Ethnopharmacological considerations of plants traditionally used by local communities to manage maternal conditions in Tanzania: a scoping review

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance Despite notable progress in maternal health and a reduction in maternal mortality rates, Tanzania still falls short of global targets. Local women increasingly use herbal medicine to manage maternal conditions, highlighting the need of documenting and evaluate these traditional practices. Aim of the study In this study, we aimed to identify the medicinal plants commonly used by women to manage maternal conditions and to critically evaluate the available scientific evidence regarding their efficacy and safety. Methods A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the framework of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Maternity and Infant Care (MIC), and CINAHL, covering the period from inception to July 2025. Eligible studies were screened for relevance and taxonomic accuracy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution and percentages) in Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 330 plant species from 82 families were identified across 14 regions. Morogoro, Pwani, and Kagera exhibited the highest species diversity. The most represented families were as follows: Fabaceae (57 species), Rubiaceae (22 species), and Asteraceae (18 species). Frequently cited plants included Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (five citations), Annona senegalensis Pers., (four citations), and Ricinus communis L. (four citations). Twelve maternal conditions were reported to be managed using at least one of these plant species. However, only 23 species (7%) had scientific evidence supporting their traditional use, and only 74 species (22%) had safety data confirming non-toxicity. Conclusion Tanzanian women utilize a wide range of medicinal plants to manage maternal conditions; however, only a small proportion of these plants have been scientifically validated or have safety data. Further pharmacological and toxicological studies are needed to verify their efficacy and ensure maternal safety. Healthcare providers should remain aware of potential concurrent herbal use during clinical encounters to ensure optimal patient care.