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

This review highlights the use of 93 ethnomedicinal plant species in Zimbabwe for treating 21 skin conditions, emphasizing the reliance on traditional remedies by up to 80% of the African population. The study identifies plants from the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Verbenaceae families as frequently used, with leaves and roots being common components. These plants often exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, though safety data is inconsistent, with 40.9% showing low toxicity and 8.6% posing high toxicological risks. The review bridges traditional practices with biomedical research, advocating for further pharmacological validation and recognizing the importance of indigenous knowledge in dermatological drug discovery.