Patience Tugume1, Clement Nyakoojo2. 1. Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. ptugume@cns.mak.ac.ug. 2. Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plants have been used as a primary source of medicine since ancient times and about 80% of the world's population use herbal medicine to treat different ailments. Plant use knowledge differs in space and time and thus requires documentation to avoid its loss from one generation to another. METHODS: In order to accomplish the survey, semi-structured questionnaires were used. The data collected included names of plant species, parts used, ailments treated, growth habit, methods of preparation and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data in form of tables and a graph. RESULTS: Results showed that 50 plant species belonging to 26 families were utilized in the treatment of paediatric diseases of which Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most common. Leaves (80%) were the most commonly used and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Twenty nine health conditions were treated out of which digestive disorders, malaria and respiratory tract infections were predominant. Herbs and shrubs were equally dominant. CONCLUSION: Herbal remedies are an important source of treatment for paediatric diseases in Buhunga Parish. However, there is need for collaboration between herbal medicine users and scientific institutions to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge. Scientists ought to explore suitable methods of preparation and dosage formulations in order to achieve the best benefits from herbal remedies.
BACKGROUND: Plants have been used as a primary source of medicine since ancient times and about 80% of the world's population use herbal medicine to treat different ailments. Plant use knowledge differs in space and time and thus requires documentation to avoid its loss from one generation to another. METHODS: In order to accomplish the survey, semi-structured questionnaires were used. The data collected included names of plant species, parts used, ailments treated, growth habit, methods of preparation and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data in form of tables and a graph. RESULTS: Results showed that 50 plant species belonging to 26 families were utilized in the treatment of paediatric diseases of which Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most common. Leaves (80%) were the most commonly used and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Twenty nine health conditions were treated out of which digestive disorders, malaria and respiratory tract infections were predominant. Herbs and shrubs were equally dominant. CONCLUSION: Herbal remedies are an important source of treatment for paediatric diseases in Buhunga Parish. However, there is need for collaboration between herbal medicine users and scientific institutions to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge. Scientists ought to explore suitable methods of preparation and dosage formulations in order to achieve the best benefits from herbal remedies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Buhunga; Children diseases; Digestive disorders; Herbal remedies; Traditional medicine
Authors: Jamilu E Ssenku; Shaban A Okurut; Aidah Namuli; Ali Kudamba; Patience Tugume; Paul Matovu; Godfrey Wasige; Hussein M Kafeero; Abdul Walusansa Journal: Trop Med Health Date: 2022-06-06
Authors: Wasim Ahmad; Mohd Amir; Adil Ahmad; Abuzer Ali; Amena Ali; Shadma Wahab; Harshita Abul Barkat; Mohammad Azam Ansari; Mohammad Sarafroz; Ayaz Ahmad; Md Abul Barkat; Prawez Alam Journal: Plants (Basel) Date: 2021-11-25
Authors: Abdul Walusansa; Savina Asiimwe; Jamilu E Ssenku; Godwin Anywar; Milbert Namara; Jesca L Nakavuma; Esezah K Kakudidi Journal: Trop Med Health Date: 2022-01-07
Authors: Ibe Michael Usman; Samuel Sunday Adebisi; Sunday Abraham Musa; Ibrahim Abdullahi Iliya; Victor Bassey Archibong; Ann Monima Lemuel; Keneth Iceland Kasozi Journal: Anat Cell Biol Date: 2022-08-25