ISSN 2169-303X
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (11), pp. 001-005, November, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Plants used in traditional management of human ailments at Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia
Haile Yineger1 *, Ensermu Kelbessa2, Tamrat Bekele2 and Ermias Lulekal3
1Department of Biology, Jimma University, P. O. Box 5195, Jimma, Ethiopia.
2National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3Department of Biology, Debre Berhan University, P. O. Box 445, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.
Accepted 13 June, 2019
Abstract
Though the majority of people in Ethiopia at large, and at Bale Mountains National Park in particular, rely on ethnomedicinal plant species to manage human ailments, the indigenous knowledge largely remains undocumented. Therefore, an ethnobotanical study was conducted on medicinal plant species used to manage human ailments at Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia. Observations and semi-structured interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical data. Altogether, 56 ailments were reported to be managed using 101 different ethnomedicinal plant species. Consensus of traditional healers was high in managing eczema (ICF = 0.58), tinea versicolor (ICF = 0.50), rheumatism (ICF = 0.43), haemorrhoids (ICF = 0.33), earache (ICF = 0.33) and gonorrhoea (ICF = 0.27). The mean number of plant species used by each healer showed significant difference with district. Most medicinal plant species reported in this study were found to be under threat and this calls for urgent conservation measures so as to maximize the sustainable use of these vital resources in the study area.
Key words: Ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plant, traditional medicine, traditional healer, Bale, Ethiopia.
Full Length Research Paper
Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) improves athlete endurance: Its mechanisms of action
'Afa K. Palu1*, R. D. Seifulla2 and. Brett J. West1
1Tahitian Noni International Research Center, American Fork, Utah 84003 USA.
2Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Sports Medicine, 105120, Moscow, Zemlyanoy Val St., 53
Accepted 10 July, 2019
The ability of noni juice to improve endurance in athletes was evaluated clinically. A placebo-controlled clinical trial with TAHITIAN NONI® Juice (TNJ) was conducted in 40 highly-trained athletes. Drinking 100 mL of TNJ twice daily increased endurance (time-to-fatigue) by 21%, and improved antioxidant status as measured by a 25% decrease in blood chemiluminescence. Chemical analyses by multiple laboratories and drug-urine screening of human volunteers reveal that TNJ does not contain any illegal drugs or substances prohibited by the World Anti-doping Agency. The collective results indicate that TNJ improves endurance via potent antioxidant effects. The results warrant human clinical trials to assess the dosages and the feasibility of using TNJ by athletes participating in strenuous sports such as football, rugby, ice hockey, soccer and basketball.
Key words: Noni, Morinda citrifolia, antioxidant, free radicals, endurance.