Ethnomedicinal plants used by local communities for human ailments in Bure District, Illubabor Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Traditional medicinal plants remain an essential component of primary healthcare in many rural communities of Ethiopia. However, ethnomedicinal knowledge and the associated plant resources are increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and socio-cultural changes. This study aimed to document medicinal plants (MPs) used for the treatment of human ailments, assess indigenous knowledge systems, and identify conservation challenges in Bure District, Illubabor Zone, southwestern Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical data were collected from February 2024 to January 2025 using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, direct observations, and market surveys. A total of 85 informants, including key traditional healers, participated in the study. Quantitative ethnobotanical analyses, including Cultural Value Index (CVI), preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI), were employed to evaluate the medicinal significance and conservation status of the recorded species. The study documented 76 MPs belonging to 66 genera and 39 families used to treat 48 human ailments. Herbs constituted the dominant growth form, while leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part. Most MPs were harvested from wild habitats and prepared using simple methods such as crushing and pounding. Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (0.376), Sida rhombifolia L. (0.226), Aloe kefaensis M.G.Gilbert & Sebsebe (0.132), and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. (0.122) exhibited high cultural and therapeutic importance. Agricultural expansion, charcoal production, construction activities, and destructive harvesting practices were identified as the major threats to MPs resources. Bure District possesses rich MPs diversity and valuable indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge that contribute substantially to local healthcare. Strengthening conservation initiatives, promoting sustainable utilization, enhancing knowledge transmission, and supporting pharmacological validation of culturally important species are essential for preserving these biocultural resources and ensuring their sustainable use.