Exploring the diversity, traditional use and conservation of medicinal plants in Northern Tanzania

Medicinal plants represent a key part of primary healthcare systems in Northern Tanzania, supporting disease management and livelihoods, yet increasing commercialization and environmental change threaten the medicinal plant resources in the wild. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on medicinal plant diversity, frequently cited, traded species, extent of use and conservation implications in Northern Tanzania. A literature search strategy was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed in Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed using predefined ethnobotanical and trade-related keywords. After screening and eligibility assessment, 28 studies published between 2010 and 2025 were included. Data from these studies were extracted on plant species, families, life forms, therapeutic uses, trade relevance and Study Citation Frequency (SCF). A total of 155 medicinal plant species were reported across the included studies, belonging to 57 families. The most reported dominant families were Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Rutaceae, reflecting patterns commonly reported in Eastern African ethnobotanical studies. Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl., Commiphora swynnertonii Burtt, and Ximenia afra Sond were the most frequently cited species. These species with high SCF were also heavily traded with barks and roots implying their intensive harvesting which may pose major conservation risks. Sustaining medicinal plant resources requires strengthening conservation programs, promoting cultivation of high-demand species, and embedding traditional medicine within national health and biodiversity policies. Future research should focus on comparative ecological studies, socio-economic valuation, and gender-inclusive approaches to ensure resilience and continued use of medicinal plants in Northern Tanzania.