Contribution to the Knowledge of Plants Used by Bantu and Pygmy Healers in Beni and Lubero Territories (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Eric L Kasika,Valentin K Vasombolwa,Jean Lejoly

doi:10.5539/jps.v4n2p157

Abstract

Traditional medicine is largely used in Benin and Lubero Territories (D R Congo) as costs for conventional drugs increase and become unaffordable to many people, particularly living in rural areas. The aim of this work is to unlock convergences of plant species used in Bantu and Pygmy herbal medicine. An ethno botanical survey was conducted from 2010 to 2012 in Beni and Lubero Territories. Thirty- six healers, well known in villages where Nande Bantus and Mbuti Pygmy live together were interviewed concerning the plant species used in traditional medicine. One hundred and ninety seven recipes from 182 plant species were identified in Bantu ethnic group and 78 recipes from 83 plant species in pygmy ethnic group. Decoction and Carbonization have been the main modes of preparation by Bantus healers, whereas pygmy healers have mostly used triturating. Ruderal plant species were mostly used among which the Asteraceae family is preponderant (23%). Frequencies comparison with Khi squared method has shown that Bantu herbal medicine is different from pygmies’ traditional medicine.

Highlights

The picking-up of medicinal and “magic” plants as well as in Africa and elsewhere in the world has always been considered as very important and determinant
The analysis shows that most species frequently in Bantus and Pygmies specialized in traditional medicine in Beni and Lubero territories have strong similitude of employment against recurrent diseases; there are strong correlations between the species K. anthotheca, R. vomitoria, D. integrifolia, C. sumatrensis, P. capense, S. acuta, C. papaya, B. pilosa, S. aculeastrum, for treating malaria, gonorrhoea, otitis, panaris, migraine, sexual impotence, epilepsy, diarrhea and hemorrhage
Great differences are observed in the number of recipes used in traditional medicine of Bantus and Pygmies healers living in the same villages

Summary

Introduction

The picking-up of medicinal and “magic” plants as well as in Africa and elsewhere in the world has always been considered as very important and determinant. According to Balagizi et al (2007), developing countries are conscientious that their health systems are based on imported technologies and modern medicines, which are costly. If this state of dependence persists, the health expenses will increase and will affect the state’s finances. It could be better to promote medicine by the exploitation and rational use of local knowledge found in natural local resources, medicinal plants. The same organization estimates up to 80%, the African population that uses traditional pharmacopoeia for their health care

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