Some Common Medicinal And Poisonous Plants Used In Ethiopian Folk Medicine
Ethiopia is rich in medical lore. The use of plants in religjous ceremonies as well as for magic and medicinal purposes is very commonplace and widespread. Based upon strong primitive roots. The art ofnative medicine is still widely practicedo While much of this lore isindigenous, yet there are strong indications of Hebrew and Egyptian aswell as Greek and other Arabic influences.
by Amare Getahun, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. March, I976
Introduction- Ethiopia is rich in medical lore. The use of plants in religious ceremonies as well as for magic and medicinal purposes is very commonplace and widespread. Based upon strong primitive roots. The ...
- Abbreviations and Glossary To Some Terms Used In The Text
- Abbreviation of Languages A - Amarinya T - Tiigrinya G - Galinya (G Ar) - Galinya, Arussi GB- Galinya, Bale GH - ...
- Acanthaceae
- Adhatoda schimperiana Hochst. ex. Nees sensel, simiza timisa (A) dumoga (GK) This plant is very common in villages and towns as well as in cities ...
- Aizoaceae
- Glinus lotoides L. meterre (A) terabit (T) Herb, grayish prostrating, confused in the literature with Budleya polystachyla originated from misuse of ...
- Amaranthaceae
- Amaranthus caudatus L. lishalisho, ferenjitef (A) iyaso, jolili (G) gagabsa (W) Tapeworm expectorant. Amaranthus ...
- Apocynaceae
- Acokanthera schimperi (DC) Oln. (Carrissa schimperi) DC merz (A) keraro (G) oboyo, wabayo (Som) ghedulejo (Som)<...
- Aristolochiaceae
- Aristolochia bracteata Retz. ghaga (Arabic) boro, grerbaad, ged-hurguma (Som) Plant used to treat leg itches in Kalaffo (Ogaden), E. Ethiopia. ...
- Asclepediaceae
- Calotropis procera (AitQ) Dry. in Ait. tobbeya, yahara-zaf, ghinda (A) ghinda, akalo, tomfi (T) gala, boha (Som) usher (Arabic)...
- Bignoniaceae
- Kigelia africana Benth african sausage tree (Eng) Fruits are used as purgative and for dysentery ...
- Boraginaceae
- Cordia africana Lam. ( C. abyssinica R. Br.) wanza (A) auchi (T) wodessa (G) uaddichio (Sid) mokota ...
- Burseraceae
- Boswellia papyrifera (Del) Hochst. etan ( A ) libanat (GH, Adaric) Frankincense has been an item of commerce for many centuries in Ethiopia. ...
- Cactaceae
- Opuntia vulgaris Mill. kulkual (A) beles (T) tini (GH) prickly pear (Eng) Kulkual is a very common sight in low ...
- Cannabidaceae
- Cannabis sativa L. hashish (G) A leafy annual herb 1-3 m. high occasionally grown by farmers as a cash crop in the absence of enforced government restrictions. The ...
- Capparidaceae
- Capparis tomentosa Lam. gomor (Som) gemaro (A) andal (T) Effects:Goats---instant death. Camels---the ...
- Celastraceae
- Catha edulis (Vahl) Forsk. ex Endl. chat (A) gofa; jima (G) gat (Arabic) dat (Som) Tree up to 7 meters high, ...
- Chenopodiaceae
- Chenopodium album L. nechillo (A) This is a very common weed of garden and abandoned areas. The plant varies in size depending on the fertility of the soil. <...
- Combretaceae
- Combretum paniculatum Vent. baye, buggie (G) gabai (K) shaga (K) A very showy shrub which grows over tall trees. It is seen growing in ...
- Convolvulaceae
- Evolvulus alsinoides L. eriraio (T) The whole plaint is used as a bitter tonic and as a vermifuge. ...
- Crassulaceae
- Kalanchoe spp. bosoke (G) indahula (A) same (G) There are several species in Ethiopia, some growing in dry and rocky areas, while ...
- Cruciferae
- Lepidium sativum L. fetto (A) shimfi (G) kotto, shimfa (T) shimp (K) shufu (GH, Aderic) Fetto is ...
- Cucurbitaceae
- Coccinia abyssinica (W A ) Cogn. anchote (G) This wild and cultivated tuberous cucurbit is regarded as medicinal as well as an important dietary item in S. ...
- Cupressaceae
- Juniperus procera Hochst ex Engl. tidh (T) gattira (G) Tidh and zigba (Podocarpus gracelior, Podocarpaceae) are the two leading ...
- Cyperaceae
- Cyperus rigidifolius Steud. gicha (A) Obnoxious weed of (wet) cultivated fields. A concoction of the bulbs is used in the treatment of fever, diarrhoea, ...
- Dipsacaceae
- Scabiosa coluombaria L. theiabi (T) Plant often used for the treatment of constipation in the northern provinces, namely Gojam and Begemder. ...
- Ebenaceae
- Euclea schimperi (DC) Dandy dudiho (A) dubis (G) This shrub is quite common in overgrazed rolling hills or fallow land. The ripe fruits are ...
- Euphorbiaceae
- Croton macrostachyus Hochst. bissana (A) makanissa, badessa, alaleh, dogoma (G) wush, masincho (Sid) ambuk, tambuk, tambush, berberi-...
- Labiatae
- Ajuga remota Benth. (A. integrifolia Ham-Buch.) ungo-quasot (T) tale (Wol) akorarchigne (A) An extract of the leaves is used ...
- Leguminosae (caesalpiniaceae)
- Cassia cf. floribunda car. sornema (K) Seeds are boiled for use against snake bites. It is also used as a laxatives. Cassia holosericea ...
- Leguminosae (mimosideae)
- Albizia anthelmintica (A. Rich.) Brongn. (Leguminosae) rhaybit (Somali) shina (Amaharic) kebita (? Kaffa) A shrub or small tree common ...
- Leguminosae (papilionaceae)
- Cadia purpurea (Picc.) Ait kadi (Arabic) hasaus (T) salema (Som) saele (GH) The plant is widespread in low and mid-...
- Liliaceae
- Aloe spp. (Aloe vera L.) erret (A) argeber (Som) There are many species of Aloe in the dry parts of Ethiopia and they provide quite a ...
- Linaceae
- Linum usitatissimum L. telba (A) flax-seed (Eng) As elsewhere, flax is cultivated for its seed in Ethiopia. It is generally used as a demulcent ...
- Loganiaceae
- Strychinos spinosa Sam. angora (GH) Seeds are poisonous but pulp of the fruit is edible. ...
- Meliaceae
- Melia azedarach L. nib (T, Arabic) This is a handsome tree with lilac-blue flowers. The shrub or tree seems to have been recently introduced to Ethiopia but has already ...
- Melianthaceae
- Bersama abyssinica Fresen azamrr (A) lolchissa (G) This is a graceful tree with nice blue or lilac flowers found in mid-altitude regions. ...
- Menispermaceae
- Cissampelos pareira L. var 0 orbiculata (d. C.) Misquel. Both the root and leaves are considered curative agents against snake bites and are also widely used in dressing ...
- Moraceae
- Ficus glomerata Rox B The latex is a very effective anti-dysentery agent. For best results it is mixed with sugar in equal amounts. This preparation is taken orally three times ...
- Myrginaceae
- Embelia schimperi Vatke (= E. abyssinica Baker) ankoko (A) enkoko (T) unkoko (G) kanko ( Sid ) ...
- Myrtaceae
- Eucalyptus globulus Labill. bahir-zaf (A) kaliti (G) The volatile oil from the leaf is used for colds. Leaf extract is gargled for meningitis. ...
- Nyctaginaceae
- Boerhaavia plumbaginea Cav. Decoction from leave used for jaundice, and to heal wounds. ...
- Olacaceae
- Ximenia americana L. inkoy (A) huda (G) mellau, maleta (T) aure-mudube, mandraut, mondruk, morod, amirgudud (Som) ...
- Oleaceae
- Jasminum abyssinicum R. Br. The fresh root-tips are chewed to relieve tonsillitis. The leaves are used as soap-substitute. ...
- Oxalidaceae
- Oxalis semiloba Sond. micha-micho (A) Bulbs of this garden weed are ground and drunk with water for the treatment of tapeworm. This is a well known and popularly ...
- Passifloraceae
- Adenia cissampeloides (Planch) Harms Plant when crushed is used as fish poisons. ...
- Phytolaccaceae
- Phytolacca dodecandra L'Hrit. endod (A) endoda (G) endott, shebeti, shipti, sobet (T) This is a relatively common plant ...
- Polygaliaceae
- Polygala spp. There are several spp. of Polygala ranging in their habitat from xerophytic to mesophytic areas. Those of the drier regions are generally employed or used in the ...
- Polygonaceae
- Polygonum senegalense Meisen. gummamilla (A) chomo (G) Shrubby herb found in wet areas such as 1ake shores and river edges or water runways. ...
- Primulaceae
- Anagalis arvensis Small annual herb: useful in home remedies. Runica granatum L. roman (A, GH, Adaric) Pomegranate is not grown as a ...
- Ranunculacae
- Clematis simensis Fresen esdillee (GH) elaydeea (Adaric) harag (A) Plant is very showy when in bloom and is known to cause ...
- Rhamnaceae
- Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk (-Z. jujuba Lam. ) gava (T) ghob, gheb, jumuba (Som) kurkura (GH), (Adaric) A shrub or ...
- Rosaceae
- Rosa abyssinica R.Br. keqa (A) wild Ethiopian Rose (English) The edible fruits are good tapeworm and round worm expectorants as well as excellent ...
- Rubiaceae
- Rubia discolor Turcz enchibrr (A) Very common vine found in varying altitude zones. The boiled leaves are used as cough remedy. The root is a valuable ...
- Salvadoraceae
- Salvadora persica. L. adai (T) dadaho (Som, Danikil) adz (som) imu-garreh (G, Ar) Dadaho is a medium sized tree ...
- Sapindaceae
- Allophylas zeylanicus L. Fruits used as expectorant for tapeworm. Gardiosperimum helicacabum L. schuelet (T) samak (A ) <...
- Simarubaceae
- Brucea antidysenterica Mill woinos, kolla+wanza(A) meleta (T) abalo, tamija, komeni (G) hadawi (Sam) Shrub or tree ...
- Solanaceae
- Capsicum annuum L. mitmitta (A) Chili is a spice grown widely in the backyards of many Ethiopians' homes. Both chili and black pepper are common spices used. ...
- Umbelliferae
- Carum copticum D. C. netch-azmud(A) kamon (G, Adaric) A cultivated spice plant usually mixed with red pepper in which it tends to reduce the ...
- Verbaenaceae
- Lantana camara L. Infusion of leaves used as tonic and stimulant. Vitaceae Rhoicissus erythroides Planch. hida-rafa (...
My Books
