Utilization and conservation of medicinal plants in Namayonyi sub county, Mbale district, eastern Uganda

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used in the treatment of various diseases (Tabuti et al., 2003); and they have been used for thousands of years in the developing countries (Rajeswara et al., 2012). This study focused on the Utilization and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Namagumba and Nkoma parishes of Namanyonyi Sub County in Mbale District Eastern Uganda. The information was obtained by interviewing the local population (n=205) using open-and close-ended questionnaires. A total of 75 medicinal plant species belonging to 65 genera in 37 families were recorded. The medicinal plants recorded were used to treat 49 maladies of which cough, malaria, worm infection and stomach ache were predominant. The leaf was the plant part most frequently used. Drinking decoctions and infusions were the dominant modes of application. The majority of medicinal plants in Namanyonyi Sub County were reported as not being threatened. They are harvested from the homestead and the surrounding areas and are mainly managed by planting. There is also need for continuous monitoring of the status of these plants as the populations expands.