Exploring the traditional medicinal plants used for treating childhood ailments in Zimbabwe and their scientific validation
In rural Zimbabwe, when a child develops a fever or stomach ailment, the first response often doesn't involve a trip to the pharmacy but a journey into nature's own medicine cabinet. For generations, traditional healers have relied on an extensive indigenous pharmacopeia of medicinal plants to treat common childhood illnesses. With approximately 80% of Zimbabwe's population depending on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare needs, these botanical remedies represent far more than cultural heritage—they are vital healthcare resources, particularly in communities with limited access to modern medical facilities 3 8 .
Recent research has shed new light on the astonishing scope of this traditional knowledge. A comprehensive 2024 review published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development documented 178 different plant species across 64 families used specifically to treat pediatric ailments in Zimbabwe 1 5 . These plants address 41 distinct childhood medical conditions, from common gastrointestinal issues and respiratory infections to more specialized conditions like skin disorders and teething pain 1 .
"I treat different diseases affecting children using our traditional herbs. These herbs help a lot."
This article explores the fascinating intersection of traditional knowledge and modern science, examining how Zimbabwe's flora contributes to child health, which plants show particular promise, and how this invaluable knowledge is being preserved for future generations.
178
Medicinal Plant Species
41
Childhood Conditions Treated
80%
Population Using Traditional Medicine
Walking through the diverse ecosystems of Zimbabwe, from the lush eastern highlands to the drier savannas, one is surrounded by nature's pharmacy. The medicinal plant diversity is remarkable, with certain species emerging as particularly important for children's health. Among the 178 documented species used for pediatric care, several have risen to prominence through frequent use across communities 1 .
| Plant Species | Common Uses in Children | Plant Part Used | Notable Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptolepis oblongifolia Popular | Multiple childhood ailments | Not specified | One of the most popular with 4-5 use reports 1 |
| Lannea edulis | Diarrhea, bilharzia, gonorrhea | Roots | Documented antimicrobial activity 3 |
| Asparagus spp. Popular | Multiple childhood ailments | Not specified | Among the most popular species 1 |
| Dichrostachys cinerea | Multiple childhood ailments | Not specified | Commercially important throughout sub-Saharan Africa 1 |
| Strychnos spinosa Popular | Multiple childhood ailments | Not specified | 3-5 use reports; popular choice 1 |
The Fabaceae family, which includes legumes and beans, emerges as particularly significant in Zimbabwe's traditional medicine. Research shows that of the approximately 665 Fabaceae species in Zimbabwe, about 101 are used medicinally, with 15% of these employed specifically for pediatric healthcare 9 .
This family includes species used to treat everything from gastrointestinal issues to respiratory conditions in children.
Notably, both indigenous and naturalized plants play important roles in Zimbabwe's herbal pharmacopeia. Among the 178 documented species used for pediatric ailments, approximately 9% (16 species) are exotic plants that have been incorporated into traditional healing practices.
These include familiar species like Carica papaya (papaya), Citrus limon (lemon), and Zingiber officinale (ginger), which now form an important component of Zimbabwe's indigenous pharmacopeia 1 .
The preparation and administration of traditional pediatric medicines follows time-honored methods refined through generations of observation and practice. The transformation of raw plant materials into effective medicines requires precise knowledge that forms the core of traditional healing expertise.
The plant parts used vary significantly depending on the intended remedy. Roots are the most commonly used portion, employed in approximately 80.2% of preparations, followed by leaves (36.6%), bark (27.7%), and fruits (8.9%) 9 . This knowledge is crucial, as the medicinal compounds within a plant can be concentrated in specific tissues, and the timing of harvest may impact their potency.
Plant materials are boiled in water to extract active compounds, creating teas or oral solutions 3 .
Dried plant parts are ground into fine powders that may be applied topically or mixed with liquids 6 .
For skin conditions, crushed leaves or saps may be applied directly to affected areas 6 .
For respiratory conditions, steam from boiling medicinal plants may be carefully directed for inhalation 3 .
As interest in traditional plant medicine grows, researchers are increasingly turning their attention to scientific validation of these ancient remedies. The emerging field of ethnopharmacology serves as a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern medicine, seeking to understand the biochemical mechanisms behind traditional remedies.
| Plant Species | Documented Pharmacological Properties | Traditional Pediatric Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Lannea edulis | Antimicrobial activity; contains flavonoids and tannins 3 | Bilharzia, diarrhea, gonorrhea 3 |
| Sclerocarya birrea | Antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties 3 | Sore eyes 3 |
| Asparagus africanus | Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities 3 | Diarrhea, pneumonia, to dilate birth canal 3 |
| Carissa bispinosa | Analgesic, antiviral and diuretic activities 3 | Cough and diarrhea 3 |
A recent review focusing on plants used for skin conditions in Zimbabwe revealed that 89.2% of the documented species have confirmed biological and pharmacological properties that support their traditional uses 6 .
Percentage of plants with confirmed pharmacological properties
The same review highlighted significant gaps in safety data, with only 40.9% of species having confirmed low toxicity, 8.6% associated with high toxicological risks, and the remainder lacking sufficient toxicological profiling 6 .
Low toxicity | High risk | Unknown toxicity
In urban centers like Harare, the traditional medicine trade flourishes in markets such as Mbare, Highfield, and the Central Business District. These bustling hubs serve as crucial centers where medicinal plants are commodified and made accessible to urban populations 4 .
A 2025 study of Harare's urban markets identified 64 medicinal plant species being traded, with roots as the most sold plant part (56% of species), followed by bark (34%) and leaves (28%) 4 . The trade provides important livelihoods for vendors, with monthly incomes ranging from US$150 to $300—a significant contribution in a country with economic challenges 4 .
Monthly income for medicinal plant vendors 4
The sourcing patterns of these medicinal plants reveal an important challenge. Vendors primarily obtain their supplies from eastern Zimbabwe, particularly Chipinge district, highlighting a concerning reliance on distant regions—sometimes over 100 km away 4 .
This geographic disconnect between consumers and harvesters creates sustainability concerns, as urban demand may lead to overharvesting without local accountability or awareness of conservation needs.
The informant consensus factor (ICF), which measures agreement among vendors on medicinal plant uses, is highest for:
This strong consensus underscores the recognized importance of these plants for specific health conditions 4 .
Despite their cultural and healthcare importance, Zimbabwe's medicinal plants face unprecedented threats. Climate change has triggered ongoing and ever-worsening droughts since 1992, devastating local plant life 7 . Herbalists like Florence Munyama report that "the plants have dried up completely. At times, I have to walk very long distances to look for these herbs" 7 .
The situation is particularly dire for specialized species. The wild grape shrub, whose root extracts have historically been an effective remedy for diarrhea and other stomach ailments, has disappeared from the wetlands around Munyama's homestead 7 . Such losses disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly children who depend on these remedies for primary healthcare.
"Through traditional strategies such as permaculture, agroforestry, and sustainable agriculture, a natural regeneration of the environment could save the herbs from extinction."
Zimbabwe's rich tradition of using medicinal plants for pediatric care represents an invaluable cultural and healthcare heritage. With 178 documented plant species used to treat 41 childhood conditions, this knowledge system demonstrates remarkable sophistication and continued relevance 1 . As research continues to validate traditional practices through pharmacological studies, there is growing recognition of the potential for drug discovery and development of new health-promoting products for children based on these traditional remedies 1 .
The conservation of both the plants and the knowledge associated with them represents an urgent priority. The disappearance of key medicinal species due to climate change and overharvesting threatens to sever an ancient connection between people and healing plants 7 .
"We will protect the herbs and knowledge of traditional medicines for future generations. Herbal medicine knowledge will not die."
By documenting, validating, and preserving this knowledge, we honor generations of traditional healers while protecting future access to nature's pharmacy—ensuring that Zimbabwe's children will continue to benefit from this green heritage for generations to come.
The future of Zimbabwe's pediatric healthcare depends on protecting both medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.