Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Evil Eye Illness in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #ethiopia #medicine-african-traditional #phytotherapy #plants-medicinal

Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Evil Eye Illness in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Tadesse et al., 2025 | ScientificWorldJournal | Systematic Review

Citation

Tadesse Daniel, Masresha Getinet, Lemlemu Moges. Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Evil Eye Illness in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review. ScientificWorldJournal. 2025;2025:5498700. doi:10.1155/tswj/5498700

Abstract

Background: Traditional medicinal plants are used worldwide to treat human ailments. One of the ailments used to treat medicinal plants through traditional medical practices is the evil eye. This systematic review aimed to compile and document ethnobotanical studies on the treatment of evil eye illnesses in Ethiopia. Methods: A web-based systematic literature search was performed using electronic databases. All studies with complete ethnobotanical information regarding the plants used to treat the illness were included. A total of 53 articles that met the inclusion criteria were used to compile and document this review. The number of plant species and families, parts used, habits, modes of preparation, and routes of administration was tabulated and summarized using an Excel spreadsheet and descriptive statistics. Results and Discussion: Ethnomedicinal use of 146 plant species belonging to 65 families has been reported and documented for the treatment of evil eye illness in Ethiopia. Fabaceae (22 species) and Asteraceae (13 species) were the most commonly used families in terms of the species count. The dominant habit was shrubs (41%), followed by herbs (31%). Roots (37.13%) and leaves (22.77%) were the first and second most commonly used plant parts, respectively. The most commonly used route of medicinal plant preparation was nasal (35.14%), followed by dermal (22.83%), and oral (18.84%) methods. Carissa spinarum L. (Apocynaceae), Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae), Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae), Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae), and Capparis tomentosa Lam. (Capparaceae) are among the most utilized plant species for the treatment of evil eye illnesses. Conclusion and Recommendations: This review shows that many medicinal plants are used to treat evil eye illnesses in traditional medical practices in Ethiopia. Hence, further investigation of commonly utilized plant species for the same purpose is recommended. In addition, the documentation of indigenous herbal knowledge and conservation of commonly utilized traditional medicinal plants should be strengthened.

Key Findings

In addition, the documentation of indigenous herbal knowledge and conservation of commonly utilized traditional medicinal plants should be strengthened.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Ethiopia
  • Medicine, African Traditional
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Folklore

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ashwagandha

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09