Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3835

Full Length Research Paper

Medicinal plants used in gynecological procedures in Uganda

Mercy Gladys Tenywa
  • Mercy Gladys Tenywa
  • Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar
Amon Agaba
  • Amon Agaba
  • Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar
Patrick Engeu Ogwang
  • Patrick Engeu Ogwang
  • Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar
Casim Umba Tolo
  • Casim Umba Tolo
  • Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar
Clement Olusoji Ajayi
  • Clement Olusoji Ajayi
  • Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Center, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar
Esther Katuura
  • Esther Katuura
  • Department of Plant Science, Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 24 September 2019
  •  Accepted: 02 January 2020
  •  Published: 30 April 2020

Abstract

Distress and pains among other gynecological challenges mothers go through during childbirth result in mortality. This has compelled people particularly in developing countries to use traditional medicine to induce birth due to lack of more effective alternatives. In Uganda, from time immemorial most child birth and pregnancy related problems have been solved using medicinal plants as a primary alternative to conventional drugs. Although research has been done to document and validate effectiveness of these plants, it is not compil  ed for communication to the wider community. This study, therefore, reviewed the medicinal plants used in Uganda for easing childbirth. The study collated and documented medicinal plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants and Traditional Health Practitioners to induce labor and ease child birth in local communities in Uganda and show the gaps that need to be investigated.  The available literature on medicinal plants used in Uganda for childbirth were selected from reputable journals using citation databases including Google Scholar, Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, and Scientific Information Database among others. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae, respectively were the most cited for gynecological uses by various local communities in Uganda. The commonly reported species were Laggera alata Sch. Bip., Tagetes minuta L, Clitoria ternatea Linn and Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth among others. Authors were also determined to ascertain scientific evidence against analgesic, anti-inflammatory, oxytocic and phytochemical properties of the selected plant species.

Key words: Childbirth, medicinal plant, gynecology, Uganda.