Medicinal plants used in the Maasai traditional healthcare system for diabetes and associated conditions in Monduli District, Arusha, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Roman, Wilfrida | |
| dc.contributor.author | Martin, Haikael | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ismail, Huda | |
| dc.contributor.author | Islam, Shahidul | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-15T16:41:59Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-12-29 | |
| dc.description | SDG-3: Good Health and Well-being SDG-15: Life on Land | |
| dc.description.abstract | Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern, particularly in resource-limited countries where traditional medicine remains a primary source of healthcare. Despite its significant contribution, comprehensive documentation of indigenous medicinal plants used for diabetes management remains limited across various communities. This study aimed to document and analyze the ethnomedicinal knowledge of Maasai Traditional Practitioners (MTPs) in Monduli District, Tanzania, with an emphasis on plant-based remedies utilized for the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with MTPs, followed by plant identification and literature review to assess the novelty and reported uses of the documented species. A total of 55 medicinal plant species belonging to 33 families were recorded. Notably, eight species, including Aasparagus africanus, Flueggea virosa, Cynodon dactylon, Malva verticillata, Ximenia caffra, Ziziphus mucronata, Scutia myrtina, and Corchorus olitorius were reported for the first time as antidiabetic remedies. Trees and shrubs were the dominant growth forms, with roots and bark being the most frequently utilized plant parts. Oral administration was the primary mode of remedy delivery, with dosage and frequency varying according to disease severity and patient condition. The findings highlight the importance of Maasai indigenous knowledge in diabetes management while raising sustainability concerns due to the extensive harvesting of roots and bark. Further research is recommended to support conservation and cultivation efforts and to evaluate the antidiabetic potential, bioactive compounds, and safety of newly identified species, thereby contributing to the development of novel plant-derived antidiabetic therapies and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/123456789/3612 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier B.V. | |
| dc.subject | Medicinal plants | |
| dc.subject | Diabetes | |
| dc.subject | Maasai traditional practitioners | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | |
| dc.title | Medicinal plants used in the Maasai traditional healthcare system for diabetes and associated conditions in Monduli District, Arusha, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Article |