Table 2.

Specific herbal medicines nominated by 176 out of 762 hospitalized patients at Mulago Hospital, Uganda, 2014

Traditional herbal medicine		No. of citations					Commentary
Local name	Botanical name	GYN (N = 191)		Medical Wards IDGI, HNE & CPN (N = 571)		Total
		Abortion-related admissions (n = 107)	Other admissions (n = 84)	Female (n = 343)	Male (n = 228)
Avocado leaves	Persea americana	1	1	17	11	30	Local knowledge: Used mainly in patients with anaemia to raise their haemoglobin levels
Mumbwa	–	6	7	5	5	23	Local knowledge: multiple herb-containing clay rods administered orally. Assumed to serve as wellbeing supplement for the foetus and mother.
Kigagi (Aloe vera)	Aloe barbadensis	0	0	12	10	22	Treats fever
Beet root	Beta vulgaris	0	0	7	5	12	For treatment of anaemia
Mululuza	Vernonia amygdalina	0	0	6	5	11	Local knowledge: Treats fever, malaria
Nanda	Commelina africana	2	2	1	2	7	Local knowledge: Induces abortion. Inserted adjacent to the cervix to induce it to dilate. Literature: Hypoglycaemic properties
Sere (Blackjack)	Bidens pilosa	1	0	4	2	7	Wide range of biological properties including significant antibacterial and antifungal activity
Kamunye	Hoslundia opposita	3	1	1	1	6	Locally: Cleanses uterus, treats vaginal lacerations after childbirth and fever. Literature: Anti-inflammatory and wound healing
Mango leaves/mangoes	Mangifera indica	0	0	4	0	4	For anaemia
Muzukizi	Dicliptera laxata	0	0	2	2	4	Local knowledge: Treats colorectal cancer, poison antidote
Kiyondo	Kalanchoe pinnata Lam	1	0	0	0	1	None of these three herbs was mentioned by any of the inpatients on the IDGI, HNE and CPN wards. Local knowledge: Kiyondo is aphrodisiac Literature: Kiyondo - anticonvulsant, antidiabetic and wound healing. Gwalimu - antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Gwalimu	Maytenus senegalensis (Lam) Exell	1	0	0	0	1
Ekigaranga		1	0	0	0	1