Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants of Tswapong North, in Eastern Botswana: A Case of Plants from Mosweu and Seolwane Villages

Abstract

Ethnobotanical study to investigate the ethnomedicinal uses of plants by the Batswapong tribe, Eastern Botswana was done. This revealed a wealth of traditional knowledge on uses of medicinal plants. Thirty six plants distributed across twenty two families were recorded to treat sixty ailments. Most of these plants were trees (61%) with roots (82%) being the most frequently used parts for preparation of remedies across the twenty two families. For each species, its botanical family and vernacular name, medicinal uses, parts used and mode of preparation were documented. This study has revealed that knowledge on uses of medicinal plants is shrinking because of restrictions from religions, migration to urban areas, lack of interest by younger generations on uses of medicinal plants. The study concludes by advocating for the implementation of government policies that will significantly contribute towards the preservation of biodiversity and indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal flora.