Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Healers of South Unguja Region in Zanzibar

Abstract

This study was conducted to document medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the Southern Region of Unguja, Zanzibar, and to preserve valuable indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge for future generations. Ethnobotanical information was collected through structured and semi-structured interviews with 252 participants from 64 shehias (wards) in the South and Central Districts of Unguja. Data collection focused on vernacular names, plant parts used, diseases treated, and the source of traditional knowledge. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Origin software to determine the frequency and distribution of plant use.A total of 79 medicinal plant families were recorded, with Euphorbiaceae (14 species), Fabaceae (11 species), and Verbenaceae (10 species) being the most dominant. The study identified fifteen major disease categories treated with traditional remedies, including asthma, respiratory tract infections, skin disorders, diabetes, hypertension, and malaria. Among the plant parts used, leaves (44%) and roots (35%) were the most frequently utilized, followed by fruits (8%), bark (6%), and herbs (4%). The majority of traditional healers (75%) acquired their knowledge through inheritance from ancestors, while smaller proportions obtained it through training (9%), dreams (12%), and other means (4%).The study also found that only 44% of respondents were aware of the Zanzibar Traditional and Alternative Medicine Council, and merely 15% were registered with it. Despite these limitations, traditional medicine remains an integral part of primary healthcare in South Unguja, especially in rural communities with limited access to modern healthcare services. The findings emphasize the need for systematic documentation, capacity building for traditional healers, and the conservation of medicinal plants. Moreover, the documented species provide a scientific foundation for further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations to validate their therapeutic potential and contribute to new drug discovery from Zanzibar’s unique plant biodiversity.