Browsing by Author "Kyayesimira, Juliet"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Ethnobotanical Survey of Phytotherapeutic Management of Diabetes and Hypertension Diseases in Mpigi District, Uganda.
(East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2024-12-13) Nnko, Silas Sangito; Kaddumukasa, Martha ; Sekagya, Yahaya H. K; Kyayesimira, Juliet
Diabetes and hypertension are escalating global health challenges, affecting over 500 million and 1.3 billion people respectively, and significantly contributing to mortality, especially in less developed regions. The prevalence of these diseases is rapidly increasing underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention, management, and treatment strategies. Various allopathic medicines have been produced but with low curative efficiency and side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants have been a key alternative form of treatment for human ailments including diabetes and hypertension. Despite their importance, the majority of them have not been studied and documented. This study was conducted to assess the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes and hypertension diseases in the Mpigi district, Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with traditional herbalists followed by field visits for taxonomic classification of the plants. Data was analysed using Atlas.ti software and IBM SPSS Statistics 29 was used to calculate frequencies. Fifty-four herbalists were interviewed, and 64% of them had an experience of more than 6 years in treating diabetes and hypertension. One hundred and twenty plant species were mentioned to be used by herbalists to manage diabetes and hypertension. Forty-seven percent (47%) of these plants treat diabetes, 24% treat hypertension and 29% treat both diabetes and hypertension. These plants were distributed to 52 different families, key among them include Asteraceae, Solanaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. The most frequently used parts included leaves (38.7%) and bark (20.6%). Highly mentioned plants included Tithonia diversifolius, Aloe vera, Catharanthus roseus, Kigelia africana, Prunus africana, Momordica foetida, and Centella asiatica. Key threats and conservation strategies were also mentioned. It is concluded that traditional healing knowledge still plays a key role in managing human ailments and therefore these findings are key for the management of diabetes and hypertension and for future research in drug development.
Socio-economic utilisation Of Upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria Lesch) : a case study Of Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
(Journal of Forestry and Natural Resources, 2025-07-11) Ntawubizigira, Emmanuel; Mbatudde, Maria; Kyayesimira, Juliet
Antiaris toxicaria Lesch (upas tree) is a monoecious and medicinal tree species be- longing to the Moraceae family and is known for its medicinal value, plywood, and veneer. The tree has been over-utilized, leading to degradation, over-exploitation, and a decrease in population size. The study aims to assess the socio-economic factors asso- ciated with the utilization of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. A cross-sectional research design was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire and participant observation guide from 410 randomly selected households across 10 villages. A total of 10 key informant interviews were also conducted among persons who were knowledgeable persons about the upas tree and Mabira Central Forest service. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi-square tests) were used for analy- sis. Results indicate eight primary uses of the tree, with timber (42.1%) and medicinal (23.6%) uses being the most common while firewood (0.9%) and fertilization (2.3%) ranked least. Significant factors influencing utilization of upas trees included residence duration (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.002), and household income (p=0.028). The Na- tional Forestry Authority and local government should work hand in hand with local communities to protect Mabira Central Forest Reserve and promote upas tree domes- tication. The study recommends conservation awareness among communities living in the vicinity and inclusive policies for sustainable use of upas trees.