtered, mixed with sorghum powder and eaten |
Chaqidhesha | Indigofera sp. (H036) | Fabaceae | Root | Evil eye | Chewed and juice swallowed |
Moshke | Ormocarpum trichocarpum (Taub.) Engl. (H031) | Fabaceae | Leaf | Abscess | Chopped, macerated in water and applied on swollen skin |
Armacha | Senna italica Mill.N (H017) | Fabaceae | Leaf | Allergy on skin | Fresh leaves crushed, stood in cold water and filtrate drunk |
Bishidhesha | Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex Benth.N (H050) | Lamiaceae | Leaf | Skin diseases | Crashed and rubbed on affected area |
Gudemburkanane | Plectaranthus sp. (H037) | Lamiaceae | Leaf/Root | Abdominal colic | Leaves or roots chopped, boiled with water and decoction drunk |
Chursha | Sida rhombifolia L.N (H048) | Malvaceae | Aerial part | Bone strength | Fresh aerial part ground, macerated in water, and filtrate drunk |
Dhare/Fire | Cissampelos pariera L. (H023) | Menispermaceae | Leaf | Wound healing | Fresh leaves squeezed on wound |
Kelewa | Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit N (H058) | Rhamnaceae | Fruit | Skin diseases | Macerated in water and the swollen fruit rubbed against the affected skin |
Medhel | Canthium pseudosetiflorum Bridson (H032) | Rubiaceae | Leaf | Malaria | Ground, macerated with water, filtered and drunk |
Kena | Vepris glomerata (F. Hoffm.) Engl.N (H029) | Rutaceae | Bark/Leaf | Malaria, abdominal colic | Fresh leaves or mixed with bark cut into pieces, stood in water, filtered and drunk |
Gedeqa | Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. N (H026) | Rutaceae | Fruit | Abdominal discomfort | Dried fruits roasted, chewed and swallowed |
Kerja | Salvadora persica L.N (H028) | Salvadoraceae | Root/Stem | Gum bleeding | Root or stem chewed, and juice kept in the mouth |
Meta dhesha | Datura stramonium L. (H042) | Solanaceae | Leaf | Tinea | Fresh leaves chopped, squashed, and juice applied on scalp |
Gerante | Solanum dasyphyllum Schumach.N (H049) | Solanaceae | Root | Abdominal colic | Chopped, chewed, and swallowed |
Butambero | Withania somnifera (L) Dunal N (H021) | Solanaceae | Root | Common cold, tonsillitis | Fresh roots chewed and juice swallowed |
Gergesho | Grewia villosa WilldN (H039) | Tialiaceae | Fruit | Intestinal parasite | Chewed and swallowed |