Local indigenous knowledge about some medicinal plants in and around Kakamega forest in western Kenya

Abstract

Discuss this article AbstractKakamega forest is Kenya's only rainforest and is distinguishably rich in biodiversity but threatened by agricultural encroachment and other forms of human activity. It is also one of Kenya's Important Bird Areas and a significant source of natural products to neighboring rural communities, such as medicinal plants, food, wood and other fibers. By using structured questionnaires for direct interviews, local indigenous knowledge was tapped through involvement of a focal group of elderly key informants in three blocks of the forest. Forty key species of medicinal plants used by local people were identified and recorded. Fifty-five percent of these were shrubs, thirty-two percent trees, seven-and-a-half percent lower plants such as herbs or forbs while five percent were climbers. About seventy percent of the medicinal plants occurred inside the forest itself and thirty percent around the edge and the immediate surroundings outside the forest. Thirty-eight (95%) of the plants were indigenous to Kenya and two (5%) exotic. Such extensive indigenous knowledge of the medicinal uses of the plants, including their distribution trends in the forest, may be tapped for decision support in rural health service planning, policy formulation for conserving the forest, tracking and mitigation of climate change impacts.

Ethnobotany and quantitative analysis of medicinal plants used by the people of Malava sub-county, Western Kenya

“…However, this study observed that older TMPs were more recognized and possessed extensive knowledge about medicinal plants. This observation aligns with other studies conducted in various parts of Kakamega County (Mukungu et al 2016, Odongo et al 2018, Otieno & Analo 2012, Shiracko et al 2016. The majority of respondents were advanced in age, and close relatives, particularly parents and grandparents, were frequently mentioned as the primary sources of traditional knowledge.…”

“…The majority (76.9%) of the herbal medicines were taken orally, 9.2% were used as eye, ear, and nose drops, and 4.6% were inhaled and swabbed. Because most plants are used to treat digestive or peptic, respiratory, or vector-borne illnesses, the oral route is generally used (Odongo et al 2018, Otieno et al 2012. On all the modes of preparation and administration recorded, regardless of the plant part(s) or mixtures utilized, water was the major medium for all medicinal preparations.…”

Ecological Knowledge of indigenous plants among the Marakwet Community (Embobut Basin), Elgeyo Marakwet County (Kenya)

“…These include local uses such as fencing, building, firewood, timber, fodder, fruits, in addition to others such as boundary, brewing, broom, basketry, cleaning utensils, thatching, toiletry, gum arabica, making gutters, life fencing, mole traps, shade and walking sticks as well as for making soap. In Kenya, the plant resources provide important social and economic contribution to rural livelihoods (Otieno and Analo, 2012). The cultural uses of indigenous plants presented in the study are further supported by observations that the Marakwets use a great variety of wild species for a diverse range of purposes.…”

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“…Oleaeceae, Gramineae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Aloeaceae, Salicaceae, and Polygonaceae the plant families of the retrieved plants. The reported species were Olea capensis also known as Olea europea [25] , Cymbopogon citratus, Heteromorpha trifoliate [26] , Mangifera indica L. [27], Bequartiodendron oblanceolata, Aloe elgonica, Dovyalis macrocalyx (Oliv.) Warb and Rumex usambarensis Jacq.…”

“…It is a dominant forest tree mostly known for shade. It's leaves are used tradionally for the treatment of ulcers [25] .…”