Ethnomedicinal study of medicinal plants used for treatment of urinary tract infections in Mara region, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants (MPs) are a valuable inheritance for humanity, especially in most rural communities that rely on them for their primary healthcare needs. This study aims to document MPs used by Kuria Traditional Healers (KTH) in managing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Mara region, Tanzania.

Methods: This study was conducted in Tarime and Serengeti districts in Mara Region, Tanzania. Ethnobotanical information were collected using semi-structured interviews and field walks with 20 KTH from July 2021 to February 2022. The study focused on MPs' names, parts used, preparation, and administration of remedies. Descriptive statistics and inferential indices were performed to analyze the data, and conservation statuses of the recorded MPs were retrieved from IUCN RedList online database.

Results: A total of twenty MPs belonging to 8 families were documented. The families with the higher number of MPs were Asteraceae (31.6%), followed by Lamiaceae (26.3%) and Fabaceae (15.8%). Most plants were shrubs (53%) and herbs (37%). Leaves (53%) and roots (29%) were the most preferred MPs parts for remedy formulation. Decoction (55%) and oral route (100%) were the most cited preparation and application of remedies, respectively. Among the recorded MPs, 35% fall within the least concern category in the IUCN database. Gender, age, education level, and experience significantly (p < 0.05) affected traditional medicinal knowledge.

Conclusion: The study discloses that the KTHs have rich knowledge of MPs used to treat UTIs. Their expertise on MPs should be validated with phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and their knowledge and practices must be conserved for future generations.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, indigenous healers, infectious diseases, remedies, traditional medicines, UTIs