Traditional use of medicinal plants in south-central Zimbabwe: review and perspectives

Maroyi, Alfred

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-9-31

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Table 1 Medicinal plants used in south-central Zimbabwe

From: Traditional use of medicinal plants in south-central Zimbabwe: review and perspectives

Scientific name, family	Growth habit	Vernacular name	Part(s) used and use(s)	Similar uses in Zimbabwe (other countries^#) reported from literature	Reported biological/pharmacological activities
Anacardiaceae
Lannea discolor (Sond.) Engl.	Tree	Mugan’acha	Fibre: extract drunk to reduce the duration of menstrual flow [9]. Roots: root extract used as eye drops for sore eyes [8]	Menorrhagia [1] and infertility^#[1, 10]	None found
Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl.	Shrub	Mutsambatsi	Roots: extract drunk as bilharzia (schistomiasis) and diarrhoea [9] and gonorrhoea medicine [8]	Gonorrhoea [1] and bilharzias^#, diarrhoea^#[11]	Antimicrobial activity; flavonoids and tannins [12]
*Mangifera indica L.	Tree	Mumango	Bark: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea and dysentery [13]	Antibacterial [13, 14]; anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiviral and antiparasitic [14] properties
Ozoroa insignis Del.	Shrub	Mubhedha	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and STIs medicine [8]	Diarrhoea and venereal diseases [1]	Antibacterial, anthelmintic [15, 16], antimicrobial [16] and cytotoxic [17] activities
Rhus longipes Engl.	Tree	Mufokosiana	Roots: extract drunk as remedy for infertility in women and to dilate birth canal [8]	Infertility in women and to dilate birth canal [1]	None found
Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.	Tree	Mupfura	Roots: steam directed into sore eyes [8]	Sore eyes [1]	Flavonoids, tannins and triterpenoids; antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant [18] properties
Searsia dentata (Thunb.) F.A. Barkley	Shrub	Mubikasadza	Leaves: leaf sap taken as remedy for ulcers, diarrhoea and stomach problems [9]	None found	Biflavonoids [19]
Searsia pyroides (Burch.) Moffett	Shrub	Mufokosiana	Roots: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]	None found	Biflavonoids [20]
Searsia tenuinervis (Engl.) Moffet	Shrub	Mufokosiana	Leaves: extract drunk as menorrhagia medicine [8]	Menorrhagia [1]	Antibacterial activity [21]
Annonaceae
Annona stenophylla Engl. & Diels	Shrub	Muroro	Roots: paste applied on the boils; extract drunk as chest pains and STI remedy; mixed with roots of Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. and sprinkled around homestead as snake repellent [8]	Gonorrhoea, syphilis and snake repellent [1]	Antioxidant activity [22]
Apocynaceae
Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brenan	Shrub	Muruguru	Roots: extract drunk as cough and diarrhoea medicine [8]	None found	Analgesic, antiviral and diuretic activities; lignans and sesquiterpenes [23]
Carisa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl	Shrub	Muruguru	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and cough medicine [6]	Cough [1, 24], chest pains and pneumonia [1]; and tuberculosis^#[10]	Analgesic, antiviral and diuretic activities; lignans and sesquiterpenes [23]
*Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don	Herb	Chirindamatongo	Roots: extract drunk as remedy for stomach problems [9, 25]	Diarrhoea^#, dysentery^# and indigestion^#[26]	Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpenes; antidiarrheal [27] and antidiabetic [28] activities
Asparagaceae
Asparagus africanus Lam.	Climber	Rukato	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and pneumonia medicine and to dilate birth canal [8]	Aid in child birth^#[29]	Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [30]
Sansevieria aethiopica Thunb.	Herb	Zvikonje	Leaves: leaf sap squeezed into the painful ear [31]	Earache^#[32]	Antibacterial activity [33]
Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce	Herb	Masavamhanda	Leaves or rhizomes: leaf or rhizome sap given to child suffering from dehydration [31]. Leaves: Leaf macerate given to colicky infant; leaves used as dressing on sprained ankle [31]. Rhizome: rhizome added to non-alcoholic beverage taken by pregnant women to prepare the birth canal and prevent delivery complications; warm rhizome extract given to a person with aching tooth to keep in mouth for up to two minutes before spitting out the mixture [31]. Roots: extract drunk to dilate birth canal [9]	Root used as baby food^#[10]	Antibacterial, antioxidant [34] and anti-inflammatory [12] properties.
Asphodelaceae
Aloe greatheadii Schönland	Herb	Gavakava	Leaves: extract drunk as constipation and gonorrhoea medicine [8]	Constipation and gonorrhoea [1]	Alkaloids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity [35]
Asteraceae
Brachylaena discolor DC.	Herb	Mupasa	Leaves: leaves chewed and juice swallowed as remedy for ulcers [9]	Enema to stop bleeding of the stomach^#[36]	Antidiabetic activity [28]
Dicoma anomala Sond.	Herb	Chifumuro	Bulb: extract drunk as remedy for stomach upset [9]	Remedy for all disease (panacea) [1]	Sesquiterpene [37]
*Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze ex Thell.	Herb	Ruhwahwa	Whole plant: extract drunk as remedy for stomach pains [9]	Stomach problems^#[11]	Antibacterial [38] and anti-diarrhoeal activity [11]
*Sonchus oleraceus L.;	Herb	Rurimirwemombe	Leaves: extract drunk as remedy for stomach problems [9]	Anti-diarrhoeal^# and digestive purgative^#[39]	Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and saponins; antioxidant and antibacterial [39] properties
Burseraceae
Commiphora marlothii Engl.	Tree	Mupepe	Roots: extract drunk as STI medicine [9]	None found	Antibacterial activity [40]
Celastraceae
Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl.	Shrub	Chizhuzhu	Leaves: leaves chewed and sap swallowed as remedy for abdominal pains [9]	Painful menstruation^#[41]	Antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities [42]
Chrysobalanaceae
Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth.	Tree	Muchakata	Roots: extract drunk as constipation medicine and teeth washed with root decoction as remedy for toothache [8]	Constipation [1] and toothache^#[1, 10]	Antibacterial [13, 43] and antimicrobial [43] activities; alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenes [43]
Clusiaceae
Garcinia buchananii Baker	Tree	Mutunduru	Bark: extract drunk to reduce birth canal [9]. Fruits: ripe fruits are eaten as aphrodisiac [9]	Aphrodisiac and to reduce birth canal [1]	Anthraquinones and cytotoxicity activity [44, 45], phenolics, steroids and tannins [46]
Cucurbitaceae
Cucumis anguria L.	Herb	Muchacha	Fruits: pieces of fruit left around homestead as snake repellent [8]	Antifeedant [47]	Larvicidal activity and triterpenoids [47]
Cyperaceae
Coleochloa setifera (Ridl.) Gilly	Herb	Rufuri	Roots: root powder taken as a remedy for pneumonia [12]	None found	None found
Ebenaceae
Diospyros lycioides Desf.	Shrub	Musumadombo	Roots: extract drunk as remedy for infertility in women [8]	Infertility in women^#[1, 10]	Antibacterial activity [48]; lupeol and ursolic acid [49]
Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC.	Tree	Musuma	Roots: extract drunk as abdominal pains medicine [8]	Body and heart pains [1]	Antimicrobial activity; saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpene [50]
Euclea crispa (Thunb.) Sond. ex Gürke	Shrub	Muvhinji	Roots: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]	Cough [1]	Antibacterial activity [51]
Euclea divinorum Hiern	Shrub	Mushangura	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea [1]; and troubled and noisy stamach^#[10]	Antimicrobial activity [44]
Euphorbiaceae
Androstachys johnsonii Prain	Tree	Musimbiti	Roots: extract drunk as aphrodisiac [9]	None found	Antibacterial [52], antimicrobial and antifungal [53] activities
Bridelia cathartica G. Bertol.	Shrub	Mutsvoritsvoto	Roots: extract drunk as remedy for infertility in men [8]	Infertility in men [1]	Anthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins [54]; antibacterial [54] and antimalarial [55] activities
Bridelia mollis Hutch.	Shrub	Mutuzvidzembwa	Roots: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]	None found	None found
Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt	Shrub	Mushagahuwe	Roots: extract drunk as pneumonia medicine and drunk before sexual intercourse as a contraceptive; dried root powder applied to bitten part as snake antidote and root powder applied on wounds [8]	Contraceptive, pneumonia and snake antidote [1]	Alkaloids, securinine and triterpenes; antifungal, antimalarial, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities [56–59]
Macaranga capensis (Baill.) Benth. ex Sim	Tree	Musvosve	Roots: extract drunk as aphrodisiac[9]	Male impotence^#[60]	Antibacterial activity [60]
*Ricinus communis L.	Herb	Mupfuta	Roots: teeth washed with root decoction as remedy for toothache [8]. Seed: oil applied on sore eyes [8]	Sore eyes [1] and toothache^#[1, 10]	Anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic [61, 62], anti-oxidant, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antifertility and antimicrobial [63] properties
Spirostachys africana Sond.	Tree	Munhiti	Roots: root powder mixed with porridge as remedy for venereal infections [9]	None found	Flavonoids and gallotannins [64], phenolic and antioxidant activity [65]
Fabaceae sensu lato
Acacia karroo Hayne	Tree	Muvunga	Root: extract drunk as convulsions remedy [8]; aphrodisiac, gonorrhoea and syphilis [9]	Aphrodisiac, convulsions, gonorrhoea and syphilis [1]	Anti-inflammatory, analgesic [66], antibacterial [67] and antimicrobial [66] activities
Albizia antunesiana Harms	Tree	Muriranyenze	Bark: extract drunk as constipation remedy [8]. Leaves: extract drunk as purgative remedy [8]. Roots: extract drunk as aphrodisiac, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea and remedy for infertility in women [8]	Aphrodisiac [1, 24], gonorrhoea, infertility in women and as purgative [1]	Anthelmintic activity [15]
Brachystegia boehmii Taub.	Tree	Mupfuti	Bark: extract drunk as STI medicine [8]	None found	Antibacterial activity [13]
Cassia abbreviata Oliv.	Shrub	Muremberembe	Roots: extract drunk as abortion, aphrodisiac, constipation, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea medicine [8]	Abortion, aphrodisiac constipation diarrhoea and gonorrhoea [1]	Anthraquinones, triterpenoids [68], antibacterial [55], antimalarial [69] and antiviral [70] activities
Dalbergia melanoxylon Guill. & Perr.	Shrub	Mugwiti	Leaves: dried leaves smoked as cigarette to treat asthma [9]	Bronchitis^# and inflammation in throat^#[71]	Antimicrobial activity [72]
Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Harms) Harms	Shrub	Ntorani	Roots: extract drunk as abdominal pains, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea medicine; and mixed with roots of Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. as bilharzia (schistosomiasis) medicine [8]	Abdominal pains [1, 24], bilharzias, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea [1]	Anthelmintic activity [15] and stilbenes [73]
Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC.	Tree	Mutiti	Bark: extract drunk as backache medicine [8]. Roots: wounds washed with root extract [8]	Backache and wounds in mouth [1]	Antibacterial [74, 75], antifungal [74] and cytotoxic activities [76]
Indigofera setiflora Baker	Herb	Ruvavashuro	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [9]	None found	None found
Peltophorum africanum Sond.	Shrub	Muzeze	Bark, leaves or root: extract drunk as syphilis medicine [8]. Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and STI medicine, root extract used as eye drops for sore eyes and teeth washed with root decoction as remedy for toothache [8]	Diarrhoea and toothache [1], panacea [24] and venereal diseases^#[1, 10]	Antibacterial activity [52, 77]
Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh.	Tree	Musekesa	Bark, leaves or root: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]. Leaves:extract drunk as menorrhagia medicine [8]. Roots: mixed with roots of Elephantorrhiza goetzei as bilharzia (schistosomiasis) medicine [8]	Cough and menorrhagia [1]	Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins; antibacterial [16], antimicrobial and antioxidant [78] activities
Pterocarpus angolensis DC.	Tree	Mubvamaropa	Bark: extract dropped into ear as earache medicine, extract drunk as remedy for menorrhagia [8]. Roots: extract drunk as remedy for infertility in women [8]. Sap: dropped into sore eyes [8]	Infertility in women and sore eyes [1]; and menorrhagia^#[1, 10]	Antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities [79]
Flacourtiaceae
Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr.	Shrub	Munhunguru	Leaves: leaves browsed by mouth as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea [1]	Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antimalarial activities [80]
Hypoxidaceae
Hypoxis obtusa Ker Gawl.	Herb	Nhindiri	Bulb: bulb chewed and sap swallowed as remedy for abdominal pains [9]	Abdominal pains [1]	Hypoxoside [81] and obtusaside [82]
Kirkiaceae
Kirkia acuminata Oliv.	Tree	Mubvumira	Bark: extract drunk as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and constipation medicine [9]. Fruits: fruit juice applied to bitten part as snake antidote and fruit juice applied on wounds [8]	Diarrhoea and wounds [1]	Antibacterial activity [61]
Lamiaceae
Hoslundia opposita Vahl	Herb	Hwahwa hwe shiri	Leaves: extract dropped into eyes as cataract medicine [8]	Cataract [1]	Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpenes [83, 84] and antimicrobial activity [85]
Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br.	Herb	Mutodzvo	Leaves: leaves chewed and sap swallowed as remedy for ulcers [9]	Sores^# and haemorrhoids^#[84]	Anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and hepatoprotective activities [86]
Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr.	Tree	Mutsvubvu	Leaves: leaves burnt and smoke inhaled as cough medicine [8, 9]	None found	Larvicidal activity [87]
Loganiaceae
Strychnos cocculoides Bak.	Tree	Muzumwi	Roots: extract drunk as abdominal pains, aphrodisiac, gonorrhoea, infertility in men and sore throat remedy [8]	Abdominal pains and infertility [1]	Antimalarial activity [88]
Strychnos madagascariensis Poir.	Tree	Mukwakwa	Roots: extract used as eye drops for sore eyes [8]	None found	None found
Strychnos spinosa Lam.	Tree	Mutamba	Roots: extract drunk as remedy for abdominal pains and gonorrhoea [8]. Fruits: extract drunk as remedy for gonorrhoea and genital warts [9]	Abdominal pains [1]	Sterols and triterpenoids [89]
Malvaceae
Azanza garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc.	Tree	Mutohwe	Roots: extract dropped into the ear as medicine for earache [8]	Earache^#[90]	Antimalarial activity [69]
Meliaceae
Ekebergia benguelensis Welw. ex C.DC.	Tree	Mudyavarungu	Bark: extract drunk as remedy for infertility in men [8]. Roots: extract drunk as dysmenorrhea medicine [8]	Dysmenorrhea and infertility in men [1]	Stilbenes [91] and triperpenes [92]
Entandrophragma caudatum (Sprague) Sprague	Tree	Mubanana	Fruits: burnt fruit peels mixed with vaseline and applied to area affected with genital warts [9]	None found	Limonoids [93]
Moraceae
Ficus ingens (Miq.) Miq.	Tree	Mushavhi	Roots: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]	Fever^#[94]	Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties [95]
Ficus sur Forssk.	Tree	Muonde	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and syphilis medicine [8]	Diarrhoea in infants [1]	Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and anti-ulcer activities [96, 97]
Ficus sycomorus L.	Tree	Muonde	Roots: extract drunk as cough medicine [8]	Tuberculosis^#, cold^# and other chest problems^#[10]	Antibacterial activity [98], alkaloids, saponins and tannins [99]
Moringaceae
*Moringa oleifera Lour	Shrub	Moringa	Leaves: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]. Roots: teeth washed with root decoction as remedy for toothache [8]	Digestive disorders [100]	Alkaloids and flavonoids, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifertility and anticancer [101] activities
Myrothamnaceae
Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw.	Shrub	Rufandichimuka	Leaves and twigs: leaves and twigs boiled and drunk as remedy for cold [9]	Cold^# and other chest complaints^#[1, 10]	Alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolics, saponins, steroids and tannins [102], antidiabetic [103] and antimicrobial [104] activities
Myrtaceae
*Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh	Tree	Mugamutiri	Leaves: extract drunk with Citrus limon fruits and Psidium guajava L. leaves as cough, flu and fever medicine [8]	Sore throat^#[105]	Antiproliferative [106] and antimicrobial [107] activities
*Psidium guajava L.	Shrub	Mugwavha	Leaves: extract drunk with Citrus limon fruits and Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves as cough, flu and fever medicine [8]; infusion of drunk or taken as an enema for diarrhoea [9]	Fever [1]; cough^#[1, 11, 85] and diarrhoea^#[11, 85]	Anti-diarrhoeal [108, 109], antibacterial [110, 111], narcotic [109] and antioxidant [112] properties
Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex C. Krauss	Tree	Mukute	Bark: extract drunk as tuberculosis medicine [9]	Cold^# and fever^#[10]	Antibacterial [52] and antifungal [64] activities
Ochnaceae
Ochna pulchra Hook.f.	Shrub	Munimu	Leaves: leaf sap taken as remedy for stomach problems [9]	Diarrhoea [1]	Antibacterial activity [113]
Olacaceae
Ximenia americana L.	Shrub	Mutengeni	Leaves: extract drunk as backache medicine [8]	Abdominal pains^#[114]	Antibacterial [64] and antioxidant [114] activities
Ximenia caffra Sond.	Shrub	Munhengeni	Leaves: extract drunk as backache medicine [8]. Roots: extract drunk as aphrodisiac, diarrhoea, venereal diseases; root powder applied on wounds [8]	Diarrhoea and infertility [1]; and venereal diseases^#[1, 10]	Flavonoids, phenolic and tannins; and antimicrobial activity [115]
Pedaliaceae
Dicerocaryum zanguebarium (Klotzsch) Abels	Herb	Ruredzo	Whole plant: plant foam inserted into vagina to dilate birth canal [9]	To dilate birth canal [1] and expulsion of placenta^#[10]	Cytotoxic activity [116]
Polygalaceae
Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen.	Shrub	Mufufu	Roots: extract drunk as epilepsy medicine and mixed with roots of Annona stenophylla and sprinkled around homestead as snake repellent [8]	Epilepsy [1] and snake repellent [24]	Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic [117] and antimalarial [88] activities
Pteridaceae
Pellaea sp.	Fern	Mudziwebwe	Leaves and roots: leaves and roots burnt and smoke inhaled as remedy for chest pains [9]	None found	None found
Rhamnaceae
Berchemia discolor (Klotzsch) Hemsl.	Tree	Nyii	Roots: extract drunk as abdominal pains medicine [8]	General body pains [1]	Antimicrobial activity [118] and flavonoids [119]
Ziziphus mucronata Willd.	Tree	Muchecheni	Fruits and leaves: powder applied on boils [8]. Roots: extract drunk as abdominal pains, infertility in women medicine and root powder applied on wounds [8]	Skin infections and wounds [1]; body pains^# and infertility in women^#[10]; boils^#, sores and swellings^#[11]	Anthelmintic [15] and antimicrobial [120] activities
Rosaceae
*Prunus persica L.	Tree	Mupichisi	Leaves: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [22]	None found	Antimicrobial, antioxidant [121]; anti-tumour promoter and anti-Oketsu syndrome [122] effects
Rubiaceae
Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G. Don) Benth.	Shrub	Mukomberwa	Bark: added to porridge as remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery [9]	Diarrhoea^# and dysentery^#[123]	Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids [124], anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities [125]
Vangueria infausta Burch.	Tree	Mudzvirungombe	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea [1]	Flavonoids, antibacterial [126, 127], antimalarial [88] and antifungal [126] activities
Rutaceae
*Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	Tree	Mulemoni	Fruit: extract of fruit, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Psidium guajava leaves drunk as cough, flu and fever medicine [8]	Throat infections^# and tonsil^#[128]	Analgesic, intestinal mucosa protector and antiseptic [128]
Solanaceae
*Nicotiana tobacum L.	Herb	Fodya	Leaves: snuff applied on wounds [8]	Wounds [1]	Cytotoxic activity [129] and steroidal glycosides [130]
*Solanum incanum L.	Shrub	Nhundurwa	Fruits: child bathed with fruit macerate as remedy for scabies [9]	Rash^#, ringworm^#, skin infections^# and warts^#[131]	Saponins; antibacterial, cytotoxicity [16], antioxidant and cytoprotective [132] activities
Tiliaceae
Corchorus tridens L.	Herb	Derere	Roots: extract drunk as backache medicine [8]	None found	Flavonoids and microbial activity [133]
Grewia bicolor Juss.	Shrub	Mutewa	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea and gonorrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea^#[10]	Alkaloids, triterpenoids and antibacterial activity [134]
Grewia flavescens Juss.	Shrub	Mubhubhunu	Roots: extract drunk as menorrhagia medicine [8]	Inducing labour^#, infertility^# and impotence^#[10]	Triterpenoids [101]
Grewia monticola Sond.	Shrub	Mutewa	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Diarrhoea [1]	None found
Urticaceae
Pouzolzia mixta Solms	Shrub	Munanzwa	Roots: extract instilled into the vagina to dilate birth canal; extract drunk as STI medicine and root powder applied on wounds [8]	To dilate birth canal [1, 24] and venereal diseases [1]	Antibacterial activity [52]
Verbenaceae
*Lantana camara L.	Shrub	Mbarambati	Leaves: leaf sap applied on body parts infected with ring worm [9]	Eye injuries^#[10]	Antibacterial [13] and antimalarial [88] activities; flavonoids and triterpenes [135]
Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng.	Shrub	Zimbani	Leaves and twigs: boiled leaves and twigs drunk as remedy for cough and cold [9]	Cold and cough [1, 10, 24]	Antimicrobial activity [136]
Vitaceae
Ampelocissus africanus (Lour.) Merr.	Climber	Muzambiringa	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Stomach troubles^#[137]	Antibacterial activity [138]
Ampelocissus obtusata (Welw. ex Baker) Planch.	Climber	Muzambiringa	Roots: extract drunk as diarrhoea medicine [8]	Gastro-intestinal complaints^#[137]	Antibacterial activity [138]
Zingiberaceae
*Zingiber officinale Roscoe	Herb	Tsangamidzi	Roots: roots chewed and swallowed as remedy for stomach pains [9]	Digestive disorders^#[139]	Antimicrobial [16], anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory and anti-emetic [140] activities

An asterisk (*) indicates that the taxon is known or believed to be exotic to Zimbabwe and hatch (#) indicates similar use(s) in other countries reported from literature.

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