Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Diarrhoeal Related Diseases in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper presents a review of relevant antidiarrhoeal medicinal plants based on the fundamental knowledge accumulated by indigenous people of Ethiopia. The review includes an inventory carried out on the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of plant species used in the treatments of diarrhoeal diseases. This study is based on a review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, theses, proceedings, and reports. A total of 132 medicinal plants used by local people of Ethiopia are reported in the reviewed literature. Herbs (43.6%) were the primary source of medicinal plants, followed by trees (27%). Some findings include the predominance of leaf material used (78%), as well as the frequent use of crushing of the plant parts (38%) as a mode of preparation. This study demonstrates the importance of traditional medicines in the treatment of basic human ailments such as diarrhoeal diseases in Ethiopia. Baseline information gaps were observed in different regions of Ethiopia. Thus, documentation of the knowledge held by other regions of Ethiopia that have so far received less attention and urban ethnobotany is recommended for future ethnobotanical studies. In addition, phytochemical studies are recommended mainly on frequently utilized medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases which can serve as a basis for future investigation of modern drug development. Although societies in Ethiopia have long used medicinal plants for diarrhoeal diseases treatment, it is also a good practice to perform toxicological tests.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human Diseases in Berbere District, Bale Zone of Oromia Regional State, South East Ethiopia

“…Since an action on conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants need involvement of various sectors and greater public support, it needs a continuous task of creating public awareness [ 45 ]. The review made by Megersa et al [ 46 ] suggested that identifying serious threats to medicinal plants and how local people manage medicinal plants will help to understand the best conservation strategies.…”

Antidiarrheal Activity of Hydromethanolic Root Extract and Solvent Fractions of Clutia abyssinica Jaub. & Spach. (Euphorbiaceae) in Mice

“…Some of the medicinal plants are Zehneria scabra (Linn. f.) (Cucurbitaceae) [7], Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (Euphorbiaceae) [7][8][9], Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae), Rumex nervosus Vahl.…”

“…f.) (Cucurbitaceae) [7], Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (Euphorbiaceae) [7][8][9], Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae), Rumex nervosus Vahl. (Polygonaceae), and Verbascum sinaiticum Benth (Scrophulariaceae) [7].…”

“…ex Delile (Euphorbiaceae) [7][8][9], Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae), Rumex nervosus Vahl. (Polygonaceae), and Verbascum sinaiticum Benth (Scrophulariaceae) [7]. In addition, C. abyssinica is one of the medicinal plants being used in traditional medicine.…”

An Ethnobotanical Study of Plants in the Adjoining Area of Kafta Sheraro National Park Ethnic Groups, Ethiopia

“…Most of the medicinal plant species were reported to be processed through crushing followed by pounding and chewing. Ethnobotanical studies conducted in different parts of the country (Ethiopia) [36,37,43,44] reported similar results.…”