Indigenous medicinal knowledge and therapeutic practices of the endangered Ongota/Birale of Southwest Ethiopia.

IF 3.7 2区 医学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Endalkachew Hailu Guluma, Temesgen Minwagaw Lemma, Sintayehu Semu Workineh, Gashaw Kachano Kitolo, Behailu Merdekios Gello, Mulugeta Kebebew Robi, Andualem Girma Desalegn, Gebreiyesus Mekt Bayleyegn
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: This study documents the indigenous medicinal knowledge of the Ongota/Birale people in Hinchete Kebele (county) of Benna Tsemay Woreda (district), South Omo Zone, Ethiopia whose language is endangered, with only six speakers remaining. With their language endangered, documenting their heritage of ethnomedicine is necessary. The study was conducted from January 2023 to February 2024.

Methods: Data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with the remaining speakers, field observations, and medicinal plants specimen collection across 14 locations. The data were translated, transcribed, coded, and thematized. Thematic analysis was applied for identifying recurring themes and patterns in the data and interpreting. Frequency analysis was used for some quantifiable data.

Results: Ninety-eight sources were cataloged in this study including 31 plant taxa, 8 animal derivatives, 4 minerals, and 3 other materials. Thirty-seven distinct human health problems/Roosaa/ were treated by these. Solanaceae is the most frequently used plant family closely followed by Burseraceae and Tiliaceae. Herbs comprised the largest proportion (38.7%) of the identified medicinal plant species, followed by shrubs (25.8%), trees (22.58%), and climbers (12.9%). 83.87% were harvested from wild areas (natural forest) and 16.13% from home gardens. Grinding and crushing constituted (70%) as the dominant preparation method. The most common routes of administration are dermal (51.35%) and oral (35.13%). Animal-based products (milk, butter, honey, spleen, fat, blood), traditional drinks ('areke' and 'boordee'), and minerals (red soil, the salt mineral 'megaaddoo,' common salt, and copper) were also used. The most frequent therapies reported are cauterization (33.3%), bloodletting (33.3%), massage (22.2%), and acupressure (11.1%). From the 26 medicinal plants that grow in the study area, 7 i.e., Ocimum americanum, Acalypha fruticosa, Corchorus tridens, Adenium obesum, Terminalia brownii, Boswellia neglecta, and Sansevieria ehrenbergii were not reported for similar uses previously. Pharmacological studies have not yet been reported for 12 of the 26 medicinal plants against the causative agents of the diseases they reported.

Conclusion: The Birale/Ongota have rich indigenous medicinal knowledge and therapeutic practices that have been maintaining their health. However, due to threats by environmental challenges and the endangerment of their language and culture, further research on ways of conserving their biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods, preserving their medicinal plants, finding the active ingredients in them, and integrating their indigenous healthcare system with the modern are required.

埃塞俄比亚西南部濒临灭绝的Ongota/Birale的土著医学知识和治疗实践。
背景:本研究记录了埃塞俄比亚南奥莫区Benna Tsemay Woreda(区)Hinchete Kebele(县)的Ongota/Birale人的土著医学知识,该语言濒临灭绝,仅剩6人使用。由于他们的语言濒临灭绝,记录他们的民族医学遗产是必要的。该研究于2023年1月至2024年2月进行。方法:采用深度访谈、焦点小组讨论、野外观察和药用植物标本采集等方法收集14个地点的数据。这些数据经过翻译、转录、编码和主题化处理。专题分析用于确定数据中反复出现的主题和模式并进行解释。对一些可量化的数据采用频率分析。结果:共获得98种资源,包括31个植物类群、8个动物衍生物、4种矿物和3种其他物质。37种不同的人类健康问题/Roosaa/得到了治疗。茄科是最常用的植物科,其次是刺麻科和铁力科。药用植物种类以草本植物最多(38.7%),其次为灌木(25.8%)、乔木(22.58%)和攀缘植物(12.9%)。83.87%采自野外(天然林),16.13%采自家庭菜园。粉碎和破碎是主要的制备方法(70%)。最常见的给药途径是经皮(51.35%)和口服(35.13%)。动物性产品(牛奶、黄油、蜂蜜、脾脏、脂肪、血液)、传统饮料(“areke”和“boordee”)和矿物质(红土、盐矿物“megaaddoo”、普通盐和铜)也被使用。最常见的治疗方法是烧灼(33.3%)、放血(33.3%)、按摩(22.2%)和指压(11.1%)。在研究区生长的26种药用植物中,有7种为美洲山茱萸(Ocimum americanum)、果胶树(Acalypha fruticosa)、三叶草(Corchorus tridens)、大葱(Adenium obesum)、黄尾草(Terminalia brownii)、乳香树(Boswellia malecta)和白桦(Sansevieria ehrenbergii)。在26种药用植物中,有12种植物对其所报道的疾病病原的药理研究尚未报道。结论:Birale/Ongota人拥有丰富的土著医学知识和治疗方法,一直保持着他们的健康。然而,由于环境挑战的威胁以及其语言和文化的濒危,需要进一步研究保护其生物多样性和土著生计的方法,保护其药用植物,寻找其中的有效成分,并将其土著医疗保健系统与现代医疗保健系统相结合。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
7.30
自引率
16.70%
发文量
66
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine publishes original research focusing on cultural perceptions of nature and of human and animal health. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine invites research articles, reviews and commentaries concerning the investigations of the inextricable links between human societies and nature, food, and health. Specifically, the journal covers the following topics: ethnobotany, ethnomycology, ethnozoology, ethnoecology (including ethnopedology), ethnogastronomy, ethnomedicine, ethnoveterinary, as well as all related areas in environmental, nutritional, and medical anthropology. Research focusing on the implications that the inclusion of humanistic, cultural, and social dimensions have in understanding the biological word is also welcome, as well as its potential projections in public health-centred, nutritional, and environmental policies.
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