The Use of Toddalia Asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) in Traditional Medicine Practice in East Africa
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) has been used by traditional health practitioners in East Africa for management of diseases, however, theextent of its usefulness has not been established to date. Fieldwork for this study was carried out in the Lake Victoria Basin between March andSeptember 2006. The purpose was to collect ethnomedical information that will serve as a basis for further studies to establish current and potentialmedicinal uses. The ethnomedical information was obtained through interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Consultative meetings werealso conducted with traditional health practitioners and other members of the communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.Results of this study show that Toddalia asiatica is collected in the wild, prepared mostly as decoctions or concoctions and administered orally.It is used for the management of a number of disease conditions. The most frequently cited diseases were stomach problems (78%) followedby malaria (25%). Cough (22%), chest pain (13%), food poisoning (8%), sore throat (7%), were also mentioned among other disease conditionstreated. Validation studies of therapeutic claims will be carried out at a later date.© 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
Toddalia asiatica, Traditional medicine, Traditional health practitioners, East Africa
Citation
Orwa, J.A., Jondiko, I.J.O., Minja, R.J.A. and Bekunda, M., 2008. The use of Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam.(Rutaceae) in traditional medicine practice in East Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 115(2), pp.257-262.