Ethnoveterinary Survey on Medicinal Plants in Aleta-Chuko District of Sidama Reginal State, Ethiopia

The survey was conducted from April to July 2021 to assess the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in Aleta-Chuko district of Sidama reginal state, Ethiopia. Study population ware traditional animal healers and elders. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires. Ethical clearance ware obtained from Hawassa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and using SPSS software version 21. A total of 31 well-known traditional animal healers, Males 16(51.6%) and females 15 (48.5%) were interviewed and 38 medicinal plants ware identified with their local name, parts used, preparation method, disease type treated, rout of administration, forms, and availability of the plant were documented. As the traditional healer responded Gidincho and Hengedicho are most used medicinal plants, followed by Reejje, Duwancho and Noole respectively. The study revealed that the part of the plant which is highly used for the preparation of the remedies were leaves (65%) followed by bark (16%). Majority animal healer ware elder farmers who work on animal healing for 20 years and above. They adopted their knowledge from their family member especial 64.5% from their fathers. The overall study reviled that the traditional healers have rich knowledge on ethno-veterinary medicines to manage their livestock through indigenous knowledge, to protect the health and increase productivity. However, this traditional knowledge is still transferred orally. Therefore, attention should be given on the documentation, plant cultivation and conservation practice. Further studies should be conducted to determine safety, toxicity and dose of the medicinal plants identified in this study.