HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS: A cursory look at the history of the use of traditional medicine (especially of medicinal plants) in Ethiopia reveals that such use dates back to the time of the Axumite kingdom, if not to earlier periods. Many manuscripts attesting to this fact, and which are now in the custody of the Ethiopian National Traditional Medicine Preparation and Therapy Association, have been recovered. They mention, among other traditional practices, that a large number of medicinal plants were used. The manuscripts claim that during the era of the Axumite kingdom (7th-11th C), about 8,000 plants were used as medicinal agents. This period was followed by the Zagwe dynasty (11th-13th C), during which time about 2,800 medicinal plants were recorded to have been used. Similarly, during the era of Gondarine kingdom (1636-1865), medicinal plants numbering some 2,900 were employed. A manuscript was also recovered from the ruins of Aba Jifar's palace in Jimma during the era of King Menelik II over 100 years ago. It included about 589 plants which were used as therapeutic agents. Close to 700 medicinal plants were also recorded to have been used during the reigns of King Hailemelekot through Emperor Haile Selassie I (1870-1974). In each of the above manuscripts, a lesser number of other medicinal agents of animal and mineral origins were also presented. It is worth noting that the number of plants may have been exaggerated, especially in the older manuscripts, considering the fact that only about 7,500 plant species are known to exist in Ethiopia today. It is also possible that many of the plants may have been counted more than once. This may be true even after allowing for plant species that could have been extinct since the times of the manuscripts. In any event, it is clear that medicinal plants played a pivotal role in the treatment of various afflictions. More recently, several publications which listed currently used Ethiopian medicinal plants have appeared. In 1971, Tsehai Berhane Selassie authored an annotated paper based on an earlier manuscript by Grazmach Gebrewold Aregawi of Dega Damot, which described the uses of over 200 plants. In addition, the paper included a description of magic and rituals used in some of the healing processes. In 1973, the Polish Stephen Strelcyn produced a book listing the medical applications of 300 plants. A few years later, in 1976 a mimeograph was published by the University of Addis Ababa, based on extensive field and herbarium studies. This work listed the geographic origins of about 250 medicinal plants along with their uses. A landmark book titled Este Debdabe was published in 1989 by Gelahun Abate, with Sebsebe Demissew as the editor. This publication in turn included descriptions of over 250 medicinal herbs. Most recently, a comprehensive book authored by Dawit Abate and Ahadu Ayehu came out in 1993. The book elaborated the uses of about 240 medicinal plants. Since 2001, a few critical books dealing with various aspects of Ethiopian medicinal plants have been published. Presently, there are anywhere between 650 and 1,000 medicinal plants in Ethiopia, comprising about 10 per cent of the entire flowering plants found in the country. However, perhaps the more commonly used medicinal plants may number in the vicinity of 200. Many of these plants have not been investigated scientifically, although they have been used by the population for a long time. A common argument advanced in favor of continuity of use of such long-used plants is that people would have dropped them if they hadn't worked, and therefore they should have been effective to be sustained for such a long time. However, that reasoning doesn't suffice to promote rational use of phytomedicines. Scientific studies encompassing chemistry, pharmacology, formulation and standardization are required not only to justify the use of botanicals (when there are cases to justify), but also to produce refined, convenient, and quality-controlled products. It has been widely claimed that about 80% of Ethiopians rely on traditional medicine (predominantly medicinal plants) to treat their illnesses and maintain their health. This is more true in rural than urban areas. Even in urban areas people are inclined to use so-called home remedies to treat common illness symptoms. In such cases, accurate diagnoses of diseases, and expertise in preparing and administering herbal medications may not be usually required. In this category of conditions fall such disease states as taeniasis, stomach conditions, skin problems, and symptoms such as headache, cold, cough, and diarrhea. People have treated these conditions for hundreds (maybe even thousands) of years by using traditional ways. They have been successful in most cases in alleviating their suffering by concocting various preparations derived from medicinal herbs which abounded in their environs. More serious medical problems were usually deferred to "expert" traditional medical practitioners, or modern physicians as the case may be. Ethiopian traditional medicine consists of various treatment modalities, but the bulk of it employs medicinal plants as part of the treatment regimens. Consistent with the prevailing thoughts of the time, many of the old treatment methods were, as can be expected, steeped in magico-religious beliefs. As time went by, traditional medicine started receiving fresh perspectives. A number of medicinal plants have survived scientific scrutiny to varying degrees.

FUTURE PROPESCTS: It is obvious that Ethiopian medicinal plants are a rich source of many remedies. In a country where modern health services are out of reach for about 80% of the population, these plants provide an alternative ammunition to fight a number of diseases. Even with the future expansion of modern health services to cover the underserved section of the population, it is quite conceivable that, if properly harnessed, botanical remedies can provide a complementary source to modern medication supply. In order to ensure their sustainability, Ethiopian medicinal plants need to be conserved, lest they be endangered and eventually be extinct as a result of unbridled deforestation and natural calamities. A sound conservation program aimed at preserving this rich biota is a pre-requisite. Along with such a program, the foundation of a light modern botanical products industry needs to be laid down. Policy makers need to provide legislative and infra-structural support to entrepreneurs who may wish to invest in businesses to develop medicinal plant products.

KEY REFRENCES: Berhane Selassie, T. (1971). An Ethiopian Medical Text-Book, Written by Gerazmach Gebrawld Aragahn, Daga Damot. Journal of Ethiopian Studies IX (1): 95-180. Strelcyn, S. (1973). Medicines et. Plantes D'Ethiopie. Instituto Universitario Orientale, Napoli. Abate, G. [edited by Demissew, S] (1989). Etse Debdabe (Ethiopian Traditional Medicine). Biology Department, Addis Ababa University. Abebe, D. and Ayehu, A. (1993). Medicinal Plants and Enigmatic Health Practices of Northern Ethiopia. B.S.P.E., Addis Ababa. Zewdu, M. and Demissie, A. (2001). Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia. Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research, Addis Ababa. Fullas, F. (2001). Ethiopian Traditional Medicine: Common Medicinal Plants in Perspective. Sioux City, IA (USA). Fullas, F. (2003). Spice Plants in Ethiopia: Their Culinary and Medicinal Applications, Sioux City, IA (USA).