BACKGROUND Plants have been used as a primary source of medicine since ancient times and about 80% of the world's population use herbal medicine to treat different ailments. Plant use knowledge differs in space and time and thus requires documentation to avoid its loss from one generation to another. METHODS In order to accomplish the survey, semi-structured questionnaires were used. The data collected included names of plant species, parts used, ailments treated, growth habit, methods of preparation and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data in form of tables and a graph. RESULTS Results showed that 50 plant species belonging to 26 families were utilized in the treatment of paediatric diseases of which Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most common. Leaves (80%) were the most commonly used and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Twenty nine health conditions were treated out of which digestive disorders, malaria and respiratory tract infections were predominant. Herbs and shrubs were equally dominant. CONCLUSION Herbal remedies are an important source of treatment for paediatric diseases in Buhunga Parish. However, there is need for collaboration between herbal medicine users and scientific institutions to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge. Scientists ought to explore suitable methods of preparation and dosage formulations in order to achieve the best benefits from herbal remedies.

中文翻译：

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乌干达Rukungiri区Buhunga教区用于治疗儿科疾病的草药的民族药理调查。

背景技术自古以来，植物已被用作主要的医学来源，并且世界上约80％的人口使用草药来治疗各种疾病。植物的使用知识在空间和时间上各不相同，因此需要文档记录，以避免其一代又一代地流失。方法为了完成调查，使用了半结构化问卷。收集的数据包括植物名称，使用的部位，治疗的疾病，生长习性，草药的制备方法和给药方式。描述性统计用于以表格和图形的形式显示数据。结果结果表明，有26个科的50种植物被用于治疗小儿科疾病，其中菊科和唇形科最为常见。叶子（80％）是最常用的，水煎是主要的制备方法。治疗了29种健康状况，其中主要是消化系统疾病，疟疾和呼吸道感染。草药和灌木同样占主导地位。结论草药是Buhunga Parish小儿疾病治疗的重要来源。但是，草药使用者和科研机构之间需要进行合作，以帮助发现基于土著知识的新药。科学家应该探索合适的制备方法和剂量配方，以便从草药中获得最大的收益。疟疾和呼吸道感染占主要地位。草药和灌木同样占主导地位。结论草药是Buhunga Parish小儿疾病治疗的重要来源。但是，草药使用者和科研机构之间需要进行合作，以帮助发现基于土著知识的新药。科学家应该探索合适的制备方法和剂量配方，以便从草药中获得最大的收益。疟疾和呼吸道感染占主要地位。草药和灌木同样占主导地位。结论草药是Buhunga Parish小儿疾病治疗的重要来源。但是，草药使用者和科学机构之间需要合作，以帮助发现基于土著知识的新药。科学家应该探索合适的制备方法和剂量配方，以便从草药中获得最大的收益。