Table 1 Medicinal plant species, their habit, habitat, parts used, ailments treated, mode of preparation and administration
Family | Scientific name, Voucher No. | Local name (Runyankole/ Rukiga) | Habit | Habitat | Parts used | Ailment treated | Method of preparation & administration | Literature supporting traditional use of the plant species in other regions. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acanthaceae | Monechma subsessile C. B. Clarke PT 040 | Erazi | H | Along foot paths | L | -Stomachache -Epilepsy | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Aloeaceae | Aloe vera (L) Burm. f. PT046 | Rukaka | S | Grasslands | L | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Anarcadiaceae | Mangifera indica L.PT032 | Omuyembe | T | Farmland | L B | -Cough | -Infusion drunk -Juice from macerated leaves drunk -Decoction drunk | -Oral wounds, tonsillitis and fever [17] |
Apiaceae | Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. PT011 | Â | H | Swamps Farmland | Wp | -Dysentery -Constipation -Jaundice -Fever | -Infusion drunk -Juice from macerated leaves drunk | -Boils in Madagascar [18] |
Asparagaceae | Draceana fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl. PT008 | Omugorora | S | Bush Farmland | S, L, R | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Leaves used for ear infections in Kibale [19] |
Asteraceae | Aspilia africana (Pers) adama PT 006 | Ekiterankuba | H | Bush Farmland | L | -Diarrhoea - Stomachache -Epilepsy | -Decoction drunk -Juice from macerated leaves drunk | -Child delay, wounds in Erute county [20] |
Bidens pilosa L. PT031 | Enyabarashana | H | Bush Farmland | L R | -Fresh -wounds -Malaria -Worms -Constipation -Poisoning | -Leaves macerated and applied topically -Raw roots chewed -Decoction drunk | Also used for wounds in western Uganda [21] Stomachaches and jaundice in Peru [22] | |
Erlangea cordifolia S. Moore PT001 | Akatoma | S | Bush Abandoned lands | L | -Stomachache -Worms | -Decoction drunk | Stomach upsets in newly borns [19] | |
Erlangea tomentosa S. Moore PT004 | Ekyoganyanja | H | Bush Abandoned lands | L | -Stomachache -Jaundice | -Decoction drunk | Used for colic pains and stomachache in western Uganda [21]; Cough [19] | |
Vernonia amygdalina Delile PT010 | Omubirizi | S | Farmland Bush | L, R | -Worms -Malaria -Fever -Indigestion | -Decoction drunk | Burns, colic, malaria, syphilis, ulcers, wounds, skin rash [21]; Malaria, yellow fever [17] | |
Vernonia auriculifera Hiern. PT019 | Ekinyekanyeme | S | Bush | L | -Fever -Malaria -Stomachache | -Infusion drunk -Decoction drunk | Placenta removal [19] | |
Vernonia lasiopas o. Hoffm PT025 | Omujuma | S | Bush | L | -Worms | -Decoction drunk -Juice from macerated leaves drunk | Used against constipation, deworming, malaria, skin allergy, stomachache in Western Uganda [21] Malaria, stomachache [23] | |
Senecio ruwenzoriensis S. Moore PT036 | Omuzilafu | H | Grasslands Farmland | L | -Stomachache -Fever | -Decoction drunk -Decoction bathed | Not found | |
Bignoniaceae | Markhamia lutea K. Schum PT 018 | Omusambya | T | Bush Farmland | R | -Diarrhoea | -Infusion drunk | Diarrhoea, gonorrhoea [19] |
Spathodea companulata P. Beauv.PT005 | Munyara | T | Bush | L, B | -Allergy -Dysentery -Diarrhoea -Asthma | -Decoction drunk | Infertility, skin infections, Hernia [23] | |
Caricaceae | Carica papaya L. PT002 | Omupapari | T | Farmland | L FR R | -Worms -Cough -Wounds | -Decoction drunk -Latex leaked -Macerated leaves | -Roots used against cough and diarrhoea in Ngai [24] |
Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium ambrosioides L. PT012 | Musasizi | H | Bush | L | -Headache -Stomachache | -Macerated leaves rubbed in the head -Decoction drunk | For endoparasites; also as laxative in Peru [22]; Skin swellings in India [25] |
Chenopodium opulifolium Koch & Ziz PT020 | Omwetango | H | Bush | L | -Malaria -Fever -Misfortune | -Infusion drunk -Decoction bathed -Macerated leaves mixed with water and child is bathed | Oral wounds, skin rash, toothache, sore throat [23] | |
Curcubitaceae | Mormodica feotida K. Schum PT 021 | Akabombo | C | Farmland Hedges | L | -Malaria -Fever -Worms -Cough -Stomachache | -Decoction or infusion drunk | Yellow fever, cough and malaria in Iganga [17] |
Euphorbiaceae | Eurphobia hirta L. PT014 | Enkukuru | H | Farmland Compound | L WP | -Worms -Asthma -Wounds -Eye infections | -Decoction drunk -Leaves burnt and ash applied to wounds and boils | Sterility, diarrhoea, false teeth in Bulamogi [26] |
Euphorbia turicalli L. PT030 | Oruyenje | S | Farmland Hedges | R Br | Stomachache -Sore throat -Snake bites | -Decoction drunk -Young branches roasted and chewed | Sap used to treat warts [23] | |
Fabaceae | Albizia adianthifoli (Schumach.) W. Wight PT043 | Omushebeya | T | Farmland | L | -Fever | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Cassia occidentalis Linn. PT 016 | Omwitanjoka | S | Farmland Bush | L R | -Worms -Stomachache -Headache | -Infusion or decoction drunk | Paediatric cough [19] | |
Mimosa pudica L. PT035 | Kabarashaha | H | Farmland Home compounds | L, R | -Sores -Abcesses | -Macerated leaves/roots applied on affected part | Pre-mature ejaculation, measles [26] | |
Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr PT 013 | Omunyeganyeje | S | Farmland | L | -Stomachache -Abscesses | -Decoction drunk -Macerated leaves mixed with water and child bathed | High blood pressure, Diabetes [23] | |
Lamiaceae | Iboza riparia N.E. Br. PT 017 | Omuravunga | H | Farmland | L | -Cough -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. PT 028 | Ekicumucumu | H | Bush Along foot paths | L WP | -Stomachache -Dysentery -Convulsions -Malaria -Fever | -Decoction drunk -Decoction bathed | Colic, convulsions, deworming, dysentery, miscarriage, uterine pains in Western Uganda [21] | |
Ocimum kilimand Schium PT 042 | Obushonga | S | Farmland | L | -Headache -Stomachache | -Macerated leaves rubbed on the head -Decoction drunk | Not found | |
Ocimum gratissum L. PT049 | Omujaja | S | Bush | L | -Stomachache | -Decoction or infusion drunk | Not found | |
Ocimum suave Willd. PT045 | Esitimwa | S | Bush Farmland | L | -Stomachache | -Juice from macerated leaves drunk | Allergy, colic constipation, deworming, flue, stomachache, uterine pain, headache, splenomegaly [27] | |
Plectranthus barbatus Andr.PT027 | Rubatura | H | Farmland Along foot paths | L | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Not found | |
Plecteanthus forskahlii Willd PT023 | Ekizera | H | Farmland | L | -Stomachache -Worms -Fever -Malaria | -Infusion or decoction drunk | Not found | |
Malvaceae | Sida rhombiforia L PT047 | Orweza | H | Grasslands Farmland | L | -Misfortune | -Macerated leaves mixed with water and the child bathed | Not found |
Melastomataceae | Dissotis phaeotricha (Hochst.) Hook. f. PT024 | Mukurateitabye | H | Bush | L | -Malaria -Fever -Worms | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Meliaceae | Azadirachta indica A.Juss. PT007 | Nimu | T | Farmland | L Fr S | -Worms -Malaria -Fever -Skin rash -Jaundice | -Decoction and infusion drunk -Oil from seeds drunk | Decoction used for skin rash in Ogun State Nigeria [28]; cough, fever [26] |
Moraceae | Ficus natalensis Hochst. PT050 | Ekitooma | T | Bush Farmland | B | -Influenza | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Myrtaceae | Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels PT009 | Bottle brush (English) | T | Home compounds | L Br | -Cough -Common cold | -Decoction drunk -Mixed with leaves of Eucalyptus grandis and Mangifera indica boiled and inhaled | Cough [19] |
Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill PT003 | Kalitusi | T | Farmland | L B | -Cough | -Leaves chewed -Infusion drunk -Decoction drunk | Not found | |
Psidium guajava L. PT015 | Omupera | T | Farmland | L B | -Cough | -Decoction drunk -Dried, pounded, powder added to cow ghee and leaked | Malaria, anaemia, fever, diarrhoea [17] | |
Passifloraceae | Passiflora edulis Sims PT027 | Obutunda | C | Farmland | R T | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | |
Poaceae | Cymbopogon citratus Stapf PT039 | Omutete | G | Grassland Farmland | L S | -Diarrhoea -Malaria -Fever -Ring worms | -Decoction or Infusion drunk -Seeds crushed mixed with water and drunk | Yellow fever [19] |
Penissetum perpureum Schum. PT037 | Ekibingo | G | Grasslands Farmland | L R | -Blindness -Skin diseases | -Infusion used to wash the face -Infusion drunk | Heart disease [19] | |
Rubiaceae | Pentas carnea Benth. PT033 | Ruhaya | S | Bush | L | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Not found |
Spermacoce princea K. Schum PT041 | Emarabyona | H | Along foot paths | Wp | -Stomachache -Worms | -Decoction drunk | Not found | |
Rutaceae | Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck PT022 | Omuchungwa | T | Farmland | L | -Cough -Sore throat | -Leaves chewed -Mixed with other herbs, boiled and decoction drunk | Diarrhoea [17] |
Solanaceae | Datura innoxia Mill PT026 | Nyarweziringa | S | Swamps Farmland | L S Fr S | -Cough -Asthma -Skin diseases | -Infusion is drunk -Macerated leaves are applied on skin | Not found |
Nicotiana tobacuum L. PT029 | Etaabe | H | Farmland | L | -Stomachache -Common cold -Influenza | -Leaves -Leaves are macerated and juice given to the child | Snake bites, Migraine [26] | |
Physalis peruviana L. PT044 | Ekituutu | C | Bush Along hedges | L | -Stomachache | -Decoction drunk | Hypertension, malaria, menstrual pains, nausea, splenomegaly,stomachache [21] Vomiting [26] | |
Solanum incanum L. PT034 | Entengotengo | S | Grasslands Farmland | Fr L R | -Wounds -Toothache -Prolapsed rectum | -Fruits are baked and used to massage the rectum -Juice from macerated leaves applied | Yellow fever [17] | |
Verbanaceae | Lantana trifolia L. PT038 | Omuhukye | S | Bush Farmland | L | -Fresh wounds | -Infusion applied topically | Cough, amoebiasis [26];Sore throat, general malaise & gonorrhoea [29] |