title: Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant species used by communities around Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was obtained through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires. Field excursions with traditional healers and herbal medicine collectors were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Fidelity ratios and Informant consensus agreements were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 190 plant species in 61 families and 152 genera were reported in the treatment of various health conditions. Family Fabaceae was dominant representing 14 % of the plant species documented. Vernonia amygdalina was the preferred species for treating malaria. Leaves (68 %) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Decoctions (29 %) and oral route (53 %) of administration were commonly used method of herbal medicine preparation and administration respectively. Fifty-eight health conditions grouped in 25 categories were treated using medicinal plants. Informant consensus agreement was highest for blood system disorders (0.9) that included anaemia, hypertension and blood cleansing indicating homogeneity of informant's knowledge about remedies used. Vernonia amygdalina and Erythrina abyssinica had 100 % fidelity level for treatment of malaria and vomiting respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diversity of medicinal plant species used and the associated indigenous knowledge are of great value to the local community and their conservation and preservation is paramount. The therapeutic uses of the documented plants provides basic data for further research focused on pharmacological studies and conservation of the most important species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. patiebeys@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Patience
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tugume
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. esezahk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Esezah K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kakudidi
authors.affiliation: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. buyinza@forest.mak.ac.ug.
authors.forename: Mukadasi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buyinza
authors.affiliation: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. namaalwajustine@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Namaalwa
authors.affiliation: Bishop Stuart University, P.O Box 9, Mbarara, Uganda. vc@bsu.ac.ug.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamatenesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. pmucunguzi@botany.mak.ac.ug.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mucunguzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. jkalema@botany.mak.ac.ug.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalema
mesh_terms: D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods*; D020834:Ethnopharmacology / Q000379:methods*; D065928:Forests; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification; D014454:Uganda
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations