EVALUATION OF HERBS AS POTENTIAL DRUGS

Authors

  • Judith Agot Odhiambo University of Nairobi
  • Catherine W Lukhoba University of Nairobi
  • Saffudin F Dossaji University of Nairobi

Keywords:

Indigenous knowledge, health care, ethnomedicine

Abstract

Herbal drugs have been used since ancient times as medicines for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, for both human and livestock. A study conducted in the Lake Victoria Basin Kenya revealed vast knowledge and reliance on traditional medicine as source of healthcare. The study documented 34 medicinal plant species distributed among 21 botanical families and 34 genera, used in the management of human ailments. The highest numbers of species were from the families Asteraceae and Leguminosae. The most commonly harvested plant parts were leaves (46.51%) and roots (34.88%). The most common growth forms utilised were herbs (40.54%) followed by shrubs (27.03%). The major methods of herbal drug preparation were concoction (31.03%) and decoction (24.14%) administered mainly through oral and dermal routes, (64.29%) and (32.14%) respectively. The use of herbal drugs as mixtures was reported to be a common practice by the herbal practitioners; 57.14% of the preparations were dispensed as mixtures while 42.86% of the preparations composed single plants. A rich knowledge of medicinal plants was recognized and phytochemical and bioactivity analyses of these herbal plants are recommended to determine their safety and efficacy.

Author Biographies

Judith Agot Odhiambo, University of Nairobi

School of Biological Sciences Junior lecturer/reseacher

Catherine W Lukhoba, University of Nairobi

School of Biological Sciences LECTURER

Saffudin F Dossaji, University of Nairobi

School of Biological Sciences Senior lecturer

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Published

2011-04-21

How to Cite

Odhiambo, J. A., Lukhoba, C. W., & Dossaji, S. F. (2011). EVALUATION OF HERBS AS POTENTIAL DRUGS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 8(5S), 144–151. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/1311

Issue

Section

Research Papers