Volume 160, 3 February 2015, Pages 14–31
Research paper
Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for pregnant women׳s health conditions in Menoua division-West Cameroon
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
In
Cameroon, most women use traditional medicine for the treatment of
pregnancy and childbirth complaints. In order to identify some of the
medicinal plants locally used to alleviate these complaints, an
ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in five villages of Menoua Division
(West-Cameroon).
Materials and methods
Interviews
were conducted through structured questionnaires among 24 traditional
healers and 179 women living either in the town of Dschang or in 4
neighboring villages. After having recorded the interviewee personal
information on issues related to medicinal plants utilization, a
literature investigation on their therapeutic or pharmacological effects
and phytochemical composition was conducted.
Results
A
total of 88 medicinal plants species used to treat 24 conditions
occurring during or after pregnancy and belonging to 70 genera or 34
families were recorded. Maximum medicinal uses of plants are reported
for the treatment of the following ailments: swelling of legs and ankles
(23%), facilitation of delivery (22%), cleaning of the baby (12%). Most
herbal remedies are prepared with the leaves (30%), leaves+stems (28%)
and whole plant (23%) as maceration (76%). The majority of women who
used medicinal plants were very satisfied (75 %) and it is reported that
most of these plants are used in the treatment of women health
conditions.
Conclusion
Many
herbal remedies used for the treatment of pregnant women׳s health
conditions in Menoua division-West Cameroon have been revealed. It would
therefore be judicious for our government and research institution to
evaluate the therapeutic and toxicological potentials of these plants in
order to valorize their use.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Pregnancy;
- Maternal-infant health;
- Medicinal plants;
- Traditional medicine;
- Cameroon
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