Ethnomedicinal Uses of Exotic Plant Species in South-Central Zimbabwe

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 17 (1), January 2018, pp. 71-77

Ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plant species in South-central Zimbabwe

Alfred Maroyi Medicinal plants and Economic Development Research (MPED) Center, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] Received 3 April 2017, revised 21 August 2017

Herbal medicines are important for primary healthcare needs of both rural and urban communities in Zimbabwe, and among these therapies are those made from exotic plants. The aim of this study was to document ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plants in Shurugwi district, South-central Zimbabwe. Semi-structured interviews, personal observations and guided field walks were conducted between December 2014 and January 2015 with 128 participants comprising of community members (93.0 %, n = 119) and traditional healers (7.1 %, n = 9) from seven villages to obtain ethnobotanical data on medicinal uses of these plants. Data collected included local and scientific names of plants used, parts used, methods of herbal preparation and administration. A total of 26 exotic plants belonging to 15 families and 23 genera, mostly from Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae (15.4 % each), Asteraceae (11.5 %), Apocynaceae and Myrtaceae (7.7 % each) were used to traditionally manage 21 human and four animal diseases. Majority of the plant species used (69.2 %) had one or two therapeutic uses while Bidens pilosa, Citrus lemon, Datura stramonium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Nicotiana tabacum, Psidium guajava and Schkuhria pinnata had at least three therapeutic uses each. This study revealed that exotic plants play an important role in provision of primary healthcare to local communities in South-central Zimbabwe.

Keywords: Exotic plant species, Herbal medicine, Primary health, South-central Zimbabwe

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00

Exotic or non-native plants with medicinal properties a local community, residents usually experiment with are receiving more attention worldwide1-9. Exotic the traditional pharmacopoeias resulting in the addition plant species are employed as medicines throughout of exotic plants as sources of herbal medicines. In the world and are now recognized as an important Zimbabwe, the indigenous knowledge on medicinal component of indigenous pharmacopoeia in several uses of native plant species is well documented10-14, but countries1-9. Bennett & Prance1 showed that exotic very little is known about the medicinal uses of exotic plants cultivated as ornamentals or food plants in species. Therefore, the current study was aimed at South America were incorporated into traditional documenting indigenous knowledge associated with pharmacopoeias as herbal medicines mainly due to ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plants in Shurugwi their use-versatility applications. Such findings were district, South-central Zimbabwe. supported by Palmer4 who demonstrated that the number of native plants used as herbal medicines in Materials and methods

Hawaii was decreasing with time while exotic plants Study area, environment and geocultural situation used as herbal medicines were increasing with time. This study was conducted in Shurugwi district Similar results were also obtained by Alencar et al.5 (Fig. 1A&B), a semi-intensive agricultural region in who addressed the intercultural exchange of traditional the Midlands province, South-central Zimbabwe. The herbal medicines due to incorporation of new study area lies between 19°57´S to 20°30´S latitude knowledge, traditions and customs. Alencar et al.5 and 30°00´E to 30°58´E longitude. The average argued that local communities incorporate exotic annual rainfall ranges from 650-800 mm and mean medicinal plants into their medical repertoire in order temperatures range from 9 ºC to 31 ºC12. Soils are to diversify the local traditional medicine stock. In sandy loam largely derived from granitic-gneissic another study, Alencar et al.6 argued that the rocks characterised by low agricultural potential due composition of medicinal plants in any local to low fertility, water-holding capacity, low pH, and community is influenced by cultural and environmental deficiencies in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur12. factors. These authors argued that during the history of The dominant vegetation type is miombo woodland 72 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 17, NO. 1, JANUARY 2018

Fig. 1  Geographical location of the study area in relation to other major towns in Zimbabwe (A) and detailed map showing villages in which the study was undertaken (B) characterized by Brachystegia spiciformis Benth. used for finding, selecting and inviting participants Julbernardia globiflora (Benth.) Troupin, Hyparrhenia who were knowledgeable about medicinal plants. A spp., Eragrostis spp., Heteropogon spp. and Digitaria total of 128 participants took part in this study, with spp. grasses15. Research by Maroyi12,15 revealed that 17 community members (lay people) and at least one residents of the study area are dependent on the traditional healer per village. Structured and semi- natural environment for plant resources such as structured interviews were carried out in Shona, a construction timber, firewood and fencing materials, language spoken by all participants. Through as well as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as interviews with participants, information was insects, mushrooms, wild fruits, leafy vegetables and collected on the local and scientific names of exotic medicines. Their agricultural practices are essentially plants used for the treatment of human and livestock subsistence in nature, with land and livestock being ailments, vernacular names of diseases treated, plant the primary household assets. The main cultivated part(s) used, as well as methods of herbal preparation crop in the study area is maize (Zea mays L.), with and administration. During field excursions and field other grains such as sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) walks with participants, voucher specimens were Moench] and millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] collected for later identification by plant taxonomists. planted by most households as insurance against poor All voucher specimens have been deposited in the rains, which in some years are inadequate to produce National Herbarium, Harare (SRGH). a good maize crop12,15. Data analysis Data collection Triangulation involving more than one source of A collection of photographs of 115 exotic plants research data was the principal method used in this that are known to be used as food, medicines and study16. Ethnomedicinal data from previous surveys other uses in Zimbabwe were used to guide undertaken by the author7,12,13,15,17 were used in discussions on exotic plants used as herbal medicines planning the current study which focused on exotic in Shurugwi district. Literature review was also plant species used as herbal medicines in Shurugwi undertaken aimed at documenting pharmacological district. Over the years, the author created a database properties of exotic plants used as herbal medicines in of 115 exotic plant species that are widely used as the study area. food, medicinal, construction material and ornamental purposes in Zimbabwe18. The current study Results and discussion undertaken in Chikato, Donga, Gamwa, Gundura, Medicinal plant diversity Hanke, Tongogara and Zvamatenga villages in This study recorded a total of 26 exotic plant Shurugwi district (Fig. 1B) was conducted between species used to traditionally manage various human December 2014 and January 2015. A snowball and livestock diseases in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe research technique as described by Heckathorn19 was (Table 1). Of these, 22 species (84.6 %) have escaped

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Table 1  Therapeutic applications of exotic species used in traditional medicine in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe. Veterinary ailments are marked with an asterisk (*). Species that have escaped from cultivation and regarded as weeds are marked with a hatch (#).

Family, species name Vernacular name Habit Parts Ailment(s) treated in English and Shona, Reported biological or and voucher number (Shona) used herbal preparation and administration pharmacological activities Agavaceae Agave sisalana Perrine #; Mukonje Shrub Leaves General body pain (marwadzoemuviri), Saponins & sterols29 MA 1314 extract taken by mouth. Anacardiaceae Mangifera indica L. #; Mumango Tree Bark Diarrhoea (manyoka), extract taken by Antibacterial activity30 MA 1321 mouth. Apocynaceae Catharanthus roseus (L.) Chirindamatongo Herb Roots Diarrhoea (manyoka), extract taken by Catharanthine, leurosine and G. Don #; MA 1322 mouth. vindoline responsible for hypoglycaemic effect23 Nerium oleander L.; Oleander Shrub Leaves Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Anti-inflammatory and MA 1348 (siki), infusion taken by mouth. antibacterial activities31 Asteraceae Bidens pilosa L. #; Tsine Herb Roots Hypertension (BP), oral thrush Antibacterial and MA 1349 (marondaemumuromo) and stomach pains antimicrobial activities26 (mudumbu), infusion taken by mouth. Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Ruhwahwa Herb Whole STI (siki), stomach pains (mudumbu), to Anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic Kuntze ex Thell. #; plant cause abortion (kubvisanhumbu), infusion and antiseptic activities23 MA 1360 taken by mouth. Tagetes minuta L. #; Mbanje Herb Leaves Wounds (maronda), wounds washed with Antimicrobial activity32 MA 1317 infusion. Cucurbitaceae Cucumis anguria L. var. Muchacha Herb Fruits Snake repellent (kudzinganyoka), fruit Larvicidal activity and Anguria #; MA 1362 pieces left around homestead. triterpenoids33 Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta L.#; MA Mukondehono Herb Latex Sore eyes (mazisoanorwadza), milk latex Antibacterial, antimalarial and 1350 dropped into eyes. antioxidant activities34 Euphorbia tirucalli L. #; Heji Shrub Roots STI (siki), infusion taken by mouth. Antibacterial, molluscicide, MA 1351 antiherpetic and anti- mutagenic activities35 Jatropha curcas L. #; MA Munjirimono Shrub Oil, rootsAbdominal pains (marwadzoemuviri), oil Anti-inflammatory, 1315 rubbed on painful part, snake bites antiparasitic and antidiarrheal (kurumwanenyoka), dried root powder activities36 applied to bitten part. Ricinus communis L. #; Mupfuta Shrub Oil, rootsSore eyes (mazisoanorwadza), oil applied Antimicrobial activity37 MA 1337 on sore eyes, toothache (mazinoanorwadza), teeth washed with root decoction. Lamiaceae Mentha spicata L.; MA Mentha Herb Leaves Cough (kukosora) and flu (dzihwa), leaves Fatty acid methyl esters, 1364 added to tea or hot infusion taken by mouth terpenoids, glycosides and antioxidant activity38 Malvaceae Sida cordifolia L. Ssp Nama Herb Roots Heavy menstruation (jeko), infusion taken Analgesic, antiinflammatory maculata (Cav.) Marais #; by mouth. and hypoglycaemic MA 1341 activities39 Meliaceae Melia azedarach L. #; MA Musiringa Tree Leaves General body pains (marwadzoemuviri) and Antioxidant, antimicrobial 1329 STI (siki), infusion taken by mouth. and anti-inflammatory activities40

(Contd.)

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Family, species name Vernacular name Habit Parts Ailment(s) treated in English and Shona, Reported biological or and voucher number (Shona) used herbal preparation and administration pharmacological activities Moringaceae Moringa oleifera Lam. #; Moringa Shrub Leaves, Diarrhoea (manyoka), leaf extract taken by Alkaloids & flavonoids; anti- 1367 roots mouth, toothache (mazinoanorwadza), teeth inflammatory, antioxidant, washed with root decoction. antimicrobial, antifertility & anticancer activities41 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus camaldulensis Mupuranga Tree Leaves Cough (kukosora), flu (dzihwa) and fever Antimicrobial activity20 Dehnh. #; MA 1370 (fivha), extract drunk with Citrus lemon (L.) Burm. f. fruits and Psidium guajava L. leaves. Psidium guajava L. #; MA Mugwavha Tree Leaves Cough (kukosora), flu (dzihwa) and fever Anticough and antibacterial 1331 (fivha), extract drunk with Citrus lemon activities22 fruits and Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. Rosaceae Prunus persica (L.) Mupichisi Tree Leaves Diarrhoea (manyoka), leaf extract taken by Antimicrobial and antioxidant Stokes; MA 1371 mouth. activities 42 Rutaceae Citrus limon (L.) Osback Lemoni Tree Fruits Cough (kukosora), flu (dzihwa) and fever Analgesic, intestinal mucosa #; MA 1380 (fivha), extract drunk with Eucalyptus protector and antiseptic21 camaldulensis and Psidium guajava leaves. Solanaceae Capsicum annuum L.; MA Mhiripiri Shrub Fruits *Coccidiosis (manyokaehuku), macerate Hypoglycaemic activity43 1385 given to chicken. Datura stramonium L.#; Chowa Shrub Leaves Asthma (asima) and STI (siki), infusion Tropane alkaloids25 MA 1328 taken by mouth, cough (kukosora), smoke inhaled while covered with a blanket. Nicotiana tabacum L. #; Fodya Herb Leaves Wounds (maroda), snuff applied on Steroidal glycosides and MA 1391 wounds; *endoparasites (zvishambwe), cytotoxic activity24 ophthalmia (maziso) and respiratory problems (dambudzikorekufema) in livestock, snuff mixed with soot (black substance produced by incomplete burning of organic matter) and given to livestock in drinking water. Solanum incanum L. #; Nhundurwa Shrub Fruits Ringworm (chisasa), fruit sap applied on Saponins, antibacterial & MA 1394 ringworm, snake bite (kurumwanenyoka), cytotoxicity activities44 sap applied on bitten part. Solanum lycopersicum L. Mutomatisi Herb Leaves Earache (kurwadziwanenzeve), infusion Alkaloid, steroid, flavanoid #; MA 1387 dropped into the ear; *ophthalmia (maziso) and anti-inflammatory in chicken, chicken made to drink leaf activity45 macerate. Verbenaceae Lantana camara L. #; MA Mbarambati Shrub Roots Headache (musoro), steam inhaled while Ursolic and oleanoli cacids46 1327 covered with a blanket.

from cultivation occurring as casuals, naturalized or Citrus lemon, Datura stramonium, Eucalyptus invasive; only Capsicum annum, Mentha spicata, camaldulensis, Nicotiana tabacum, Psidium guajava and Nerium oleander and Prunus persica are still confined Schkuhria pinnata. All these seven species are important to home gardens as food plants or ornamentals18. The component of indigenous pharmacopoeias throughout the majority of exotic plant species used (69.2 %) had one world20-26. Root infusion of Bidens pilosa was used as or two therapeutic uses, and seven species (30.8 %) remedy for hypertension, oral thrush and stomach pain. A had at least three uses each (Table 1). Plant species mixture of Citrus lemon fruits, Eucalyptus camaldulensis with at least three therapeutic uses were Bidens pilosa, and Psidium guajava leaves was used as cough, flu and

MAROYI: ETHNOMEDICINAL USES OF EXOTIC PLANT SPECIES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ZIMBABWE 75

fever remedy. An infusion of Schkuhria pinnata was used each (Table 2). Similar studies carried in Kenya3 and as remedy for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and South Africa8 found the majority of alien plants used stomach pain and also as an abortifacient. Leaf infusion of as herbal medicines to be from Apocynaceae, Datura stramonium was used as herbal medicine for Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Solanaceae. asthma and STI, while smoke of the same species was Growth habit and parts used inhaled while the patient was covered with a blanket as a Herbs and shrubs (38.5 % each) were the primary cough remedy. Nicotiana tabacum snuff was applied on sources of herbal medicines used in Shurugwi District wounds, and snuff mixed with soot and water was given (Fig. 2A). In a similar study carried out in Kenya, to livestock as remedy for endoparasites, ophthalmia and Njoroge & Bussman3 found herbs (65 %) to be respiratory problems. dominant life forms followed by shrubs (32 %) and Dicotyledons were dominant with 25 plant species trees (3 %). While, Semenya et al.8 found the majority (96.2 %) and monocotyledon constituted 3.8 %. These of exotic herbal medicines used in South Africa to be medicinal plants were distributed among 15 families trees (45.7 %) followed by herbs (37.1 %) and shrubs and 23 genera. Overall, the majority (57.7 %) of (17.1 %). The leaves were the most frequently used plants used as traditional medicines in Shurugwi plant parts (46.2 %), followed by roots (26.9 %), district are from five botanical families (Table 2) with fruits (15.4 %), oil (7.7 %), bark, latex and whole Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae (four species each), plant (3.8 % each) (Fig. 2B). followed by Asteraceae (three species) and Ailments and diseases treated Apocynaceae and Myrtaceae (two species each). A total of 21 human and 4 animal ailments were Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae families have the treated with exotic plant species in Shurugwi district highest number of exotic species used as herbal (Table 1). Gastro-intestinal disorders, sexually medicines in Shurugwi district probably because they transmitted infections, cold, cough and fever were are large families characterized by several species, treated with the highest number of exotic plant thus are more likely to be exploited medicinally. The species (Table 1). Gastro-intestinal disorders, rest of the families were represented by one species particularly cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery are a major concern not only in Shurugwi district but the Table 2  Plant families of exotic species used as herbal 13 medicines in Shurugwi district, south-central Zimbabwe whole country and in Mozambique where dysentery and cholera usually result in high Family No. of medicinal % mortality rate if not treated promptly27. Therefore, plants their treatment with higher number of species in the Euphorbiaceae 4 15.4 Solanaceae 4 15.4 present study was expected. Sexually transmitted Asteraceae 3 11.5 infections are a major public health concern in Apocynaceae 2 7.7 developing countries with their transmission rate Myrtaceae 2 7.7 regarded as one of the highest in the world28. Agavaceae, Anacardiaceae, 11 42.3 Sexually transmitted infections are one of the most Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Moringaceae, common reasons for people to use herbal medicines 10-13 Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Verbenaceae and visit traditional healers in Zimbabwe .

Fig. 2  Characteristics of exotic plants used as herbal medicines in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe. (A) Growth form habit represented in pie diagram and (B) plant parts used represented in bar chart.

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Literature based proof of biological and Centre (GMRDC), University of Fort Hare for pharmacological activities of documented species financial support to conduct this research. All the exotic plants used as traditional medicines in Shurugwi district, have proven biological and References pharmacological activities (Table 1). The presence of 1 Bennett BC & Prance GT, Introduced plants in the these active ingredients in herbal medicines is directly indigenous pharmacopoeia of South America, Econ Bot, 54 linked to their ability to prevent or treat ailments. The (2000) 90-102. 2 Stepp JR & Moerman DL, The importance of weeds in biological and pharmacological activities of the ethnopharmacology, J Ethnopharmacol, 75 (2001) 19-23. documented plants corroborate their usage as herbal 3 Njoroge NG, Bussmann WR, Gemmill B, Newton LE & medicines. 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