Ethnobotanical Survey and Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used to Manage Snakebite Envenomation in Nyatike Subcounty, Migori County, Kenya

TL;DR

This study documents 13 medicinal plants used in Kenya to treat snakebite, aiming to preserve traditional knowledge and support future drug development.

Contribution

The study provides the first ethnobotanical documentation of plants used for snakebite in Nyatike subcounty, Kenya.

Findings

Thirteen medicinal plant species from seven families were identified for managing snakebite envenomation.

Asteraceae was the most represented plant family, with four species cited for treatment.

Combretum collinum Fresen was the most frequently cited plant for treating snakebite.

Abstract

Traditional medicine plays a crucial role in managing snakebite envenomation (SBE) among the people of Nyatike subcounty. This region is particularly important for such a study due to its high incidence of snakebite cases, limited access to healthcare facilities, and strong reliance on indigenous knowledge systems. However, the medicinal plants used for this purpose remain largely undocumented, leading to a lack of scientific investigation. The absence of proper documentation poses a risk of losing this valuable knowledge, as it is primarily passed down orally within trusted families. There is a growing concern that this traditional wisdom may be lost over time due to death, aging of knowledge holders, or declining interest among younger generations.

This study sought to identify and document the medicinal herbs most commonly used to manage SBE in Nyatike subcounty. By capturing this ethnobotanical knowledge, the study seeks to promote the preservation of folk medicine and provide a foundation for future pharmacological investigations into their potential antivenom properties.

Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, involving approximately 60 purposefully selected respondents. To document local knowledge on medicinal plants, the study utilized oral interviews, field walks, and semistructured questionnaires.

Thirteen medicinal plant species from seven different families were identified and documented for managing SBE in Nyatike subcounty. The Asteraceae family was the most represented, with four species. Key patterns revealed that the most frequently cited species, Combretum collinum Fresen (RFC = 0.75), Bidens pilosa L. (RFC = 0.42), Ozoroa insignis Delile (RFC = 0.33), and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (RFC = 0.22), are readily accessible, fast-acting, and commonly used by traditional healers to manage SBE.

The study highlights the extensive use of medicinal plants for SBE management in Nyatike subcounty due to the limitations associated with accessing conventional antivenom. These plants may offer promising leads for the development of plant-based antivenoms, either as complementary or as alternative therapies to current treatments. Further research is necessary to isolate the bioactive compounds present in these plants, assess their safety profiles, and evaluate their antivenom potential.

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