Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant species used by communities around Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda.

Patience Tugume,Esezah K Kakudidi,Justine Namaalwa,Patrick Mucunguzi,James Kalema,Mukadasi Buyinza,Maud Kamatenesi

doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0077-4

Abstract

BackgroundAn ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014.MethodsInformation was obtained through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires. Field excursions with traditional healers and herbal medicine collectors were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Fidelity ratios and Informant consensus agreements were calculated.ResultsA total of 190 plant species in 61 families and 152 genera were reported in the treatment of various health conditions. Family Fabaceae was dominant representing 14 % of the plant species documented. Vernonia amygdalina was the preferred species for treating malaria. Leaves (68 %) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Decoctions (29 %) and oral route (53 %) of administration were commonly used method of herbal medicine preparation and administration respectively. Fifty-eight health conditions grouped in 25 categories were treated using medicinal plants. Informant consensus agreement was highest for blood system disorders (0.9) that included anaemia, hypertension and blood cleansing indicating homogeneity of informant’s knowledge about remedies used. Vernonia amygdalina and Erythrina abyssinica had 100 % fidelity level for treatment of malaria and vomiting respectively.ConclusionThe diversity of medicinal plant species used and the associated indigenous knowledge are of great value to the local community and their conservation and preservation is paramount. The therapeutic uses of the documented plants provides basic data for further research focused on pharmacological studies and conservation of the most important species.

Highlights

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014
Medicinal plant uses The communities around Mabira CFR use diverse flora in treatment of various ailments and local people possess rich traditional knowledge on medicinal plants (Table 1)
Results from computations of Factor Informant Consensus (Fic) and Fidelity Level (FL) do not collaborate each other since they measure different values and the diseases treated were grouped in categories and no single disease was considered alone in the Fic calculations

Summary

Introduction

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014. The medicines are collected from the wild and this has negatively impacted on the plant resource due to unsustainable exploitation rates as well as the health of many people who cannot afford orthodox medicine [15,16,17] This makes documentation, sustainable utilisation as well as conservation essential [3, 18]. The rich history of African cultures and their innovative utilisation of plants as a source of remedies have been passed down through generations largely by oral tradition [20]. This knowledge is gradually being lost [21] as the custodians die before passing on information to the younger generations. In order to conserve wild plant species, there is need for reliable data on their distribution and level of use [22]

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