Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in Woleqa, Betto, and Abay National Park and its vicinity, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants are central to primary healthcare and cultural identity, especially in remote areas with limited access to modern health services. Ethnomedicinal knowledge in the study area has not yet been documented. This study aimed to document indigenous medicinal plant knowledge, assess sociodemographic influences on its distribution, and compare plant use patterns with previous Ethiopian studies to identify novel insights. METHODOLOGY: Primary ethnobotanical data on medicinal plant use and indigenous knowledge were collected between June and September 2023 from 364 informants using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field walks. Demographic information and plant-use details (including plant species, parts used, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications) were systematically recorded, and the data were analyzed quantitatively using t-tests, ANOVA, informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard similarity index (JSI), and Rahman similarity index (RSI). RESULTS: A total of 102 medicinal plant species belonging to 48 families were documented. Fabaceae (8%), Asteraceae (7%), and Solanaceae (6%) were the most represented families. Herbs constituted the dominant growth form (36.3%), and leaves were the most frequently used plant part (37.4%). Oral administration (56.2%) was the primary route of remedy application, whereas grinding and crushing were the most commonly employed preparation methods. ICF values were highest for external injuries (0.89) and neurological disorders (0.86). Multipurpose species, such as Cordia africana and Olea europaea, are under high pressure due to agricultural expansion and wildfires, which represent major anthropogenic threats. Medicinal plant knowledge differed across sociodemographic factors, with key informants, men, older participants, and illiterate informants reporting higher numbers of species than other groups (p ≤ 0.001, t-tests and ANOVA). Cross-cultural comparison demonstrated moderate to low similarity with other Ethiopian studies (JSI: 2.55-48.39%; RSI: 0.64-24.27%). CONCLUSION: The WBANP and surrounding districts harbor rich medicinal plant diversity and indigenous knowledge for treating human ailments. However, anthropogenic pressures threaten these resources and their cultural heritage. Future research should prioritize community-based conservation, pharmacological validation, and phytochemical studies of culturally and therapeutically important species to support evidence-based healthcare integration.