A study of the medicinal plants used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Gabriel Kigen⁴  Hillary Rono¹  Bernard Wanjohi²  Wilson Kipkore³ 

[1] Ophthalmologist, Kitale Hospital and North Rift Zonal eye surgeon; Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 98, Kitale, Kenya;Department of Wildlife Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya;Department of Forestry, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya;Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Moi University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya

关键词: Research;    Documentation;    Plants;    Ethnobotanical;    Herbal medicine;    Marakwet;   

Others  :  861647
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-4269-10-24

 received in 2013-05-30, accepted in 2014-01-22,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The medicinal plants used by herbalists in Kenya have not been well documented, despite their widespread use. The threat of complete disappearance of the knowledge on herbal medicine from factors such as deforestation, lack of proper regulation, overexploitation and sociocultural issues warrants an urgent need to document the information. The purpose of the study was to document information on medicinal plants used by herbalists in Marakwet District towards the utilization of indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge for the advancement of biomedical research and development.

Methods

Semi- structured oral interviews were conducted with 112 practicing herbalists. The types of plants used were identified and the conditions treated recorded.

Results

Herbal practice is still common in the district, and 111 plants were identified to have medicinal or related uses. Different herbal preparations including fruits and healing vegetables are employed in the treatment of various medical conditions. Veterinary uses and pesticides were also recorded.

Conclusion

The study provides comprehensive ethnobotanical information about herbal medicine and healing methods among the Marakwet community. The identification of the active ingredients of the plants used by the herbalists may provide some useful leads for the development of new drugs.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Kipkore et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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