Inventory and analysis of medicinal and nutritional plants in Oyam District, Northern Uganda

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in six villages in the Ngai and Otwal sub counties in Oyam district, Northern Uganda, where insurgency has been prevalent for the past 20 years. Information was obtained mainly from the local population (n=110 respondents). Seventy one plant species were reported for use in the treatment of various diseases. These plant species belong to 42 families, with Asteraceae being the most represented. Roots ranked the highest, especially for use in extract preparations. Oral administration was the most frequently used route of administration. Forty three ailments were treated using medicinal plants. From this work, it was found out that, people in these areas commonly use medicinal plants with trust they have built on the curative outcome witnessed. Furthermore, wild food plants were surveyed. Wild food plants are important sources of nutrients. Therefore, one other purpose of this study was to document and analyse wild food plants. Selected plants from Ngai and Otwal Sub counties were analysed for their calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus concentrations and nutrients such protein, beta carotene, vitamin C, dietary fibre, ash and moisture contents. Fourteen plant species were wild and 7 were cultivated or semi cultivated. The wild food plants were found to be high in macro and micro nutrients. Respondents reported a reduction in the use of both the medicinal and nutritional plants.