Medicinal preparation and use of Garlic by traditional healers in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on traditional medicinal use of garlic was carried out among rural and semi-urban resident traditional health practitioners in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPR) in 1996. A total of 125 traditional healers took part in the study in eight Zones and three Special Woredas in the Region. Their responses indicated that garlic is used for the treatment of common cold (88%), malaria (85%), cough and lung TB (66%), hypertention (57%), wounds (25%), sexually transmitted diseases (22%), mental illnesses (22%), kidney (19%), and liver diseases (16%). The responses also suggest that the medicinal content lies in the broad-bulb which must be taken raw. Ninety six (77%) respondents stated that the bulb should be crushed before use while 88(70%) of them suggested the taking of 2-3 table spoonfuls of the crushed garlic on daily basis. The duration of treatment varied from one to ten days. The frequency of use is indicated to be once every morning (46%), twice a day, in the morning and at night (30%) and thrice a day (18%). Twenty nine (23%) of the respondents suggested the use of lemon juice after consuming the garlic preparation in order to reduce the odour. All of these claims have concurred with the so far documented scientific explanation about the medicinal value of this plant. But there could be a problem with standardizing the dosage as there has been no attempt made to extract the medicinal contents using modern techniques so as to incorporate it into the pharmaceutical sector in this country. Thus, it is recommended that preparation and use of garlic for incorporation into the modern medical treatment system should be investigated further.