Traditional Medicinal Vegetables in Northern Uganda: An Ethnobotanical Survey

Abstract

Background. A wide range of indigenous vegetables grow in Uganda especially during rainy seasons but scarcely during droughts, except those that are commercially grown. Although a number of these vegetables have medicinal values, they have not been satisfactorily studied besides conservation. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey in Northern Uganda in order to document traditional medicinal vegetables and their uses. Methods. Qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis were employed using semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaires as well as key informant interviews following international ethical codes. Fidelity levels and informant consensus factors were also calculated. Results. 13 traditional vegetables belonging to 10 families were reported to serve as folk medicines. The most dominant families were Fabaceae (23.08%) and Solanaceae (15.38%). The most often used vegetables were Corchorus spp., Hibiscus spp., and Asystasiagangeticafor musculoskeletal (51%), gastrointestinal (34.3%), and malaria (31.8%). The vegetables were cultivated in the backyard and the leaves stewed for the different ailments. The informant consensus factor was the highest for Corchorus spp., in the treatment of joint pain/stiffness (0.92-1) while the highest fidelity level was (60.42%) for Amaranthus spp., in the management of anemia. Conclusions. Northern Uganda has numerous traditional vegetables with medicinal benefits. Diseases treated range from gastrointestinal to reproductive through musculoskeletal abnormalities. The community obtains vegetable leaves from the backyard and stews them regularly for the medicinal purposes with no specific dosage. Therefore, we recommend studies to verify in laboratory models the efficacy of these vegetables and standardize the dosages.

Corchorus olitorius extract exhibit anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models of obesity and diabetes mellitus

“…T2D can lead to CVD ( 40 ); hence various rodent models have been used to understand the pathways and mechanisms implicated in obesity, T2D, and CVD. Most importantly, these experimental models are used to explore the properties of several pharmacological compounds against secondary complications associated with obesity and T2D ( 41 ).…”

Perspective Chapter: Traditional African Vegetables Agrobiodiversity – Livelihood Utilization and Conservation in Tanzania Rural Communities

“…The same author noted that TAVs have been initially preferred for their taste, medicinal properties, availability and access while in recent years increased awareness of their nutritional value is the main focus. In Africa and Tanzania in particular, most of the traditional vegetables are used as folk medicine due to their nutritional properties and medicinal value [17]. Despite this fact, most of these have not been satisfactorily studied to substantiate their medicinal properties besides studies on diversity and conservation [17].…”

“…In Africa and Tanzania in particular, most of the traditional vegetables are used as folk medicine due to their nutritional properties and medicinal value [17]. Despite this fact, most of these have not been satisfactorily studied to substantiate their medicinal properties besides studies on diversity and conservation [17]. The medicinal value of these indigenous vegetables is an important element in the African traditional health systems.…”

Ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, and bioactivities of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae)

“…The people of Lango tribe of Northern Uganda stew the leaves and took twice daily as soup to treat low appetite. The stew is also taken to increase milk production during lactation (36).…”