| dc.description.abstract | Aim of the study: The objective of the study was to investigate and document the utilization of medicinal
(with emphasis on anthelmintic) plants by the people of Loitoktok district in Kenya for the management
of both animal and human health.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted between May and October 2009. Information was
gathered from 23 traditional health practitioners, from across the district, by use of semi-structured
questionnaires; transect walks, oral interviews and focus group discussions. Voucher specimens of cited
plants were collected and deposited at the botanical herbarium of the University of Nairobi.
Results: A total of 80 medicinal plants cited were collected and identified as belonging to 46 families
and 70 genera. The plants identified were 48%, 38%, 7%, 6% and 1% trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas and
lichens, respectively. Most of the plants belonged to the families Fabaceae (10%), Euphorbiaceae (6%),
Rutaceae (5%) followed by Boraginaceae, Labiateae, Rubiaceae, and Solanaceae at 4% each. However,
the six most important families by their medicinal use values in decreasing order were Rhamnaceae,
Myrsinaceae, Oleaceae, Liliaceae, Usenaceae and Rutaceae. The ailments treated included respiratory conditions,
helminthosis, stomach disorders, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, infertilities and physical
injuries. Helminthosis in both livestock and humans was recognized as a major disease managed by use
of medicinal plants (with an informant consensus factor of 0.86) in the study area. The most frequently
used plant anthelmintics were Albizia anthelmintica (Fabaceae), Myrsine africana (Myrsinaceae), Rapanea
melanophleos (Myrsinaceae), Clausena anisata (Rutaceae) and Olea Africana (Oleaceae) used by 70%, 70%,
26%, 13% and 9% of the respondents, respectively. Other plant anthelmintics used, each by 4% of the
respondents, were Rumex usambarensis (Polygonaceae) and Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae).
Conclusion: It is concluded that traditional health practice in Loitoktok depend largely on naturally growing
plants and that the study area has a potential for bio-prospecting of crude drugs from plants due to
the large number of medicinal plants cited. There is also need for further studies to validate the plants
used in medicinal remedies in this area. | en |
