Algumas plantas medicinais e tóxicas identificadas no Hospital Central de Maputo e Hospital José Geral Macamo

Abstract

A survey was carried out within the scope of medicinal and toxic plants identified in the wards of the Hospital Central de Maputo (H.C.M.) and the General Hospital of José Macamo (H.G.J.M.) in a period of two ‘month and October and November 1992). Twenty (20) cases of poisoning of children by traditional medication were Çapurodòs, of which six (6) from H.C.M. and fourteen (14) from H.G.J.M.. From the survey carried out on the mothers accompanying the cases, five (5) species mentioned by the accompanying mothers as causing intoxication were identified: Ibosa riparia (Bozana), Brachylaena discolor (Palhakuta), Walburgia salutaris (Xibaha), Strychnos henningii (Manona) and Terminalia sericea (Konola). According to health personnel, the children had diarrhea and vomiting symptoms. 80% of cases were cured and 20% resulted in death. From the medicinal plants identified above, a comparative cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out and fifty (50) Traditional Medicine Practitioners (PMT's) were surveyed, of which 42% were from the District of Boane and 58% from the District of Marracuene , Province of Maputo. It was found that P.M.T.'s use these plants for the treatment of tonsillitis, dysentery, diarrhea, stomach pain, cough and tuberculosis. The frequently used parts of plants were the leaves and roots. The most used method of preparation of traditional medicines consisted of decoction and infusion. The side effects of the plants found in the Hospitals mentioned above by the P.M.Tflnqueiridos, with more emphasis were asthenia and vomiting.