Browsing by Author "Amir, Halima Mvungi"

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    Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in managing Gonorrhoea and Syphilis in Urambo District, Tabora Region, Tanzania
    (Taylor and Francis, 2022-02-18) Kacholi, David Kacholi; Amir, Halima Mvungi
    Medicinal plants used by traditional healers (THs) in managing gonorrhea and syphilis in Urambo District, Tabora Region, Tanzania, were documented. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the use of medicinal plants. The findings revealed that 33 medicinal plants belonging to 18 families were used by the THs to manage gonorrhea and/or syphilis in Urambo District. Among the listed plants, Ximenia caffra, Friesodielsia obovata and Clerodendrum myricoides were frequently used by THs to manage gonorrhea while Ozoroa reticulata, Catunaregam spinosa, Annona senegalensis and Aloe vera were used to manage syphilis. Cassia abreviata, Strychnos spinosa, Strychnos potatorum and Entanda abyssinica were frequently used for the management of both ailments. Five species namely Oldfieldia dactylophylla, Flaucortia indica, Strophanthus eminii, Musa sapeintum and Phyllanthus engleri were recorded for the first time in the country’s ethnobotanical literature as a treatment of STIs. Many of the recorded plants also possessed antimicrobial properties.
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    Plants Used by Nyamwezi Traditional Health Practitioners To Remedy Sexually Transmitted Infections in Sikonge, Tanzania
    (JEHS DUCE, 2021) Kacholi, David Sylvester; Amir, Halima Mvungi
    This study aims to document medicinal plants used by Nyamwezi traditional health practitioners (NTHPs) in managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Sikonge District. The data on medicinal plants were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 23 NTHPs were interviewed. The findings revealed that 28 medicinal plants, belonging to 16 families and 25 genera, are used for the management of STIs in Sikonge. Most species belonged to family Fabaceae (17.9%), Apocynaceae, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae (10.7% each), and Olacaceae and Rutaceae (7.1% each). Out of the recorded plants, 45.7% are used to manage gonorrhoea, 25.7% syphilis, 17.1% vaginal candidiasis, 8.6% HIV/AIDS related infections and 2.9% chlamydia. Cassia abbreviata (47.8%), Ximenia caffra (39.1%) and Abrus precatorius (34.8%) were plants with high citation index. Tree (50.0%) and root (70.9%) were the most utilized growth form and plant part, respectively. 85.7% of the species were collected from the wild. Decoction (73.3%) and oral (86.2%) were the most used methods of preparation and administration of remedies, respectively. These study findings can serve as resource for the probe of bioactive components, which can lead to the discovery of contemporary drugs. Thus, the study recommends for pharmacological investigations of the reported plants, provision of awareness to NTHPs on sustainable harvest and conservation of the plants, and mentorship to the younger generation in an effort to preserve the indigenous knowledge.