AN ETHNOVETERINARY SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TO TREAT LIVESTOCK DISEASES IN ABALA, NORTHEASTERN ETHIOPIA

The use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in most developing countries, as a normative basis for the maintenance of good health, has been widely observed. This study was conducted to properly document the ethnoveterinary activities in which plants are the crucial component of the ethnoveterinary practices. Twenty five informants were selected purposively by consulting district administrators and elders of the district. Data were collected using semistructured interview. Fidelity Level was calculated. A total of twenty two plants under fifteen families to treat nineteen livestock diseases were recorded. Of these, 41% were shrubs, 36% trees followed by herbs and succulent 9% each. Climbers comprise only 5%. Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae were the dominant families represented by three species each. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves and roots which account 40% and 20% respectively. Oral (43%) was the most commonly employed route of administration. The present study is in line with several study reports conducted in the Country and somewhere else in Africa. The medicinal plants are threatened locally. Almost all of the medicinal plants were harvested from the wild which could have its own impact in conservation of the medicinal plants. Shrubs and leaves were the most frequently used plants and plant parts respectively. Considering the people of the district are semi-pastoralists, it could be difficult to conserve in situ. Thus establishing botanical garden of medicinal plants could definitely have a significant role in conserving the medicinal plants.