Ethnotherapeutic management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and reproductive health conditions in Central Province of Kenya

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases that pose major public health concerns in the world today. Although plants used in management of reproductive health in traditional communities play a major role in primary healthcare, they are often over looked in most ethnobotanical surveys. The study investigates various STDs and reproductive health conditions managed through ethnotherapeutic agents as well as the important herbal remedies utilized in Central Province of Kenya. Of 49 plant species belonging to 30 families used in managing various STDs and reproductive health conditions in the study area, 16 species were mentioned three or more times during the survey. Herbal agents used for the treatment of these conditions, especially the ones with high agreement on their use among respondents, form an important resource for antimicrobial screening against microorganisms associated with STDs especially those which have already developed resistant strains. Several species were used in managing pain associated with reproductive issues and may warrant investigations to authenticate their analgesic properties.

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