A Qualitative Understanding of Local Traditional Knowledge and Medicinal Plant Use
In Ethiopia, traditional herbal medicine is dominated by plant-focused work, which has been largely driven by an overriding interest in the specific therapeutic properties of individual plants. In search of information on the properties of various...
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/01/2153166/qualitative-underestanding-local-traditional-knowledge-medicinal-plant-use http://hdl.handle.net/10986/10785 |
| Summary: | In Ethiopia, traditional herbal medicine
is dominated by plant-focused work, which has been largely
driven by an overriding interest in the specific therapeutic
properties of individual plants. In search of information on
the properties of various Ethiopian medicinal plants,
researchers have generally focused their attention on two
main sources: (i) the professional traditional health
practitioners, and (ii) Ethiopia's ancient
medico-religious manuscripts - herbal letters containing
elaborate recipes of plant-derived treatments for a wide
range of health conditions. Traditional knowledge about
medicinal plants and its application are very much taken for
granted by both men and women in the communities. Such
traditional knowledge and practices constitute routine
aspects of daily life and are deeply engrained in the
socio-cultural and economic fabric of these rural societies.
It is evident that research and development efforts must aim
to identify and address the challenges and threats faced by
traditional health knowledge systems. The ultimate goal is
to strengthen and improve this vast knowledge base for the
benefit of the great majority of the developing world who
have survived on it for centuries and will continue to do so
into the foreseeable future. |
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