Ethno-Medicinal Value of Trees in Oloolua Forest, Kajiado County, Kenya.

Abstract

Use of traditional medicines as an alternative to the conventional ones is gaining a lot of traction lately both globally and locally. Traditional Chinese Medicine is globally recognized for its long-standing use, and in Africa many communities embrace the practice as well. In Kenya the Maasai are in the forefront in matters traditional medicine, and it is known that the knowledge is specifically and purposefully passed on from senior citizens to the younger generation. This study intends to highlight the importance of the remaining urban forests and green spaces in conserving these important medicinal trees. It also informs and seeks to actuate traditional medicine knowledge conservation and retention for posterity. Eighteen species of trees were encountered in Oloolua forest of Kajiado county, following a stratified transect survey in the forests’ four distinct habitats. Of these, thirteen species belonging to twelve families were found to have documented ethno-medicinal significance and wide use amongst local and regional communities. The family that was most used was Celastraceae bearing two tree species. Data on ethno-medicinal significance was gotten after thorough online searches were conducted in research journals, Freefull PDF, Google scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed using keywords significant to the topic. The part of the trees most commonly used were the roots and bark, whereas decoction method of preparation was outrightly the most preferred. The ethno-medicine was found to be important in treatment and management of general pain, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory, pulmonary, endocrinal illnesses, Malaria and other inflammation related disorders. A qualitative analysis of the acquired data grouped the illnesses into six illness categories with gastro-intestinal ranking highest at 28%. The harvesting of tree species to access roots and stems is a major concern as it threatens the very survival of these important tree species. Findings point out the critical role of urban forests in conserving ethnomedicinal tree diversity and sustaining indigenous knowledge systems.