Plants Used in Gynecology by the Malinke of South-eastern Senegal (Kédougou region)
Gueye Mathieu *
Laboratoire de Botanique, Département de Botanique Et Géologie, UMI 3189 Environnement, Santé Et Société, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, BP 206 Dakar,Senegal.
Diop Seydina
Laboratoire de Botanique, Département de Botanique Et Géologie, UMI 3189 Environnement, Santé Et Société, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, BP 206 Dakar,Senegal.
Mingou Paterne Arnaud Bernard
Laboratoire de Botanique, Département de Botanique Et Géologie, UMI 3189 Environnement, Santé Et Société, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, BP 206 Dakar,Senegal.
Samb Papa Ibra
Département de Biologie végétale, Faculté Des Sciences et Techniques, UCAD, BP 5005 Dakar, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The collection and promotion of traditional knowledge is an international issue today. Thus, in this study we were interested in the local knowledge held by the Malinke of south-eastern Senegal on the plants used in gynecology. Methodology: The open semi-structured interviews technique, immersion, direct observations were used to collect local knowledge. The data are processed by descriptive statistical techniques for calculating ethnobotanical indices.
Results: The Malinke use 30 plants, belonging to 24 genera, distributed in 15 families, the most representative of which are the Fabaceae with 5 species, the Rubiaceae comprising 4 species, the Apocynaceae, the Combretaceae and the Moraceae with 3 species each. Their traditional mode of use compared to the practice of modern medicine allows the plants used to be classified into 7
Groups: oxytocics, antispasmodics, uterine antispasmodics, antiemetics, diuretics, muscle relaxants and galactogens. The most used species are Erythrina senegalensis, Ficus umbellata, Raphionacme splendens and Indigofera leptoclada. Bark is mostly used (38%), followed by the leaves and roots (22% each), while the most common method of preparation is a decoction (60%).
Conclusion: The study shows the importance of traditional medicine in rural areas of Kédougou region, south-eastern Senegal in the management of pregnancy, breastfeeding and maternal health. This is why a pharmacological characterization is underway to promote this local knowledge.
Keywords: Childbirth, breastfeeding, pregnancy, medicinal plants, prenatal health, Senegal