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. 2022 Jun 27;2022:2935015. doi: 10.1155/2022/2935015

A Review on Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Respiratory Problems in Ethiopia over a Twenty-Year Period (2000–2021)

Abebe Ayele Haile 1,✉, Berhanu Abraha Tsegay 1, Ali Seid 1, Wubet Adnew 1, Admasu Moges 2
PMCID: PMC9252637  PMID: 35795271

Abstract

This review is aimed at assessing and compiling the different ethnomedicinal studies in different parts of Ethiopia used to treat respiratory diseases. The data were collected from different published research papers through searching the web sources such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and other related websites. The important search terminologies included ethnobotany, respiratory diseases, medicinal plants, and Ethiopia. For this, a total of 65 articles of recent publications (from 2000 to May 2021 years) that provided full information about the use of medicinal plant species to treat respiratory disorder diseases in Ethiopia were consulted. Based on this, a total of 96 medicinal plants belonging to 57 families were reviewed. The commonly recorded families used to manage respiratory problems were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae. Herbs and shrubs were the dominant plant growth forms. Due to the easiest form of their preparation for treating respiratory disorders, leaves are the most cited plant parts followed by roots. Crushing and pounding are useful methods of remedy preparation to treat respiratory diseases. This review concluded that different medicinal plants have a significant contribution in combating serious respiratory problems in Ethiopia. Hence, the complied review of medicinal plants on the treatment of respiratory problems would play a great role in further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations in developing new drugs used for the treatment of respiratory problems and in the conservation of these important medicinal plants.

1. Introduction

The respiratory system is a network of organs and tissues that make respiration possible by making the body absorb oxygen from the air so that organs can function. It cleanses the blood of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide. The respiratory organ system includes airways, the lungs, and blood vessels. The respiratory system can be divided into the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Due to its size, the respiratory system is constantly exposed to microbes [1]. Respiratory infections are the most common of all human infections [2, 3]. This infection is a major cause of death, especially in patients with severe disease. Lower respiratory tract infections have a wide range of symptoms, including acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can include symptoms such as cough, nausea, dyspnoea, shortness of breath, and/or chest pain. Common problems include a series of illnesses, including allergies. The incidence and severity of these diseases continue to be high both in developed and developing countries [4]. Upper respiratory tract infections can be defined as self-limited irritation and swelling of the upper airways with associated cough and no signs of pneumonia, in a patient with no other condition that would account for their symptoms, or with no history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis [5, 6]. Upper respiratory tract infections involve the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and large airways. The most common respiratory problems are asthma, bronchitis, colds, and coughs [7]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent 63% of all global deaths of which 3.9 million are due to chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in particular [8]. In 2001, noncommunicable diseases accounted for 54% of deaths in low and middle income (developing) countries and 87% of deaths in high income (developed) countries [9]. The global and national burden and threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a major public health challenge of the 21st century that undermines the social and economic development worldwide and in Ethiopia. To mitigate their impact urgent action is required.

Acute pneumonia is a major cause of infant mortality in the world, accounting for 16% of all deaths worldwide. Some studies have also reported that high rates of acute respiratory infections in Ethiopia range from 16% to 33.5% [10]. In third world countries, where effective air pollution reduction strategies are inadequate, individuals are constantly exposed to substances that have negative health effects in the short and long term [11]. Various vulnerabilities are related to chronic respiratory diseases, including smoking habits, environmental conditions, and personal cooking/heating pollution [12–16].

With regard to the cure of these highly treatable respiratory diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) is promoting herbal medicine and pharmacological research to make better use of herbal remedies [17]. The use of herbal remedies for the treatment of respiratory disorders is common practice in many parts of the world [18]. Traditional medicine has been an important source of products for developing countries in treating common infections [19].

Medicinal plants are very vital in their uses for medication, besides providing ecological, economic, and cultural services. The world's primary means of treating diseases and fighting infections have been based on the use of medicinal plants. From ancient times, plants have been a rich source of effective and safe medicines [20]. In the world, 64% of the population relies on medicinal plants to treat health problems [21].

In Ethiopia, there are different medicinal plants that are used to treat various respiratory ailments like Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex. Benth, Artemisia abyssinica Sch. Bip. ex A. Rich, Carthamus tinctorius L, and Solanecio gigas (Vatke) C. Jeffrey. However, the effectiveness of these medicinal plants has not yet been scientifically investigated. Recent studies revealed that antimicrobial medicinal plants were investigated scientifically in different countries [22, 23]. Some of the medicinal plants used to treat respiratory disorders were investigated experimentally in vitro such as the extracts from Gnaphalium oxyphyllum Steetz ex Griseb, Gnaphalium americanum Mill, and Crescentia alata Kunth possessed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Candida albicans [19]. Moreover, the oils of Lavandula augustifolia Mill, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle are major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact [24]. Kariuki and Njoroge [25] similarly reported that methanolic extracts of Acacia nilotica and Strychnos heninningsii showed efficacy against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and E. coli [25].

Panax ginseng aqueous extract prevents pneumococcal sepsis in vivo by potentiating cell survival and diminishing inflammation. Taken together, 100 mg/kg of KRG appeared to protect host cells from lethal pneumococcal sepsis by inhibiting inflammation as well as by enhancing bacterial clearance thereby reinforcing cell survival against pneumococcal infection [26].

Ginseng has been traditionally used in Asia for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments including respiratory diseases. Various studies have shown that both families of compounds can modulate various parameters of the immune response in vitro and in vivo [27]. In clinical trials, healthy subjects that consumed a standardized ginseng extract had a lower incidence of influenza and colds, higher antibody titers, and higher natural killer cell activity [28], as well as increased numbers of total lymphocytes and T helper cells [29]. Ginseng polysaccharide preparations increased cytokine production and mRNA expression by murine macrophages and spleen cells in vitro [30].

The present study is aimed at documenting the traditional uses of medicinal plants used to treat different respiratory disorders in Ethiopia. This review describes the traditional uses of medicinal plants used for the treatment of respiratory disorders in Ethiopia. In general, this review is initiated to identify research gaps and to suggest perspectives for future research in the development of drugs used to treat various respiratory disorders.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Search Strategy

A systematic review of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory disorders in Ethiopia was conducted.

The data for this review were collected from different published articles via downloading them from web sources of PubMed, Science direct, Google scholar, and other related web sites following [31]. Accordingly, ethnobotanical/ethnomedicinal studies reporting on medicinal plants used for traditional respiratory disorder treatment in Ethiopia were gathered through different search approaches such as the Google search engine for published journal articles using international scientific databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google scholar. Similarly, missing information from some studies, especially the local, scientific, and family names of plants, was retrieved from the African Natural Database (NDA), version 2.0, as well as online plant scientific checking system for some other plant species was applied. During the search, the terms such as “medicinal plants,” “Ethnobotanical study,” and “Ethiopia or Indigenous people,” “respiratory medicinal plants,” “cough/traditional medicinal plants,” “common cold/traditional medicinal plants,” “nasal bleeding/traditional medicinal plants,” “tonsillitis/traditional medicinal plants,” etc. were used. The medicinal plants used to treat respiratory disorders were included based on the eligibility criteria as described below.

2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

Articles published only from 2000 to May 2021 were selected. Accordingly, the data collected from the literature included the plant species and its parts, used growth forms, local names, and modes of preparation and/or application. Moreover, the literature search was done to document the biological and pharmacological activities of mostly used plant species for treatment of respiratory disorder problems.

As depicted in Figure 1, 2502 articles were downloaded from different web sources. However, only 65 articles that provided full information about the use of medicinal plant species to treat respiratory disorder diseases in Ethiopia were selected and considered for this review paper (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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A diagram showing the selection procedures of the articles for this review.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Composition and Diversity of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Respiratory Disorders

The reviews made from 65 articles identified 96 medicinal plants that contain full information on how to treat respiratory disorders in the country (Table 1). These plants were collected from different regions. Many of them were collected from Amhara (55.1%), Oromia (23.71%), SNNP (22.45%), and Tigray (6.122%) regional states (Figures 2 and 3), which cover close to 90–95% of the land size of the country, Ethiopia. This is consistent with other reviews made by Megersa et al. [85] on the treatment of toothache and [31] on the treatment of malaria, and also by Bitew et al. [86] on the treatment of wounds. This indicated that other regions were given less attention towards ethnobotanical study, which might be due to their being less studied and having a small land area compared to other regions mentioned here.

Table 1.

List of Ethiopian medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases. Description of data (Or = afanOromo, Am = Amharic, Tig = Tigrigna, Sd = sidamegna, Daw = dawuro, KA = Kara, KW = Kwego, Ged = Gedeoffa, Kr = Koorete, Ko = konta, Br = Berta).

Plant family Scientific name Online references for each plant species Local name Habit parts used Preparation methods Traditional use References
Acanthaceae Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. Ex Nees) T.Anders. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:51563-1 Smiza/sensl (Am) Shrub Leaf Rubbing& sniffed Common cold [32]
Acanthaceae Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) R.Sch https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:941349-1 Girbia (Tig) Herb Root Fumigation Cough [33, 34]
Alliaceae Allium sativum L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:528796-1 Shinkurt (Am) Herb Bulb & leaf Chewed; chopped, pounded Tonsillitis, cough, common cold [35, 36]
Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:2468-2 Telenj (Am) Herb Leaf Crush Tonsillitis [32, 37, 38]
Anacardiaceae Schinus molle L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:71044-1 Qudabarbare (oro) Tree Seed Chewed Tonsillitis [32, 39]
Annonaceae Uvaria leptocladon Oliv. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:75780-1 Zebko (KA) Chochum (kw) Tree Root Crushed/decoction/boiled Cough, chest pain [40]
Apiaceae Foeniculum vulgare Miller https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:842680-1 Ensilal (Am) Herb Above ground Boiled Cough [32, 41]
Apiaceae Coriandrum sativum L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840760-1 Dimbilal (Am) Herb Seed Grounded Cough [42]
Apiaceae Nigella sativa L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711687-1 Tiqur-azmud (Am) Herb Seed Grounded Common cold Asthma [43, 44]
Apocynaceae Carissa spinarum L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77756-1 Laadiya (daw) Otilaa (Sd) Shrub Leaf& fruit Chewed; Chopped, Ground Tonsillitis [35, 45, 46]
Asclepiadaceae Kanahia laniflora (Forssk.) R.Br https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:98887-1 Tifrindo (Am.) Wundiffo (Ged) Herb Root/leaf Sniffing, inhaling Flue, asthma bronchitis [47, 48]
Asparagaceae Asparagus africanus Lam https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:530996-1 Yeset kest (Am) Herb Root Boiled, decoction Cough [49]
Asteraceae Echinops kebericho Mesfin https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:940177-1 Kebericho (Am) Herb Bulb Smoked Cough [50]
Asteraceae Acmella caulirhiza Del https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:174533-1 Gutichaa (Oro) Herb Flower Chewed and spitted Tonsillitis [51, 52]
Asteraceae Laggera tomentosa (Sch. Bip.ex A. Rich.) Oliv. & Hiern https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60455903-2 Nech kese (Am) Herb Leaf Holding Common cold/cough [53]
Asteraceae Vernonia amygdalina Delile https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:257798-1 Grawa (Am) Shrub Leaf Crushed Tonsillitis [54]
Asteraceae Kleinia abyssinica (A. Rich.) A. Berger https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:227346-1 Este-maza (Am) Herb Leaf Squeezed, drunk Tonsillitis [55]
Asteraceae Helianthus annuus L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:119003-2 Suf (Am) Herb Seed Decoction Coughing, common cold [56]
Asteraceae Artemisia absinthium L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300106-2 Aritii (oro) (Am) Herb Root & leaf Pounded Sour throat/tonsillitis [51, 57]
Asteraceae Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:210735-1 Nug (Am) Herb Seed Pounded Dry cough [58]
Balsaminaceae Impatiens ethiopica Grey-Wilson https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:103607-1 Insosla (Am) Herb Root Crushing and Pounding Cough [59]
Boraginaceae Trichodesma zeylanicum (Burm. f.) R. Br https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:121302-1 Jgewusha (Gum) Shrub Root Crushed, squeezed Tonsillitis [60]
Brassicaceae Lepidium sativum L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:138141-2 Feecoo (oro)/feto (Am) Herb Seed Pounded Cough & tonsillitis [39]
Brassicaceae Brassica nigra (L) Czern https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60442520-2 Sanafica (oro) Herb Seed Pounded Common cold [61]
Canellaceae Warburgia ugandensis Sprague https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:146038-1 Beft (oro) Tree Stem Sniffed smoke Cough [62]
Capparidaceae Capparis tomentosa Lam. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:146824-1 Gumero (Am) Shrub Root, fruit Grinding, chewing Tonsillitis [43]
Caricaceae Carica papaya L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77126657-1 Papaya (Am) Tree Root Crushed and boiled Cough [32]
Celastraceae Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:941530-1 Chat (Am) Shrub Leaf & stem Boiled, drunk Cough [63]
Crassulaceae Kalanchoe laciniata (L) DC https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:274383-1 Anchura (oro) Herb Root Pounded Cough [64]
Cucurbitaceae Momordica foetida Schumach https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:293451-1 Yubarrae (Ged) Yekurahareg (Am) Suruphaa (oro) Shrub Roots Crushed pounded Bronchitis tonsillitis [32, 47]
Cucurbitaceae Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:292191-1 Yemidir Embuy (Am) Climber Root Washed, smashed mixed with water Cough bronchitis [43, 65]
Cupressaceae Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262311-1 Yehabeshatsid (Am) Herb Stem/root Grinding/boiling Cough [62]
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia schizacantha Pax https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:348181-1 Dhetungayda (Kr) Herb Leaf Pounded Cough [50]
Euphorbiaceae Tragia pungens (Forssk.) Muell. Arg https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:357857-1 Aleblabit (Am) Climber Root & leaf Powdered, boiled decoction Chronic cough (T.B) [66]
Euphorbiaceae Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:342917-1 Mesana (Oro) Bisana (Am) Tree Twig Crushed, drunk Tonsillitis Asthma [60, 67]
Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:355498-1 Qolompo desha (kw) Ati (ka, kw) Tree Root Chewing/crushed boiled Flu [40, 68]
Fabaceae Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:473171-1 Ondoddee (Kr) Tree Leaf Crushed Cough [48, 53]
Fabaceae Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:471662-1 Tadacha (Am) Tree Leaf Concoction Throat infection [69]
Fabaceae Acacia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77089275-1 Kasalto [Af] Tree Stem bark Infusion Tonsillitis [70]
Fabaceae Tephrosia elata Deflers https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:520536-1 Kashabach (Tig) Shrub Root Grounded Respiratory tract problem [71]
Fabaceae Acacia oerfota (Forssk.) Schweinf https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:520536-1 Ajo (oro) Shrub Bark Chewed Tonsillitis [72]
Flacourtiaceae Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:111558-1 Koshim (Am) Shrub Leaf Boiling asthma [58]
Lamiaceae Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. Ex Benth. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453009-1 Damakase (Ged) (Am) Herb Leaf Pounded Cough/nose bleeding/Influenza [47, 73]
Lamiaceae Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) R.Br. Ex Vatke https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:862273-1 Misrich (Am)/ Bishchereh (Br) Shrub Root bark Decocted Dry cough/common cold [64, 74]
Lamiaceae Thymus serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:461653-1 Tosigne (Am) Herb Leaf Boiled Whooping cough [73, 75]
Lamiaceae Clerodendrum alatum Gurke https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:861906-1 Misirich (Am) Herb Bark Pounded Tonsillitis [37]
Lamiaceae Ajuga integrifolia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:444595-1 Tut astil (Am) Herb Leaf Rubbed, Squeezed Tonsillitis [54]
Lamiaceae Mentha spicata L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30016176-2 Nana (oro) Herb Leaf Boiled, drunk Cough and cold [57]
Lamiaceae Ranunculus multifidus Pursh https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:217450-2 Afi Deshe (Am) Herb Leaf Pounded Tonsillitis [76]
Lamiaceae Otostegia fruticosa (Forssk.) Schweinf. Ex penzig https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453638-1 Tunjut (Am) Shrub Leaf Burning Common cold [77]
Loganiaceae Buddleja polystachya Fresen. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:545859-1 Anfar (Am) Shrub Shoot Concoction Tonsillitis [32, 78]
Loganiaceae Nuxia congesta R.Br. Ex Fresen. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:546816-1 Atquar (Am) Shrub Shoot Rub, squeeze Tonsillitis [32]
Malvaceae Gossypium barbadense L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:559677-1 Tit (Am) Shrub Fruit Grinded Tonsillitis [32]
Malvaceae Sida rhombifolia L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:235798-2 Karaba (Oro) Shrub Leaf Boiled Asthma [79]
Meliaceae Azadirachta indica A. Juss. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1213180-2 Nim (Am) Tree Leaf Boiled Cough [59]
Meliantaceae Bersama abyssinica Fresen https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:782127-1 Xibiro (oro) Shrub Root Crushed Bronchitis [61, 69]
Menispermaceae Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill. & A.Rich.) Walp https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:581384-1 Chewchawit (Am) Herb Shoot Crushed Tonsillitis [32]
Moraceae Dorstenia barnimiana Schweinf https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60453283-2 Work Bemeda (Am) Herb Root Infusion Acute coughing [79]
Myrataceae Eucalyptus globulosus St.-Lag https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:592964-1 Tsaedakelamitos (Tig) Tree Leaf — Cough [80]
Myricaceae Myrica salicifolia Hochst. ex A.Rich. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:585605-1 Shinet (Am) Tree Bark Crushed, powdered Common cold & bleeding [32]
Myrsinaceae Maesa lanceolata Forssk https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:588843-1 Geggec'uwa (daw) Tree Leaf, bark and seed Chopped, Pound; ground Tonsillitis [35]
Myrtaceae Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:601750-1 Ochaa (daw) Tree Leaf root and bark Chopped Tonsillitis/flu & sore throat [35]
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus globulus Labill. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:592965-1 Nech bahrzaf (Am) Tree Leaf Burning Common cold [36]
Nyctaginaceae Commicarpus sinuatus Meikle https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:604483-1 Kontom (Or) Herb Leaf Concoction Throat infection [69]
Olacaceae Ximenia americana L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316341-2 Hudhaa (oro) Mekela (KA) Waljoweljo (KW) Shrub Root Crushed, pounded Tonsillitis, Flu [40, 57]
Oleaceae L. Olea europaea https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:610675-1 Woira (Am) Tree Leaf Chewed Tonsillitis [32]
Phytolaccaceae Phytolacca dodecandra L'Her https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:676349-1 Shebti (Tig) Shrub Root Juice Cough [81]
Piperaceae Piper capense L.f. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:680780-1 Timiz (Am) Shrub Seed Powdered Cold, cough [56]
Plumbaginaceae Plumbago zeylanica L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:687109-1 Amira (Am) Shrub Leaf Boiled, drunk Cough asthma [82]
Poaceae Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:396896-1 Xajisaara (oro) Herb Leaf Burnt Cough [57]
Poaceae Saccharum officinarum L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:419977-1 Shankora (Am) Shrub Stem Ate Common cold [83, 84]
Podocarpaceae Podocarpus gracilior Pilg. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:263490-1 Zigba (Am) Tree Sap Crushing Common cold [28–89]
Polygalaceae Polygala obtusissima Hochst. ex Chodat https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:691954-1 Calmala [Af] Shrub Leaf Pounded Common Cold [69]
Polygonaceae Rumex nepalensis Spreng https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:697338-1 Zans'alaa (dawro)/tult (Am) Tultii (oro) Herb Root &leaf Chewed Tonsillitis [35, 90]
Ranunculaceae Clematis hirsuta Guill. & Perr. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:709771-1 Azo Hareg (Am) Climber Leaf Juice Cough [91]
Rhamnaceae Rhamnus prinoides L'Herit https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:718580-1 Geeshuwa (daw) Geeshoo (oro) Shrub Leaf Pounded; Chewed Tonsillitis [35, 92]
Rosaceae Prunus Africana (Hook.f) Kalkman https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:729417-1 Tikur Inchet (Am) Tree Leaf Pounded Tonsillitis [66]
Rubiaceae Rubia cordifolia L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:765218-1 Enchibir (Am) Herb Root & leaf Powdered, boiled decoctio, Cold, cough [66]
Rubiaceae Coffea arabica L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:747038-1 Buna (Am) Shrub Seed Decoction Asthma [54]
Rutaceae Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60454758-2 Lomae (Ged) lomi (Am) Shrub Fruit Chew Cough [47, 93]
Rutaceae Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:59599-2 Tutto (kr) Shrub Fruit Juice Cough [48]
Rutaceae Ruta chalepensis L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:775070-1 Chelatama (oro) Shrub Fruit Boiled Cough [62]
Santalaceae Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:780506-1 Waatoo (oro) Shrub Root, stem Grinding, Powdering Common cold [94]
Scrophulariaceae Verbascum sinaiticum Benth https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:770131-1 Tirnake (Tig) Herb Root Crushed Tonsillitis [95]
Solanaceae Solanum incanum L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:819567-1 Hiddi (oro) Shrub Fruit Juice Tonsillitis [39]
Solanaceae Solanum marginatum L.f https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:819994-1 Yedega enboy (Am) Shrub Fruit Juice Cough [32]
Solanaceae Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:821709-1 Giziewa (Am) Shrub Leaf Crushed Cough/Asthma [32]
Solanaceae Datura stramonium L https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:314738-2 Manjii (oro) Herb Leaf Pounded, drunk Cough [92]
Solanaceae Solanum dasyphyllum Schumach &Thonn https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:818913-1 Geber enbuay (Am) Shrub Leaf Crushed Nosebleed [96, 97]
Solanaceae Solanum incanum L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:819567-1 Buluwaa (ko) Shrub Fruit Homogenized Cough [98]
Tiliaceae Grewia ferruginea Hochst ex A. Rich https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:834226-1 Ogomdii (Ged) Shrub Root bark Crushed Cough [43]
Verbenaceae Lippia adoensis Hochst. ex Walp https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:863500-1 Kusaayee (oro) Shrub Leaf Pounded, drunk Cough [92]
Verbenaceae Verbena officinalis L. https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330554-2 Atuch (Am) Herb Twig Crushed Tonsillitis [32, 71]
Verbenaceae Aloysia triphylla Britton https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:9688-2 Xuxxoo (oro) Tree Leaf Pounded Tonsillitis [65]
Vitaceae Cyphostemma adenocaule (Steud. Ex A.Rich.) Desc. ex wild & R.B.Drumm https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:870171-1 Mrkuszibei (Tig) Herb Root Chewed Tonsillitis [53]
Zingiberaceae Zingiber officinale Roscoe https://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:798372-1 Zinjibilaa (oro) zinjble (Am.) Herb Root Crushed & boiled Cough, cold& tonsillitis [54, 64, 99]
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Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Regional states of Ethiopia, where medicinal plants are found and reviewed.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Number of ethnobotanical studies which contain full records of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases in different regions of Ethiopia (Note. SNNP = South nation and nationality of people; B. Gumuz = Benishangul Gumuz).

According to this review, of the total (96), 16.66% medicinal plants belonged to the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families, which are equally dominant (Figure 4). Many ethnobotanical studies showed that the family Asteraceae was ranked first at the family level as indicated by Tesfaye et al. [32, 87]. This indicates that many of the medicinal plants used for treating respiratory disorders belong to the two dominant families, and that giving priority to these families in the conservation of medicinal plants is very vital.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Taxonomic diversity of the families of medicinal plants with their percentages in the study area.

3.2. Habits (Growth Forms) of Medicinal Plants

Herbs were the dominant plant growth form used to treat respiratory illness according to the current review which accounted for 39 (39.8%) plant species followed by shrubs at 36 (37.11%) (Figure 5). This result is consistent with many publications [12, 32, 52].

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Growth forms of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases.

3.3. Plant Parts Used to Treat Respiratory Diseases

Leaves were the most important plant parts used to prepare medicines which accounted for about 31 plant species, while roots were the next most important part of plants which accounted for about 19 (Figure 6). This is in agreement with findings on other diseases [100–105]. Using the leaves of plants for medicinal preparation has advantages for the survival of the mother plants, whereas using the root parts of the medicinal plants could have threats to these medicinal plants because such practices totally remove the mother trees.

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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Plant parts used to treat respiratory diseases.

3.4. Methods of Preparation of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Respiratory Diseases

Medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases are prepared in a variety of ways. The main methods are pounding and crushing (Figure 7). Fresh preparations are usually preferred by herbalists. This finding is in line with [43–47].

Figure 7.

Figure 7

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Preparation of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases.

3.5. Numbers of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Respiratory Disease

Current studies show that cough is cured by 45 plants and tonsillitis by 34 plants (Table 2). This implies that cough and tonsillitis could be treated by different medicinal plants, so that the shortage of medicinal plants might not be the problem even during the dry seasons. On the contrary, some respiratory diseases such as sore throat, respiratory tract problems, and chest pain can be cured only by one type of medicinal plant (1.03%). This could be a risk for treating these diseases whenever there is a drought and/or other man-made or natural crisis as the medicinal plants might disappear in such situations. This is consistent with Asadbeigi et al. [106, 107]), Marília et al. [108], and Lawal et al. [109], which implies cough and tonsillitis are treated by different plant species.

Table 2.

Number of medicinal plants used to treat each type of respiratory diseases.

No Respiratory disease Number of medicinal plants Percentage
1. Cough 45 46.4
2. Tonsillitis 34 35.05
3. Bronchitis 4 4.1
4. Common cold 16 16.5
5. Flu 4 4.1
6. Sore throat 1 1.03
7. Bleeding 2 2.06
8. Influenza 1 1.03
9. Asthma 8 8.25
10. Respiratory tract problem 1 1.03
11. Throat infection 2 2.06
12. Chest pain 1 1.03
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4. Conclusions and Recommendations

From times in memorial, traditional medicinal plants were being used to treat various ailments including respiratory illnesses. In Ethiopia, 96 medicinal plants are being used to cure respiratory problems. It is necessary that attention should be given to the sustainable use of these plant species and further pharmacological studies should be conducted to extract and use the active medicinal ingredients. This study, we believe, is a gateway for many researchers to give more emphasis on how to extract and develop new drugs to treat respiratory health problems.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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