Medicinal Plants Used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

A study of the medicinal plants used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

Conducted by: Wilson Kipkore, Bernard Wanjohi, Hillary Rono and Gabriel Kigen
Published: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2014

Abstract
Background: The medicinal plants used by herbalists in Kenya have not been well documented, despite their widespread use. The threat of complete disappearance of the knowledge on herbal medicine from factors such as deforestation, lack of proper regulation, overexploitation and sociocultural issues warrants an urgent need to document the information. The purpose of the study was to document information on medicinal plants used by herbalists in Marakwet District towards the utilization of indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge for the advancement of biomedical research and development.

Methods: Semi-structured oral interviews were conducted with 112 practicing herbalists. The types of plants used were identified and the conditions treated recorded.

Results: Herbal practice is still common in the district, and 111 plants were identified to have medicinal or related uses. Different herbal preparations including fruits and healing vegetables are employed in the treatment of various medical conditions. Veterinary uses and pesticides were also recorded.

Conclusion: The study provides comprehensive ethnobotanical information about herbal medicine and healing methods among the Marakwet community. The identification of the active ingredients of the plants used by the herbalists may provide some useful leads for the development of new drugs.

Note: click on the green buttons to read more about each plant such as parts used and uses.

Botanical name	Voucher no.	Local name	Common name	Family	Habit	Habitat	Parts used	Method	General plant uses
Acacia brevispica Harms	WBHG/13/081	Korniswo	Prickly Thorn Bonsai	Mimosaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and rubbed on skin	Itchy skin rashes
Acacia brevispica Harms	WBHG/13/081	Korniswo	Prickly Thorn Bonsai	Mimosaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crused and applied	Removal of ganglion
Acacia hockii De. Willd.	WBHG/13/026	Churur	Whistling thorn/ shittim wood	Mimosaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Abdominal (colic) pains
Acacia hockii De. Willd.	WBHG/13/026	Churur	Whistling thorn/ shittim wood	Mimosaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled with water	Herbal “tea”
Acacia lahai [Steud. & Hochst. ex] Benth	WBHG/13/038	Seretetwo	Red thorn	Mimosaceae	Tree	Highland	Leaves	Pounded and mixed with other herbs	Synergistic herb
Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth	WBHG/13/043	Ngowo	Black thorn/ wait-a-bit thorn	Mimosaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Roots	Boiled and administered	Sexually transmitted diseases
Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth	WBHG/13/043	Ngowo	Black thorn/ wait-a-bit thorn	Mimosaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Higher parasites	Burnt and ashes licked	Rheumatism
Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile	WBHG/13/068	Ngopkwo	Thorntree/whistling thorn	Mimosaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Bark chewed when raw or boiled	Abdominal (colic) pains
Acacia tortilis Hayne	WBHG/13/039	Sesia	Shittim wood	Mimosaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruit bodies	Burnt and ash licked	Cancer
Acalypha fruticosa Forsk.	WBHG/13/101	Sawiyon	Birch-leaved Acalypha	Euphorbiaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and applied on the site	Scorpion/bee stings
Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Benth. & Hook.	WBHG/13/110	Kelyo	Arrow-poison plant	Apocynaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Roots	Boiled and applied	Arrow poison
Albizia spp.	WBHG/13/063	Seet	Flea tree /frywood	Mimosaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Fruit bodies	Burnt and ash licked	Cancer
Albizia spp.	WBHG/13/063	Seet	Flea tree /frywood	Mimosaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Abortifacient, Contraceptive
Albuca bracteata (Thunb.) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt	WBHG/13/049	K’dow	Pregnant onion plant	Asparagaceae	Herb	Lowland	Bulbs	Boiled and administered	Cancer
Aloe spp.	WBHG/13/095	Chepkenderetwo	Burn plant	Aloaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and sap applied	Wounds
Aloe spp.	WBHG/13/095	Chepkenderetwo	Burn Plant	Aloaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Sap applied on the operated area	Craniotomy (surgery)
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.	WBHG/13/011	Tuyunwo	Desert date	Balanitaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves, fruits	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Balanites rotundifolia (Tiegh.) Blatt	WBHG/13/118	Lomion	Not found	Balanitaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruits	Crush the fruits, soak in water and apply	Pesticide
Berchemia discolor (Klotsch) Hemsl	WBHG/13/076	Muchukwo	Bird plum	Rhamnaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and administered	Erectile dysfunction
Boscia coriacea Pax.	WBHG/13/062	Sorukwo	Not found	Capparidaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Seeds	Boiled and administered	Obesity
Bryophyta spp.	WBHG/13/096	Chebumbu	Green Moss	Oxallidaceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment	Whole plant	Burnt and ash licked	Heartburn/Teething in children
Bryophyta spp.	WBHG/13/096	Chebumbu	Green Moss	Oxallidaceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment	Whole plant	Burnt and ashes rubbed on the gums	To relive pain associated with teething in children
Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton	WBHG/13/079	Kibou	Giant milkweed/ calotropis	Asclepiadaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Leaves	Burnt and ash administered	Emetic
Capparis cartilaginea Decne.	WBHG/13/091	Chepteretwo	Caper shrub	Capparidaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Leaves	Chewed/ burnt and ash licked	Heartburn/peptic ulcers
Capparis cartilaginea Decne.	WBHG/13/091	Chepteretwo	Caper shrub	Capparidaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Flowers	Dried, crushed and added to meat	Food flavour
Caralluma acutangula	WBHG/13/031	Mochontopokot	Caralluma	Asclepiadaceae	Herb	Lowland	Whole plant	Whole plant chewed	Chest congestion (wheezing)
Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl	WBHG/13/091	Legetetwet	Egyptian carissa	Apocynaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Roots	Boiled and added to other herbs or used alone	General malaise
Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl	WBHG/13/091	Legetetwet	Egyptian carissa	Apocynaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Fruits	Consumed in whole	Appetizer
Cassia didymobotrya Fres.	WBHG/13/094	Senetwo	Peanut- butter cassia	Caesalpiniaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Dried bark	Pound and applied on bleeding area	Antihaemorrhagic (stops bleeding)
Cassia didymobotrya Fres.	WBHG/13/094	Senetwo	Peanut- butter cassia	Caesalpiniaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves/bark	Boiled and administered	Hypertension
Cassia obtusifolia Linn or Cassia occidentalisL.	WBHG/13/070or 070a	Kipkurkuris	Senna	Caesalpiniaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves and seeds	Boiled and administered	Abortifacient
Cirsium vulgare (Savi.) Ten	WBHG/13/013	Tokoukowo	Spear thistle	Asteraceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves/twigs	Burnt and ash licked	Heartburn
Cirsium vulgare (Savi.) Ten	WBHG/13/013	Tokoukowo	Spear Thistle	Asteraceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves/Twigs	Burnt ash applied on incisions made on the skin	Talisman
Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke	WBHG/13/005	Chebobet	Blue glory bower	Lamiaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Leaves	Burnt and ash licked	“Kipei” condition
Clutia abyssinica Jaub & Spach	WBHG/13/089	Kapkurelwo	Smooth-fruited lightning-bush	Euphorbiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ riverine	Roots	Boiled and mixed with other herbs	Synergistic herb
Clutia abyssinica Jaub & Spach	WBHG/13/089	Kapkurelwo	Smooth-fruited lightning-bush	Euphorbiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ riverine	Roots	Boiled and administered	Erectile dysfunction
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt	WBHG/13/019	Minjilwo	Ivy ground	Cucurbitaceae	Herb	Lowland	Leaves	Boiled and used as vegetable	Treatment of heavy snoring
Combretum apiculatum Sond.	WBHG/13/111	Leleiya	Red bushwillow	Combretaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Fruit bodies	Burnt and ash licked	Cancer
Commicarpus africanus (Lour.) Dandy	WBHG/13/065	Tanagit	Comicarp (Catalan)	Nyctaginaceae	Herb	Escarpment	Leaves	Crushed leaves rubbed on the ganglion	Removal of ganglion
Cordia sinensis Lam.	WBHG/13/007	Adomeyon	Grey-leaved saucer berry	Boraginaceae	Tree	Lowland	Twigs	Break tender twigs for use	Toothbrush
Crassocephalum mannii	WBHG/13/042	Terkekwo	Thickhead	Asteraceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and administered	Arthritis
Crotalaria incana L.	WBHG/13/060	Kimira	Woolly Rattlepod	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Boiled and used as vegetable	Anaemia
Crotalaria incana L.	WBHG/13/060	Kimira	Woolly Rattlepod	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega	WBHG/13/077	Kibichan	Mexican croton	Euphorbiaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and mixed with other herbs	Synergistic herb
Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega	WBHG/13/077	Kibichan	Mexican croton	Euphorbiaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Chewed raw/ boiled with other herbs	Heartburn
Croton dichogamus Pax	WBHG/13/064	Kerelwo	Orange leavedcroton	Euphorbiaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Higher parasites on this plant	Burnt and ash licked	“Kipei” condition (abdominal pain and oral thrush)
Croton dichogamus Pax	WBHG/13/064	Kerelwo	Orange leavedcroton	Euphorbiaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Bark, roots and flowers	Boiled and administered	Chest congestion (wheezing)
Croton megalocarpus Hutch.	WBHG/13/045	Otonwet	Broadleaved croton	Euphorbiaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Roots	Boiled and administered	Purgative
Cucumisdipsaceu s C. G. Ehrenb. ex Spac	WBHG/13/055	Kisangwa	Bitter gourd	Cucurbitaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruits	Crushed and mixed with little water and administered to patient	Emetic
Cyperus esculentus L.	WBHG/13/103	Morgut	Yellow nutsedge	Cyperaceae	Herb	Lowland/ swampy areas	Tubers	Chewed	Stomachache
Cyperus esculentus L.	WBHG/13/103	Morgut	Yellow nutsedge	Cyperaceae	Herb	Lowland/ swampy areas	Tubers	Chewed	Abdominal (colic) pains/Talisman
Cyperus esculentus L.	WBHG/13/103	Morgut	Yellow nutsedge	Cyperaceae	Herb	Lowland/ swampy areas	Tubers	Chewed or boiled	Colic pain in children
Cyperus esculentus L.	WBHG/13/103	Morgut	Yellow nutsedge	Cyperaceae	Herb	Lowland/ swampy areas	Tubers	Chewed and applied	Talisman
Cyphostemma serpens (Hochst. exA.Rich.) Desc	WBHG/13/021	Kirorot	Not found	Vitaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Dried stem	Boiled and administered	Abortifacient
Cyphostemma cyphopetalum (Fresen.) Descoings	WBHG/13/075	Kibungwach	Not found	Vitaceae	Herb	Escarpment	Tubers	Crush and apply on the pests	Pesticide
Dactylocteniuma egyptium L.	WBHG/13/073	Anyinya	Egyptian crowfoot grass	Poaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and chewed raw	Heartburn
Dactylocteniuma egyptium L.	WBHG/23/073	Anyinya	Egyptian crowfoot grass	Poaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Whole plant	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Digeramuricata L. Healing vegetable	WBHG/13/099	Chesugut	False Amaranth	Amaranthaceae	Herb	Lowland	Leaves	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Diospyros scabra (Chiov.)	WBHG/13/016	Turetwo	Ebony tree	Ebenaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boil and patient bathed in concoction and covered	Fever in children
Cufod Diospyros scabra (Chiov.)	WBHG/13/016	Turetwo	Ebony tree	Ebenaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Twigs	Break tender twigs for use	Toothbrush
Cufod Dodonaea viscose (L.) Jacq.	WBHG/13/098	Tebelekwo	Hopbush	Sapindaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Twigs	Break tender twigs and use	Toothbrush
Dolichos spp.	WBHG/13/104	Kipchoror	Hyacinth bean	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland	Dry leaves	Pound, mixed with water and administered	Enhance lactation in breastfeeding mothers
Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop	WBHG/13/046	Barangoya	Indian-squill	Asparagaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Bulbs	Bulb applied on the ulcers	Cancer
Ehretia cymose var. silvatica Guerke	WBHG/13/066	Kabonbonet or Mororion	Stamperwood	Boraginaceae	Shrub	Highland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Stomachache
Ekebergia rueppelliana Fres	WBHG/13/045	Kerbu	Ekebergia	Meliaceae	Tree	Lowland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Purgative
Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) E.E. Cheesman	WBHG/13/002	Sosurwo	False banana	Musaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Tip end (flower)	Crushed, dried and burnt. Ash licked	Heartburn
Erythrina abyssinica DC.	WBHG/13/029	Korkorwo	Corpse flower	Fabaceae	Tree	Highland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Mumps
Euclea divinorum Hiern.	WBHG/13/052	Uswo	Magic Guarri	Ebenaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Twigs	Break tender twigs for use	Toothbrush
Eucleadivinorum Hiern.	WBHG/13/052	Uswo	Magic Guarri	Ebenaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Bark	Pound and applied on the incision made on the bitten site	Antivenom
Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev.	WBHG/13/027	Kokocha	Apple ring, acacia	Mimosaceae	Tree	Lowland/riverine/ swampy areas	Fruit bodies	Burnt and ash licked	Cancer
Faurea saligna Harvey	WBHG/13/018	Sirirte	Beechwood	Proteaceae	Tree	Highland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Period pains
Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr.	WBHG/13/072	Tingoswo	Governor’s plum	Flacourtiaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruits	Dry the fruit and use	Fermentation
Fuerstia africana T.C.E. Fries	WBHG/13/004	Kipirirwo	Not found	Lamiaceae	Herb	Escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and sap instilled	Eye ailments
Fuerstia africana T.C.E. Fries	WBHG/13/004	Kipirirwo	Not found	Lamiaceae	Herb	Escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and sap applied	Toothache
Gardenia sp	WBHG/13/044	Mogilion/ Kobilwo	Forest gardenia	Rubiaceae	Tree	Lowland	Fruits	Crushed and administered to patient	Emetic/purgative
Grewia villosa Willd	WBHG/13/020	Mokurwo	Mallow raisin	Tiliaceae	Shrub	Lowland	Leaves	Cover milk gourd with it	Fermentation
Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.	WBHG/13/025	Sachan	African spider flower	Capparidaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Cooked and used as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Heeria reticulata (Baker f.) Engl	WBHG/13/008	Mutung’wo	Raisin bush	Anacardiaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Burnt and ash licked	Removal of retained placenta in both human and animals
Heeria reticulata (Baker f.) Engl	WBHG/13/008	Mutung’wo	Raisin bush	Anacardiaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Leaves	Crush, soak in water and apply	Constipation in animals
Hoslundia opposite Valh.	WBHG/13/083	Sumeyon	Orange bird berry	Lamiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves, roots	Boiled and administered	Colic pain in children
Hoslundia opposite Valh.	WBHG/13/083	Sumeyon	Orange bird berry	Lamiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots, leaves	Boiled and administered	Amoebiasis
Hoslundia opposite Valh.	WBHG/13/083	Sumeyon	Orange bird berry	Lamiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed, soaked in water and gargled	Oral thrush
Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) Roem. & Schult.	WBHG/13/059	Sirkonwo/ Kaberkewo	White ribbon bush	Acanthaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves , twigs	Crush, soak in water and apply	Pesticide
Iboza spp.	WBHG/13/012	Lonwo	Nutmeg bush	Lamiaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	leaves	Crushed and pound	Perfume
Indigofera arrecta L.	WBHG/13/034	Sargellat	African indigo	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and mixed with other herbs	Synergistic herb
Indigofera arrecta L	WBHG/13/034	Sargellat	African indigo	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and administered	Stomachache
Indigofera arrecta L	WBHG/13/034	Sargellat	African indigo	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled & mixed with other herbs	Cancer
Indigofera arrecta L	WBHG/13/034	Sargellat	African indigo	Fabaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Chewed	Toothache
Ipomoea lapidosaVatke	WBHG/13/078	Kimugugu	Common morning glory	Convolvulaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Stem	Boiled and administered	Sexually transmitted diseases
Justica spp.	WBHG/13/024	Kepkalomion	Jacobinia	Acanthaceae	Herb	Escarpment	Leaves	Boiled and administered	Abdominal (colic) pains
Kalanchoe germanae Raym.-Hamet ex Raadts	WBHG/13/030	Kibarbany	Air plant	Crassulaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Pound and rubbed on ganglion area	Removal of ganglion
Kalanchoe germanae Raym.- Hamet ex Raadts	WBHG/13/030	Kibarbany	Air plant	Crassulaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Pound and rubbed on painful area	Poultice
Kigelia Africana (Lam.) Beneth	WBHG/13/048	Rotion	African sausage	Bignoniaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruits	Split and dry	For fermentation during the brewing of traditional beer
Lannea fulva (Engl.) Engl.	WBHG/13/056	Lolotwo	Not found	Anacardiaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Pound and mixed with other herbs	Antivenom
Lantana trifolia L.	WBHG/13/046	Bekaptarit	Three- leafshrubverbena	Verbenaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves/twigs	Boiled and administered	Abdominal (colic) pains
Lantana trifolia L.	WBHG/13/046	Bekaptarit	Three- leafshrubverbena	Verbenaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves, twigs & fruits	Boiled and administered	Enhance lactation in breastfeeding mothers
Leptadenia hastate (Pers.) Decne.	WBHG/13/058	Kipchegin	Not found	Apocynaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Tender leaves	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng	WBHG/13/053	Chebokobil	Zinziba plant	Verbenaceae	Shrub	Highland	Leaves and twigs	Boiled and administered	Amoebiasis
Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng	WBHG/13/053	Chebokobil	Zinziba plant	Verbenaceae	Shrub	Highland	Leaves and twigs	Boiled together with maize, cassava, groundnuts and even tea	Food flavour
Maesa lanceolata Forsk.	WBHG/13/087	Mborion	False assegai	Myrsinaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland	Whole plant	Crush , soak in water and apply	Veterinary use as antipoison
Nuxia congesta Fres	WBHG/13/082	Chorwa	Brittle wood	Loganiaceae	Tree	Highland	Roots	Boiled and administered	Abdominal (colic) pains /Flu
Nuxia congesta Fres	WBHG/13/082	Chorwa	Brittle wood	Loganiaceae	Tree	Highland	Roots	Boiled and administered	Flu
Ocimum basilicum L.	WBHG/13/028	Klachir	Basil	Lamiaceae	Herb	Lowland	Leaves	Crushed and sap instilled on the affected eye	Eye ailments
Olea Africana Mill.	WBHG/13/032	Remit	Wild olive	Oleaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Dried bark	Pound and powder applied	Eye ailments
Olea Africana Mill.	WBHG/13/032	Remit	Wild olive	Oleaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Itchy rashes
Ornithogalum tenuifolium Delaroche	WBHG/13/050	Katagwa	Sea-onion	Hyacinthaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Tubers	Crushed and applied on joints	Arthritis
Pappea capensis Eckyl & Zeyh	WBHG/13/023	Kibiryokwo	Jacket plum	Sapindaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Fruit bodies	Burnt and ash licked	Cancer
Pappea capensis Eckyl & Zeyh	WBHG/13/023	Kibiryokwo	Jacket plum	Sapindaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Higher parasites	Burnt and ashes licked	Rheumatism
Pavetta abyssinica Fresen	WBHG/13/107	Cheptabirbirwo	Not found	Rubiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Crushed and administered	Purgative
Pentas longiflora W.R.B. Oliv.	WBHG/13/093	Chebirbirgorok	Not found	Rubiaceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Fruits/bark	Boiled and administered	Malaria like symptoms
Periploca linearifolia Dill. & Rich.	WBHG/13/073	Sinende	Not found	Apocynaceae	Liana/ climber	Highland	Fruits/Leaves		Ceremonial plant
Periploca linearifolia Dill. & Rich.	WBHG/13/073	Sinende	Not found	Apocynaceae	Liana/ climber	Highland	Fruits/Leaves	Crush the fruits, soak in water and apply	Pesticide
Podocarpus graciliar Pilger	WBHG/13/067	Bennet	African fern tree/ bastard yellow wood	Podocarpaceae	Tree	Highland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Hypertension
Portulaca quadrifida L.	WBHG/13/037	Kitumerio	Small-leaved purslane	Portulacaceae	Herb	Lowland	Whole plant	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Portulaca oleracea L.	WBHG/13/092	Chemorin	Asthma weed	Portulacaceae	Herb	Lowland	Whole crushed plant	Boiled with other herbs	Cancer
Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkm.	WBHG/13/014	Tendwo	African plum tree	Rosaceae	Tree	Highland	Bark	Boiled and administered	Hypertension
Prunus Africana (Hook f.) Kalkm.	WBHG/13/014	Tendwo	African plum tree	Rosaceae	Tree	Highland	Bark/roots	Boiled and administered	Enlarged prostate
Psiadia arabica Jaub.et Spach	WBHG/13/047	Konocho	Not found	Asteraceae	Shrub	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled with water	Herbal “tea”
Ricinus communis L.	WBHG/13/017	Menwa	Castor bean	Euphorbiaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Seeds	Crushed and oil applied	Treatment of hides and skins
Rumex acetosella L.	WBHG/13/080	Kibongbong	Sheep sorrel	Polygonaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Tubers	Chewed or boiled and administered	Hypertension
Rumex acetosella L	WBHG/13/080	Kibongbong	Sheep sorrel	Polygonaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Tubers	Chewed or boiled and administered	Diabetes
Saba comorensis (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon	WBHG/13/112	Ochon	Rubber vine	Apocynaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment (riverine)	Fruits	Fruit consumed	Diagnosis of enlarged prostate
Salvadora persica Wall.	WBHG/13/033	Chekowo	Toothbrush tree	Salvadoraceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Twigs	Break tender twigs and use	Toothbrush
Sansevieria intermedia	WBHG/13/009	Sorogat	Mother-in-law tongue	Agavaceae	Herb	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Sap used as bait	Used to kill snakes
Schefflera volkensii (Engl.) Harms	WBHG/13/088	Tingwon	Schefflera	Araliaceae	Tree	Highland	Dried resin	Resin sniffed	Inhaled to clear blocked nose
Schefflera volkensii (Engl.) Harms	WBHG/13/088	Tingwon	Schefflera	Araliaceae	Tree	Highland	Dried resin	Smear on body	Perfume
Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst	WBHG/13/106	Orolwo	Amarula tree	Anacardiaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Chewed or boiled and administered	Diabetes
Solanum incanum L.	WBHG/13/035	Kalobotwo	Thorn Apple	Solanaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled or chewed raw	Abdominal (colic) pains
Solanum incanum L.	WBHG/13/035	Kalobotwo	Thorn Apple	Solanaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled or chewed	Colic pain in children
Sphaeranthus ukambensis Vatke & O.Hoffm	WBHG/13/085	Moyon	Not found	Asteraceae	Shrub	Lowland	Roots	Chewed or boiled and administered	Stomachache resulting food poisoning
Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C	WBHG/13/090	Kibutkut	Not found	Asteraceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Whole plant	Crushed and applied on the affected tooth	Toothache
Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C	WBHG/13/090	Kibutkut	Not found	Asteraceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Whole crushed plant	Crushed and used as mouthwash	Oral thrush
Spilanthes mauritiana (Pers.) D.C	WBHG/13/090	Kibutkut	Not found	Asteraceae	Herb	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Whole plant	Crushed and applied on the area to be operated before surgery	Craniotomy (surgery)
Sterculia Africana (Lou.r) Fiori	WBHG/13/086	Ililwo	African star chestnut tree	Sterculiaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Seeds	Chewed	Erectile dysfunction
Terminalia brownie Fresen	WBHG/13/069	Koloswo	Mbarao (in Swahili)	Combretaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled or chewed raw	Abdominal (colic) pains
Terminalia brownie Fresen	WBHG/13/069	Koloswo	Mbarao (in Swahili)	Combretaceae	Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Chewed or boiled and administered	Jaundice
Terminalia spinosa Engl.	WBHG/13/092	Kitong’wo	Spiny cluster-leaf	Combretaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Malaria like symptoms
Tragiabrevipes Pax.	WBHG/13/069	Kimelei	Shortspikenoseburn	Euphorbiaceae	Liana/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Pound and mixed with other herbs	Antivenom
Tribulusterrestris L.	WBHG/13/001	Kilesan	Bullhead	Zygophylaceae	Herb	Lowland	Whole crushed plant	Chewed or boiled and administered	Erectile dysfunction
Tribulusterrestris L.	WBHG/13/001	Kilesan	Bullhead	Zygophylaceae	Herb	Lowland	Whole plant	Cooked as vegetable	Healing vegetable
Uvariasp var. scheffleri	WBHG/13/010	Murkuiyo	Not found	Annonaceae	Shrub/ climber	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots	Boiled and administered	Common colds/cough
Vangueria apiculata K. Schum.	WBHG/13/003	Tabirirwo (Komolwo ne mining)	Triangle-flowered Wild-medlar	Rubiaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment	Fruits	Cooked as porridge and consumed	Food supplement
Vangueria madagascariensis Gmel.	WBHG/13/041	Komolwo neo	Common wild medlar	Rubiaceae	Shrub	Highland/ escarpment/ lowland	Fruits	Cooked as porridge and consumed	Food supplement
Vernoniabrachycalyx O. Hoffm.	WBHG/13/074	Kimagoi or Chebongony	Ironweed	Asteraceae	Herb	Lowland	Roots	Boiled and decoction administered	Emetic
Warburgia ugandensis Sprague	WBHG/13/109	Sokwon	East African green wood	Canellaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves	Chewed or soaked in hot water and administered	Stomachache
Warburgia ugandensis Sprague	WBHG/13/109	Sokwon	East African green wood	Canellaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Bark	Burnt and smoked sniffed	Headache
Warburgia ugandensis Sprague	WBHG/13/109	Sokwon	East African green wood	Canellaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crush and applied	Toothache
Warburgia ugandensis Sprague	WBHG/13/109	Sokwon	East African green wood	Canellaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves	Chewed or soaked in water and gargled	Common colds/cough/ sore throat
Warburgia ugandensis Sprague	WBHG/13/109	Sokwon	East African green wood	Canellaceae	Tree	Highland/ escarpment	Leaves	Soaked in water and gargled	Oral thrush
Withaniasomnifera (L.) Dunal	WBHG/13/054	Tarkukai	Red Cherry	Solanaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Roots/leaves	Boiled and administered	Amoebiasis
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal	WBHG/13/054	Tarkukai	Red Cherry	Solanaceae	Shrub	Lowland/ escarpment	Leaves	Crushed and applied	Chronic skin ulcers
Ximenia Americana L.	WBHG/13/105	Kunyotwo	Yellow plum	Olacaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Seeds	Crushed and oil applied	Wounds
Ximenia Americana L.	WBHG/13/105	Kunyotwo	Yellow Plum	Olacaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Seeds	Crushed and oil applied	Treatment of hides and skins
Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl	WBHG/13/061	Kochon	Knob wood	Rutaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark/seeds	Pounded together and mixed with other herbs	Synergistic herb
Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl	WBHG/13/061	Kochon	Knob wood	Rutaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark/seeds	Boiled or chewed	Amoebiasis
Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl	WBHG/13/061	Kochon	Knob wood	Rutaceae		Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Malaria like symptoms
Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl	WBHG/13/061	Kochon	Knob wood	Rutaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Administered to recuperating patients (after surgery)
Zanthoxylun chalybeum Engl	WBHG/13/061	Kochon	Knob wood	Rutaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Higher parasites	Burnt and ashes licked	Rheumatism
Zehneria scabra (Linn f.) Sond	WBHG/13/097	Cheserya	Not found	Cucurbitaceae	Shrub/ climber	Highland	Leaves	Crushed and administered	Common colds/cough
Zehneria scabra (Linn f.) Sond	WBHG/13/097	Cheserya	Not found	Cucurbitaceae	Shrub/ climber	Highland	Whole plant	Boiled with other herbs	Cancer
Zehneria scabra (Linn f.) Sond	WBHG/13/097	Cheserya	Not found	Cucurbitaceae	Shrub/ climber	Highland	Whole plant	Boiled and administered	Administered to recuperating patients
Ziziphus mauritania var. spinachristi (L.) Wild.	WBHG/13/100	Tilomwo	Christ thorn/jujube	Rhamnaceae	Tree	Lowland	Bark	Boiled with water	Herbal “tea”
Ziziphus mauritiana var. spina Christi (L.) Willd	WBHG/13/100	Tilomwo	Christ thorn/jujube	Rhamnaceae	Tree	Lowland/ escarpment	Bark	Chewed raw	Abdominal (colic) pains
Unidentified	WBHG/13/015	Mindililwo ne mining			Herb	Escarpment	Leaves	Smoked	Drug of abuse
Unidentified	WBHG/13/048	Seremwo			Tree	Escarpment	Bark	Boiled and administered	Appetizer
Unidentified	WBHG/13/057	Turesio			Tree	Highland	Bark/roots	Burnt and with other herbs	Cancer
Unidentified	WBHG/13/057	Turesio			Tree	Highland	Leaves	Burnt and ashes licked	“Kipei” condition

Prickly Thorn - ital is vital — Prickly Thorn

Reference(s)

Kipkore et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2014, 10:24
http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/10/1/24

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Medicinal Plants Used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

A study of the medicinal plants used by the Marakwet Community in Kenya

Reference(s)

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