Ethnomedicine of Ogiek of River Njoro watershed, Nakuru-Kenya

Abstract

Medicinal plants play a major role in meeting the medical and health needs of people, especially in developing countries. However, destruction of habitat through deforestation, over exploitation for commercial purposes, and changes in cultural behaviors threatens to drive many of these species into extinction. This broad study focused on documenting most of the medicinal plants used by the Ogiek community in Mau Forest Complex to facilitate conservation efforts. Stratified random and snowball sampling methods were used to identify 60 men and 60 women living in the community to participate in this research. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered and data were analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). 94 traditionally recognized plants were identified and correlated with their medicinal uses as indicated by informants. These were found mainly in open fields, riparian zones and in the forest. Men identified relatively more medicinal plants and their medicinal values than women did. In contrast, women had more knowledge of techniques for preparation and administration of herbal drugs for domestic uses. There was a positive correlation between the number of plants known to respondents and the age of respondents.