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Email this article Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in the treatment of childhood illnesses in Benin (West Africa)
Abstract
The present study contributes to the knowledge and conservation of medicinal plants and drug recipes used in childs’ care. A total of 652 traditional healers were interviewed individually and in groups using local languages. Descriptive statistics were performed on the collected data and Hierarchical Cluster and Correspondence Analysis were used to show the relation between the surveyed populations and plant species used. A total of 70 medicinal plant species from 35 families were identified and used to treat 16 diseases and symptoms in Childs’ care. Malaria, fevers, infections, bellyaches, wound and dentition were the most important childhood ailments treated. Traditional religions and Fon sociocultural group women are the best users. The main reasons of the use of medicinal plants were related to the well-being, easy access, acquired knowledge and efficacy of the plant products. Home gardens plants and their sustainable use were the main conservation mode suggested by local peoples.
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