Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42365533›Full record

ArticleVeterinary medicine and science2026

Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants for Treating Livestock Ailments in Megale District, Afar Region, Ethiopia.

Gebremedhin Gebrezgabiher, Desalegn Meresa

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Article in Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Gebremedhin GebrezgabiherCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0597-0407
Desalegn MeresaFaculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.

Funding

Samara University
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEthnoveterinary medicine (EVM) remains central to livestock health management in Afar region of Ethiopia. However, this Indigenous knowledge is increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and socio-cultural transformation. This study aimed to document medicinal plants used by pastoralists in the Megale district, Afar region, Ethiopia.

methodsEthnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field observations involving 13 key informants. Medicinal plant specimens were collected and identified, and their nomenclature was verified using Plants of the World Online following the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification system. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and relative importance (RI).

resultsTwenty-seven medicinal plant species belonging to 14 families were documented. Euphorbiaceae (35.71%) and Fabaceae (28.57%) were the most represented families. Leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part (54.55%), and crushing was the predominant preparation method (61.77%). Dermal and oral routes accounted for over 70% of administrations. Wound management involved the highest number of plant species (20%), whereas musculoskeletal disorders showed the highest informant consensus (ICF = 0.67). Balanites rotundifolia (RI = 0.88) and Calotropis procera (RI = 0.78) were the most culturally important species.

conclusionEthnoveterinary medicinal plants remain integral to livestock healthcare in Megale district. High cultural consensus highlights key species priorities for conservation and future pharmacological investigation. The concentration of knowledge among elderly informants underscores the urgency of documentation, conservation and integration into community-based veterinary services.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeLivestockMedicine, African TraditionalPhytotherapyPlants, MedicinalAdultAnimalsEthiopiaEthnobotanyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedAfarEthiopiaIndigenous knowledgelivestock healthmedicinal plantMegale

Identifiers

PMID42365533
PMCPMC13310466

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