Medicinal Plants Used in Paediatric Health Care in Namungalwe Sub County, Iganga District, Uganda

Abstract

Background: An ethnobotanical study was carried out in Namungalwe Sub County, Iganga District Eastern Uganda, to document medicinal plant species used in disease management among children. Methods: Ethnobotanical data was collected through interviews with households and key informants, Focus Group Discussions and the Snow ball technique. This was complemented by field observations and photography. Results: A total of 61 plant species and one mushroom species, Termitomyces microcarpus were reported to be used as medicinal plants used in the disease management among children. These species belonged to 36 families and 58 genera. The most commonly mentioned medicinal plant species were Vernonia amygdalina Delile, Chenopodium opulifolium Schrad. ex W.D.J.Koch & Ziz and Albizia corialia (Schum. & Thonn.) Benth. Most of the medicinal plant species belonged to the family Leguminosae (29.7%).The most commonly used plant life forms for peadiatric health care were herbs (45.2%), and leaves (53.1%) were the most used plant parts. Most of the medicines were prepared as decoctions. Malaria and diarhoea were the most frequently occurring ailment among children.Conclusion: There is diversity of traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used in the management of ailments among children in the study area. Mothers and other care takers in homes are the custodians of this knowledge.