A Survey of Traditional Health Remedies Used by the Maasai of Southern Kaijiado District, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the use of traditional health remedies among the Maasai of Kuku Group Ranch of Southern Kajiado District, Kenya. A structured and semi-structured questionnaire was administered to heads or adult members of households in the study area as well as key people who are knowledgeable in Maasai traditional medicine. Use of ethno-medicine was prevalent, with 73% of the respondents indicating this was their preferred type of treatment. Traditional medicine was the primary health care system for the community even though 98% of the respondents mentioned that they frequently sought modern medical care provided by local dispensaries and clinics. Knowledge on traditional plant health remedies was immense, and a wide variety of illnesses and body conditions were treated and managed using locally available medicinal plants. The community had an elaborate and complex pharmacopoeia supported by a wide range of plant species majority of which were readily harvested within the group ranch. Knowledge about the use of ethno-medicinal resources and the resources themselves appeared to be threatened by rapid changes in traditional lifestyles and cultural practices particularly the spread of Christianity, formal education and emphasis on reliance of modern medical care. Plants recognized to be of medicinal value by the community appeared to be equally threatened by a myriad of factors particularly land use changes. There is great need to conserve the rich plant biodiversity in the ranch as well as preserve knowledge on the value and use of traditional plant based remedies amidst a rapidly changing society.

Ethnobotanical studies in the genus Sansevieria Thunb. (Asparagaceae) in Zimbabwe.

“…Earlier reports on the use of Sansevieria for the treatment of venereal diseases have been documented in Kenya, but only the leaves have been used for this purpose (Kiringe 2006).…”

Ethnotaxonomical Approach in the Identification of Useful Medicinal Flora of Tehsil Pindigheb (District Attock) Pakistan

“…Emmerich & Valle (1991) reported the knowledge used by the indigenous people in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Kiringe (2006) brought about ethnobotanical findings related to the Maasai community of Southern Kaijiado District of Kenya. In Pakistan, the use of folk remedies is also a common practice.…”

“…As a result of their continual quest to find treatments for illnesses that are specific to their localities, human beings have developed an extensive pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants (Kiringe 2006). In Pakistan, more than 200 plant species are reported by Anderson (1988), which are used to treat a variety of diseases including cough, kidney stone, stomach problems, malaria, hepatitis, urinary disorders, toothache, inflammation, skin problems, and pneumonia.…”

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“…[11] The plant was used to treat arthritis, backache, and diarrhea. [12] It is also used as a medicine for constipation and ulcer. [13] Previous chemical studies on this species reported that leaves and stem extracts contain quercetin, tannins, phosphates, urea, and various minerals with a larger amount of magnesium.…”