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A study of the medicinal plants used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

Conducted by: Wilson Kipkore, Bernard Wanjohi, Hillary Rono and Gabriel Kigen

Published: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2014

Abstract Background: The medicinal plants used by herbalists in Kenya have not been well documented, despite their widespread use. The threat of complete disappearance of the knowledge on herbal medicine from factors such as deforestation, lack of proper regulation, overexploitation and sociocultural issues warrants an urgent need to document the information. The purpose of the study was to document information on medicinal plants used by herbalists in Marakwet District towards the utilization of indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge for the advancement of biomedical research and development. Methods: Semi-structured oral interviews were conducted with 112 practicing herbalists. The types of plants used were identified and the conditions treated recorded. Results: Herbal practice is still common in the district, and 111 plants were identified to have medicinal or related uses. Different herbal preparations including fruits and healing vegetables are employed in the treatment of various medical conditions. Veterinary uses and pesticides were also recorded. Conclusion: The study provides comprehensive ethnobotanical information about herbal medicine and healing methods among the Marakwet community. The identification of the active ingredients of the plants used by the herbalists may provide some useful leads for the development of new drugs.

Note: click on the green buttons to read more about each plant such as parts used and uses.

Botanical name Voucher no. Local name Common name Family Habit Habitat Parts used Method General plant uses Acacia brevispica

Harms WBHG/13/081 Korniswo Prickly Thorn Bonsai Mimosaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed and rubbed on skin Itchy skin rashes Acacia brevispica

Harms WBHG/13/081 Korniswo Prickly Thorn Bonsai Mimosaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crused and applied Removal of ganglion Acacia hockii

De. Willd. WBHG/13/026 Churur Whistling thorn/ shittim wood Mimosaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Abdominal (colic) pains Acacia hockii

De. Willd. WBHG/13/026 Churur Whistling thorn/ shittim wood Mimosaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Boiled with water Herbal “tea” Acacia lahai [Steud. & Hochst. ex] Benth WBHG/13/038 Seretetwo Red thorn Mimosaceae Tree Highland Leaves Pounded and mixed with other herbs Synergistic herb Acacia mellifera

(Vahl) Benth WBHG/13/043 Ngowo Black thorn/ wait-a-bit thorn Mimosaceae Shrub Lowland Roots Boiled and administered Sexually transmitted diseases Acacia mellifera

(Vahl) Benth WBHG/13/043 Ngowo Black thorn/ wait-a-bit thorn Mimosaceae Shrub Lowland Higher parasites Burnt and ashes licked Rheumatism Acacia nilotica

(L.) Delile WBHG/13/068 Ngopkwo Thorntree/whistling thorn Mimosaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Bark chewed when raw or boiled Abdominal (colic) pains Acacia tortilis Hayne WBHG/13/039 Sesia Shittim wood Mimosaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Fruit bodies Burnt and ash licked Cancer Acalypha fruticosa

Forsk. WBHG/13/101 Sawiyon Birch-leaved Acalypha Euphorbiaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed and applied on the site Scorpion/bee stings Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Benth. & Hook. WBHG/13/110 Kelyo Arrow-poison plant Apocynaceae Tree Escarpment Roots Boiled and applied Arrow poison Albizia spp. WBHG/13/063 Seet Flea tree /frywood Mimosaceae Tree Escarpment Fruit bodies Burnt and ash licked Cancer Albizia spp. WBHG/13/063 Seet Flea tree /frywood Mimosaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Abortifacient, Contraceptive Albuca bracteata (Thunb.) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt WBHG/13/049 K’dow Pregnant onion plant Asparagaceae Herb Lowland Bulbs Boiled and administered Cancer Aloe spp. WBHG/13/095 Chepkenderetwo Burn plant Aloaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed and sap applied Wounds Aloe spp. WBHG/13/095 Chepkenderetwo Burn Plant Aloaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Sap applied on the operated area Craniotomy (surgery) Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. WBHG/13/011 Tuyunwo Desert date Balanitaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Leaves, fruits Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Balanites rotundifolia

(Tiegh.) Blatt WBHG/13/118 Lomion Not found Balanitaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Fruits Crush the fruits, soak in water and apply Pesticide Berchemia discolor

(Klotsch) Hemsl WBHG/13/076 Muchukwo Bird plum Rhamnaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and administered Erectile dysfunction Boscia coriacea Pax. WBHG/13/062 Sorukwo Not found Capparidaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Seeds Boiled and administered Obesity Bryophyta spp. WBHG/13/096 Chebumbu Green Moss Oxallidaceae Herb Highland/ escarpment Whole plant Burnt and ash licked Heartburn/Teething in children Bryophyta spp. WBHG/13/096 Chebumbu Green Moss Oxallidaceae Herb Highland/ escarpment Whole plant Burnt and ashes rubbed on the gums To relive pain associated with teething in children Calotropis procera

(Aiton) W.T. Aiton WBHG/13/079 Kibou Giant milkweed/ calotropis Asclepiadaceae Shrub Lowland Leaves Burnt and ash administered Emetic Capparis cartilaginea Decne. WBHG/13/091 Chepteretwo Caper shrub Capparidaceae Shrub Lowland Leaves Chewed/ burnt and ash licked Heartburn/peptic ulcers Capparis cartilaginea Decne. WBHG/13/091 Chepteretwo Caper shrub Capparidaceae Shrub Lowland Flowers Dried, crushed and added to meat Food flavour Caralluma acutangula WBHG/13/031 Mochontopokot Caralluma Asclepiadaceae Herb Lowland Whole plant Whole plant chewed Chest congestion

(wheezing) Carissa edulis

(Forssk.) Vahl WBHG/13/091 Legetetwet Egyptian carissa Apocynaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Roots Boiled and added to other herbs or used alone General malaise Carissa edulis

(Forssk.) Vahl WBHG/13/091 Legetetwet Egyptian carissa Apocynaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Fruits Consumed in whole Appetizer Cassia didymobotrya Fres. WBHG/13/094 Senetwo Peanut- butter cassia Caesalpiniaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Dried bark Pound and applied on bleeding area Antihaemorrhagic

(stops bleeding) Cassia didymobotrya Fres. WBHG/13/094 Senetwo Peanut- butter cassia Caesalpiniaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Leaves/bark Boiled and administered Hypertension Cassia obtusifolia Linn or Cassia occidentalisL. WBHG/13/070or 070a Kipkurkuris Senna Caesalpiniaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves and seeds Boiled and administered Abortifacient Cirsium vulgare

(Savi.) Ten WBHG/13/013 Tokoukowo Spear thistle Asteraceae Herb Highland/ escarpment Leaves/twigs Burnt and ash licked Heartburn Cirsium vulgare

(Savi.) Ten WBHG/13/013 Tokoukowo Spear Thistle Asteraceae Herb Highland/ escarpment Leaves/Twigs Burnt ash applied on incisions made on the skin Talisman Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke WBHG/13/005 Chebobet Blue glory bower Lamiaceae Tree Escarpment Leaves Burnt and ash licked “Kipei” condition Clutia abyssinica

Jaub & Spach WBHG/13/089 Kapkurelwo Smooth-fruited lightning-bush Euphorbiaceae Shrub Lowland/ riverine Roots Boiled and mixed with other herbs Synergistic herb Clutia abyssinica

Jaub & Spach WBHG/13/089 Kapkurelwo Smooth-fruited lightning-bush Euphorbiaceae Shrub Lowland/ riverine Roots Boiled and administered Erectile dysfunction Coccinia grandis

(L.) Voigt WBHG/13/019 Minjilwo Ivy ground Cucurbitaceae Herb Lowland Leaves Boiled and used as vegetable Treatment of heavy snoring Combretum apiculatum Sond. WBHG/13/111 Leleiya Red bushwillow Combretaceae Tree Escarpment Fruit bodies Burnt and ash licked Cancer Commicarpus africanus (Lour.) Dandy WBHG/13/065 Tanagit Comicarp (Catalan) Nyctaginaceae Herb Escarpment Leaves Crushed leaves rubbed on the ganglion Removal of ganglion Cordia sinensis Lam. WBHG/13/007 Adomeyon Grey-leaved saucer berry Boraginaceae Tree Lowland Twigs Break tender twigs for use Toothbrush Crassocephalum mannii WBHG/13/042 Terkekwo Thickhead Asteraceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and administered Arthritis Crotalaria incana L. WBHG/13/060 Kimira Woolly Rattlepod Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Boiled and used as vegetable Anaemia Crotalaria incana L. WBHG/13/060 Kimira Woolly Rattlepod Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega WBHG/13/077 Kibichan Mexican croton Euphorbiaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and mixed with other herbs Synergistic herb Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega WBHG/13/077 Kibichan Mexican croton Euphorbiaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Roots Chewed raw/ boiled with other herbs Heartburn Croton dichogamus Pax WBHG/13/064 Kerelwo Orange leavedcroton Euphorbiaceae Shrub Escarpment Higher parasites on this plant Burnt and ash licked “Kipei” condition (abdominal pain and oral thrush) Croton dichogamus Pax WBHG/13/064 Kerelwo Orange leavedcroton Euphorbiaceae Shrub Escarpment Bark, roots and flowers Boiled and administered Chest congestion

(wheezing) Croton megalocarpus Hutch. WBHG/13/045 Otonwet Broadleaved croton Euphorbiaceae Tree Escarpment Roots Boiled and administered Purgative Cucumisdipsaceu s

C. G. Ehrenb. ex Spac WBHG/13/055 Kisangwa Bitter gourd Cucurbitaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Fruits Crushed and mixed with little water and administered to patient Emetic Cyperus esculentus L. WBHG/13/103 Morgut Yellow nutsedge Cyperaceae Herb Lowland/ swampy areas Tubers Chewed Stomachache Cyperus esculentus L. WBHG/13/103 Morgut Yellow nutsedge Cyperaceae Herb Lowland/ swampy areas Tubers Chewed Abdominal (colic)

pains/Talisman Cyperus esculentus L. WBHG/13/103 Morgut Yellow nutsedge Cyperaceae Herb Lowland/ swampy areas Tubers Chewed or boiled Colic pain in children Cyperus esculentus L. WBHG/13/103 Morgut Yellow nutsedge Cyperaceae Herb Lowland/ swampy areas Tubers Chewed and applied Talisman Cyphostemma serpens (Hochst. exA.Rich.) Desc WBHG/13/021 Kirorot Not found Vitaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Dried stem Boiled and administered Abortifacient Cyphostemma cyphopetalum

(Fresen.) Descoings WBHG/13/075 Kibungwach Not found Vitaceae Herb Escarpment Tubers Crush and apply on the pests Pesticide Dactylocteniuma egyptium L. WBHG/13/073 Anyinya Egyptian crowfoot grass Poaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed and chewed raw Heartburn Dactylocteniuma egyptium L. WBHG/23/073 Anyinya Egyptian crowfoot grass Poaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Whole plant Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Digeramuricata L. Healing vegetable

WBHG/13/099 Chesugut False Amaranth Amaranthaceae Herb Lowland Leaves Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Diospyros scabra (Chiov.) WBHG/13/016 Turetwo Ebony tree Ebenaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Boil and patient bathed in concoction and covered Fever in children Cufod Diospyros scabra (Chiov.) WBHG/13/016 Turetwo Ebony tree Ebenaceae Tree Escarpment Twigs Break tender twigs for use Toothbrush Cufod Dodonaea viscose (L.) Jacq. WBHG/13/098 Tebelekwo Hopbush Sapindaceae Shrub Escarpment Twigs Break tender twigs and use Toothbrush Dolichos spp. WBHG/13/104 Kipchoror Hyacinth bean Fabaceae Herb Lowland Dry leaves Pound, mixed with water and administered Enhance lactation in breastfeeding mothers Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop WBHG/13/046 Barangoya Indian-squill Asparagaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Bulbs Bulb applied on the ulcers Cancer Ehretia cymose var. silvatica Guerke WBHG/13/066 Kabonbonet or Mororion Stamperwood Boraginaceae Shrub Highland Bark Boiled and administered Stomachache Ekebergia rueppelliana Fres WBHG/13/045 Kerbu Ekebergia Meliaceae Tree Lowland Bark Boiled and administered Purgative Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) E.E. Cheesman WBHG/13/002 Sosurwo False banana Musaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Tip end (flower) Crushed, dried and burnt. Ash licked Heartburn Erythrina abyssinica DC. WBHG/13/029 Korkorwo Corpse flower Fabaceae Tree Highland Bark Boiled and administered Mumps Euclea divinorum Hiern. WBHG/13/052 Uswo Magic Guarri Ebenaceae Shrub Escarpment Twigs Break tender twigs for use Toothbrush Eucleadivinorum Hiern. WBHG/13/052 Uswo Magic Guarri Ebenaceae Shrub Escarpment Bark Pound and applied on the incision made on the bitten site Antivenom Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev. WBHG/13/027 Kokocha Apple ring, acacia Mimosaceae Tree Lowland/riverine/ swampy areas Fruit bodies Burnt and ash licked Cancer Faurea saligna Harvey WBHG/13/018 Sirirte Beechwood Proteaceae Tree Highland Bark Boiled and administered Period pains Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr. WBHG/13/072 Tingoswo Governor’s plum Flacourtiaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Fruits Dry the fruit and use Fermentation Fuerstia africana T.C.E. Fries WBHG/13/004 Kipirirwo Not found Lamiaceae Herb Escarpment Leaves Crushed and sap instilled Eye ailments Fuerstia africana

T.C.E. Fries WBHG/13/004 Kipirirwo Not found Lamiaceae Herb Escarpment Leaves Crushed and sap applied Toothache Gardenia sp WBHG/13/044 Mogilion/ Kobilwo Forest gardenia Rubiaceae Tree Lowland Fruits Crushed and administered to patient Emetic/purgative Grewia villosa Willd WBHG/13/020 Mokurwo Mallow raisin Tiliaceae Shrub Lowland Leaves Cover milk gourd with it Fermentation Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. WBHG/13/025 Sachan African spider flower Capparidaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Cooked and used as vegetable Healing vegetable Heeria reticulata

(Baker f.) Engl WBHG/13/008 Mutung’wo Raisin bush Anacardiaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Burnt and ash licked Removal of retained placenta in both human and animals Heeria reticulata

(Baker f.) Engl WBHG/13/008 Mutung’wo Raisin bush Anacardiaceae Tree Escarpment Leaves Crush, soak in water and apply Constipation in animals Hoslundia opposite Valh. WBHG/13/083 Sumeyon Orange bird berry Lamiaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves, roots Boiled and administered Colic pain in children Hoslundia opposite Valh. WBHG/13/083 Sumeyon Orange bird berry Lamiaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Roots, leaves Boiled and administered Amoebiasis Hoslundia opposite Valh. WBHG/13/083 Sumeyon Orange bird berry Lamiaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed, soaked

in water and gargled Oral thrush Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) Roem. & Schult. WBHG/13/059 Sirkonwo/ Kaberkewo White ribbon bush Acanthaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves , twigs Crush, soak in water and apply Pesticide Iboza spp. WBHG/13/012 Lonwo Nutmeg bush Lamiaceae Shrub Escarpment leaves Crushed and pound Perfume Indigofera arrecta L. WBHG/13/034 Sargellat African indigo Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and mixed with other herbs Synergistic herb Indigofera arrecta L WBHG/13/034 Sargellat African indigo Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and administered Stomachache Indigofera arrecta L WBHG/13/034 Sargellat African indigo Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled & mixed with other herbs Cancer Indigofera arrecta L WBHG/13/034 Sargellat African indigo Fabaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Roots Chewed Toothache Ipomoea lapidosaVatke WBHG/13/078 Kimugugu Common morning glory Convolvulaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Stem Boiled and administered Sexually transmitted diseases Justica spp. WBHG/13/024 Kepkalomion Jacobinia Acanthaceae Herb Escarpment Leaves Boiled and administered Abdominal (colic) pains Kalanchoe germanae Raym.-Hamet ex Raadts WBHG/13/030 Kibarbany Air plant Crassulaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Pound and rubbed on ganglion area Removal of ganglion Kalanchoe germanae Raym.- Hamet ex Raadts WBHG/13/030 Kibarbany Air plant Crassulaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Pound and rubbed on painful area Poultice Kigelia Africana

(Lam.) Beneth WBHG/13/048 Rotion African sausage Bignoniaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Fruits Split and dry For fermentation during the brewing of traditional beer Lannea fulva

(Engl.) Engl. WBHG/13/056 Lolotwo Not found Anacardiaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Pound and mixed with other herbs Antivenom Lantana trifolia L. WBHG/13/046 Bekaptarit Three- leafshrubverbena Verbenaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves/twigs Boiled and administered Abdominal (colic) pains Lantana trifolia L. WBHG/13/046 Bekaptarit Three- leafshrubverbena Verbenaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves, twigs & fruits Boiled and administered Enhance lactation in breastfeeding mothers Leptadenia hastate

(Pers.) Decne. WBHG/13/058 Kipchegin Not found Apocynaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Tender leaves Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Lippia javanica

(Burm. f.) Spreng WBHG/13/053 Chebokobil Zinziba plant Verbenaceae Shrub Highland Leaves and twigs Boiled and administered Amoebiasis Lippia javanica

(Burm. f.) Spreng WBHG/13/053 Chebokobil Zinziba plant Verbenaceae Shrub Highland Leaves and twigs Boiled together with maize, cassava, groundnuts and even tea Food flavour Maesa lanceolata

Forsk. WBHG/13/087 Mborion False assegai Myrsinaceae Liana/ climber Lowland Whole plant Crush , soak in water and apply Veterinary use as antipoison Nuxia congesta Fres WBHG/13/082 Chorwa Brittle wood Loganiaceae Tree Highland Roots Boiled and administered Abdominal (colic)

pains /Flu Nuxia congesta Fres WBHG/13/082 Chorwa Brittle wood Loganiaceae Tree Highland Roots Boiled and administered Flu Ocimum basilicum L. WBHG/13/028 Klachir Basil Lamiaceae Herb Lowland Leaves Crushed and sap instilled on the affected eye Eye ailments Olea Africana Mill. WBHG/13/032 Remit Wild olive Oleaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Dried bark Pound and powder applied Eye ailments Olea Africana Mill. WBHG/13/032 Remit Wild olive Oleaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Itchy rashes Ornithogalum tenuifolium Delaroche WBHG/13/050 Katagwa Sea-onion Hyacinthaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Tubers Crushed and applied on joints Arthritis Pappea capensis

Eckyl & Zeyh WBHG/13/023 Kibiryokwo Jacket plum Sapindaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Fruit bodies Burnt and ash licked Cancer Pappea capensis

Eckyl & Zeyh WBHG/13/023 Kibiryokwo Jacket plum Sapindaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Higher parasites Burnt and ashes licked Rheumatism Pavetta abyssinica

Fresen WBHG/13/107 Cheptabirbirwo Not found Rubiaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Bark Crushed and administered Purgative Pentas longiflora

W.R.B. Oliv. WBHG/13/093 Chebirbirgorok Not found Rubiaceae Shrub Escarpment Fruits/bark Boiled and administered Malaria like symptoms Periploca linearifolia

Dill. & Rich. WBHG/13/073 Sinende Not found Apocynaceae Liana/ climber Highland Fruits/Leaves Ceremonial plant Periploca linearifolia

Dill. & Rich. WBHG/13/073 Sinende Not found Apocynaceae Liana/ climber Highland Fruits/Leaves Crush the fruits, soak in water and apply Pesticide Podocarpus graciliar

Pilger WBHG/13/067 Bennet African fern tree/ bastard yellow wood Podocarpaceae Tree Highland Bark Boiled and administered Hypertension Portulaca quadrifida L. WBHG/13/037 Kitumerio Small-leaved purslane Portulacaceae Herb Lowland Whole plant Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Portulaca oleracea L. WBHG/13/092 Chemorin Asthma weed Portulacaceae Herb Lowland Whole crushed plant Boiled with other herbs Cancer Prunus africana

(Hook f.) Kalkm. WBHG/13/014 Tendwo African plum tree Rosaceae Tree Highland Bark Boiled and administered Hypertension Prunus Africana

(Hook f.) Kalkm. WBHG/13/014 Tendwo African plum tree Rosaceae Tree Highland Bark/roots Boiled and administered Enlarged prostate Psiadia arabica

Jaub.et Spach WBHG/13/047 Konocho Not found Asteraceae Shrub Escarpment Bark Boiled with water Herbal “tea” Ricinus communis L. WBHG/13/017 Menwa Castor bean Euphorbiaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Seeds Crushed and oil applied Treatment of hides and skins Rumex acetosella L. WBHG/13/080 Kibongbong Sheep sorrel Polygonaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Tubers Chewed or boiled and administered Hypertension Rumex acetosella L WBHG/13/080 Kibongbong Sheep sorrel Polygonaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Tubers Chewed or boiled and administered Diabetes Saba comorensis (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon WBHG/13/112 Ochon Rubber vine Apocynaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment (riverine) Fruits Fruit consumed Diagnosis of enlarged prostate Salvadora persica Wall. WBHG/13/033 Chekowo Toothbrush tree Salvadoraceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Twigs Break tender twigs and use Toothbrush Sansevieria intermedia WBHG/13/009 Sorogat Mother-in-law tongue Agavaceae Herb Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Sap used as bait Used to kill snakes Schefflera volkensii (Engl.) Harms WBHG/13/088 Tingwon Schefflera Araliaceae Tree Highland Dried resin Resin sniffed Inhaled to clear blocked nose Schefflera volkensii

(Engl.) Harms WBHG/13/088 Tingwon Schefflera Araliaceae Tree Highland Dried resin Smear on body Perfume Sclerocarya birrea

(A. Rich.) Hochst WBHG/13/106 Orolwo Amarula tree Anacardiaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Chewed or boiled and administered Diabetes Solanum incanum L. WBHG/13/035 Kalobotwo Thorn Apple Solanaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled or chewed raw Abdominal (colic) pains Solanum incanum L. WBHG/13/035 Kalobotwo Thorn Apple Solanaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled or chewed Colic pain in children Sphaeranthus ukambensis Vatke & O.Hoffm WBHG/13/085 Moyon Not found Asteraceae Shrub Lowland Roots Chewed or boiled and administered Stomachache resulting food poisoning Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C WBHG/13/090 Kibutkut Not found Asteraceae Herb Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Whole plant Crushed and applied on the affected tooth Toothache Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C WBHG/13/090 Kibutkut Not found Asteraceae Herb Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Whole crushed plant Crushed and used as mouthwash Oral thrush Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C WBHG/13/090 Kibutkut Not found Asteraceae Herb Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Whole plant Crushed and applied on the area to be operated before surgery Craniotomy (surgery) Sterculia Africana

(Lou.r) Fiori WBHG/13/086 Ililwo African star chestnut tree Sterculiaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Seeds Chewed Erectile dysfunction Terminalia brownie

Fresen WBHG/13/069 Koloswo Mbarao (in Swahili) Combretaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Boiled or chewed raw Abdominal (colic) pains Terminalia brownie

Fresen WBHG/13/069 Koloswo Mbarao (in Swahili) Combretaceae Tree Escarpment Bark Chewed or boiled and administered Jaundice Terminalia spinosa Engl. WBHG/13/092 Kitong’wo Spiny cluster-leaf Combretaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Malaria like symptoms Tragiabrevipes Pax. WBHG/13/069 Kimelei Shortspikenoseburn Euphorbiaceae Liana/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Roots Pound and mixed with other herbs Antivenom Tribulusterrestris L. WBHG/13/001 Kilesan Bullhead Zygophylaceae Herb Lowland Whole crushed plant Chewed or boiled and administered Erectile dysfunction Tribulusterrestris L. WBHG/13/001 Kilesan Bullhead Zygophylaceae Herb Lowland Whole plant Cooked as vegetable Healing vegetable Uvariasp var. scheffleri WBHG/13/010 Murkuiyo Not found Annonaceae Shrub/ climber Lowland/ escarpment Roots Boiled and administered Common colds/cough Vangueria apiculata

K. Schum. WBHG/13/003 Tabirirwo (Komolwo ne mining) Triangle-flowered Wild-medlar Rubiaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment Fruits Cooked as porridge and consumed Food supplement Vangueria madagascariensis Gmel. WBHG/13/041 Komolwo neo Common wild medlar Rubiaceae Shrub Highland/ escarpment/ lowland Fruits Cooked as porridge and consumed Food supplement Vernoniabrachycalyx

O. Hoffm. WBHG/13/074 Kimagoi or Chebongony Ironweed Asteraceae Herb Lowland Roots Boiled and decoction administered Emetic Warburgia ugandensis

Sprague WBHG/13/109 Sokwon East African green wood Canellaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Leaves Chewed or soaked in hot water and administered Stomachache Warburgia ugandensis Sprague WBHG/13/109 Sokwon East African green wood Canellaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Bark Burnt and smoked sniffed Headache Warburgia ugandensis Sprague WBHG/13/109 Sokwon East African green wood Canellaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Leaves Crush and applied Toothache Warburgia ugandensis

Sprague WBHG/13/109 Sokwon East African green wood Canellaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Leaves Chewed or soaked

in water and gargled Common colds/cough/ sore throat Warburgia ugandensis Sprague WBHG/13/109 Sokwon East African green wood Canellaceae Tree Highland/ escarpment Leaves Soaked in water and gargled Oral thrush Withaniasomnifera

(L.) Dunal WBHG/13/054 Tarkukai Red Cherry Solanaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Roots/leaves Boiled and administered Amoebiasis Withania somnifera

(L.) Dunal WBHG/13/054 Tarkukai Red Cherry Solanaceae Shrub Lowland/ escarpment Leaves Crushed and applied Chronic skin ulcers Ximenia Americana L. WBHG/13/105 Kunyotwo Yellow plum Olacaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Seeds Crushed and oil applied Wounds Ximenia Americana L. WBHG/13/105 Kunyotwo Yellow Plum Olacaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Seeds Crushed and oil applied Treatment of hides and skins Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl WBHG/13/061 Kochon Knob wood Rutaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark/seeds Pounded together and mixed with other herbs Synergistic herb Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl WBHG/13/061 Kochon Knob wood Rutaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark/seeds Boiled or chewed Amoebiasis Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl WBHG/13/061 Kochon Knob wood Rutaceae Lowland/ escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Malaria like symptoms Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl WBHG/13/061 Kochon Knob wood Rutaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Administered to recuperating patients (after surgery) Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl WBHG/13/061 Kochon Knob wood Rutaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Higher parasites Burnt and ashes licked Rheumatism Zehneria scabra

(Linn f.) Sond WBHG/13/097 Cheserya Not found Cucurbitaceae Shrub/ climber Highland Leaves Crushed and administered Common colds/cough Zehneria scabra

(Linn f.) Sond WBHG/13/097 Cheserya Not found Cucurbitaceae Shrub/ climber Highland Whole plant Boiled with other herbs Cancer Zehneria scabra

(Linn f.) Sond WBHG/13/097 Cheserya Not found Cucurbitaceae Shrub/ climber Highland Whole plant Boiled and administered Administered to recuperating patients Ziziphus mauritania var. spinachristi

(L.) Wild. WBHG/13/100 Tilomwo Christ thorn/jujube Rhamnaceae Tree Lowland Bark Boiled with water Herbal “tea” Ziziphus mauritiana var. spina Christi (L.) Willd WBHG/13/100 Tilomwo Christ thorn/jujube Rhamnaceae Tree Lowland/ escarpment Bark Chewed raw Abdominal (colic) pains Unidentified WBHG/13/015 Mindililwo ne mining Herb Escarpment Leaves Smoked Drug of abuse Unidentified WBHG/13/048 Seremwo Tree Escarpment Bark Boiled and administered Appetizer Unidentified WBHG/13/057 Turesio Tree Highland Bark/roots Burnt and with other herbs Cancer Unidentified WBHG/13/057 Turesio Tree Highland Leaves Burnt and ashes licked “Kipei” condition

Reference(s)

Kipkore et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2014, 10:24

http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/10/1/24



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