Diversity of local knowledge on use of wild food and medicinal plants in communities around five biodiversity hotspots i
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Diversity of local knowledge on use of wild food and medicinal plants in communities around five biodiversity hotspots in Zimbabwe L. Mujuru1 · L. Jimu1 · A. Mureva1 · A. Mapaura2 · I. W. Nyakudya1 · J. Muvengwi1 Received: 31 August 2019 / Accepted: 14 September 2020 © Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University 2020
Abstract This study documented use of wild food and medicinal plants in areas around five biodiversity hot spots in Zimbabwe. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in representative communities. About 89 wild food plants were used by the communities. Trees, shrubs, tubers/herbs, lianas/climbers and succulents constituted 65%, 11%, 12%, 8% and 4% respectively. Fruits were mostly harvested (52%) then leaves (28%), and others (roots/rhizomes/tubers, sap and fibres) (20%). Fruits were commonly consumed raw (96%) whilst others are processed into juices (4%), mostly collected by women and children. Fruits of Adansonia digitata L., Vangueria infausta Burch., Uapacca kirkiana Müll. Arg., Berchemia discolour/zeyheri (Klotzsch) Hemsl., Vitex doniana Sweet and leaves of A. digitata were most preferred plant species because of their taste and availability. However, some fruits such as Vitex spp. and U. kirkiana caused constipation and diahorrea respectively if consumed in excess. About 149 medicinal plant species belonging to 115 genera and 61 families were used for treating about 32 diseases and disorders. These were dominated by families; Fabaceae(16%), Meliaceae(5%), Apocenaceae(3%), Anacadaceae(3%) and Solanaceae (4%). About 45, 30, 25, 23, 13 species treat abdominal pains, toothache, women and gynaecological issues, sexually transmitted diseases and paediatric remedies respectively. Other species are used as aphrodisiacs (4) and treatment of cancer (4). Leaves (28%), roots(27%) bark(24%) and fruits(12%) were main parts used to prepare remedies. Cultural/Traditional knowledge plays an important role in valuing species in particular areas and associated conservation of food and medicinal plants. Keywords Woodlands · Wild food · Zimbabwe · Traditional medicine · Treatment · Biodiversity
Introduction Forest ecosystems such as Miombo woodlands are home to a diversity of plant species supplying timber and non-timber forest products such as food and medicinal products to local communities supporting over 90% of the people living in and around forested landscapes (Campbell 1996; Shackleton and Pullanikkatil 2018). The consumption of wild food plants is ancient in both developed and developing nations. Using the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 1999, definition, the term wild food plants, are those food plants, “that grow spontaneously in self-maintaining * L. Mujuru [email protected] 1
Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, P. O. Box A889, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
2
populations in natural or semi-natural ecosystems and can exist ind
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