The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin

The result of this study showed that self-use of herbal remedies is first option and most prevalent among mothers, as they have extensive knowledge of different species of plants used. The plants shown here are the most cited. Aim of the study: To investigate the extent and type of medicinal plants...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethnopharmacology 2011-01, Vol.133 (1), p.234-243
Main Authors: Allabi, Aurel Constant, Busia, Kofi, Ekanmian, Vital, Bakiono, Fidèle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Agonlin
Animist
Benin
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Ethnobotany
Female
General pharmacology
herbal medicines
Humans
indigenous knowledge
indigenous peoples
Infant
Infant, Newborn
leaves
malaria
Male
Medical sciences
Medicinal plants
Middle Aged
mothers
Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Phytotherapy
Plant Preparations - therapeutic use
plant tissues
Plants, Medicinal
questionnaires
Self Care
Surveys and Questionnaires
traditional medicine
Young Adult
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Summary:The result of this study showed that self-use of herbal remedies is first option and most prevalent among mothers, as they have extensive knowledge of different species of plants used. The plants shown here are the most cited. Aim of the study: To investigate the extent and type of medicinal plants used in self-care by the inhabitants of the Agonlin community in the Republic of Benin. Materials and Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview a total of one thousand mothers Results: The prevalence rate of the use of herbal medicines in self-care was found to be 51.04%. One hundred and fourteen (114) plant species belonging to 69 families were reported, each with their local names, medicinal use, and parts used. Of all the indications of the identified plants, fever, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting were the most frequently reported, with malaria treatment recording the highest usage of plant remedies (22%). The plant part most frequently used was the leaves. Conclusions: This study showed that self-care using medicinal plants is a major part of health care in the Agonlin area.
ISSN:0378-8741
1872-7573
DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2010.09.028