Abstract:

Herbal medicines are important for primary healthcare needs of both rural and urban communities in Zimbabwe, and among these therapies are those made from exotic plants. The aim of this study was to document ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plants in Shurugwi district, South-central Zimbabwe. Semi-structured interviews, personal observations and guided field walks were conducted between December 2014 and January 2015 with 128 participants comprising of community members (93.0 %, n = 119) and traditional healers (7.1 %, n = 9) from seven villages to obtain ethnobotanical data on medicinal uses of these plants. Data collected included local and scientific names of plants used, parts used, methods of herbal preparation and administration.