Ethnoveterinary practices and traditional medicinal plant use in North Wollo, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's diverse ecosystems and substantial livestock population have sustained a long tradition of ethnoveterinary practices that predate and coexist with formal veterinary services. Despite the importance of this knowledge, systematic documentation in many districts remains limited, and associated plant resources face growing threats from environmental change and cultural erosion. This study aims to document and analyze traditional knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in treating livestock ailments in Habru District, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.

Ethnoveterinary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walk and direct observations from 388 informants across 13 kebeles in Habru District. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Preference Ranking (PR) to evaluate the relative importance and consensus on the use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants.

A total of 42 medicinal plant taxataxa belonging to 39 genera and 27 families were documented with associated indigenous and local knowledge working closely with knowledgeable informants. The highest FL values (100%) were recorded for Kalanchoe petitiana A. Rich., Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex. Benth., and Ruta chalepensis L. for treating swelling, bloating, and blackleg in all livestock types, respectively. The highest ICF values were found for gastrointestinal (0.85) and dermatological (0.81) conditions, indicating strong informant consensus. Preference ranking identified Allium sativum L. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as the most reported plants for treating anthrax in cattle. Cattle received disproportionately more treatments than expected from their population size (χ²=143.0, p < 0.001). The documentation of Solanum somalense and distinctive preparation methods (heated compresses, smoke inhalation) reveals locally unique knowledge.

The study reveals the richness of ethnoveterinary knowledge in Habru District and emphasizes the need to integrate this traditional knowledge with modern veterinary practices. The high FL values for key taxa (Kalanchoe petitiana, Ocimum lamiifolium, and Ruta chalepensis) warrant their prioritization for further pharmacological investigation, while the high ICF values underscore the common disease categories (gastrointestinal and dermatological) managed by these plants. The documentation of this knowledge is crucial for its preservation, for guiding the sustainable use of plant resources, and for informing future pharmacological research aimed at supporting animal healthcare.