Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Utilized by Traditional Healers in Managing Respiratory Tract Infections in the Kagera Region, Tanzania.

Abstract

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in many low-and middle-income countries. In most of these countries, including Tanzania, medicinal plants (MPs) are primarily used to manage various ailments, though the majority are not yet documented. Therefore, this study is aimed at documenting MPs used by traditional healers (THs) in managing respiratory infections (RTIs) in the Kagera region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Bukoba, Misenyi and Karagwe districts of the Kagera region using interviews, a semistructured questionnaire and field excursions. Ethnobotanical information on MPs' local names, plant parts used, preparation methods, route of administration, and threats were documented. Twenty-eight plant species from 21 families were recorded, whereby Lamiaceae (14.3%) was the dominant family. Out of 28 MPs documented Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) had the highest relative frequency of citation (RFC) (0.56), followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae) and Citrus limon Osbeck (Rutaceae) (0.33 each). Informant consensus factor (ICF) for RTIs was 0.70. Trees (50%) and leaves (57.1%) were the most prevalent growth form and plant part used, respectively. Decoction (64%) was the most common method used to prepare remedies, and most remedies were administered orally (68%). Urbanisation (29%) and agricultural expansion (24%) reported to threaten MPs existence in the study areas. The findings from this study revealed that the local people from Kagera region are using MPs for management of RTIs, and THs have high level of agreements regarding the specific plant species to manage RTIs, which indicated by extensive knowledge of using them. Most of species reported have been proven to possess different bioactive compounds with pharmacological activities. Therefore, plants reported in this study are important candidate for further studies on their safety and toxicology. Moreover, following MP threats reported in this study, education on conservation initiatives is recommended to ensure their survival and sustainable utilisation.