An ethnobotanical survey of plant species used for medicinal purposes in Amuru district, northern Uganda

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants provide health care to rural communities that have limited access to modern medicine in Uganda. Thus, documenting medicinal plants is important for their sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in August 2021 to assess the knowledge and use of medicinal plants in Lamogi Sub-County, Amuru district. We randomly sampled and interviewed 334 household heads using semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, familiarity index (FI), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF). Results: Most of the respondents (90%) had knowledge of medicinal plants used for treating ailments in their community (high ICF values above 0.9). Plant with the highest FI value was Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. indicating its wide use in the community. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between the knowledge of medicinal plants and education level, occupation, age, marital status and monthly income of respondents (p < 0.05). Forty-nine medicinal plants from 30 families were documented, with Fabaceae and Asteraceae having the most species. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts (65.4%), followed by roots (13.6%). Herbal remedies were mostly prepared by crushing and smearing on the body, infusion, decoction and administered orally. Conclusion: The people of Amuru district have rich indigenous knowledge of diverse medicinal plants used for treating ailments. Most medicinal plants are harvested from the wild, threatening their survival and this requires putting in place practical conservation measures. Keywords: Ethnobotanical, Ethnomedicine, Herbal remedies, Northern Uganda, Traditional use