Medicinal Plants and Clinics in Laikipia County, Kenya: An Analysis of Medical Resources and Treatment Mechanism Determinants

Abstract

Medicinal plants have supported human populations as the primary source of illness treatment since the beginning of our existence. Though modern medicine has transitioned away from the use of traditional plants, there is much to learn from the plants which have been selected for by the many generations of our human predecessors. As clinics begin to transform medicine in Laikipia County, it is important to document the existing herbal knowledge, which could prove beneficial in the creation of new medications with fewer side effects, and treatment of antibiotic resistant infections. Additionally, evaluation of variables contributing to clinic use can guide the investment of resources in improving regional healthcare.

This study identifies the variables which impact medicinal plant and clinic use in Laikipia County villages. The intent of this study is two-fold: first, it identifies the factors which influence the use of the modern clinic as opposed to the use of the traditional plant. Second, it identifies commonly used traditional plants and trends in use relative to illness. Through statistical analysis with anecdotal illustration, 140 local language interviews have been synthesized and reported in this paper.

Throughout this study it was shown that increasing age has a statistically significant negative correlation with clinic usage. Of the plants used by the study population, five were used with high frequency to treat the most commonly experienced diseases. These plants and their efficacies as evaluated by pre-existing literature is compiled in this paper.