Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Abstract

Background: Ethnobotanical pharmacopoeia is confidently used in disease intervention and there is need for documentation and preservation of traditional medical knowledge to bolster the discovery of novel drugs. The objective of the present study was to document the indigenous medicinal plant utilization, management and their extinction threats in Samburu District, Kenya. Methods: Field research was conducted in six divi sions of Samburu District in Kenya. We randomly sampled 100 consented interviewees stra tified by age, gender, occupation and level of education. We collected plant use data throug h semi-structured questionnaires; transect walks, oral interviews and focus groups discussions. Vo ucher specimens of all cited botanic species were collected and deposited at University of Nairobi's botany herbarium. Results: Data on plant use from the informants yiel ded 990 citations on 56 medicinal plant species, which are used to treat 54 different animal and human diseases includin g; malaria, digestive disorders, respiratory syndromes and ectoparasites. Conclusion: The ethnomedicinal use of plant species was documented in the study area for treatment of both human and ve terinary diseases. The local po pulation has high ethnobotanical knowledge and has adopted sound management co nservation practices. The major threatening factors reported were anthropo genic and natural. Ethnomedical documentation and sustainable plant utilization can support drug disc overy efforts in developing countries