**3.3 Ethnobotanical uses—***C. spinarum* **in human and animal medicine**

Ethnomedical (EM) analysis of *C. spinarum* took into consideration the following basic elements: plant parts used, methods of preparation, route of administration and ailments treated using *C. spinarum*, followed by analysis of the use of different plant parts for different ailments. Plant harvesting details were searched but were only reported on in three studies out of a total of 284 documents and 513 use reports (URs) analysed. Each of these aspects of EM plant use bears a relationship to the phytochemistry, bioactivity and toxicity of plant extracts which then have a bearing on the outcomes of ethno-directed bioprospecting studies. The global geographical variation in usage of *C. spinarum* and the ethnoveterinary use of *C. spinarum* were also examined.

The geographical distribution of the ethnobotanical data is illustrated in **Figure 6**. The key areas reporting the EM use of *C. spinarum* are Eastern Africa (mainly Kenya and Ethiopia) and South Asia (mainly India and Pakistan). *C. spinarum* is also used across the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, East and South East Asia and Australia.
