A Treatise on Ethiopian Traditional Medicinal Plants

This book is a de novo synthesis of the previous four volumes written by the same author on the subject. It delves into various aspects of Ethiopian traditional medicine. The first part begins by outlining the trajectory of this important traditional healthcare modality. It traces back the history of traditional medicine in Ethiopia and points out several landmarks in its progress. In this part, selected plant monographs are treated from a scientific standpoint. Over a hundred medicinal plants are tabulated along with their traditional uses.

Since spices have dual uses as food flavourings and medicinal agents, the second part of the compilation elaborates on 30 plants that are widely used in Ethiopia. Immersing himself in ancient history and applications, the author tracks the original footprints of these spice plants. In nearly the same style as in the first part of the book, this section provides comprehensive monographs on each spice plant. When herbal and conventional medicines are taken together, a gray area emerges. Regarding this aspect, utmost attempt is made in this book to bring together information that is available in the literature at the time of the compilation.

In Part 5 of the book, several medicinal plants are treated in Amarigna. Just like in the other parts of the book, this section provides a comprehensive background on Ethiopian traditional medicine and then treats 32 plants that have received scientific studies of various depths. It includes the uses, doses, side effects and any scientific evidence ascribed to each plant. Finally, the book has a part devoted to popular articles written by the author over the years on several platforms.