Plants Used by Nyamwezi Traditional Health Practitioners To Remedy Sexually Transmitted Infections in Sikonge, Tanzania

Authors

David S. Kacholi, Dar Es Salaam University College of EducationFollow
Halima Amir, Dar Es Salaam University College of EducationFollow

Abstract

This study aims to document medicinal plants used by Nyamwezi traditional health practitioners (NTHPs) in managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Sikonge District. The data on medicinal plants were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 23 NTHPs were interviewed. The findings revealed that 28 medicinal plants, belonging to 16 families and 25 genera, are used for the management of STIs in Sikonge. Most species belonged to family Fabaceae (17.9%), Apocynaceae, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae (10.7% each), and Olacaceae and Rutaceae (7.1% each). Out of the recorded plants, 45.7% are used to manage gonorrhoea, 25.7% syphilis, 17.1% vaginal candidiasis, 8.6% HIV/AIDS related infections and 2.9% chlamydia. Cassia abbreviata (47.8%), Ximenia caffra (39.1%) and Abrus precatorius (34.8%) were plants with high citation index. Tree (50.0%) and root (70.9%) were the most utilized growth form and plant part, respectively. 85.7% of the species were collected from the wild. Decoction (73.3%) and oral (86.2%) were the most used methods of preparation and administration of remedies, respectively. These study findings can serve as resource for the probe of bioactive components, which can lead to the discovery of contemporary drugs. Thus, the study recommends for pharmacological investigations of the reported plants, provision of awareness to NTHPs on sustainable harvest and conservation of the plants, and mentorship to the younger generation in an effort to preserve the indigenous knowledge.

Recommended Citation

Kacholi, David S. and Amir, Halima (2022) "Plants Used by Nyamwezi Traditional Health Practitioners To Remedy Sexually Transmitted Infections in Sikonge, Tanzania," Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 10 : No. 6 , Article 6.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v10.i6.5

Publication Date

3-10-2022

DOI

10.56279/jhss.v10.i6.5

Publisher

Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE)