An ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants traditionally used by the BaKalanga people of the Tutume subdistrict in Central Botswana to manage HIV/AIDS, HIV-associated conditions, and other health conditions

In this paper, the authors explore the traditional knowledge and practices of the BaKalanga people in Central Botswana regarding the use of medicinal plants for managing various health conditions, including HIV/AIDS and its associated conditions. By working closely with 13 traditional healers from the Tutume district of Botswana, a total of 83 plants were documented including 7 specifically used for treating combinations of HIV-related symptoms. Notably, 25 have not been reported previously as complementary or alternative medicines. To our knowledge, this is the first ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the BaKalanga peoples of the Tutume district to manage HIV/AIDS and HIV-associated conditions.