Ethnomedicinal uses of grasses in Zimbabwe: Current and traditional uses

This review summarizes the ethnobotanical uses of 10 major Zimbabwean grass species: Cymbopogon citratus, Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine coracana, Heteropogon contortus, Hyparrhenia filipendula, Phragmites mauritianus, Pogonarthria squarrosa, Sorghum bicolor, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Zea mays. The ethnomedicinal uses comprise 19 diseases and ailments dominated by respiratory infections, pediatric and sexually transmitted infections, and also used for ritual purposes and as sources of ethnoveterinary medicines. Roots (37.0%) followed by grain or seeds (27.0%) represented the major parts that are used medicinally for different human ailments. Baseline data provided in this study can be used for future ethnopharmacological research focusing on chemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations of the documented species.