Harnessing the Medicinal Potential of Enset ( <i>Ensete ventricosum</i> ) in Ethiopian Traditional Medicine: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge

Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) plays an important role in Ethiopian traditional medicine. A tremendous number of enset landraces are traditionally used for medicinal purposes in almost all enset-growing areas of the country. However, research on the medicinal applications of enset has so far been fragmented, focusing mainly on specific areas or ethnic groups, and no comprehensive national-level synthesis exists. The objective of this review was to summarize and organize the traditional medicinal use of enset in Ethiopia. Research reports were searched on platforms such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, AGRIS, and PubMed. Relevant research reports were selected, reviewed, and the required data were extracted and organized using Microsoft Excel 2016. Available research reports indicated that more than 600 enset landraces have been documented from 15 enset growing areas, of which about 100 (16.7%) are used in traditional medicine. Among these areas, the Gurage Zone and Amaro Special District recorded the highest number of medicinal landraces (12 each). Different enset parts, such as corm, pseudostem, and leaves, and enset products, including boiled corm, bulla, kocho, and sap from pseudostem, are used for medicinal purposes for both humans and livestock. Of these, corm and bulla are the most frequently utilized (89%). The most commonly treated ailments include bone fractures (29%), back pain (23%), joint displacement (21%), and placenta discharge (19%). Scientific investigations, including nutritional, molecular, and phytochemical studies, suggest that enset has significant medicinal potential. It is rich in arginine, calcium, zinc, and iron, and exhibits antioxidants, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, and nematicidal properties. Overall, medicinal enset landraces play a crucial role in traditional healthcare systems; yet they are increasingly threatened by various factors. Therefore, sustainable utilization, conservation, and further scientific validation of these landraces should be considered priority areas.