Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for cervical cancer management in Zomba District, Malawi

Abstract

Cervical cancer has limited treatment options and people have been resorting to herbal medicines in Malawi and worldwide. However, there are limited data in the published literature on medicinal plants used for cervical cancer in Malawi. This study documented medicinal plants for managing cervical cancer in Zomba district. This cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in township markets in urban and peri-urban areas of Zomba district in the months of October to November 2018. Snow-ball sampling was used to identify herbalists from the market stalls who helped with identification of others within a market. A semi-structured questionnaire and interviews in situ during field transects were used to collect data including plant local name and scientific name, uses, parts used, and preparation and administration methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Fifteen herbalists (11 males and 4 females) within the age range of 30 to 90 took part in the interviews. 26 plant species from 19 families were recorded for use in treating cervical cancer and 6 families were recorded for treating cervical cancer related illnesses. Papilionoideae (16%, 3/19) was the most abundant class of family and icacinaceae (5%, 1/19) the least abundant. Roots (77%, 24/31) were the most widely used parts and (51%) of the medicinal plants were prepared by aqueous infusions. Most (68%, 21/31) medicinal plants preparations were taken orally. The study has provided knowledge of medicinal plants used for cervical cancer from herbal practitioners in markets in Zomba that can be baseline data for further studies.