Abstract
Abstract
Background
Traditional medicine has remained as the most affordable and easily accessible source of treatment in the primary healthcare system of resource poor communities in Zimbabwe. The local people have a long history of traditional plant usage for medicinal purposes. Despite the increasing acceptance of traditional medicine in Zimbabwe, this rich indigenous knowledge is not adequately documented. Documentation of plants used as traditional medicines is needed so that the knowledge can be preserved and the utilized plants conserved and used sustainably. The primary objective of this paper is to summarize information on traditional uses of medicinal plants in south-central Zimbabwe, identifying research gaps and suggesting perspectives for future research.
Methods
This study is based on a review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, reports from national, regional and international organizations, theses, conference papers and other grey materials.
Results
A total of 93 medicinal plant species representing 41 families and 77 genera are used in south-central Zimbabwe. These plant species are used to treat 18 diseases and disorder categories, with the highest number of species used for gastro-intestinal disorders, followed by sexually transmitted infections, cold, cough and sore throat and gynaecological problems. Shrubs and trees (38% each) were the primary sources of medicinal plants, followed by herbs (21%) and climbers (3%). The therapeutic claims made on medicinal plants documented in south-central Zimbabwe are well supported by literature, with 82.8% of the plant species having similar applications in other regions of Zimbabwe as well as other parts of the world and 89.2% having documented biological and pharmacological properties.
Conclusion
This study illustrates the importance of traditional medicines in the treatment and management of human diseases and ailments in south-central Zimbabwe. Traditional medicines still play an important role in meeting basic health care of local communities in Zimbabwe.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Complementary and alternative medicine,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,Cultural Studies,Health (social science)
Reference148 articles.
1. Gelfand M, Drummond RB, Mavi S, Ndemera B: The traditional medical practitioner in Zimbabwe: his principles of practice and pharmacopoeia. 1985, Gweru: Mambo Press
2. Cunningham AB: An Investigation of the herbal medicine trade in Natal/KwaZulu. 1988, Pietermaritzburg: Investigational Report No 29 Institute of Natural Resources
3. Hostettmann K, Marston A, Ndjoko K, Wolfender J-L: The potential of African medicinal plants as a source of drugs. Curr Organic Chem. 2000, 4: 973-1010. 10.2174/1385272003375923.
4. Kambizi L, Afolayan AJ: An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (Njovhera) in Guruve District, Zimbabwe. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001, 77: 5-9. 10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00251-3.
5. Mukamuri B: Use of medicinal plants in Zimbabwe’s urban and rural areas. Zimbabwe Sci News. 1998, 32: 42-45.
Cited by
213 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献