Abstract
Distress and pains among other gynecological challenges mothers go through during childbirth result in mortality. This has compelled people particularly in developing countries to use traditional medicine to induce birth due to lack of more effective alternatives. In Uganda, from time immemorial most child birth and pregnancy related problems have been solved using medicinal plants as a primary alternative to conventional drugs. Although research has been done to document and validate effectiveness of these plants, it is not compil ed for communication to the wider community. This study, therefore, reviewed the medicinal plants used in Uganda for easing childbirth. The study collated and documented medicinal plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants and Traditional Health Practitioners to induce labor and ease child birth in local communities in Uganda and show the gaps that need to be investigated. The available literature on medicinal plants used in Uganda for childbirth were selected from reputable journals using citation databases including Google Scholar, Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, and Scientific Information Database among others. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae, respectively were the most cited for gynecological uses by various local communities in Uganda. The commonly reported species were Laggera alata Sch. Bip., Tagetes minuta L, Clitoria ternatea Linn and Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth among others. Authors were also determined to ascertain scientific evidence against analgesic, anti-inflammatory, oxytocic and phytochemical properties of the selected plant species. Key words: Childbirth, medicinal plant, gynecology, Uganda.  
Highlights
The painful experience women go through during pregnancy and childbirth remains a nightmare for many despite being an essential part of human existence
In Uganda, the Ministry of Health Statistics estimates that about 60% of Ugandans depend on Traditional Medicine for treatment of common diseases and conditions (MoH-UG, 2012)
This study, collated and compiled the list of medicinal plants generally used in gynecological procedures at birth in Uganda
Summary
The painful experience women go through during pregnancy and childbirth remains a nightmare for many despite being an essential part of human existence. In sub-Saharan Africa, high maternal mortality has offset high fertility rate whereby 1 out of 20 live births results in mortality yearly (Neema, 2002). This has immensely affected population growth rates in the region. In Uganda, the Ministry of Health Statistics estimates that about 60% of Ugandans depend on Traditional Medicine for treatment of common diseases and conditions (MoH-UG, 2012). The inaccessibility and severe side effects of many allopathic pharmaceutical medicines could be major contributing factors as to why the rural people resort to the use of herbal medicine as an alternative to treatment of common diseases and conditions in Uganda (Kwesiga, 2002). This study, collated and compiled the list of medicinal plants generally used in gynecological procedures at birth in Uganda
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have