Abstract
There is a hierarchical organisation of knowledge in the use of medicinal plants in communities. Medicinal use knowledge starts in the home and is passed on to family members. Next in the hierarchy are neighbours, village elders and finally, traditional healers being the most knowledgeable. For primary health care this hierarchy is actively followed in seeking remedies for ailments. This study was a survey of medicinal plant knowledge from family members of 1(st) year medical students registered at Walter Sisulu University. A total of 206 first year medical students participated in this study in 2010 and 2011. Results revealed 47 species used as home remedies, 32% of which are food plants. Leaves and roots were reported as most commonly used. The top five ailments managed at home were gastrointestinal problems (25 plants), wounds (19 plants), respiratory tract problems (19 plants), infections, including sexually transmitted diseases (19 plants) and pain including headaches (19 plants). Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and reproductive ailments also formed a large group of diseases self-managed at home (29 plants). Family members hold knowledge of medicinal plant use. From this study, first year medical students were made aware of the relationship between common ailments and associated home remedies. This study forms a basis for further study of medicinal plants to validate their use as medicinal remedies.
Highlights
IntroductionThe World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that traditional healers constitute the main source of primary health care for at least 80% of rural populations in developing countries (WHO, 2001)
There is a long history of medicinal plant use in most developing countries
A total of 206 first year medical students participated in this study, 98 in 2010 and 108 in 2011 (Table 1)
Summary
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that traditional healers constitute the main source of primary health care for at least 80% of rural populations in developing countries (WHO, 2001). For primary health care this hierarchy is actively used even before seeking allopathic medicine (Akerele, 1988). To tap into this undocumented knowledge, we sought to use an “ethnobotanical survey in the classroom” approach (De Beer and van Wyk, 2011). Materials and Methods: This study was a survey of medicinal plant knowledge from family members of 1st year medical students registered at Walter Sisulu University. First year medical students were made aware of the relationship between common ailments and associated home remedies. This study forms a basis for further study of medicinal plants to validate their use as medicinal remedies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
