Medicinal plants used by herbalists in the treatment of snakebites envenomation in the Acholi, Teso and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda

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Abstract Background There is high mortality and morbidity due to poisonous snakebites globally, with Sub Saharan African having one of the highest rates. However, Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMP) have been treating snakebites in Uganda for long. However, few studies have been conducted to document such vital traditional indigenous knowledge before its lost. The aim of this study was to document the medicinal plant species used by experienced TMP in treating snake envenomation in selected post-conflict parts of northern Uganda. Methods An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in Serere, Kaberamaido and Kaabong districts in Uganda. Twenty-five TMP with expertise in treating snakebites were purposively identified using the snowball technique, and interviewed using semi structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Results Sixty plant species from 28 families were documented with high consensus among the isolated Ik community in Kaabong district. Most of the plant species used belonged to the Asteraceae and Fabaceae families with eight species each. Additionally, the genus Echinops was the most well represented with three species. The most commonly used plant species by frequency of citation were: Steganotaenia araliaceae (16), Microglossa pyrifolia (Lam.) and Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel (13), Aframomum mildbraedii Loes. (11), Jasminum schimperi Vatke, Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad) Schinz (10), Crinum macowanii Baker and Cyphostemma cyphopetalum (Fresen.) Desc. ex Wild & R.B.Drumm (10). S. araliaceae which was mentioned by all the TMP in the Ik community was used as first aid. Most of the plant species were harvested from the wild (68.75%) and were herbs (65.0%) and trees (23.3%). The most commonly used plant parts were roots (42.6%) and leaves (25.0%). Thirteen different methods of preparation and administration were used. Most of herbs were administered orally (61.2%), and topically (37.6%). The commonest methods of oral application were cold water infusions (32.5%) and decoctions (21.7%). Conclusions TMP widely use several medicinal plant species for treating snakebites envenomation in the selected post-conflict sub-regions of Acholi, Teso and Karamoja in Uganda

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