Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for treating human ailments in Habuleke parish, Busia district

Abstract

The research aimed at documenting indigenous knowledge on use of medicinal plants in managing human ailments. Data was collected in November 2022 and a cross-sectional design was adopted using semi structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. Snow ball sampling was used for the traditional healers. Direct observation and taking of photographs of the medicinal plants was another strategy to acquire data. Voucher specimens were collected for further processing and identification. Descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data using Microsoft excel 2013. It involved drawing different tables indicating all information in line with the intended objectives. Pie charts generated in Microsoft excel were used to compare the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and indigenous knowledge related to the medicinal plants. Relative frequency of citation was used to spot the mostly used plant species. Majority of the respondents were female in the age bracket of (56-65) yrs. Most of the respondents had at least acquired primary education but without a reliable source of income. Knowledge acquisition was mostly through inheritance and majority took no effort to conserve the medicinal plants. The study area consisted of more than one tribe, Samya and Basoga were predominant. A total of 91 plant species belonging to 35 plant families were reported to be used in managing different human ailments. Leguminosae was the dominant family. The plant species Vernonia amygdalina Delile, Bidens pilosa, Abrus precatorius L, Citrus limon (L) Osbeck, Ipomea batatus (L.) exhibited the same and highest relative frequency of citation. Herbs contributed the highest percentage (41.90%) of plant growth life forms that are used in the study area followed by trees (30.48%). Most of the medicinal plants were collected from the wild and the least were cultivated. A Total of 52 human ailments were recorded, out of which malaria, cough and anemia in children were the commonest with Malaria taking the first position. Leaves were the most commonly used plant parts, direct method involving squeezing and crushing of the material in its raw form was the majorly used method of preparation and oral route was the dominant mode of administration. It can be concluded that a total of 52 human ailments were mentioned, out of which Malaria, cough and anemia in children were the commonest with Malaria taking first position. The plant species Vernonia amygdalina Delile, Bidens pilosa, Abrus precatorius L., Citrus limon (L) Osbeck, Ipomea batatus (L.) exhibited the same and highest relative frequency of citation. The mostly used plant part was leaves, method of preparation was direct method involving crushing and squeezing of the medicinal plants in their raw form and dominant mode of administration was through oral route.