Forest in Indigenous Health Care Systems: Perspective from Ethno-medicine

Author(s): Melaku Getahun Jirata

This study explored the role of forest resources in indigenous health care systems among the Oromo of Ethiopia. It is believed that forests are the repository as well as the source of medicinal plants for the treatment of both human and livestock ailments. Among the community of the study area, the drug extracted from medicinal plant species in the surrounding forest is used in the indigenous health care systems. Even though, the ethno-medical knowledge is the basis for modern medicine; nowadays facts are seemingly reversed because of some important factors evident in this era of globalization, and the contribution of the sector remain unacknowledged despite its bedrock contribution for the system. For traditional health care systems, forest is the ultimate source of medicine that helps in the treatment of both human and the livestock ailments. The study employed qualitative research method. Since the study is based on the lived experiences and the knowledge of the people in maintaining their health, qualitative research method is more pertinent in studying this problem. The findings show that forest is the source of bounty medicine for the local communities, through which the health of human and animal have been maintained for generation. It is thus, true that the synchronic existence of both traditional and modern medicine has been evident in the area.

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