Ethnobotanical study of commonly used Medicinal Plants in Muhorro town council, Kagadi district

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study of commonly used medicinal plants in treating human diseases was carried out in three wards of Muhorro town council, Kagadi district between December 2021 and February 2022. The specific objectives were to: (i) Examine the plant parts used to prepare herbal medicine, (ii) Describe the different modes of preparation and application of common medicinal plants, (iii) Document management practices and conservation strategies for common medicinal plants in the area, and (iv) Examine the challenges related to and appropriate ways of enhancing conservation of medicinal plants. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 60 households to collect data on the commonly used medicinal plants, plant parts used, modes of preparation and administration of the herbal remedies. Key Informants Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted to attain deeper understanding of subject as well as validate the data filled in questionnaires. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the socio-demographic characteristics influencing the level of use and conservation of medicinal plants as well as the attitudes towards conservation medicinal plants in the area. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social scientists and presented using descriptive statistics. Informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated to determine the disease systems and categories of medicinal plants used in healing each ailment, and then Fidelity Level (FL) was calculated to determine the most preferred medicinal plant for each ailment. A total of 51 medicinal plant species belonging to 34 families were reported for treating 26 human diseases. The most commonly reported species belong to families Myrtaceae and Solanaceae. The highest ICF values were recorded for infertility and memory loss (1.0 each). Biden pilosa and Vernonia amygdalina had FL of 100% each and hence most preferred for treating wounds and malaria. Leaves (36.1%) were the most used plant part for preparing herbal medicine while decoction (52.2%) and drinking (96.7%) were the major modes of preparation and administration of herbal remedies respectively. Most respondents managed medicinal plants by weeding (93.3%) and conserved them mainly by cultivation (66.7%). Massive habitat destruction (76.7%) and lack of awareness (65%) were the major challenges to conservation of medicinal plants. Therefore, the study recommends that the natives should be sensitized on the need for conservation, encourage them to cultivate medicinal plants and protect their natural habitats.