title: Plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county, western Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed an ethnobotanical study of plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county in south western Uganda because malaria in this region, and in Uganda at large, is still the single most important reason for ill health and mortality. Two of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria are young children and pregnant women and plants are commonly used in their treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight traditional birth attendants were interviewed about how they used plants to treat malaria. Review of the literature available on all species identified was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether 56 plant species were used by the informants, 48 of which have been identified to species level. Thirty-two (67%) of the species used by the respondents are documented for antimalarial use in other studies, and nearly half (44%) have documented anti-plasmodial activity. Fifty-five percent of the species were used by 2 or more of the respondents. The most commonly used species were Vernonia amygdalina, the indigenous Aloe species, Justicia betonica, Vernonia adoensis and Tithonia diversifolia. It was common to use more than one plant in a recipe (43%). The respondents had good knowledge of the symptom of malaria, and fairly good understanding of the causes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interviews show that the group of traditional birth attendants has an extensive and diverse knowledge on plants used in the treatment of malaria. The literature survey may indicate a possible explanation for the use of several plants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway. torunn.stangeland@umb.no
authors.forename: Torunn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stangeland
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Alele
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katuura
authors.forename: Kåre A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lye
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008880:Midwifery; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011247:Pregnancy; D014454:Uganda
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D028321:Plant Preparations