A Review on the Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in Zimbabwe for the Treatment and Management of Skin Conditions: Perspectives on Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation

Abstract

Medicinal plants remain central to healthcare in Africa, where up to 80% of the population relies on traditional remedies to manage a range of health conditions, including skin ailments. In Zimbabwe, the country's rich biodiversity and favourable agroecological zones support a diverse range of ethnomedicinal plants. However, much of the knowledge surrounding these plants remains dispersed and scientifically under-evaluated. This review consolidates evidence from ethnobotanical surveys, peer-reviewed research, and grey literature to identify 93 plant species used in Zimbabwe for the treatment of 21 skin-related conditions, ranging from wounds and ulcers to measles and fungal infections. Most remedies are applied topically, often in powder or paste form, with leaves and roots cited as the most commonly used plant parts. Notably, plant species from the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Verbenaceae families featured most frequently. Pharmacological assessments revealed that many of these plants exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Yet, safety data is uneven; 40.9% of species had confirmed low toxicity, 8.6% were associated with high toxicological risks, and the remainder lacked sufficient toxicological profiling. By compiling and critically analyzing this knowledge, the study bridges gaps between traditional practice and biomedical research. It highlights species with potential for further pharmacological validation and underscores the role of indigenous knowledge in informing future dermatological drug discovery. Ultimately, this work contributes to the broader literature on integrative medicine by mapping out a culturally and scientifically relevant repository of medicinal plants used in Zimbabwe.