title: An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the people in Nhema communal area, Zimbabwe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study documented the pharmaceutical importance of plant resources in Nhema communal area, particularly the significance of medicinal plants in primary healthcare. This is reflected in the great diversity of plants used for medical purposes as well as in their wide range of medicinal applications. Such rich ethnobotanical knowledge and repository of medicinal plants reinforces the need for an evaluation of their biological activity as a basis for developing future medicines.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to document information on medicinal plants used for primary health care and to maximize the collection of indigenous knowledge in Nhema communal area, nine traditional healers were identified using the Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) approach. Data was collected through open-ended interviews with traditional healers, between January and May 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 61 plant species representing 45 genera and 28 families were found to be commonly used in the treatment of 34 different human health problems. More than a third of the plant species were used for diarrhoea, which is a prevalent disease in the study area. The root was the most commonly used plant part while decoction was the most common method of traditional drug preparation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nhema communal area in the Midlands province, Zimbabwe is endowed with a strong culture of herbal medicine usage for primary healthcare. This is reflected in the number of medicinal plants used and the human ailments they treat. This preservation of indigenous knowledge is due to continued reliance on wild plant resources for primary healthcare by the local community. Deforestation and unsustainable rates of plant use are a serious threat on continued utilization of plant resources for primary healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Department, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa. alfred.maroyi@ul.ac.za
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maroyi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts