Traditional use of medicinal plants in south-central Zimbabwe: review and perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundTraditional medicine has remained as the most affordable and easily accessible source of treatment in the primary healthcare system of resource poor communities in Zimbabwe. The local people have a long history of traditional plant usage for medicinal purposes. Despite the increasing acceptance of traditional medicine in Zimbabwe, this rich indigenous knowledge is not adequately documented. Documentation of plants used as traditional medicines is needed so that the knowledge can be preserved and the utilized plants conserved and used sustainably. The primary objective of this paper is to summarize information on traditional uses of medicinal plants in south-central Zimbabwe, identifying research gaps and suggesting perspectives for future research.MethodsThis study is based on a review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, reports from national, regional and international organizations, theses, conference papers and other grey materials.ResultsA total of 93 medicinal plant species representing 41 families and 77 genera are used in south-central Zimbabwe. These plant species are used to treat 18 diseases and disorder categories, with the highest number of species used for gastro-intestinal disorders, followed by sexually transmitted infections, cold, cough and sore throat and gynaecological problems. Shrubs and trees (38% each) were the primary sources of medicinal plants, followed by herbs (21%) and climbers (3%). The therapeutic claims made on medicinal plants documented in south-central Zimbabwe are well supported by literature, with 82.8% of the plant species having similar applications in other regions of Zimbabwe as well as other parts of the world and 89.2% having documented biological and pharmacological properties.ConclusionThis study illustrates the importance of traditional medicines in the treatment and management of human diseases and ailments in south-central Zimbabwe. Traditional medicines still play an important role in meeting basic health care of local communities in Zimbabwe.

Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): A review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology

“…This provides support for a pharmacological basis of the use of the plant species in the treatment of such ailments. Coughs and as an aphrodisiac Maroyi, 2013;Mustapha, 2013a;Viol, 2009Mustapha, 2013aMustapha, 2013b Semenya andPotgieter, 2013;Sobiecki, 2008;Moeng, 2010;Mabogo 1990Wanzala et al, 2012Nguta et al, 2010a;Nguta et al, 2010bNadembega et al, 2011Nadembega et al, 2011Hamill et al, 2003Mustapha, 2013aOgunmefun and Gbile, 2012Borikini et al, 2013Mustapha, 2013a Motlhanka and Nthoiwa,…”

“…A root decoction may also be drunk to treat fever, malaria, hernias, gonorrhoea, palpitations, headaches, oedema, rheumatism, diabetes, sexual impotence, toothache, fungal infections and malaria (Maroyi, 2013;Ogunmefun and Gbile, 2012;Chhabra et al, 1991;Moshi et al, 2007). …”

Local Knowledge on the Use of Swertia chirayita as Traditional Medicine: Conservation challenges in Sikkim Himalaya, India

“…The efficacy of medicinal plants depends on the presence of active constituents (Maroyi 2013). A related species from Tibet, Swertia mussotii Franch., has been found to vary in active constituency levels with bud growth stage being highest (Yang et al 2005).…”

Kirkia Acuminata Oliv.: A Review of Its Ethnobotany and Pharmacology

“…Despite the increasing acceptance of herbal medicines in the management of primary health care in developing countries (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962;Gelfand et al, 1985;Hedberg and Staugard, 1989;Burkill, 1995 Maroyi and Cheikhyoussef, 2015), this traditional knowledge on herbal medicines is not adequately documented. Kirkia acuminata is among valuable medicinal plants in sub-Saharan Africa (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962;Gelfand et al, 1985;Hedberg and Staugard, 1989;van Wyk et al, 2009;Maroyi, 2011Maroyi, , 2013, but there is a dearth of information on its medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties. Kirkia acuminata belongs to the monotypic genus Kirkia Oliver, a member of the dicot family Kirkiaceae that contains 6 species (Muellner, 2011).…”