Table 1 Medicinal plants harvesting and processing methods.
Number of responses | Percentage (%) | |
|---|---|---|
Harvesting criteria | ||
Season of the year | 61 | 33 |
Time of day | 49 | 27 |
Quality of the plant (normal physical aspect) | 34 | 19 |
Maturity of the plant part used | 30 | 16 |
No particular criteria | 9 | 5 |
Method of drying | ||
Under the sun | 39 | 30 |
In the shade | 83 | 65 |
Others | 6 | 5 |
Determinants for drying method | ||
Disease to be treated | 47 | 35 |
Plant organ used | 49 | 36 |
Patient health status | 14 | 10 |
Random | 9 | 7 |
Others | 17 | 13 |
Reasons for drying the plant material | ||
Reduce water content of the plant | 33 | 25 |
Prevent fungal growth | 32 | 24 |
For preservation | 66 | 50 |
Threatened or endangered species awareness | ||
Yes | 79 | 87 |
No | 12 | 13 |
Threatened or endangered species usage | ||
Yes | 77 | 85 |
No | 14 | 15 |
Plant organs conservation for future use | ||
Never | 3 | 3 |
Rarely | 16 | 18 |
Often | 72 | 79 |
Form of conservation | ||
Fresh | 16 | 10 |
Dried | 66 | 39 |
Reduced into powder | 62 | 37 |
Calcinated | 24 | 14 |
