Abstract
A study to document medicinal plants parts and practices in relation to sustainable use was performed in communities around the Miombo woodland of Urumwa in Tanzania. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews and discussion with key stakeholders. G-tests were used to ascertain differences in medicinal plants practices between women and men. Roots were the commonly used parts for medicine followed by barks. In practice, boiling and grinding were the preferred methods for preparing remedies. Remedies are admistered orally in decoctions form with lack of standardized dosages. Medicinal plants are collected from the reserve using both root digging and bark stripping methods. Local communities need sensitization through trainings on various aspects of medicinal plants practices especially issues of sustainable harvesting methods, simple processing, domestication and the importance of standardized dosages so as to improve work performance, ensure resource sustainability and contribute to development of the primary health care system in Tanzania. Key words: Medicinal plants, practices, sustainability, Miombo woodlands, Tanzania.
Highlights
Traditional medical practices are important parts of the primary healthcare system in the developing world (Sheldon et al, 1997)
In Tanzania, traditional treatments using medicinal plants enjoy considerable popularity and are practiced by numerous healers all over the country, despite Western medicine being the mainstream of the health care system (Ruffo, 1990; Ishengoma and Gillah, 2002)
In this paper we provide understanding of the medicinal plants practices in relation to sustainable use by communities around the miombo woodlands of Urumwa and Tanzania
Summary
Traditional medical practices are important parts of the primary healthcare system in the developing world (Sheldon et al, 1997). Plant-based traditional knowledge has been recognized to be a tool in search for new sources of pharmaceuticals. Medicinal plants are assumed to be of great importance in the primary healthcare of individuals and communities in many developing countries. Traditional medical knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by indigenous cultures are useful for conservation of cultural traditions and biodiversity and for community healthcare and drug development in the present and future (Pei, 2001). In Tanzania, traditional treatments using medicinal plants enjoy considerable popularity and are practiced by numerous healers all over the country, despite Western medicine being the mainstream of the health care system (Ruffo, 1990; Ishengoma and Gillah, 2002). By the late 1990’s, Tanzania had more than 30,000 traditional healers who
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