Context
Haemorrhoids are one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in humans. In Tanzania, particularly in the Tabora region, medicinal plants (MPs) are used by traditional healers (THs) to treat haemorrhoids, but no study has explicitly attempted to compile these treatments.
Objective
This study documents MPs used by THs of the Tabora region in Tanzania to treat haemorrhoids.
Materials and methods
A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather ethnobotanical data from 44 THs on MPs used to treat haemorrhoids, parts used, preparation methods and administration routes. The collected ethnobotanical data were analysed by computing percentage frequencies and relative frequency citations.
Results
Twenty-six MPs belonging to 19 families and 25 genera, used to manage haemorrhoids, were documented. Fabaceae was the dominant family (four species), whereas shrubs constituted a high proportion (38.46%) of the MPs, and the root was the most (30.3%) utilized plant part. Decoction (38.5%) and topical application (53.8%) were the most preferred preparation and administration techniques. Most MP materials (76.9%) were sourced from the wild.
Aloe vera
(L.) Burm.f. (Asphodelaceae) (68%), followed by
Allium sativum
L. (Alliaceae) (66%) and
Psidium guajava
L. (Myrtaceae) (66%) were the most utilized MPs. Among the recorded MPs, 12 are reported for the first time for the treatment of haemorrhoids. The recorded MPs are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties that aid in managing inflammation associated with bowel diseases, including haemorrhoids.
Conclusions
This study has documented valuable MPs used to manage haemorrhoids and provides a basis for further studies to discover efficient and affordable anti-haemorrhoid drugs.
Background: Globally, diarrhea is a primary public health concern associated with high mortality and morbidity. In Tanzania's rural areas, a paucity of contemporary health facilities and poverty have necessitated pursuing traditional remedies. However, the usage of traditional remedies is poorly documented. Therefore, this study aimed to document medicinal plants (MPs) used by traditional healers (THs) to treat diarrhea in the Nsenda ward, Tanzania.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather ethnobotanical data from 21 THs on the use of MPs in treating diarrhea in Nsenda ward. The purpose and significance of the study were communicated to THs, and their consent was requested before interviewing them.Results: Twenty-four MPs belonging to 17 families and 24 genera were recorded as antidiarrheal. Most reported MPs belong to Fabaceae (13%) family. Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke (0.76), Psidium guajava L. (0.66), and Coffea arabica L. (0.62) had the highest relative frequency of citation. Tree (67%) and root (46%) were the most utilized life form and plant part, respectively. The wild (79%) environment offered the most utilized plant materials. Decoction (37%) was the preferred preparation technique, and all the remedies were administered orally. About 21% of the preparations involved the addition of different ingredients and solvents, 13% were consumed freshly, and 56% involved dilution of remedies in water.
Conclusion:The study has uncovered substantial numbers and knowledge of MPs used to treat diarrheal infections in the ward. The study recommends that scientific endorsement is needed to understand the pharmacological potentials of the recorded MPs.
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