Kigen et al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2016) 13(3):156-168
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v13i3.19
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN TINDIRET, NANDI
COUNTY, KENYA
Gabriel Kigen1, Alice Maritim1, Fatuma Some2, John Kibosia3, Hillary Rono4, Simon Chepkwony5,
Wilson Kipkore6 and Bernard Wanjoh7
1
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Moi University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret,
Kenya
2
Department of Medicine, Moi University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya
3
Department of Surgery, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 3, Eldoret, Kenya
4
Hillary Rono, Opthalmologist Kitale County Hospital and London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene,
P.O. Box 98, Kitale Kenya, 5Practising Herbalist, P.O. Box 36, Songhor, Kenya, 6Department of Forestry,
University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya, 7Department of Wildlife Management, University of
Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
*Corresponding Author E-mail: kigengfk@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: An inventory of the medicinal plants used by herbalists to treat various ailments in Tindiret area of Nandi County, Kenya
was conducted by a team comprising of medical researchers and botanists with a view to preserve indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge
and potential research and development of new drugs.
Materials and Methods: Data was collected from practicing herbalists through semi-structured interviews, group discussions and
observations. The types of medical conditions treated, treatment methods as well as the plants used were recorded.
Results and Conclusion: A total of 50 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families used for the treatment of 32 medical conditions were
recorded. The disease conditions which were treated by the highest number of plants were abdominal/colic pains with 15 different plants
recorded (13%), respiratory disorders 15(13%) and infertility14 (12%). The most widely used medicinal plants were Vernonia
amygdalina 7(7%), Toddalia asiatica 6(6%), Aloe kedongensis 5(5%) and Zanthoxylum gilletii 5(5%); whereas the families with the
highest number of plant usage were Fabaceae 8(14%), Lamiaceae 4(8%) and Solanaceae 4(8%) plants respectively. The study
documents important ethno-medical knowledge on the plants used by herbalists in Tindiret sub-county.
Key words: Ethnopharmacology, Indigenous knowledge, Traditional medicine, Research, Conservation
Introduction
Ethnopharmacology is broadly defined as the study of substances used medicinally, often derived from plants, by different
ethnic groups. Historically, natural products have been used as ingredients to develop new drugs, and are still an important source (Koehn
et al., 2005; Li et al., 2009; Heinrich, 2014). Unlike Asia, many of the traditional plants used by herbalists have not been documented in
Kenya, despite the risks of the knowledge disappearing, owing to several factors (Kigen GK et al., 2013). The documentation of the
various plants and their medicinal uses will therefore conserve indigenous knowledge and provide an important database for future
research and potential development of new drugs.
Materials and Methods
Study Area
The survey was conducted in Meteitei area of Tindiret Sub-county, in the southern part of Nandi County (Figure 1). The
County is located in the western part of Kenya at longitude 35°25‟E. latitude 0°34‟N and covers an area of 2,884 km² (Nandi, 2013;
Wikipedia, 2013). It is endowed with a beautiful topography that mainly consists of the scenic Nandi Hills. It has rich volcanic soils, cool
and wet climate with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 26°C, with rainfall of between 1,200mm and 2,000mm per annum. Tindiret
region is characterized by a mountainous terrain (up to 2150m), with steep slopes descending into the Nyando escarpment (1300m). This
provides varied ecological zones with swathes of the Nandi forest at the top and wood, bushes and savannah grassland with swamps at
the escarpment (Nandi, 2013). The residents in the county are mainly Nandis, one of the larger Kalenjin subtribes (Gabriel Kigen et al.,
2014; Wikipedia, 2015).
156
Kigen et al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2016) 13(3):156-168
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Figure 1: Map of Nandi County showing its position relative to the Kenyan Map and various sub- counties. Accesed on 24/04/2015 from
KENYA MPYA -http://www.kenyampya.com/index.php?county=Nandi
Data Collection
Field surveys were carried out between February 2013 and July 2014. The research team consisted of professionals from the
medical field and botany. It included two pharmacologists (GK & AM), one physician (FS), a surgeon (JK), an ophthalmologist (HR), a
taxonomist (BW) and a plant specialist (WK). We also had two local herbalists (SC and Emily) who accompanied us each time we
visited their colleagues. Semi structured interviews were used to collect information from the herbalists. The interviews were conducted
in Kalenjin or Kiswahili, and were done at their practices, which in most cases were their residences. We interviewed a total of 45
herbalists aged between 38 and 70 years, with majority being female (28). Details of the medical conditions treated including the
symptoms, methods of treatment, plants and herbal preparations used, local plant names, methods of collection of the herbs and any other
information relevant to the practice were recorded. In case there were any patients undergoing treatment, they were also interviewed in
order to corroborate the evidence of their treatment with the claims by the herbalists. Following the interviews, the informants were
requested to accompany the research team to the fields in order to identify the plants used. The plant specimen and their habitats were
then photographed and collected. The collected specimens were then identified by BW and WK as per taxonomic keys (Beentje et al.,
1994; Agnew, 2013), and the voucher specimens pressed, dried and deposited at the University of Eldoret Botanical Herbarium.
Results
A total of 50 medicinal plants belonging 28 families were identified (Table 1, 2). We did not manage to see two plants going
by the local names of “Mborusiat” and “Kipchilgatwet” which are used in the treatment of respiratory disorders and abdominal
pains/diarrhoea respectively. We were informed that the first plant is found in deep forest, whereas the second is found in the rocky areas
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in the highlands; both areas having rough terrain which we could not access. There were also three other plants which we identified
Artemesia abbysinica, Pseudarthria hookeri & Tithonia diversifolia that none of the herbalists could remember their traditional names.
1.
2.
Botanical name
Family
Ajuga remota
Benth
Albizia
gummifera
(J.F.Gmel.) C.A.
Sm
LAMIACEAE
Table 1: Medicinal Plant Uses
Local Name
Voucher No.
Parts
used
Chelelgatiat
WK/02/15/045
Leaves
FABACEAE
Seet
WK/02/15/011
Bark
Method of
preparation
Press/crush leaves
and add water
Boiled (oral thrush),
For post partum
bleeding, crush bark
and add a little water
and administer
Boiled
&administered
3.
Aloe kedongensis
Reynolds
ALOACEAE
Tangaratwet
WK/02/15/044
Roots
4.
Artemesia
abbysinica
Sch.Bip. ex
A.Rich
Asparagus
racemosus Willd.
Basella alba L.
ASTERACEA
E
No name
WK/02/15/024
Leaves
Boil leaves
Pound leaves and
administer to chicken
Boiled
5.
Plant Uses
Abdominal pain & coughs
in children
Oral thrush in children
Post partum bleeding
Abdominal pain in infants,
rashes (ringworms),
common colds, infertility
in women
Heavy bleeding during
periods (menorrhagia)
Diarrhoea in chicken,
cows
Arthritis, infertility in
women, cancer
Abdominal/colic pain in
infants(“Surunda”),
anaemia (increases blood
count)
Abdominal pains,
infertility in women
Wounds
ASPARAGA
CEAE
BASELLACE
AE
Chepsabeiyat
WK/02/15/014
Roots
Ndaramiat
WK/02/15/042
Roots,
leaves
Boiled
Carissa edulis
(Forsk.) Vahl
Cascabela
thevetia
(L.) Lippold
Clematis simensis
Fresen
APOCYNAC
EAE
APOCYNAC
EAE
Legetetyot,
Tamuryakyat,
Chepnyalildet
WK/02/15/001
Roots
Boiled
WK/02/15/029
Latex
Apply latex to wound
RANUNCUL
ACEAE
Sesyat
/N’gososyat
(Tugen)
WK/02/15/002
Leaves
and
flowers
Pressed, or dried and
ground to powder
and inhaled
Combretum
collinum Fresen
Commiphora
africana
(A.Rich.) Engl.
Croton
macrostachyus
Hochst ex Del.
Cucumis
prophetarum L.
COMBRETA
CEAE
BURSELACE
AE
Buukwet
WK/02/15/039
Bark
Boiled
Chepkilgong
WK/02/15/005
Bark,
fruits
Boiled
Abdominal pains, renal
disease
EUPHORBIA
CEAE
Tebeswet
WK/02/15/007
Bark
Boiled
Respiratory disorders,
common colds in children
CUCURBITA
CEAE
Chepkeswot/
Chelulugu
WK/02/15/040
Fruits
Boiled
14.
Dovyalis
abyssinica
(A.Rich.) Warb.
FLACOURTI
ACEAE
Kapchobiniot
WK/02/15/014
Roots
Boiled
15.
Engleromyces
goetzei P.Henn.
Ensete
ventricosum
(Welw.)
Cheesman
Entada abyssinica
Steudel ex A.
Rich.
Erythrina
XYLARIACE
AE
MUSACEAE
Bobatabtegat
WK/02/15/042
Boiled
Sassuryet
WK/02/15/049
Whole
plant
Roots
Emetic (To induce
vomiting in order to
remove phlegm to treat
malaria, infertility,
Chemurmugulel/Kipgaras
it
(spleenomegally),arthritis,
infertility in women
Respiratory disorders
Boiled
Infertility in both men and
women
FABACEAE
Katutwet
WK/02/15/012
Bark
Boiled
Infertility in women
FABACEAE
Kakorwet
WK/02/15/017
Bark
Crush and add water
Abdominal/colic pain in
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
16.
17.
18.
158
Sinusitis, allergy, common
colds, cough, wheezing,
chest pain, blocked nose,
(goroitab ngwony)
Infertility in women
Kigen et al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2016) 13(3):156-168
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abysinica DC
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Euclea divinorum
Hiern
Flacourtia indica
(Burm.f.) Merr.
Gardenia
volkensii
K.Schum
Hypoestes
verticillaris (L.f.)
Roem&Schult
Kalanchoe
crenata
(Andrews) Haw.
Lagenaria
abyssinica
(Hook.f)
C.Jeffrey.
Leucas
calostachys Oliv.
Markhamia
acuminate K.
Schum.
Markhamia lutea
(Benth.) K.
Schum.
Melia azedarach
L.
Momordica
foetida
Schumach.
Ozoroa insignis
Delile
Periploca
linearifolia Dill &
A. Rich
Plectranthus
barbatus Andr.
Plectranthus
barbatus
var.grandis
(L.H.Cramer)
Lukhoba&A.J.Pat
on
Pseudarthria
hookeri
Wight&Arn.
Pterolobium
stellatum
(Forssk.) Brenan
Rhamnus
prinoides L'Hér.
Rhoicissus
tridentata (L.f.)
Wild & R.B.
Drumm.
Senna
159
children, chickenpox &
infertility in men
Cathartic
EBENACEAE
Uswet
WK/02/15/013
Roots
Chewed
FLACOURTI
ACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Tangururwet
WK/02/15/018
Kebulwet
WK/02/15/031
Leaves
Bark
Bark
Boiled
Boiled
Added to warm water
and administered
Measles
Chicken pox
Emetic
ACANTHAC
EAE
Turkwot
WK/01/15/016
Leaves
Press and apply the
sap on the wound
Wounds
CRASSULAC
EAE
Guserwet
WK/02/15/030
Leaves
Sap applied
Unhealed navel in
children to prevent
infections
Muscle sprain, myalgia
(poultice)
Burn leaves and
massage inflamed
area
Burnt leaves
(busaruk)
CUCURBITA
CEAE
Motondorwet
WK/02/15/047
Leaves
LAMIACEAE
Ngechebchat
WK/02/15/048
Leaves
Chewed
Common colds, coughs
BIGNONIAC
EAE
Chepsigiryet
WK/02/15/034
Bark
Boiled
BIGNONIAC
EAE
Mobet
WK/02/15/028
Roots
Boiled
MELIACEAE
Mwarbaini
WK/02/15/032
Boiled
CUCURBITA
CEAE
Cheptenderet/
Mandereriat
WK/02/15/021
Bark,
leaves
Leaves,
Roots
To prevent abdominal
pains/ bleeding & oedema
in pregnacy
Arthritis,
Inflammation(swelling) of
the skin, myalgia
Abdominal pains, STDs
ANACARDI
ACEAE
APOCYNAC
EAE
Chepkiton’gy
ot
Sinendet
WK/02/15/003
Leaves
WK/02/15/026
Roots
Sap applied on
affected areas
Roots, mixed with
milk
LAMIACEAE
Irokwet
(Nandi),
Moron’get
(Kipsigis)
Irokwetab
goik
WK/02/15/023
Crush and mix with
water and administer
WK/02/15/033
The two
topmost
tender
leaves
Tuber
Boil
To stop diarrhea and
vomiting in infants
FABACEAE
No name
WK/02/15/035
Roots
Boiled
Abdominal pains,
diarrhoea
FABACEAE
Kipkosgosit
WK/02/15/009
Roots
Boiled
RHAMNACE
AE
VITACEAE
Kosisityet
WK/02/15/052
Roots
Boiled
Torotwet
WK/02/15/036
Tuber
Sap from tuber
Common colds, persistent
cough (asthma),
spleenomegally
Spleenomegally,
infertility, cancer
Wounds
FABACEAE
Senetwet
WK/02/15/004
Leaves
Boiled
Cathartic
LAMIACEAE
Press and inhale
Coughs
“Gorotab
ngwony”(trigeminal
neuralgia, sinusitis)
Mumps
Infertility,
abdominal/colic pains in
women, ulcers
Abdominal/colic pain in
infants
Kigen et al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2016) 13(3):156-168
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39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
didymobotrya
(Fresen.) Irwin
&Barneby
Solanum
aculeastrum
Dunal
Solanum
aculeatissimum
Jacq.
Solanum
mauritianum
Scop.
Solanum
sessilistellatum
Bitter
Syzygium
cordatum
Hochst.exC.Kraus
s
Tithonia
diversifolia
(Hemsl.) Gray
SOLANACE
AE
Sigowet
WK/02/15/037
Roots
Boiled
SOLANACE
AE
Labotwetab
kimagetiet
WK/02/15/020
Fruit
Roots
Cut &pressed
Boiled
SOLANACE
AE
Labotwetab
timin
WK/02/15/027
Roots
Boiled
SOLANACE
AE
Labotwet
WK/02/15/010
Fruit
MYRTACEA
E
Lamaiywet
WK/02/15/008
Bark
Sap applied to
affected teeth or
ringworms
Boiled
ASTERACEA
E
No name
WK/02/15/025
Leaves
Burnt leaves
massaged on affected
area
Pound leaves and
administer
Boiled
Pneumonia in both
children and adults, liver
disease
Talisman - Children
bathed in concoction to
prevent ill omen from
people with bad eyes
Ringworms
Asthma, persistent cough,
common colds
Pneumonia, persistent
cough, asthma, malaria,
spleenomegally
Teeth, ringworms, rashes
in children
Common colds, diarrhoea
Poultice -sprain
Diarrhea in cows and
chicken
Abdominal pains,
gynaecologic disorders
including infertility,
common colds
(cough/colds), cancer,
renal disorders
Epilepsy, infertility in
women, renal disease,
cancer
45.
Toddalia asiatica
(Linn.) Lam.
RUTACEAE
Kipkombotyet
(Nandi),
Chepindorwet
(Kipsigis)
WK/02/15/022
Roots,
leaves
46.
Tylosema
fassoglensis
(Schweinf.) Torre
& Hillc.
Urtica massaica
Mildbr.
Vernonia
amygdalina
Delile
FABACEAE
Cheptebesiet
WK/02/15/041
Tuber
Boiled
URTICACEA
E
ASTERACEA
E
Ziwot
WK/02/15/046
Leaves
Boiled
Mororwet
WK/02/15/019
Roots
Boiled
Zanthoxylum
gilletii (De Wild.)
P.G.Waterman
RUTACEAE
Sagawaita
WK/02/15/038
Bark
Boiled, Chewed
WK/02/15/006
Bark
Grind bark and
combined with resin
and inhale
Boiled
WK/02/15/050
Bark
Crush and add a little
water
Abdominal pain &
diarrhea in infants
WK/02/15/051
Bark
Chewed raw or dried
Common colds, cough
47.
48.
49.
50.
Ziziphus
mucronata Willd.
51.
52.
160
RHAMNACE
AE
Chemanambe
lio
Kipchilgatwet
(Nandi)
/Nyalgatwet
(Tugen)
Mborusiat
Abdominal pains
especially in infants
Abdominal pains in
infants, in pregnancy,
arthritis, meningitis,
malaria, typhoid, epilepsy
Colic pain,
hepatomegally, severe
inflammation (swelling) of
the body, tongue
Rx of anthrax
Abdominal pain
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Table 2: Classification of Medicinal Plants
Plant
Family
Albizia gummifera Entada abyssinica, Erythrina
abysinica, Pseudarthria hookeri, Pterolobium
FABACEAE
stellatum, Senna didymobotrya, Tylosema
fassoglensis
Ajuga remota, Leucas calostachys Plectranthus
LAMIACEAE
barbatus, Plectranthus barbatus var.grandis
Solanum aculeastrum, Solanum aculeatissimum,
SOLANACEAE
Solanum mauritianum, Solanum sessilistellatum
Carissa edulis, Cascabela thevetia, Periploca
APOCYNACEAE
linearifolia
Artemesia abbysinica, Tithonia diversifolia,
ASTERACEAE
Vernonia amygdalina
Cucumis prophetarum Lagenaria, abyssinica,
CUCURBITACEAE
Momordica foetida
Markhamia acuminate, Markhamia lutea
BIGNONIACEAE
Dovyalis abyssinica, Flacourtia indica
FLACOURTIACEAE
Rhamnus prinoides, Ziziphus mucronata
RHAMNACEAE
Toddalia asiatica, Zanthoxylum gilletii
RUTACEAE
Hypoestes verticillaris
ACANTHACEAE
Aloe kedongensis
ALOACEAE
Ozoroa insignis
ANACARDIACEAE
Asparagus racemosus
ASPARAGACEAE
Basella alba
BASELLACEAE
Commiphora africana
BURSELACEAE
Combretum collinum
COMBRETACEAE
Kalanchoe crenata
CRASSULACEAE
Euclea divinorum
EBENACEAE
Croton macrostachyus
EUPHORBIACEAE
Melia azedarach
MELIACEAE
Ensete ventricosum
MUSACEAE
Syzygium cordatum
MYRTACEAE
Clematis simensis
RANUNCULACEAE
Gardenia volkensii
RUBIACEAE
Urtica massaica
URTICACEAE
Rhoicissus tridentata
VITACEAE
Engleromyces goetzei
XYLARIACEAE
Number
%
7
14
4
8
4
8
3
6
3
6
3
6
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
The plants were used to treat 32 different medical conditions, with the conditions treated by the widest variety of plants being
abdominal/colic pains whereby 15(13%) different medicinal plants were used; respiratory disorders 15(13%) and infertility14(12%)
respectively (Table 3). One plant, Solanum aculeastrum was used as talisman, to offer children protection from evil or harm. The most
widely used plants were Vernonia amygdalina which is used for the treatment of 7(7%) medical conditions, Toddalia asiatica 6(6%),
Aloe kedongensis 5(5%) and Zanthoxylum gilletii 5(5%) plants (Table 4). The plant families with the highest number of usage were
Fabaceae 8(14%) plants, Lamiaceae 4(8%) and Solanaceae 4(8%) plants respectively (Table 3).
The medicinal preparations consisted of roots, leaves and bark which were prepared in different ways depending on the
intended use just like their Marakwet cousins that we earlier reported (Gabriel Kigen et al., 2014; Kipkore et al., 2014).
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Condition
Table 3: Conditions treated by the medicinal plants
No of plants used
%
1.
Abdominal/colic pains
15
13
2.
Respiratory disorders
15
13
3.
Infertility
14
12
4.
Renal disorders
6
5
5.
Arthritis
6
5
6.
Cancer
6
5
7.
Gynecological disorders
5
4
8.
Splenomegally
5
4
9.
Diarrhoea
4
3
10.
Wounds
4
3
11.
Ring worms
3
3
12.
Skin conditions
3
3
13.
Ulcers
2
2
14.
Emetics
2
2
15.
Cathartic
2
2
16.
“Goroitab ngwony”
2
2
17.
Malaria
2
2
18.
Chicken pox
2
2
19.
Liver disease
2
2
20.
Epilepsy
2
2
21.
Poultice
2
2
22.
Typhoid
1
1
23.
Meningitis
1
1
24.
Dental disorders
1
1
25.
Measles
1
1
26.
Oral thrush
1
1
27.
Mumps
1
1
28.
Inflammation
1
1
29.
Sexually transmitted diseases
1
1
30.
Anaemia
1
1
31.
Anthrax
1
1
32.
Talisman
1
1
33.
Veterinary uses
2
2
117
162
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
163
Plant
Vernonia amygdalina
Toddalia asiatica
Aloe kedongensis
Zanthoxylum gilletii
Solanum aculeastrum
Tylosema fassoglensis
Artemesia abbysinica
Asparagus racemosus
Dovyalis abyssinica
Erythrina abysinica
Markhamia lutea
Periploca linearifolia
Rhamnus prinoides
Solanum mauritianum
Solanum sessilistellatum
“Kipchilgatwet”
Ajuga remota
Albizia gummifera
Basella alba
Carissa edulis
Clematis simensis
Commiphora Africana
Cucumis prophetarum
Flacourtia indica
Kalanchoe crenata
Markhamia acuminata
Melia azedarach
Pterolobium stellatum
Syzygium cordatum
Tithonia diversifolia
“Mborusiat”
Cascabela thevetia
Combretum collinum
Croton macrostachyus
Engleromyces goetzei
Ensete ventricosum
Entada abyssinica
Euclea divinorum
Gardenia volkensii
Hypoestes verticillaris
Lagenaria abyssinica
Leucas calostachys
Momordica foetida
Ozoroa insignis
Plectranthus barbatus
Table 4: Frequency of plant use
Conditions treated (No.)
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
%
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
Plectranthus barbatus var.grandis
Pseudarthria hookeri
Rhoicissus tridentata
Senna didymobotrya
Solanum aculeatissimum
Urtica massaica
Ziziphus mucronata
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Plant Use
The details of various medical conditions treated, plants used and treatment methods are outlined below:
Abdominal/Colic Pains
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Carissa edulis is used to treat abdominal pains. The bark of Zanthoxylum gilletii is
chewed and boiled for the treatment of abdominal/colic pains. Other preparations include boiled bark of Ziziphus mucronata, boiled bark
and fruits of Commiphora Africana, boiled bark and leaves of Melia azedarach and boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia asiatica. Milk
added to a concoction made from the boiled roots of Periploca linearifolia is used to treat abdominal/colic pains in women, whereas a
preparation made from the boiled roots of Aloe kedongensis is administered to treat abdominal/colic pain in infants (“Surunda”). A little
water added to the crushed two top leaves of Plectranthus barbatus or bark of “Kipchilgatwet” may also be used. Other preparations for
the management of abdominal pains in infants include boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina, boiled roots and leaves of Basella alba, and
boiled leaves of Urtica massaica.
The leaves of Ajuga remota are pressed or crushed and added to a little water to treat abdominal pains in children. A tincture
made from the bark of Erythrina abysinica may also be used. It is peeled to the yellow part, crushed, a little water added and
administered. The same preparation is used to treat chicken pox and infertility in men.
Ulcers
The boiled bark of Markhamia acuminate is used to treat ulcers. Alterative treatment involves the addition of milk to a
concoction made from the boiled roots of Periploca linearifolia.
Diarrhoea
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Pseudarthria hookeri is used to treat abdominal pains accompanied by diarrhoea.
The boiled bark of Syzygium cordatum is used for the same purpose. Boiled tubers of Plectranthus barbatus var.grandis are used to treat
diarrhoea and vomiting in infants, whereas the crushed bark of “Kipchilgatwet” added to a little water is used to treat diarrhoea, also in
infants.
Typhoid
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina is used.
Emetics
The boiled fruits of Cucumis prophetarum are used to induce vomiting. Alternatively, some little warm water is added to the
crushed bark of Gardenia volkensii and administered.
Cathartic
The roots of Euclea divinorum are used to induce purgation. They are gently warmed over an open flame and chewed, followed
by a cup of strong tea. Boiled leaves of Senna didymobotrya are also used as cathartics. The concoction is drunk and immediately
followed by a cup of strong tea.
Respiratory Disorders
The whole of Engleromyces goetzei, a parasitic fungi living in Bamboo is boiled and administered to treat respiratory disorders.
The pressed leaves and flowers of Clematis simensis are inhaled to treat sinusitis, allergy, common colds, cough, wheezing, chest pain
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and blocked nose. They may also be dried, ground to powder and inhaled. The raw or dried bark of “Mborusiat” and leaves of Leucas
calostachys are chewed to treat common colds and coughs, whereas powder from the burnt leaves (“Busaruk”) are licked for the same
purpose. The leaves of Ajuga remota are pressed or crushed and added to a little water to relieve coughs in children. The boiled roots of
Aloe kedongensis as well as bark of Croton macrostachyus or Syzygium cordatum and boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia asiatica may
also be used. A concoction made from the boiled roots of Pterolobium stellatum is used to treat common colds and persistent coughing
and wheezing (asthma). Boiled roots of a total of three Solanum species were also recorded for the treatment of respiratory disorders.
Solanum aculeatissimum is used in treatment of common colds, persistent cough and asthma, Solanum mauritianum for persistent cough,
asthma and pneumonia; whereas Solanum aculeastrum is used in the management of pneumonia in both children and adults.
“Goroitab Ngwony”
Leaves and flowers of Clematis simensis are used to treat a condition described by herbalists as manifesting as intense
headache and nasal congestion, which was described by the medical team to be trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia or sinusitis. The leaves
are pressed or dried, ground to powder and inhaled. The leaves and roots Momordica foetida are also pressed and inhaled for the
treatment of the condition.
Malaria
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Solanum mauritianum is used. The boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina may also
be used.
Wounds
The leaves of Hypoestes verticillaris are pressed and sap applied on the wound. The sap from the leaves of Kalanchoe crenata
is also used for anti-infective properties. Alternatively, the latex from Cascabela thevetia may be used. It is especially applied on the
unhealed navel in babies to prevent infections. The sap from tubers of Rhoicissus tridentata is also used to treat wounds, especially open
wounds.
Meningitis
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina is used.
Dental Disorders
Juice from Solanum sessilistellatum fruits is applied on the affected tooth.
Chicken Pox
The infected child is washed with a tincture made from the crushed bark of Erythrina abysinica. A concoction made from the
boiled bark of Flacourtia indica is also used.
Measles
A concoction made from the boiled leaves of Flacourtia indica is used.
Oral Thrush
A concoction from the boiled bark from Albizia gummifera bark is administered to treat oral thrush in children.
Ring Worms
The roots of Aloe kedongensis are boiled and administered. An alternative treatment involves the application of juice from the
fruits of Solanum aculeastrum or Solanum sessilistellatum on the affected areas.
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Skin Conditions
The boiled roots of Aloe kedongensis are used to treat rashes while juice from Solanum sessilistellatum fruits is used to treat
rashes, especially in children. The boiled roots of Markhamia lutea are used to treat inflammation (swelling) of the skin and muscle pain
(myalgia).
Mumps
The leaves of Ozoroa insignis are chewed and the sap applied on swollen areas applied on affected areas.
Inflammation
The bark of Zanthoxylum gilletii is chewed and boiled for the treatment of severe inflammation (swelling) of the body and
tongue.
Infertility
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Cucumis prophetarum, Ensete ventricosum or Rhamnus prinoides is used to treat
infertility in both men and women, while tincture made from the crushed bark of Erythrina abysinica is used to treat infertility in men.
Milk added to boiled roots of Periploca linearifolia as well as boiled roots of Aloe kedongensis are used to treat infertility in women. A
concoction from the boiled roots of Asparagus racemosus combined with those of Carissa edulis, Dovyalis abyssinica & boiled tubers of
Tylosema fassoglensis may also be used. Other regimes include the boiled bark of Combretum collinum combined with that of Entada
abyssinica & Tylosema fassoglensis. Boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia asiatica may also be used.
Gynaecological Disorders
Boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia asiatica are used to treat gynaecologic disorders, including abdominal pains and infertility.
A concoction made of boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina is administered in pregnancy to maintain good health. The boiled bark of
Markhamia acuminate is also used in pregnancy to prevent abdominal pains, bleeding and oedema. A little water is added to the crushed
bark of Albizia gummifera and administered to treat post-partum bleeding. A concoction made from the boiled leaves of Artemesia
abbysinica is used to treat heavy bleeding during periods (menorrhagia).
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Stds)
The boiled bark and leaves of Melia azedarach are used to treat abdominal pain and STDs.
Splenomegally
A preparation made from the boiled roots of either Dovyalis abyssinica, Pterolobium stellatum, Rhamnus prinoides or Solanum
mauritianum is used to treat a condition the herbalists referred to as “Chemurmugulel” or Kipgarasit” which our medical team thought
it was splenomegally.
Liver Disease
A preparation made from the boiled roots of Solanum aculeastrum is used to treat liver disorders. The bark of Zanthoxylum
gilletii is chewed and boiled for the treatment of an enlarged liver (hepatomegally).
Renal Disorders
A concoction made from the boiled tubers of Tylosema fassoglensis combined with boiled roots of Dovyalis abyssinica,
Carissa edulis and Asparagus racemosus is used to treat kidney disease. The boiled bark and fruits of Commiphora Africana, as well as
boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia asiatica may also be used.
Anaemia
A preparation made from the boiled roots and leaves of Basella alba is administered to increase the blood count.
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Epilepsy
A concoction made from the boiled tubers of Tylosema fassoglensis is used. The boiled roots of Vernonia amygdalina may also
be used.
Arthritis
A concoction from the boiled roots of Asparagus racemosus combined with those of Carissa edulis, Dovyalis abyssinica &
tubers of Tylosema fassoglensis is administered. The boiled roots of Markhamia lutea or Vernonia amygdalina may also be used.
Cancer
A concoction made from the boiled roots of Asparagus racemosus combined with those of Carissa edulis, Dovyalis abyssinica
& tubers of Tylosema fassoglensis is administered. The boiled roots of Rhamnus prinoides, as well as boiled roots and leaves of Toddalia
asiatica may also be used.
Anthrax
Ground bark and resin of Zanthoxylum gilletii is inhaled.
Poultice
The leaves of Kalanchoe crenata are burnt and the remains are massaged on inflamed/inflamed area to treat muscle pains
sprains and related disorders. The burnt leaves of Tithonia diversifolia may also be used.
Talisman
A preparation made from the boiled roots of Solanum aculeastrum is used as talisman, mainly to offer children protection from
ill omen. The child is bathed in the concoction to prevent evil or harm caused by people with “bad eyes” (Kipkorir BE et al., 2008;
Kipkore et al., 2014).
Veterinary Uses
The pound leaves of Artemesia abbysinica combined with those of Tithonia diversifolia are used to treat diarrohea in chicken
and cows.
Discussion
Herbal medicine is still widely used in Tindiret just like many other rural communities in Kenya. All the herbalists we
interviewed had learnt the art from a close relative by word of mouth, mostly parents or grandparents but none of them had documented
the plants, even those who had obtained some basic education. In fact, quite a number of herbalists knew the plants only by appearance,
but had forgotten the names. We had to rely a lot on the herbalist who accompanied us to identify the local names, sometimes consulting
other people who were not even herbalists. This is a worrying trend in Kenya since there is risk of knowledge disappearing due to lack of
documentation (Kigen GK et al., 2013). Indeed, we identified three plants (Artemesia abbysinica, Pseudarthria hookeri & Tithonia
diversifolia) that none of the herbalists could recall the local names.
Some of the herbalists we interviewed tended to have specific specializations. The areas we identified include gynaecological
disorders, infertility, epilepsy and children’s diseases (paediatrics). We identified most of the conditions treated by herbalists but there
were two conditions which were not very clear “Goroitab ngwony” and “Chemurmugulel/Kipgarasit”. “Goroitab ngwony” is a
condition that was described as presenting with severe headache, blocked nose and sometimes associated with the loss of teeth. From the
description, our medical team thought that it was probably trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia or sinusitis. “Chemurmugulel/Kipgarasit”
was described as presenting with enlargement of in the left upper quadrant of the human abdomen. Our medical team arrived at the
conclusion that it was splenomegaly which may have been caused by several factors including infectious diseases or malignancy. Like
their other Kalenjin counterparts, emesis is used to treat what they regard to be “malaria” (Kipkore et al., 2014). We found out that the
herbalists thought it is malaria because it presents with nausea and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by low grade fever. The emesis is
therefore expected to remove massive build-up of mucus in stomach and chest to throat (phlegm) which may presumably cause
pneumonia and therefore accompanying fever, as well as bile which they associate with malaria. The herbs used for this purpose are
fruits of Cucumis prophetarum and bark Gardenia volkensii.
A number of the documented herbal plants have been investigated and found to possess some pharmacological activities similar
to those mentioned by the herbalists. These include antitumour effects of Toddalia asiatica and Asparagus racemosus (Mitra et al., 2012;
Vazquez et al., 2012; Praveena et al., 2014; Thangavelu et al., 2015), antibiotic activities of Cascabela thevetia, Kalanchoe crenata and
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Melia azedarach (Khan et al., 2001; Akinsulire et al., 2007; Khan et al., 2008; Sowjanya et al., 2013), antibiotic and antifungal effects of
Solanum aculeastrum (Koduru et al., 2006; Steenkamp et al., 2007) and control of anaemia by Basella alba (Bamidele et al., 2010).
Conclusion
The study documents important ethno-medical knowledge on the plants used by herbalists in Tindiret sub-county. Most of the
medicinal plants from the various Kenyan communities have not been documented despite the risk of disappearance of the knowledge on
traditional medicine. There is therefore need to document these indigenous uses of plants for research and potential development of new
drugs.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank Mrs Emily Cheruiyot for her assistance in providing valuable information and identification of the medicinal
plants.
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