Table 4 Ailment categories treated by different medicinal plants

Gynaecological issues

Heavy menstrual flows, weakness during pregnancy, increasing vaginal fluids, uterine cleansing, family planning and induction of labour.

58

30.5

Digestive disorders

stomachaches, blotting, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss

54

28.4

Skin infections

Wounds, warts, skin rash, acne, pimples and athletes foot.

47

24.7

Malaria & other infections

Malaria, yellow fever, measles, toothache, ear & eye infections

43

22.6

Respiratory tract infections

Flue, sinuses, sore throat, cough, tuberculosis

34

17.9

Arthritis & inflammation

Swollen body parts, hydrocele elephantiasis. hernia, boils

23

12.1

Neurological & nervous system disorders

Convulsions, epilepsy, fainting

17

8.9

Erectile dysfunction& Impotence

Male sexual vitality

13

6.8

Ailment categories

Specific conditions

No. of species used (n = 190)

% of total species

Childcare

Swollen rib cage, failure to walk, umbilical cord treatment, false teeth, colic pains

12

6.3

Poisonous animal bites

Snake and centipede bites

12

6.3

Hypertension

Control of heart beat

11

5.8

Immune & energy boosting

Low appetite, nausea

10

5.3

Painful body parts

Neck, sternum pain,

10

5.3

Body odour

Bad breath,

9

4.7

Headaches & Fatigues

Migraines

6

3.2

Diabetes

6

3.2

Cancer

Prostate, skin, breast and cervical cancer

6

3.2

Blood system disorders

Blood cleansing, anaemia,

5

2.6

Muscular skeletal problems

Back ache, joint pains, Rheumatism, shaking body, fractures

4

2.1

STDs & Venereal diseases

Gornorrhea, syphilis

4

2.1

Abnormalities

Hunchback

3

1.5

Hiccups

3

1.5

Psychiatric disorders

Madness, memory loss, night mares

2

1.1

Bedwetting

1

0.5

Stop smoking

1

0.5