Ethnobotanical survey and plant monographs of medicinal plants used among the Elgeyo community in Kenya

Knowledge of medicinal plants is passed orally from one generation to the next, consequently, valuable information can be forgotten, lost or distorted. The fragility of the oral-traditional knowledge and the rapid pace of climatic change, urbanization and subsequent erosion of tribal culture in Kenya calls for intervention. The aim of the study was to carry out an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants. This was achieved through administration of structured questionnaires. Twenty five medicinal plants were documented, majority were from the family Capparidaceae and Rutaceae. Locally endangered plants constituted 68%. Majority of the plant parts were boiled (85.19%) in water and taken orally as infusions and the roots were widely used (66.67%) also majority were utilized for gastrointestinal problems. Most of these plants were locally endangered which was attributed to overharvesting, harsh climate and extensive gulley erosion that was evident in the area. Citation: Cheruiyot K.J., Elizabrth N., Charles M., Christine B., Richard K., Emily T., 2013. Ethnobotanical survey and plant monographs of medicinal plants used among the Elgeyo community in Kenya. The Journal of Ethnobiology and Traditional Medicine. Photon 120, 633-649.