AUCTORES
Globalize your Research
Short Review | DOI: https://doi.org/
*Corresponding Author:
Citation:
Copyright: © 2018. Jolly Rajat. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Received: 30 November -0001 | Accepted: 01 January 1970 | Published: 01 January 1970
Keywords: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Kaya forests.
The Kaya forest is considered to be an intrinsic source of ritual power and the origin of cultural identity among the Mijikenda community besides being a place of prayer. The Kaya forests of coastal Kenya are thus one example of a phenomenon that has been described from many other African countries and other continents. Communities living around these two forests depend on the diversity of flora for their livelihoods and medicinal requirements. The local herbalists use indigenous trees and shrubs to treat a variety of diseases. Communities around the Kayas have knowledge to prepare a variety of medicinal formulations to treat diseases which have been passed down through generations. In a survey study conducted in communities living around Kaya Kauma and Tsolokero, 55 medicinal plant species were stated by herbalist as medicinal. In this review eleven plant species are reported for their ability to supress disease causing bacteria. An analysis in the laboratory to check on the medicinal efficacy of these plants was done using a protocol that was adopted from the local medicinal practitioners against S. aureus and E. coli using the dual plating method. Some of the perceived medicinal plants by these practitioners and the community exhibited medicinal ability expressed by a clear growth inhibition zones. The inhibition of growth by extracts from these plants supports the ethnobotanical applications of these plants as medicinal.
Kaya is a sacred forest of the Mijikenda people in the coastal region of Kenya. The literal meaning of Kaya is a “home”. These forests have fortified villages at their centre referred to as “Kaya Villages”. The concept of Kaya forest started way back in 16th Century. Eleven of the approximately 30 separate Kaya forests have been grouped together and inscribed as the sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, a UNESCO world heritage site. Ten of the known Kayas have been declared as a UNESCO world heritage in 2008 (UNESCO, 2008). In this study, two of the Kaya forests of the North Coastal region were evaluated to document the useful ethno botanical important plant species of Kaya Kauma and Kaya Tsolokero.
Medicinal plants of Kaya Kauma and Kaya Tsolokero
A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and enumerators eloquent in the local languages were recruited and trained to interview the villagers, herbalists and the Kaya elders. One hundred and forty-eight (148) medicinal plant species were identified by herbalist and residents of Kaya Kauma and Kaya Tsolokero (Table 1)
Table 3. Growth inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus by concoctions prepared from selected medicinal plants
(-) no activity (+) low activity (++) moderate activity (+++) High activity
The bacterial inhibition activity was very evident 5 out of the 11 tree species tested using the crude methods of preparation prescribed by local practitioners. Our volumes were fairly low for laboratory standards but prescriptions offered are in terms of glass full of concoction which probably contains thousands times the amounts used in the laboratory. In summary the plants claimed to treat bacterial diseases and other form of ailments do have antibiotic activity with capacity to treat ailments when applied at the right concentrations. Literature also indicates that some of the plants we studied have been clinically tested to treat a variety of ailments. This supports the medicinal application of these plant species as used by the communities of Kaya Kauma and Tsolokero of the Kenya Coast.
Zanthoxylum chalybeum referred locally to as Mdungu or Majafari has been used by the local herbalist around the Kaya Kauma forests to treat jaundice and yellow fever, the stems, roots and bark are used to prepare concoctions for various ailments. The bark of this plant is boiled with water until it changes a yellowish concoction. Patients are prescribed to drink the yellowish concoction to treat wounds and boils. The roots are dried in the sun then powdered and applied to the infected areas. The crude methods was tested in the laboratory and it was seen that the plant part do inhibit the growth of bacteria S. aureus [3].
Premna chrysoclada referred locally as Mvumo has been used to treat to treat fever in children and Candidiasis in adults. It is also used in the treatment of Diptheria. The top layer of the roots are scratched and mixed with oil and applied on the infected area. For the treatment of fever, the leaves are boiled and the resultant concoction is consumed as medication. Premna chrysoclada was reported to have activity against malaria parasites with (IC (50)<10μg/ml) significantly not different from the performance of chloroquine [4].
Diospyros cornii locally called Mkulu also referred to as Diospyros bussei Gürke (synonym: Diospyros cornii Chiov.) is a small evergreen tree up to 15-18 m tall. It occurs in the open woodland and wooded grassland of Somalia, eastern and coastal Kenya and eastern Tanzania. Its dark brown heartwood is used in ship building and for poles and walking sticks [5]. At Kaya Kauma this plant is used to treat skin disease and scabies. The bark, roots and leaves are sun dried, powdered and applied on the affected area. This plant is also used to kill mosquitoes if mixed with Deinbollia borbonica. The bark of this plant is mixed with the bark of Deinbollia borbonica (Mdaa) and is applied on the surface of the body to kill and or repel mosquitoes.
Croton pseudopulchellus referred to as Myama wa nyika. The word. “Nyika” means wilderness. The plant is only found inside the forest of kaya Kauma. This plant is used in the treatment of malaria and epilepsy besides its quality to preserve milk. A smoked piece of its stalk is introduced into a milk guard before introducing the milk. The milk is preserved and further acquires a nice flavour. Probably this tree is able to suppress lacto-bacteria that course fermentation in milk. It is also used in the treatment of chest congestion and body ache. The leaves and the roots exhibit medicinal traits. Efficacy of biologically active compounds in plant extracts against bacterial pathogen depends on factors such as region where the species is found, the time period within which the plants parts were collected and the storage condition [6].
Senna occidentalis is locally referred to as Mtsalafu. The leaves of this plant cure stomach aches. The raw leaves of this plant are squeezed and taken directly as a cure or boiled and the concoction consumed by patients. The leaves of this plant are also used as a vegetable by the community. In other studies crude extracts of this plant were reported to completely eliminate Trypanosoma brucei parasites effectively and significantly (P < 0.05) kept the parasitemia lower than was recorded in the infected untreated rats. [7]
Zanthoxylem holtzianum refered to as Mdungulutswa in kaya Tsolokero treats Asthma stomach aches and pains, fever, treat roundworms and scabies. The roots are boiled and the concoction taken for stomach aches. The bark, fruits and seeds of Zanthoxylem species are extensively used in indigenous system of medicine as a carminative, stomachic and anthelmintic. The stem was reported to exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in the preliminary trials. The bark is pungent and used to clean teeth. The fruits and seeds are used as an aromatic tonic in fever and dyspepsia. An extract of the fruits is reported to be effective in expelling roundworms. Because of their deodorant, disinfectant and antiseptic properties, the fruits are used in dental troubles, and their lotion for scabies. The essential oil is said to possess antiseptic, disinfectant and deodorant properties. [8]
Mildbraedia carpinifolia referred to as Mfundiran'gambi is used as a medicinal plant in Kaya Tsolokero. The plant is also called Plesiatropha carpinifolia. The stem, roots the stem and bark are scratched and chewed raw anytime for the treatment of cough. Not much work has been done on this species. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [9]. Pslilotrichum sclerenthum Thwaites refrred to as Chibiriti is used in Kaya Tsolokero for the treatment of cramps and pains in muscles. The leaves are harvested during sapling to maturity stage. Dry leaves of the plant are burnt and the ash is applied on the infected area.Little work has been done on this species Pslilotrichum sclerenthum Thwaites (Chibiriti) regarding their phytochemicals presence. The leaves of Vernonia homilantha commonly referred to as Mlazakoma or Mlalapiri in Kaya Tsolokero have been used to help in blood clotting and also to control blood in stool. The raw leaves of this plant are crushed and ground in water. The extract is then filtered and applied on the affected area. Extracts of boiled leaves also treat stomach ache. This showed strong inhibition against bacteria Staphyloccocus aureus [10].
The roots of the plant Mkwamba (Flueggea virosa) has been used in Kaya Tsolokero to cure kidney problems. The raw roots are cut into small pieces and ground in water. The concoction is consumed directly after filtering. All parts of the plant are used, but the root is considered the most active part. A range of medically active compounds have been identified in the plant including tannins and several alkaloids. Securine is the main alkaloid present, and as many as ten alkaloids closely related to it have been determined present in the plant [11]
Mchewa (Flagelleria guinensis) has been used in Kaya Tsolokero to treat cuts and kidney problem. The leaves are roasted and the ash is applied by cutting the outer surface of the body near kidneys to treat kidney problems.In traditional medicine in Côte d’Ivoire a decoction of leafy twigs is used as a wash or vapour bath to cure kidney pain. Leaf decoctions are drunk as a cure for gonorrhoea and used as a mouth wash against dental caries. Leaf pulp is also applied in case of dental caries. In Gabon the leaves are credited with aphrodisiac properties. In Kenya boiled leaves are applied hot for the treatment of hernia, and the twigs and leaves are used to heal venereal diseases. In south-western Tanzania an extract of the fruits is drunk to cure venereal diseases, while a dressing of pulped fruits is applied externally to cure venereal disease and skin problems. In Somalia the whole plant is crushed and mixed with oil and applied externally against rheumatic pains. [11]
Medicinal plants do have antimicrobial and therapeutically activity against a variety of diseases and ailments. The plant species reported in Kaya Tsolokero and Kauma of the Kenyan Coast are medicinal against bacteria, fungal, viral and other physical pains in human health. This study did not prove the efficacy against fungal and viral diseases but literature on similar plants in other parts of Africa and the world intimate that these plant species are effective against some of the mentioned ailments when the right concentrations through herbal prescriptions have been consumed. This review therefore validates some of the claims made by local practitioners from Kaya Kauma and Kaya Tsolokero. These practitioners need to document their skills and competences in herbal medicine to avoid losing this wealth of information as their generation fades with age.
This work was supported by Pwani University and the National Museum of Kenya.
Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.
Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Intervention The submission and review process was adequate. However I think that the publication total value should have been enlightened in early fases. Thank you for all.
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues By the present mail, I want to say thank to you and tour colleagues for facilitating my published article. Specially thank you for the peer review process, support from the editorial office. I appreciate positively the quality of your journal.
Journal of Clinical Research and Reports I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. The reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding any modifications for my manuscript. And the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help. It was my pleasure to contribute with your promising Journal and I am looking forward for more collaboration.
We would like to thank the Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery because of the services they provided us for our articles. The peer-review process was done in a very excellent time manner, and the opinions of the reviewers helped us to improve our manuscript further. The editorial office had an outstanding correspondence with us and guided us in many ways. During a hard time of the pandemic that is affecting every one of us tremendously, the editorial office helped us make everything easier for publishing scientific work. Hope for a more scientific relationship with your Journal.
The peer-review process which consisted high quality queries on the paper. I did answer six reviewers’ questions and comments before the paper was accepted. The support from the editorial office is excellent.
Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. I had the experience of publishing a research article recently. The whole process was simple from submission to publication. The reviewers made specific and valuable recommendations and corrections that improved the quality of my publication. I strongly recommend this Journal.
Dr. Katarzyna Byczkowska My testimonial covering: "The peer review process is quick and effective. The support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly. Quality of the Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on cardiology that is useful for other professionals in the field.
Thank you most sincerely, with regard to the support you have given in relation to the reviewing process and the processing of my article entitled "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of The Prostate Gland: A Review and Update" for publication in your esteemed Journal, Journal of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics". The editorial team has been very supportive.
Testimony of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology: work with your Reviews has been a educational and constructive experience. The editorial office were very helpful and supportive. It was a pleasure to contribute to your Journal.
Dr. Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, I am happy to publish my scientific work in Journal of Women Health Care and Issues (JWHCI). The manuscript submission was seamless and peer review process was top notch. I was amazed that 4 reviewers worked on the manuscript which made it a highly technical, standard and excellent quality paper. I appreciate the format and consideration for the APC as well as the speed of publication. It is my pleasure to continue with this scientific relationship with the esteem JWHCI.
This is an acknowledgment for peer reviewers, editorial board of Journal of Clinical Research and Reports. They show a lot of consideration for us as publishers for our research article “Evaluation of the different factors associated with side effects of COVID-19 vaccination on medical students, Mutah university, Al-Karak, Jordan”, in a very professional and easy way. This journal is one of outstanding medical journal.
Dear Hao Jiang, to Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing We greatly appreciate the efficient, professional and rapid processing of our paper by your team. If there is anything else we should do, please do not hesitate to let us know. On behalf of my co-authors, we would like to express our great appreciation to editor and reviewers.
As an author who has recently published in the journal "Brain and Neurological Disorders". I am delighted to provide a testimonial on the peer review process, editorial office support, and the overall quality of the journal. The peer review process at Brain and Neurological Disorders is rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only high-quality, evidence-based research is published. The reviewers are experts in their fields, and their comments and suggestions were constructive and helped improve the quality of my manuscript. The review process was timely and efficient, with clear communication from the editorial office at each stage. The support from the editorial office was exceptional throughout the entire process. The editorial staff was responsive, professional, and always willing to help. They provided valuable guidance on formatting, structure, and ethical considerations, making the submission process seamless. Moreover, they kept me informed about the status of my manuscript and provided timely updates, which made the process less stressful. The journal Brain and Neurological Disorders is of the highest quality, with a strong focus on publishing cutting-edge research in the field of neurology. The articles published in this journal are well-researched, rigorously peer-reviewed, and written by experts in the field. The journal maintains high standards, ensuring that readers are provided with the most up-to-date and reliable information on brain and neurological disorders. In conclusion, I had a wonderful experience publishing in Brain and Neurological Disorders. The peer review process was thorough, the editorial office provided exceptional support, and the journal's quality is second to none. I would highly recommend this journal to any researcher working in the field of neurology and brain disorders.
Dear Agrippa Hilda, Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, Editorial Coordinator, I trust this message finds you well. I want to extend my appreciation for considering my article for publication in your esteemed journal. I am pleased to provide a testimonial regarding the peer review process and the support received from your editorial office. The peer review process for my paper was carried out in a highly professional and thorough manner. The feedback and comments provided by the authors were constructive and very useful in improving the quality of the manuscript. This rigorous assessment process undoubtedly contributes to the high standards maintained by your journal.
International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. I strongly recommend to consider submitting your work to this high-quality journal. The support and availability of the Editorial staff is outstanding and the review process was both efficient and rigorous.
Thank you very much for publishing my Research Article titled “Comparing Treatment Outcome Of Allergic Rhinitis Patients After Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray And Nasal Douching" in the Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology. As Medical Professionals we are immensely benefited from study of various informative Articles and Papers published in this high quality Journal. I look forward to enriching my knowledge by regular study of the Journal and contribute my future work in the field of ENT through the Journal for use by the medical fraternity. The support from the Editorial office was excellent and very prompt. I also welcome the comments received from the readers of my Research Article.
Dear Erica Kelsey, Editorial Coordinator of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics Our team is very satisfied with the processing of our paper by your journal. That was fast, efficient, rigorous, but without unnecessary complications. We appreciated the very short time between the submission of the paper and its publication on line on your site.
I am very glad to say that the peer review process is very successful and fast and support from the Editorial Office. Therefore, I would like to continue our scientific relationship for a long time. And I especially thank you for your kindly attention towards my article. Have a good day!
"We recently published an article entitled “Influence of beta-Cyclodextrins upon the Degradation of Carbofuran Derivatives under Alkaline Conditions" in the Journal of “Pesticides and Biofertilizers” to show that the cyclodextrins protect the carbamates increasing their half-life time in the presence of basic conditions This will be very helpful to understand carbofuran behaviour in the analytical, agro-environmental and food areas. We greatly appreciated the interaction with the editor and the editorial team; we were particularly well accompanied during the course of the revision process, since all various steps towards publication were short and without delay".
I would like to express my gratitude towards you process of article review and submission. I found this to be very fair and expedient. Your follow up has been excellent. I have many publications in national and international journal and your process has been one of the best so far. Keep up the great work.
We are grateful for this opportunity to provide a glowing recommendation to the Journal of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We found that the editorial team were very supportive, helpful, kept us abreast of timelines and over all very professional in nature. The peer review process was rigorous, efficient and constructive that really enhanced our article submission. The experience with this journal remains one of our best ever and we look forward to providing future submissions in the near future.
I am very pleased to serve as EBM of the journal, I hope many years of my experience in stem cells can help the journal from one way or another. As we know, stem cells hold great potential for regenerative medicine, which are mostly used to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. I think Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics International is a great platform to publish and share the understanding towards the biology and translational or clinical application of stem cells.
I would like to give my testimony in the support I have got by the peer review process and to support the editorial office where they were of asset to support young author like me to be encouraged to publish their work in your respected journal and globalize and share knowledge across the globe. I really give my great gratitude to your journal and the peer review including the editorial office.
I am delighted to publish our manuscript entitled "A Perspective on Cocaine Induced Stroke - Its Mechanisms and Management" in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. The peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal are excellent. The manuscripts published are of high quality and of excellent scientific value. I recommend this journal very much to colleagues.
Dr.Tania Muñoz, My experience as researcher and author of a review article in The Journal Clinical Cardiology and Interventions has been very enriching and stimulating. The editorial team is excellent, performs its work with absolute responsibility and delivery. They are proactive, dynamic and receptive to all proposals. Supporting at all times the vast universe of authors who choose them as an option for publication. The team of review specialists, members of the editorial board, are brilliant professionals, with remarkable performance in medical research and scientific methodology. Together they form a frontline team that consolidates the JCCI as a magnificent option for the publication and review of high-level medical articles and broad collective interest. I am honored to be able to share my review article and open to receive all your comments.
“The peer review process of JPMHC is quick and effective. Authors are benefited by good and professional reviewers with huge experience in the field of psychology and mental health. The support from the editorial office is very professional. People to contact to are friendly and happy to help and assist any query authors might have. Quality of the Journal is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on mental health that is useful for other professionals in the field”.
Dear editorial department: On behalf of our team, I hereby certify the reliability and superiority of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews in the peer review process, editorial support, and journal quality. Firstly, the peer review process of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is rigorous, fair, transparent, fast, and of high quality. The editorial department invites experts from relevant fields as anonymous reviewers to review all submitted manuscripts. These experts have rich academic backgrounds and experience, and can accurately evaluate the academic quality, originality, and suitability of manuscripts. The editorial department is committed to ensuring the rigor of the peer review process, while also making every effort to ensure a fast review cycle to meet the needs of authors and the academic community. Secondly, the editorial team of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is composed of a group of senior scholars and professionals with rich experience and professional knowledge in related fields. The editorial department is committed to assisting authors in improving their manuscripts, ensuring their academic accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Editors actively collaborate with authors, providing useful suggestions and feedback to promote the improvement and development of the manuscript. We believe that the support of the editorial department is one of the key factors in ensuring the quality of the journal. Finally, the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is renowned for its high- quality articles and strict academic standards. The editorial department is committed to publishing innovative and academically valuable research results to promote the development and progress of related fields. The International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is reasonably priced and ensures excellent service and quality ratio, allowing authors to obtain high-level academic publishing opportunities in an affordable manner. I hereby solemnly declare that the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews has a high level of credibility and superiority in terms of peer review process, editorial support, reasonable fees, and journal quality. Sincerely, Rui Tao.
