Reports

Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Malaria in Kamuli District, Uganda

John R.S. Tabuti, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Malaria is the single most important cause of ill health, death and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its management is complicated because the disease has developed resistance to the most commonly used treatments. A survey comprising of Semi-Structured Interviews and a questionnaire was undertaken in the rural villages of Buseete and Busambira found in Kamuli district, Uganda, to document herbal medicines used in the treatment of malaria and to document existing knowledge, attitudes and practices related to malaria recognition, control and treatment.

The people were knowledgeable about malaria. Malaria attacked individuals an average of six times a year. Conditions favoring the breeding of mosquitoes, such as dense bush, were evident in all homesteads. Preferred malaria treatment was biased towards the Allopathic Medicine (AM) system. This preference for AM was attributed to ignorance of how to exploit herbal medicines for the treatment of malaria and also to the belief that allopathic medicines were superior to herbal medicines.

Some respondents stated a preference to herbal medicines, though. This preference was motivated by the free and ready accessibility to plants. Knowledge of using herbal medicines was average and was mainly restricted to women.

Twenty seven species were reportedly used in antimalarial herbal preparations. The most frequently mentioned species were Vernonia amygdalina, Momordica foetida, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Lantana camara and Mangifera indica. Concoctions were prepared as cold extracts and were administered in variable doses. It is proposed that the most frequently mentioned species be considered for further research to evaluate their efficacy and safety.

Project Report