The use of Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) in traditional medicine practice in East Africa

Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) has been used by traditional health practitioners in East Africa for management of diseases, however, the extent of its usefulness has not been established to date. Fieldwork for this study was carried out in the Lake Victoria Basin between March and September 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethnopharmacology 2008-01, Vol.115 (2), p.257-262
Main Authors: Orwa, J.A., Jondiko, I.J.O., Minja, R.J.A., Bekunda, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
East Africa
Ethnobotany
Female
General pharmacology
herbal medicines
Humans
indigenous knowledge
indigenous peoples
Kenya
Male
Medical sciences
medicinal plants
medicinal properties
Medicine, African Traditional
Middle Aged
oral administration
Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Phytotherapy
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Plant Extracts - therapeutic use
Rutaceae
Rutaceae - chemistry
signs and symptoms (animals and humans)
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tanzania
Toddalia asiatica
Traditional health practitioners
Traditional medicine
Uganda
wild plants
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Summary:Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) has been used by traditional health practitioners in East Africa for management of diseases, however, the extent of its usefulness has not been established to date. Fieldwork for this study was carried out in the Lake Victoria Basin between March and September 2006. The purpose was to collect ethnomedical information that will serve as a basis for further studies to establish current and potential medicinal uses. The ethnomedical information was obtained through interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Consultative meetings were also conducted with traditional health practitioners and other members of the communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Results of this study show that Toddalia asiatica is collected in the wild, prepared mostly as decoctions or concoctions and administered orally. It is used for the management of a number of disease conditions. The most frequently cited diseases were stomach problems (78%) followed by malaria (25%). Cough (22%), chest pain (13%), food poisoning (8%), sore throat (7%), were also mentioned among other disease conditions treated. Validation studies of therapeutic claims will be carried out at a later date.
ISSN:0378-8741
1872-7573
DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.024