Mabira ‘sex tree’ faces extinction
Jul 22, 2007
MAKERERE University researchers have expressed concern over the high demand for citropsis articulata, commonly known as omuboro in Runya-Kitara, a plant used to boost libido in men.
By Aidah Nanyonjo
MAKERERE University researchers have expressed concern over the high demand for citropsis articulata, commonly known as omuboro in Runya-Kitara, a plant used to boost libido in men.
Following a recent visit to Mabira Forest, the researchers said the high demand has led to the depletion of the species.
“The rate at which this species is being depleted because of its medicinal value is enormous. In a few years to come, it might be no more in Ugandan forests,†Dr Mauda Kamatenesi, a lecturer at the Department of Botany in the Faculty of Science, said.
She noted that the omuboro is one of the slowest growing trees and, therefore, it will be hard to recover lost stock.
“The tree may contain other medicinal values apart from treating sexual impotence and since research has not been effectively done on it, we are likely to lose the other benefits,†she says.
Researchers suspect that important medicinal tree species have been depleted in the forests and the country is likely to lose them completely if no precaution is taken to preserve them.
Citropsis articulata can also be found in Kibaale National Park, Budongo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park (biosphere reserve) but in small numbers. People prefer getting it from Mabira Forest because of its proximity.
Tree species like Pronus Africana, used in the treatment of cancer, was also mentioned among the depleted species.
Kamatenesi asked the National Agricultural Advisory Services to embrace and incorporate the growing of important medicinal plants in their programmes, to ensure their preservation.
In line with this, the Natural Products Research for Eastern and Central Africa, in conjunction with the Department of Botany in the Faculty of Science, Makerere University, have organised a symposium under the theme ‘Drug discovery from Africa’. The symposium will take place from July 22 to 26 at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
The symposium will enable researchers to share knowledge on new medicinal discoveries, which will be used for further development of drugs.
The conference will be attended by scientists, chemists, pharmacists, traditional herbalists and educationists.
Traditional herbalists have been included because of their vital role in medicinal discovery. However, they know medicines without finding out their side effects.
In the same symposium, a tour has been organised to visit different forests in the country, including Mabira Forest, to assess the situation of the depleted medicinal tree species.
Kamatenesi says Uganda and other countries in Africa are experiencing medicinal trafficking to other countries by both traditional herbalists and modern drug companies.
“Africa is losing huge amounts of medicine to Europe. Our plants are being used by foreigners to produce medicines. They get a small part of the plant and reproduce it in their country,†she said.
MAKERERE University researchers have expressed concern over the high demand for citropsis articulata, commonly known as omuboro in Runya-Kitara, a plant used to boost libido in men.
Following a recent visit to Mabira Forest, the researchers said the high demand has led to the depletion of the species.
“The rate at which this species is being depleted because of its medicinal value is enormous. In a few years to come, it might be no more in Ugandan forests,†Dr Mauda Kamatenesi, a lecturer at the Department of Botany in the Faculty of Science, said.
She noted that the omuboro is one of the slowest growing trees and, therefore, it will be hard to recover lost stock.
“The tree may contain other medicinal values apart from treating sexual impotence and since research has not been effectively done on it, we are likely to lose the other benefits,†she says.
Researchers suspect that important medicinal tree species have been depleted in the forests and the country is likely to lose them completely if no precaution is taken to preserve them.
Citropsis articulata can also be found in Kibaale National Park, Budongo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park (biosphere reserve) but in small numbers. People prefer getting it from Mabira Forest because of its proximity.
Tree species like Pronus Africana, used in the treatment of cancer, was also mentioned among the depleted species.
Kamatenesi asked the National Agricultural Advisory Services to embrace and incorporate the growing of important medicinal plants in their programmes, to ensure their preservation.
In line with this, the Natural Products Research for Eastern and Central Africa, in conjunction with the Department of Botany in the Faculty of Science, Makerere University, have organised a symposium under the theme ‘Drug discovery from Africa’. The symposium will take place from July 22 to 26 at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
The symposium will enable researchers to share knowledge on new medicinal discoveries, which will be used for further development of drugs.
The conference will be attended by scientists, chemists, pharmacists, traditional herbalists and educationists.
Traditional herbalists have been included because of their vital role in medicinal discovery. However, they know medicines without finding out their side effects.
In the same symposium, a tour has been organised to visit different forests in the country, including Mabira Forest, to assess the situation of the depleted medicinal tree species.
Kamatenesi says Uganda and other countries in Africa are experiencing medicinal trafficking to other countries by both traditional herbalists and modern drug companies.
“Africa is losing huge amounts of medicine to Europe. Our plants are being used by foreigners to produce medicines. They get a small part of the plant and reproduce it in their country,†she said.