Herbal medicine use in the districts of Nakapiripirit, Pallisa, Kanungu, and Mukono in Uganda
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
Abstract
Traditional medicine (TM) occupies a special place in the management of diseases in Uganda. Not
with standing the many people relying on TM, indigenous knowledge (IK) related to TM is getting steadily eroded.
To slow down this loss it is necessary to document and conserve as much of the knowledge as possible. This study
was conducted to document the IK relevant to traditional medicine in the districts of Mukono, Nakapiripirit,
Kanungu and Pallisa, in Uganda.
Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between October 2008 and February 2009 using techniques of
key informant interviews and household interviews.
Results: The common diseases and conditions in the four districts include malaria, cough, headache, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, flu, backache and eye diseases. Respondents stated that when they fall sick they self medicate
using plant medicines or consult western-trained medicine practitioners. Self medication using herbal medicines
was reported mostly by respondents of Nakapiripirit and Mukono. Respondents have knowledge to treat 78
ailments using herbal medicines. 44 species, mentioned by three or more respondents have been prioritized. The
most frequently used part in herbal medicines is the leaf, followed by the stem and root. People sometime use
animal parts, soil, salt and water from a grass roof, in traditional medicines. Herbal medicines are stored for short
periods of time in bottles. The knowledge to treat ailments is acquired from parents and grandparents.
Respondents’ age and tribe appears to have a significant influence on knowledge of herbal medicine, while gender
does not.
Conclusion: This survey has indicated that IK associated with TM stills exists and that TM is still important in
Uganda because many people use it as a first line of health care when they fall sick. Age and tribe influence the
level of IK associated with herbal medicine, but gender does not.
Description
Keywords
Ethnomedicine, Traditional medicine, Health seeking behaviour
Citation
Tabuti et al.: Herbal medicine use in the districts of Nakapiripirit, Pallisa, Kanungu, and Mukono in Uganda. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2012 8:35. doi:10.1186/1746-4269-8-35